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Episode 43: Free Agency Went Off the Rails · Brothers In The Box

• Brothers in the Box: if you're the Spanish team and you're listening to this because your number one fakest fan in the world is here. If you're listening to this, you gotta make sure that not only play the the best sock of your life. Okay. This is but also don't come out and expect that they're just like Portugal's just gonna lie down and give you the game. Because that's something that I I thought and I would have said exactly the same thing to England today. Yeah. You know what I mean? It's coming It's coming football's comin' welcome back to the podcast. You what, Ishan? I have so much taking that embarrassment. You can laugh at me all you want. My team has qualified for the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup. Yeah, my name is. In spectacular fashion. Okay. Yeah, you parked. You parked the bus for 30 minutes. We had 10 men. We had 10 men. You parked the bus. And we did a spectacular job at at parking bus. Don't you hate on our tactics. No. Jude Bellingham will go down in history as an English god for the work the absolute glorious work he did today in the Azteca. Yeah, I mean it was a good game. It was very exciting to watch. I don't what do you mean it was a good game? It was a great game. Okay, yeah. Probably one of the best games of the tournament. Yeah. I I mean this round of thirty two has not disappointed. Yeah, a lot of games have gone to pens. A lot more than I thought. I mean not this was not round of thirty two, but Yeah. Let's let's do a little FIFA recap before we we dive into NHL because it's been a busy, busy off season. Very busy. Big free agency. A little bit too busy to be honest. Yeah. I no, I was telling Ilias this from when the last time we recorded till now, it's felt like like three weeks or something. Yeah, because of the amount of events that have happened. Yeah. League altering events. Indeed. okay. Let's start with Cabo Verde, Argentina. Probably one of my favorite games to watch. Yeah, we watched it in Seattle. We watched the first half at the hotel and then we watched the second half. Well not even we didn't even watch the second half, but we watched extra time in this little Shawarma Eurospot called Aladdin's Eurosary. Great food. Great food. On Brooklyn Avenue, in U District. Yeah, I don't know. I don't know. Aladdin's if you're listening to this, sponsor us. No, it was it was just a fun atmosphere and that goal. my god. The goal is so nasty. How do how do I explain to you guys that a silver player with 64 shooting scored the goal of the tournament? Yeah, I don't I honestly I don't know what to say. There's no words. It's a crazy story from this team. 40 old Ten D. And and he's just Well, an MLS team for sure has to sign him, right? No, for sure. No, no. Okay, I saw this I saw this Instagram post. He had forty K followers before the tournament. He has twenty two million now. Yeah, he's more than Tom Brady. Yeah. It's it's insane. This is football heritage. Yeah. Yeah. No, but they they played their hearts out. They did. They have honestly nothing to be like ashamed of or sad about because they they carried a nation on their back. A nation of like what? Less than three million people? I thought it was one million. Is it less than one million? No, no, like around one million. Around one I think one point five? Yeah, something like that. Just absolute class. No, but taking the defending champs into extra time is insane. And almost and almost taking them to pens? Yeah. I I just And what did he have? Ten saves? Vozinha had ten saves? Yeah, something crazy. Just absolutely he's an animal. Mm-hmm. And and the way okay, the way he was like toying with the defense. Yeah. He was just so much confident. So much confident. He plays with so much calm. Like so much aura. Yeah. Makes sense. Twenty two million followers. And that save on Messi, the free kick. Yes. Like nobody else in the stadium was paying attention to Messi taking that kick except for him. He's so dialed. Yeah. He was like he was still trying to like get his wall and check and everything. A message just shot it. He was like, I I'm catching you off guard, I'm gonna score. Nope. He said not today. He said not today, sir. but yeah. Crazy game. Amazing game. Other other ex very exciting game. Belgium v. Senegal. Senegal is winning two up until w I don't wanna say the seventieth minute. Yeah, I don't know what it is, but these African teams cannot seem to hold a leaf. Like We what are the what are the game we did we see it with No, go over go over the the Belgian game. No, okay, so Belgium losing