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Senators Roundtable - Goaltending Trade Rumors: Ullmark, Markstrom & Saros; Drafting Tij Iginla
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Jun 13, 2024
In this episode of The Hockey Writers Senators Roundtable, Ottawa Senators writers Jacob Billington and Paul Quinney get together to discuss the trade rumors surrounding Linus Ullmark (Boston Bruins), Jacob Markstrom (Calgary Flames) and Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators), and whether Steve Staios could draft Tij Iginla at 7th overall when the 2024 NHL Draft gets underway on June 28. 0:00 Intro 3:03 Senators' Recent Goaltending Carousel 8:16 Linus Ullmark 15:09 Jacob Markstrom 21:12 Juuse Saros 25:38 Could the Senators select Tij Iginla at 7th overall? The Senators Roundtable crew are great writers too - Jacob Billington - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/jbillington/ Paul Quinney - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/pquinney/ Dayton Reimer - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/dreimer/ Subscribe to The Hockey Writers Ottawa Senators Substack for all the best Sens content - https://thehockeywriters.substack.com/subscribe Follow The Hockey Writers: Twitter - https://twitter.com/TheHockeyWriter Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehockeywriters_
View Video Transcript
0:00
Hey everybody, welcome back to the Senator's Roundtable. I'm your host Jacob Billington
0:05
joined by Paul Quinney. Today we're missing out on Dayton, so we're just going to do this
0:10
together. Honestly, there's quite a bit to talk about over the past week. It's been pretty quiet
0:15
in Sons Land, and a couple rumors have come out over the past couple days at this point
0:21
So, Paul, how you doing? I'm freezing cold, man. I'm sitting here in Ottawa on
0:28
highs of 13 degrees, constant rain, and no cloud. I think I'm starting to develop
0:34
rickets or something, you know, where your body can't synthesize vitamin D without sunlight
0:41
So if I stumble during the show, you know what's going on. Perfect. Well, not perfect, really. I hope you're doing okay. Yeah, the gloomy weather
0:52
it's been kind of all around, and a lot of cloudy days so far this kind of early summer
1:00
But yeah, so playoffs are in full swing, and Ottawa's not relevant in the playoffs
1:05
but they are relevant in some other conversations. We've talked about this a couple times on this
1:09
podcast, but first question I'm going to ask you is, does Ottawa need to acquire a goalie
1:14
So we talked about this a couple weeks ago. Dayton had some really good points in the fact that it's
1:19
not necessarily a personnel issue in the net, it's a team issue. But do you think that Ottawa
1:25
should be going out and spending big assets for a goaltender? You know, Jacob, I think they have to
1:31
If they don't have goaltending, and goaltending right out the chute, I think you're looking at
1:37
an eighth consecutive year of them not being in the playoffs. And if that, no one can afford that
1:43
Steyos can't afford it, the team can't afford it. So I've heard that argument that, hey
1:50
it's not the goalies, it's the team in front of them. I don't know about that. I mean, we've seen
1:57
these guys, Corpus Salo, I wasn't impressed with him when I heard he signed them. For me, he was
2:05
just never a consistent goaltender. And frankly, I don't think he'd ever been a starter. You can
2:13
argue the point, but I don't think he was a bona fide starter anywhere. So he just wasn't the
2:18
solution. Despite what Pierre Dorian claimed that, you know, he had solved the senator's
2:24
goaltending problems last summer. Yeah, he did that a couple times. He did that with Matt Murray
2:30
too, didn't he? And Cam Talbot? Well, Branstrom was a, what was he a generational signing or some
2:40
bloody thing? So I don't know. That's just the way he talked, I guess. Yeah, he had a big mouth
2:46
and not in a disrespectful way. He just, he got ahead of himself and he just let everything come
2:52
out without thinking about what he was going to do. And I mean, it made for some excellent quotes
2:55
to break down, but it kind of blew up in his face quite a few times too. So there's a couple of
3:02
names. Before we get into that, it's been four full seasons now since Ottawa has had Craig Anderson
3:09
man the net. Do you know how many goalies that they've used since the last time Craig Anderson
3:14
was in the crease? No. And I'm kicking myself here, Jacob, because you answered that question
3:21