two O, I thought the game was completely over. And they come back, they score two straight in like a hundred and twenty seconds. And then they score another one in like like the extra time in like the actual ninetieth minute there was like probably like six minutes or something of extra time of added time. Yeah, insane stuff from the Belgium team. And they had subbed off De Bruyna and Doku, which is one of the two of their best players. Yeah. They had an old Romeo Lukaku. Romeo Lukaku. Who was just trying to get up and down the field as much as possible and scores a goal for them. It's just like I think it tied the game with at the a hundred and twenty-fourth minute or yeah gym did. Yeah, or one hour and maybe the Yeah, a hundred and twenty-fourth minute. No, but it didn't go into Did it go into extra time? It did, yeah. okay. It tied the game in at the hundred and twenty fourth minute. I see, okay. Like of of game time 'cause there's a lot of stoppages in the game. I see, okay, okay. Yeah. No, that makes sense. Isn't that crazy? That is crazy. Absolutely insane. and then the biggest upset I think so far, in my opinion. Yeah. No, I think huge upset. Paraguay takes Germany, two penalties, has a master class haramball performance and and then ends up beating Germany in in pens. Yeah. You know, Germany at the World Cup. has only missed two penalties before this. And after this tournament, they've missed five. Wow. Yeah, no, that's that's a crazy generational generational set job. when watching that game, I think it wasn't even the crazy fact that the Germans missed their penalties. It was Neuer put them back in the game. It was literally tied up and they still and then the guy, I think it was Toe or something. I forgot his name. Anyways, he skied it or something. Yeah, he did. And then he scored the goal as well. Yeah. Yeah. No, he scored the goal and it got called back. yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. I don't think that goal should have got called back. It was a foul on the key what happened was is apparently the keeper got interfered with and so h they deemed that the he couldn't make a proper save. I've noticed that in I don't It the keeper fell down way too easily. I've noticed that in FIFA they really favor like helping out the keeper. Like the f the keeper as first on on the matter. A little bit too much as well. Yeah. Like even the slightest contact, even if the keeper initiates it, don't matter. The foul is getting called or the ball is getting called off, you know? but this is the Egypt Australia game we s we watched that in the car. Yeah. On the way down to Seattle. But that was another game where The African team could not keep the lead. Nope. Egypt went up one Beautiful goal header in the first half. And then Australia tied it off own goal. And that game went to Penns and Egypt won after two Australia misses. Yes. You wanna say? Yeah. I believe so. And they subbed in a keeper to specifically for Pens. Yeah. I feel and he's still He still cannot c come up with a single save. I mean it's very hard. It's so difficult. Pens is literally just a lottery. It is. And you're just hoping for the best. It is. Obviously a little bit of mind games, but there's rules in that have been in place that you can't taunt anymore because of what Martinez did last World Cup. Yeah. And then the England game. Another African nation can hold the lead. That was probably one of the most stressful games I've watched. DR Congo goes up one seven minutes in and then England doesn't score until the seventy like fifth minute. Yeah. And then Harry Kane with absolute screamer. Yeah, I won't say like crazy goal. I I would admit, yeah, like And then an absolute dominant performance by Spain. Yeah, I I don't think Defen defense and attacking. I don't think there's much to say about Spain. I I didn't I th I knew they were gonna win this game. Mm-hmm. I didn't I didn't really have any doubt and then they just had nice strategical plays which they always do and they just undress the opponent basically. Yeah. And then round of sixteen, unfortunately, Canada's miracle and fairy tale ending came to an end at the hands of Morocco. Canada played a really f good first half. Yeah. They played really well. and then they gave up not a great one to Morocco. And after that it was just They maybe pressed a little too high. Yeah. At times and left themselves open to the counter. And Morocco's a a team that is gonna capitalize on the opportunities that are given to them and they're able to pot two more. So the three nil scoreline Morocco advances to the quarterfinals to play France. So two French nations going at it. The the colonizer and the colonized. Yeah, I don't think there was I don't think there's much to say about that France game versus Paraguay. It was so boring. No, it was very boring. Paraguay tried to park the bus. It was very scrappy, so I'm s I'm very surprised that Paraguay didn't get booked because they played a very aggressive and very physical match. Yeah. France won on a penalty from Mbappe. There isn't really much else that happened in the game. But yeah. I mean other round of sixteen matches. Another one that happened this morning. Norway upset Brazil. Just a stellar performance from Erling Holland. Yeah, this golden boot race. It's it's Messi on seven goals. Mbappe on seven goals. And now Holland on seven goals. Yeah, I mean I don't see Norway going farther, but who knows? Who knows? I mean in it, you know, the only team that can stop England right now is Norway. At the moment. Yeah. If we're being we're being honest. You know, that's their next matchup and we'll see Saturday. And we'll have we'll have the review for you on Sunday after after they play. But at the moment, that's what's in England's path. Can they beat the Vikings? And the Vikings And the Vikings. I mean, made you of Brazil. I don't think they had I felt bad for the Brazilians, you know, like they're all crying on the field after it was Neymar officially has now retired. Yeah. From international football. is it just from international football? Okay. I believe so. And then and then in four years he's gonna come out of retirement or something. No, that's how Messi and both Ronaldos had last World Cup as well. But Ronaldo announced that it's his last World Cup. No, he didn't. Yeah, he did. He did himself? Yeah, he did. His sister did, and then he did. okay. Yeah. Okay, so he put it out there. Hopefully England can beat Portugal in the final. Okay, well that's a good segue for tomorrow. Tomorrow's game. Where Portugal is gonna lose miserably. Actually, I don't I think they'll score one goal. I don't think it's gonna I I think it's gonna be Gimme give me your score prediction, Ishan. Three one. Three one. Okay. I'm saying for the Spaniards, of course, if that wasn't clear. I'm saying two two Portugal and pens. Portugal and P you don't believe Spain can win pens? Mm-hmm. You don't know about Unae? No, I I I understand, but I also understand the fact that pens is a lottery. Nah. It I You j you literally just said it yourself. No, but I don't think it'll go to pens. That's that's why I'm saying I don't even I appreciate your very misconstrued and and you know Spanish glasses on thinking. No. I can't deal with that tomorrow. But I I think it's gonna be a very stressful game. I think this is I mean, the fact that you guys couldn't pot one against Cabo Verde speaks volumes. Okay, they He went. He took the defending champs the extra time. I don't wanna hear it. The other thing is is Portugal is like is a solid team. And who who did you play in round of thirty two? Austria. Okay, so I I mean We we've made new of Austria. The the level of play that you're gonna get from Austria compared to a team like Portugal But it's not like Austria's a bad team. No, I'm not none of the teams that are in the World Cup are bad teams per se. Especially the ones that made it to the round of thirty two. The the fact that you can make it to the round of thirty two is a statement in and of itself. Yeah. What I'm saying is that I think Portugal is a is a big step up from what the talent level of Austria is. But I also think everything that Portugal has played so far is also Spain is also a step up for them. A hundred percent, but the the difference in step up is different. Yes. Because Croatia is better than Austria. Yeah, no, that's true. But Croatia but Croatia almost beat them. And they they almost pushed it to extra time and the goals that goes offside. I under they got two goals called back. Yeah. I understand that. And I understand that you have your superstar eighteen year old Laminha Mall. But there's also a fire of Portugal. You know? It is Ronaldo's last World Cup. And if you think that that's not gonna push the team to work a little extra harder, like a lex a little extra hard. And just just pump those legs. Think you might have a little thing coming. And I and if you're the Spanish team and you're listening to this because your number one fakest fan in the world is here. If you're listening to this, you gotta make sure that you not only play the the best sock of your life. Okay. This is but also don't come out and expect that they're just like Portugal's just gonna lie down and give you the game. Because that's something that I I thought and I would have said exactly the same thing to