in your latest article. I should have read it. I just, you know, I'd read a few others
3:26
of your articles, didn't get that one. So, you know, the answer, what is it? Yeah. So I wrote
3:31
a piece about the goaltending carousel that Ottawa has kind of had since the last time Anderson was
3:35
in the crease, 13 goalies. And now you include Dylan Ferguson in there who had a phenomenal
3:43
NHL debut. And then just, he was breath in the wind and he's in the KHL. Now you got Kevin
3:48
Mandelizzi and Levy Muralainen. They played a couple of games as prospects and whatnot, but
3:54
13 goalies like that is insane. I don't know if that's the most in the NHL, but it's got to be up
4:01
there. They had a record, a franchise record of seven goalies used two seasons ago. That's
4:10
injuries happen, sure. But you also have completely inconsistent depth in the crease
4:16
And we saw even in the Cam Talbot season that at the end of the year, he was a scratch and
4:22
Ottawa ran with Forsberg and Sogart at the end of the season when they were, I mean, not in the
4:28
running for the playoffs, but they finished the season six points out of the playoffs. And even
4:32
though running down the stretch, they would sit Cam Talbot, like there hasn't been any success
4:38
outside of, I would say, Anton Forsberg out of those 13 goalies. I don't know what makes me want
4:44
to hit the bottle of scotch in my drawer. Worse, the fact that, you know, you've had 13 goaltenders
4:52
it says you put it a carousel or when I think of all the great goaltenders, they, they just let go
5:00
I mean, you look around the league, the number of goaltenders, good goaltenders that, that were
5:06
once with the Ottawa senators, you know, you could go on and on. Right. Well, yeah, just over the
5:11
past decade, I mean, they've had Robin Leonard, Ben Bishop, they let those guys go. Even more
5:17
recently, you got Philip Gustafson. He was great in Minnesota. It's Ottawa always seems to let go
5:23
of the wrong guy. And it's not just a Dorian thing. It happened with Brian Murray too. And it's
5:26
happened in the past as well. Um, it's Ottawa's just always had a hard time finding consistent
5:32
goaltending outside of Craig Anderson. Who's who's next on the list, Patrick Laleem, who was
5:37
good for a little bit, but like, I don't know. Yeah. I'm just listening to you talk there. It
5:44
makes me think I've written an essay. I forget where it was, um, about the almost, there's almost
5:52
no correlation between, um, college football quarterbacks, like where, where they go in the
5:58
draft and how successful they are on the NFL. And I don't know what it is with Ottawa. I mean
6:04
do other teams have the same problem that they just don't seem to be able to identify
6:10
uh, a starting goaltender and keep them. But that's the only information I have for letting
6:15
all these goaltenders go. I think it's a combination of poor pro and amateur scouting
6:22
at times. And I think that that all stems back to, um, how much that kind of stuff is valued and how
6:28
much the owner of the team was willing to pay. Um, and in Ottawa, I mean, it's no secret that
6:35
under the Eugene Melnick, they weren't looking to hand out money to people. They didn't need to
6:39
um, but you could certainly argue that they needed to looking at how their kind of trajectory was over the past two decades. Yeah. But I guess, you know, if you look
6:49
back over a goaltenders that came out of nowhere, uh, to, to become stars, it was just, you know
6:56
how do you explain it? Um, I think this is a problem across the NHL. Yeah, it absolutely is
7:02
And I think that like right now we're seeing the Russians and the Americans kind of take over the
7:07
goaltending conversation. Um, and I, I don't know what it is. I don't know why, um, like we go
7:15
through phases, right? So for, for five or six years, it was just Americans coming out of the
7:20
draft that were really starting to drive in the NHL. And now we're in the kind of the Russian
7:24
territory. And, um, so like we're seeing Ilya Sorokin, uh, Andre Vasilevsky, Igor Shosturkin
7:31
at like, just these Russian goaltenders are taking over the league. Um, and yeah
7:37
when you look at the Americans, like there's, um, Connor Hellebuck, Jake Ottinger, Jeremy Swayman
7:42
like they're, they're all still fairly young. Um, but it's, it's insane that, and it's like
7:47
you look at the Canadian goaltending depth, who are they going to run with in the four nations
7:51
face off and the Olympics and all that. And it's, it's a bit of a crap shoot
7:57