England today. Yeah. You know what I mean? Yeah, we're talking about the Portugal that tied with DR Congo. They've gotten better every match. Yeah, they beat Uzbekistan five they drew to Colombia and then they won two one against Croatia. I I think it's it's just You you can't you can't They finished second in their group. Yeah, but I'm just say I'm just saying like I don't I'm just I'm just saying two. Just because a team performs differently in the regular season doesn't mean that they're gonna perform the same way in the playoffs. No. You saw the exact the that that was the exact case with the Golden Knights. Yeah, no no I I I agree. I think I th I I honestly think Spain will win tomorrow. But but I think I also think that Portugal will win things. But just wants to play both sides. Of course Okay well moving on We have USA V Belgium tomorrow. That's in Seattle, where we literally just were. that's gonna be a good game. A little bit of a controversial one because their striker who received a red card has now been pardoned by Donald Trump and FIFA. Yeah. They need him to win. I still think I think that's a toss up to be honest. Yeah, I don't think I don't think after you give out a card you can just get rid of it. Yeah, it There's rules for a reason and the fact that they're not sticking to it, I don't know, kinda shows a little bit of The opposite of integrity. I don't know what the word is, but integrity. I'm a little tired. Tuesday. Yeah, Tuesday. Argentina of Egypt. I think Egypt's fairy tale ending is gonna be coming to an end. I really hope not. I love watching the e the Egyptian team play. Yeah, it'll be it'll be an exciting matchup. There'll be a lot of goals. I think. Yeah. I think like Mo Salah and Omar Marmoush. against Messi because literally nobody else seems to want to do anything on the team. So and Messi So if it comes off Messi's foot then and it goes to them then then they'll score. Messi's enough though. No he is. No he's more than enough. He's actually insane. and then to finish off the round of sixteen we have Switzerland v Columbia, which is happening right here in Vancouver. Final matchup at BC Final matchup at B C place. So that'll be very exciting. Tickets are on sale at the moment. Yeah, for what, five thousand dollars? No, they're about eight hundred a promo. Which is not too bad. You have that kind of money? No. But I'm just like you should sponsor us actually. It's n it's not too bad. We'll give you live coverage from the game. No, really exciting though. World Cup. Absolutely amazing. Ishan and I actually had the opportunity to attend all three games of the Blue Jays series in Seattle this weekend. unfortunately the Blue Jays could only muster up two runs in the whole series. And a total of eleven hits. Over three games. That's insane. I think it speaks to the pitching that we saw from the Seattle Mariners pitchers. If you know you did like a aggregate score, it'd be fifteen to two. And Randy Arosarena hit a fourth of July Grand Slam. It was honestly very electric to see that game. Yeah, I I really I think this was our first time spending Fourth of July in the States. And it was a lot of fun. these fireworks though, scariest fireworks I've ever No, it sounds I don't know if they mean to do this, but like when they advertise them, tell everyone that they sound like a gun. They actually sound like a gun. Because we were walking back to the hotel and a firework. We went yeah, we went to go get some ice cream and a fireworks. Late late night, so it's like eleven PM and So it makes sense why fireworks are going on. Yeah, and and it's downtown so there's gonna be diverse groups of people. Yes. Maybe some people are going out to the clubs, maybe some people are trying to find a place to sleep, some people are trying to get back to their hotel rooms. Yeah. And these fireworks are just going off and I swear it sounds like gunshots. Like a in on on top of a parking garage, just someone shoots up some fireworks and it's like right over top of our And you're just not expecting it. And then you just hear this bang right like above you. You hear the pop and then you see the light and you hear the light. Very scary but also very cool. Yeah. And then the the Mariners did a fireworks show after the game on July third for the fourth of July, which was very well done. I I really enjoyed watching a lot longer than I thought it would be. Yeah, me too. Honestly, I I I was at you. I was expecting something like I was like, it's gonna be done in five, seven minutes. It's like a solid fifteen fifteen, twenty minutes. Fifteen twenty minutes, yeah. It was it was really well done. Mm-hmm. I think they did a