It makes you pine for the days of Marty Brodeur. Yep, absolutely. Um, so let's get into some actual rumors that have been surrounding Ottawa. Now
8:06
these have come from a number of sources, Elliott Friedman, Bruce Garyock, uh, David
8:11
David Pagnotta has, uh, mentioned a couple of names. Uh, but first we're going to go to the
8:16
one that's been talked about the most is Linus Olmark. So he hit a phenomenal season in Boston
8:21
last season, uh, with a nine, I believe it was a nine 38 and one of one, the Vesna, uh, he took a
8:27
bit of a step back this year. I think it was a nine 18 this season, which is still incredible
8:32
And Ottawa would love to have something like that. He's got one year left on a $5 million contract
8:38
and he's got a 15 team, no trade clause. So you likely have to wave it to come to Ottawa. Cause
8:44
I can almost guarantee that that's going to be on his, on his list. Uh, but what do you think
8:48
Should Ottawa be looking at Linus Olmark? Oh, I think they have to, I, I would imagine
8:54
uh, sales he he's all marks probably at the very top of his, uh, goaltending file on his desk
9:02
Um, but that said, you know, there's a lot of other teams interested. He's probably
9:08
well, arguably along with Markstrom, the best talent that is available this summer
9:14
So he's going to get a lot of attention. I wonder, uh, you know, you could make a hockey
9:20
tree. It's almost one for one. If you traded chicken, uh, for all mark, right. They'd make
9:27
similar salaries. They both got one year term left. Um, but I rumor has it that, um, Don Sweeney
9:36
the Boston GM is, um, you know, he he's being aggressive in terms of what he wants. I mean
9:44
not only does he want a roster player, but apparently he's looking for a first round pick
9:50
or at least a very high pick. And, uh, so the question then becomes, is that something Ottawa
9:56
would consider, uh, given the story state of the prospect pool? Is that, I think it's really
10:04
interesting because yes, the prospect pool is terrible. You can kind of forgive that
10:09
Like you look at the Bruins, you look at the Tampa Bay lightning, you can forgive that with some success. And it was Linus. Omar going to give you more success than, uh, who you expect
10:17
at 25th overall, or who you expect that 37th overall with the second round pick probably
10:23
but how much are you willing to risk on that? Uh, I do think that Omar would be a fantastic
10:27
addition. I do think that he is still a great goalie and could really help save the senators
10:33
in the crease. How much are you really willing to give up? Like if, if the ask is for Jacob
10:38
chicken and 25th overall, are you going to take that? 25th? Yeah, I'd consider that
10:46
Yeah. So it's, it's really interesting. I think that no matter what, if Ottawa is trading for
10:52
Linus Olmark, it needs to come with an extension. They've been bit by that a couple of times. They
10:57
had a debris cat that contract situation blew up in their face. Jacob chicken played one season
11:02
Now he's one year away from unrestricted free agency and it doesn't look like an extension is
11:07
going to happen. So they need long-term stability. And especially in the net, like they've been
11:13
like I said, it's just been a carousel of goaltenders and they need some stability there
11:17
They need to sign somebody to, uh, like not necessarily eight years, but five or six years
11:23
for somebody that can be a true number one goaltender and an elite one at that
11:29
How old is Olmark? 30? He's 30. Yeah. That's what I thought. So, you know, there's some
11:35
some runway for him, you know, possibly five years. Well, they look at goaltenders. Their, their prime is usually like for most players, it's like the
11:44
25 to 29 range, uh, for goalies, it's usually like 28 to 35. Like they, it takes a while for
11:51
them to get their feet wet. And with goalies, it's always just, they're great until they're not
11:58
But you know, if you're Staios this summer, you, you, you, okay. Theoretically, um, you could
12:05
look internally, you know, do you have a prospect? The answer, we all know what the answer to that
12:10
is. Matt Sogard is not it. He needs more season in the NHL. I think we saw that in the six games
12:16
six games he's played. And then if you look at the free agency market, is there any solution out
12:22
there? The answer is really, no, there's, there's just not a lot of talent in free agency
12:27
So that leaves a trade and you gotta make the trade this summer. Um, well for a couple of
12:35