really, really good job. overall great experience though. I love T Mobile Park. They have a great atmosphere there. Yeah, I it was my first time being in Seattle and seeing both stadiums. Lehmanfield. Lumen. Lumen. Lumenfield. Sorry, I can't, you know, see it every time because FIFA decided to cover up the park part. but seeing that stadium and also T Mobile Park, the US really knows how to do their stadiums or look very, very cool. They do. And then Ishan and I got to try the famous Seattle dog. For the first time. Honestly, not that great. Yeah, it was kind of bad. Like I I want to make it a home now. Just to see if it was actually because the the onions weren't actually like caramelized. They were just like soft. It's kind of just like a bad Japan dog, like me honest. It this for those of you who are listening and don't know what a Seattle dog is, it's a hot dog that's been toasted with cream cheese in the bun. And then you got your Caramelized onions and some jalapenos. Yeah, the problem is the onions have to be caramelized. Yeah, and they they weren't. so they're nowhere close. Maybe one day this summer we'll make some Seattle dogs and we'll let you know how they are. but yeah, great experience in Seattle. Yeah, cool to see the FIFA arena set up because I know we saw the one in Vancouver, but it's very different to how they've set it up. It's it's a little bit it's pretty similar. Similar, but it's different. Yeah, but it's a little bit different. Yeah. I think there's less space around Lumenfield. Obviously Lumenfield is a bigger stadium compared to BC Place. Mm-hmm. But the area around it that's blocked off just for ticket holders is smaller. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, all around. Yeah, very very fun experience. we also went to Fogo de Chow. Which is all you can eat Brazilian steakhouse, and I Yishan and I Got our money's worth. We go ahead and maybe maybe more. definitely a a Brazilian steakhouse I think is a must try if you can Yeah. I mean like the especially this one was very it was a very cool experience. I've never experienced a waiter coming to you with just a a rack of needs. Yeah, and just like, Would you like this? Yeah, that but I mean that's how all Brazilian steakhouses work. They just they the waiters come around and Green means go and red means stop and if you have your green up then it just keep coming. Yeah. yeah. So overall a a great trip, great little reset with the family. But before we went, July first rolled around. This is a massive couple days for the NHL. A lot happened on one day. A lot happened on July first. Yeah. And then it's kind of trickled down and some signings have come through, but there's some trades. That happened before. And then there's a lot of signings. And there's a lot of there's been a lot of alter league altering moves that have been made. So maybe Ishan, let's go through all the moves. Yeah. Let's go through signings first. You can give me a a letter grade. And I'll give you like Do you wanna through trades first? Because sure, we can go through trades first. Yeah. our first trade was a Brandon Carlo trade for two twenty twenty-five thirds. And we didn't even write where he went. So I have no idea. Because Brandon Carlo is so irrelevant. who traded for him? I I don't know who traded for him, but I know that the two twenty twenty five thirds belong to the Maple Leafs. really? Wow. I had no idea. to the blues. Okay, the blues. honestly a really mid trade by the blues. This is a horrible from the the the the leafs. I wanna say B minus for both? Yeah. Is that crazy? No, I I would agree with that. They the the thing with Actually even a C for both. Like Yeah. Toronto got a a bad con a bad contract off their books. To open up for even more midfields. The fact that he went from what was it, two first or Fraser Mint Nana first? Fraser Mint Nana first. Two two twenty twenty five. Fraser Minana first for Brandon Carlo. And that's what they thought was gonna push them over the edge and help them win round two of playoff. It's just insane. I have been i not impressed, but I think the moves that Chaika has made as GM have been tolerable. I think I think what tr like Toronto fans, even even Oilers fans, what they don't appreciate is not seeing anything happen. Mm-hmm. And if you're doing something then at least you're doing something and not just like if it doesn't work out, sure we'll blame you after. Yeah, exactly. At least you're doing something. Literally. and then The the maple leaves took a big swing. And traded for Sergei Borovsky. Yes. No that Maple we signed him. Yeah, but they traded for his didn't they trade for his rights? Maybe. Or maybe they