reasons, right? I mean, the last two seasons, maybe three, the senators, uh, their season's
12:39
been over by November. And the reason it's been over is they've just had crummy goaltending. That
12:46
can't happen again. And if they don't get a decent goaltender in there, uh, chances are it will
12:53
So, um, you know, and, and in season trades, yeah, they, they, they just don't work out in
13:02
this league. Right. I mean, they just don't happen. Uh, so you, you gotta make the trade
13:07
now, essentially. So I imagine a goaltender is it's right on the top of his problem pile on his
13:15
desk. Yeah, I, I agree. It's something that's really going to happen. Um, and like you said
13:21
it's going to happen now, the stability in net, um, just needs to be locked down. You do look at
13:28
their current goaltending situation. And if Ottawa is going to be trading for Lena Solmark, you
13:34
probably expect that Anton Forsberg is going the other way. Um, they do have, uh, Brandon Boosie
13:40
as their kind of upcoming prospect goalie, uh, who looks pretty good. I don't know if he's quite
13:46
ready for a backup spot. So Fordsberg could take that he has lower cap it, he's probably going to
13:51
be part of that trade, but he can't go into the season with three goalies. Um, and there's no way
13:55
that Boston's taking a Corpus Allo back. So I think that Fordsberg kind of has to be part of
14:01
that trade for it to make sense for both sides. But, um, and one thing that you mentioned was the
14:06
free agency, the only goalie that I'm looking at in free agency that I would have any interest in
14:11
which it it's impossible to do when you have Jonas Corpus Allo, but, uh, I wouldn't be opposed
14:17
to bringing in Laurent Brosseau. He had a fantastic season in Winnipeg. He had a fantastic season in
14:23
Vegas the year before he was there started going into the playoffs when they won the cup. Um, so
14:29
he could be an option, but again, unless you're moving out Corpus Allo, it's you're not signing
14:34
him. So you don't think he could buy a Stelios could buy a general manager somewhere, a really
14:40
nice dinner and sweet talking in the second Corpus Allo. Huh? I don't think so. I don't
14:46
think teams are too eager to take that contract on right now. Yeah. God reminds me of Matt Murray
14:52
right? I mean, Ottawa was the only team that would take that one on and they, you know, they did it
14:57
again with Corpus Allo, but yeah, the latest name to come up. Um, and Ottawa seems to be heavily
15:06
linked to them, um, is Jacob Markstrom. So the Calgary flames gold tender is two years left with
15:12
a $6 million cap it. He he's the only reason the Calgary flames were even a little bit competitive
15:18
at parts of last season. Uh, and he, again, he has no trade clause, so he would have to wave to
15:25
come here. And it sounds like the, uh, New Jersey devils are leading the way in the kind of race for
15:31
making a trade for Omar or sorry, Merrick's room. But Ottawa has been linked pretty heavily and is
15:38
certainly in the running for that. One really interesting piece that's coming up is using the
15:42
seventh overall draft pick to move down to ninth and swap with the flames. Cause moving up two
15:47
spots in the top 10 is pretty significant, especially with somebody who we're going to
15:51
talk about a little bit later to Gginla. He is, I mean, if the flames want them, I'm sure. Um
15:57
and if they have the opportunity to move up a couple spots and hope to get them, I'm sure
16:00
they're going to do that. Um, they would also probably want 25th overall and Zach was stop
16:06
Chuck. And if that's, if they're going to take Corpus Allo back, they're not going into a place
16:11
where they're looking to sit for success over the next couple of seasons. They're in rebuild mode
16:16
They're looking for younger guys, Ottawa giving them some futures and then stop Chuck just to
16:20
take on Corpus Allo. I think that that's a pretty fair deal. Um, but yeah, what do you think of
16:26
Jacob Marksman? Do you think he's somebody that Ottawa should be looking at? Well, I think he'd
16:32
get you off to the right start. You know, he's 33, he's a aging, very expensive asset, but at
16:39
least he gets you off to the right start. Um, he's not longterm. I think though, you know, you hit
16:47
I mean, I don't want to rush ahead and start discussing to Gginla before you're ready
16:51
Jacob, but, uh, you, you raised it. Uh, you know, I've heard variations on, uh, trading
17:00
Ottawa's seventh or Calgary's ninth, but the deal, uh, I've heard is Markstrom plus
17:09
um, the ninth round pick in exchange for the seventh. And you might be able to also dump some
17:16
salary by moving Forsberg and Hammanick. Um, you know, there's any number of combinations and
17:24
permutations here, I guess, but the basic structure would be seventh for ninth and include Markstrom
17:31
in it. Um, yeah, I, you know, it's possible, I guess, you know, I wouldn't be opposed to it
17:41
Like I say, they, they, they need some type of goal tending and Corpus
17:45
Salo and Forsberg aren't it. They just can't continue on with them. Yeah. I think Markstrom his season in Calgary, um, in 2023, 24, went really underappreciated
17:56
I think that he, again, like I just mentioned, he is the only reason that they weren't like
18:00
a bottom 16. They were, they were close to that, but at points they were like, playoffs
18:06
weren't unrealistic for them, like halfway through the season. And that's only because
18:10
of Jacob Markstrom. And I think that they, uh, teams really understand the impact that he had
18:15
on them last season. Now he's a bit of a hot and cold goalie. He'll have a good year and a bad year
18:20
a good year, bad year. Um, but of course, when he lands in Ottawa, it's probably going to be
18:24
two bad years in a row. Uh, but he, he's really, really good. He is a veteran and he has two years
18:33
left. If Steve Stamos believes that it's going to be Levy Muralainen or, um, Mad Sogart that are
18:39
going to be ready to take the net in two years, then I think that Jacob Markstrom is a fantastic
18:44
stop gap and could fill that role really well. Um, and provide like that again, that veteran
18:50
leadership, um, kind of maybe in a year or two have, uh, Sogart or, uh, Muralainen back him up
18:57
and learn from him, figure out how to play, figure out the tricks and whatnot to make a
19:02
successful NHL goaltender. Uh, but I do think that Markstrom would be an excellent ad again
19:07
I think the devils are leading the, leading the race there, but I think that Markstrom would be
19:11
a great addition to the senators. So do you think he could handle north of 60 games in a year? Um
19:19
I know when he was younger, he used to like to do that. Uh, but then more recently, I think teams
19:25
have gone to, uh, what they call one a and a one B goaltending structure. So you've got basically
19:31
two equally talented goaltenders that split the workload. Don't know if that would be possible in
19:37
in Ottawa with Corpus, Salo is backup. Yeah, I, well with Corpus, Salo is the backup. I wouldn't
19:44
mind 30 games out of them. There's like a 50, 30 split. I don't think that's a huge problem
19:49
And if it's a Fordsburg, I wouldn't mind that either. Um, if, if Markstrom can stay healthy
19:54
and can, uh, put, put together 50 really good games, I don't think that that's going to be
19:58
a problem in Ottawa. I do think that not last year, I think he played 48 games this past season
20:04
but the two years before that, I think he played 59 and 63. So he's still capable of it. Um, and he
20:11
I think he's better in a smaller sample size, like closer to the 50 games
20:15
But I, it's, it's really interesting to kind of ask that though, because he is getting older
20:20
Uh, it's kind of going to be his preference. How much do you want to play? And then let his
20:24
let his play dictate that. Um, but yeah, I think that Corpus, Salo
20:29
Fordsburg, or even Sogard are fine for a backup role, like a 25 to 30 games
20:36
Yeah. I mean, Markstrom's an interesting guy, right? I was just thinking, I don't think he's
20:41
played, uh, anywhere else except Canada, right? Vancouver, Calgary, uh, possibly Ottawa now
20:48
Has he played outside of Canada before? No, I don't think so. He was, uh
20:53
yeah, no, I don't think so. He, he, he likes Canada. No, he played in Florida for a couple
21:01
of years. Yeah. All right. Um, so the last goalie that we kind of have to talk about today is
21:09
the Holy grail. Um, if Ottawa can land UC Saros, then that's a complete success
21:14
He's going to have a big ticket this, uh, with an extension this summer. And again
21:19
this is a deal that would have to come with an extension if Ottawa was going to make it
21:23
Uh, but it would probably start with Jacob Chikran probably include the 25th overall pick
21:29
and probably another asset or two. I think that going after UC Saros. And again, we talked about
21:34
this with simmer last week. We don't really have a basis on what superstar goalies go for in the NHL
21:41
We haven't seen one traded in a long time. So there there's no market market already set
21:47
So Ottawa would be setting that or whoever acquires Saros is going to be setting that
21:52
Um, but what do you think should Ottawa try and hit a home run and get Saros
21:59
Well, sure. They, you know, stay with us, has to try it. Um, but you'd hit the nail on the head
22:04
Uh, it all depends on the term, you know, he'd better come with an extension. Uh, you know
22:10
if you're giving up those types of assets, um, you know, and you're right, there hasn't been a
22:16
major goaltender trade in, in years. Right. And, and it used to be, you weren't trading roster
22:22
players for them. They, they were picks prospects. That was the price. So, yeah. And I don't think
22:30
Nashville's in a spot that they want picks and prospects. I think that they want that as part
22:35
of it, but I think like looking at what this editors have to offer, I think they would want
22:39
one of Chikran Pinto or Greg. I don't think Ottawa wants to give up Pinto
22:45
I'm not sure. I mean, they don't want to give up Greg, but I think that he might be more available
22:49
than Shane Pinto for sure. Um, and then Chikran again, he's, he's on the block. So those are
22:55
three players that I think Nashville would be looking at from Ottawa. And like, do you include
22:59
Matthew Joseph in there? Um, add some depth to Nashville and try and help balance the salary
23:05
Um, there's a lot of options to make a deal with Nashville
23:09
Yeah. Yeah, there really are. Um, you know, I'm actually in anticipation of this discussion. Um
23:17
I was looking at some other gold tenders. Uh, one that jumped out at me was, uh, John Gibson
23:23
of the Anaheim ducks. And, uh, I think, you know, the ducks they're rebuilding, so they don't really
23:29
have any need of them and they might be interested in your picks and prospects. I think he's 30 years
23:35
old, but my gosh, he's expensive. $6.4 million. Um, any thoughts on Gibson, whether he'd be an
23:43
option. I like Gibson. It's been too long since he's played for a good team. Anaheim held onto
23:50
him for too long to really have a clear understanding of what he brings to the table
23:55
Now, um, like two, three years ago, I would have been all for it. He, I just don't know what to
24:02
expect from him. He's had some bad seasons. He's played on some really bad teams. Is that part of
24:06
it? I don't know. Um, and so I wouldn't take the risk just because it's probably going to cost a
24:11
lot and he has a big salary. Um, but I don't know. I wouldn't be against it if Steve Stamos made that
24:18
deal. I just don't think I would target him just because it's magic beans. I think at this point
24:25
Yeah. I mean, I'm just listening, you know, we threw out, uh, the goalies that we've been
24:30
talking about have been with the exceptional, all Mark have been outside the Atlantic division
24:37
Um, and that's, I think it just occurred to me that would be a downside, uh, or well downside
24:43
It'd be an obstacle, I think to an Ottawa Boston trade for all Mark, because you're sending a good
24:49
goaltender like that to Ottawa and it's a Sweeney would have to, you know, raise an eyebrow on that
24:55
one. He'd think twice. I don't think Sweeney's afraid to make those deals though. Like you look
24:59
they acquired Tyler Bertuzzi last year. Uh, they like, they've made some individual, uh, trades
25:05
And I don't think that's something Don Sweeney's afraid of. There are GMs that hate doing it and
25:09
just refuse to do it, but I don't think Don Sweeney is one of them. Uh, but no, you're right
25:13
Especially with a goalie. You just never know. Um, maybe he's like, we don't want to play against
25:17
this guy. Maybe he's like, we really want to play against this guy because we know how to beat him
25:21
We don't like, I don't know. That's, that's a really interesting point though. Yeah. Yeah. Well time will tell cause I think if something's going to happen
25:29
it has to happen in the next couple of weeks. Yeah, I agree. Uh, so the last talking point
25:34
that we're going to kind of end off on here is, uh, TG Ginla. We already mentioned him a little
25:39
bit. Um, he, there's been some rumors today, uh, and yesterday that if Ottawa can keeps the
25:46
seventh overall pick and if TG Ginla is still available, he, he's probably going to be a
25:52
Senator. Now there's a couple of pretty high end defensemen available, um, around seventh overall
25:58
It really sounds like Ottawa likes somebody like Ginla. And so what again was really good at is
26:04
carrying momentum, carrying offense. And he's really good at driving the net. He's one of the
26:08
biggest risers in this draft. He wasn't projected to go top 10, um, top 15 at top 20 at the beginning
26:14
of the season, but he is now, what are your thoughts on TG Ginla? I know that you aren't
26:20
um, a prospect guru. You're not signing up to be on prospect corner next week, but
26:25
um, yeah, if you've had some time to look into him, what do you, what do you think, what do you see
26:31
Uh, just in no particular order. So, so there's no arguing with his performance this year, right
26:36
He's exploded with a cologne of rockets. Um, but it's one year and he has been impressive
26:44
Um, you know, he's gone 47 37 for a total of 80 87 points in 64 games. Is that the real deal? Is
26:53
that, is that the real Ginla here? It's all based on one season. Um, the other thing, you know
27:01
Staios, what you alluded to it, do you, do you, do you draft for, um, do you draft the best
27:10
available or do you draft for position? Lord knows Ottawa needs Senator, uh, defenseman, but
27:16
um, again, was a forward. And, um, you know, I think I know the answer because Staios has given
27:25
it in his previous, I forget, uh, press conference, but he's, he's basically come out and
27:30
said early rounds, I will take the best available. It won't be driven by the position later rounds
27:37
position. So it wouldn't surprise me to see a Ginla there. Um, I know, you know, Calgary
27:45
the fans would love to see him, right. Given who his dad was, but, um, you know, I, I think Staios
27:52
is, he understands the Ginla pedigree, uh, uh, Staios played with, uh, his father in Calgary
28:00
back in the day. So he understands what he's getting. Um, but I think the question may be
28:07
you know, one question has come up is, is Ottawa feigning interest in Staios, uh, just to up the
28:17
ante with Calgary, you know, to, or at least get a better deal on Markstrom
28:22
That's a really good point. I, I, that's a really interesting point that I hadn't thought of
28:27
because it is pretty interesting that these rumors are coming out right after
28:31
Ottawa being interested in Markstrom comes out. That's, that's really interesting and good to
28:36
think about because are they trying to say you're not getting them if we keep our pick? That's yeah
28:42
Well, if you're a, if you're, if you're a believer in conspiracy theories, uh, I'm not
28:47
but it's apparently all the rage now. So, Hey, we can, we can engage in conspiracy theories
28:53
with the best of Jacob. Yeah. Um, yeah, it's, it's going to be really interesting. I'm not
29:01
completely sold on a TGN LA. I think that he's a great player. I would be more comfortable taking
29:07
him around 13, 14, 15. Um, he, again, he's, he's offensively incredible. He doesn't play like his
29:15
father did at all. He's not very physical. Um, he doesn't have great speed. Uh, he
29:20
he isn't great defensively either. Uh, but like his, his shot and his hands and his playmaking
29:25
abilities, they're all fantastic. And again, he's great at driving the net. Um, he has
29:30
he has a lot of great skills. So I do think that he's going to be an offensive beast in the NHL
29:36
I just don't know if he's the kind of player Ottawa needs. So drafting by position. I also
29:41
don't know if he's going to be the best player available at seven. So that could come back to
29:44
bite me a hundred percent. I'll take the ownership on that, but all right, well, this is recorded
29:50
So we're coming back on you. So, uh, but, uh, well the other thing too, with the GINLA and
29:56
you know, look, he's 17, he's 17 years old. I don't know that you don't know what you have
30:03
on your hands with a 17 year old. Uh, it's all a crap shoot. And by the time, you know, I've heard
30:10
his name banded about is, well, he'd be great. He's a winger. Uh, he compliments, um, to Chuck
30:17
uh, on the wing to check on the first line, him on the second, I mean, come on guys, but it's time
30:22
he makes the team. Yeah. I think Ottawa's window will have closed. Right. Yeah. You know, because
30:29
he's so young. So, but you know, that's the nature of the hype, uh, associated with a draft picks
30:36
right. It's fun to engage in fantasy hockey, but you just don't know what you got with these kids
30:41
It's all magic beans. Um, so yeah, that's going to wrap things up for today. Uh, I really appreciate
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everybody for checking this out and if you enjoyed it, let us know and we'll see you next week
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