just signed him. I thought they just signed him. But they they did sign him, so we'll we'll go over that after. But the Florida Panthers are now obviously without goaltender. And they may went and made a swing and arguably have one of the worst goaltending tandems in the league now. and with their first major trade traded for a washed and old Jacob Markstrom who started his career with the Florida Panthers, believe it or not. Yes, I saw it was him and Roberto Longo who switched. Yeah. so Markstrom and Crookshank, Angus Cruxhank. I have no idea who that is, but in exchange for Jesper Boqvist, Evan Rodriguez and Ben Steves going back to New Jersey. And then they made a s a splash and traded for Akira Schmid for a twenty twenty eight third. Yeah. I think Vegas wise for Akira Schmid, I would give them a B plus. For Florida, I'd give them also I would give B pluses for both teams. Both teams. Akira Schmid is a is a solid backup. Yeah. Markstrom on the other hand. The Markstrom trade, I I would honestly I don't think it's crazy to give Florida a D. Yeah, I would say like D plus or C minus. And then I think I think I really like this trade from New Jersey. They bring in players that have gone to the cup before. And the fact that you're able to get Mark Shram off your books. Yeah. I think they still bring in like a decent contract in Evan Rodriguez. Yeah. But they get a decent player out of it, so I don't hate it. I don't hate it either. and then we saw Maverick Bjork and Leobushkin go from the Dallas Stars to the Nashville Predators, both on expiring contracts, in exchange for a 2027 second and a 2028 third. I think it was Maverick Bjork on. Yeah, he expected contract and RFA. Leah Bushkin has been signed for a couple more years. Bjork was he just traded for his rights. Yeah. But he wasn't becoming to become a UFA. I like the the the move from both teams. You know, I don't think that the stars were gonna be able to afford Bjork. Especially if they're gonna sign Jason Robertson. Yeah. And keep Jamie Ben and then Leah Bushin probably had to be included just to make things work and to open up a little bit more cap room. So Not not a bad trade from either team. I will give Nashville the edge. I I a hundred percent agree. especially because later like an A minus. Yeah. And then I I would give Dallas a B. Yeah. I think even like knowing the f the contract that Maverick Burke got after the fact is is very big. And then we saw Nick Robertson go from the Leafs. Two I have no idea where Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay? Yeah. I'm ninety percent sure. Okay. So Tampa Bay. And Ishan is just double checking that. Nope, we got traded to the penguins. penguins. No, it was Nick Paul. Who went? That went from Tampa to Toronto to Toronto. Okay, okay. Yes. Okay. not a not a major trade by any means. Mm-hmm. I think just a little bit of a a change in scenery for him. Yeah. I think I don't know, I'd just give both teams a B. Yeah. And then Corpus Halo heading to back up Igor Shisterkin in exchange for a twenty twenty eight fourth round pick and a prospect. So I mean B again for both teams. Yeah. it's not major trades, so it's not like it's a huge Yeah. But let's go into the signings now because that's what actually matters. We start off with Bobby Brink staying in Philadelphia by on a one and and just for for viewers or listeners' sake, the first number is the years that they're signed for and the second number is the term that they're getting. So the the A V that they're getting. So Bobby Brink stays in Philadelphia on a one by two point seven. Ishaan, what do give the deal? I'd give it a B. I'm gonna say B plus. Okay. I think I think he had an impact this year that kind of flew under the radar and the fact that they can kinda test the waters to see, especially with what's coming down the pipeline for them possibly and where he fits into the team and It gives them a little bit of option. More more like a bridge deal. that's fair. AJ Greer moves from Florida to Anaheim and signs a four by four point two five million dollar deal. Sean, what do you give the deal? A C. I I don't think he's worth that much. I agree with you. I think he was a little bit of an overpay. They have the cap space, so I understand. But still have slash had and we'll go over that in in a in a little bit. But Jeremy Lausanne signs a six by four Trying to remember where he plays. Vegas. Way in Vegas, yes. I like this deal. I like this deal a lot. it's gonna be a little bit tricky. especially considering the fact that Peterangelo might come back. Yes. So where does he fit into the picture? I don't know. But we'll we'll s I mean Petrangelo is a big maybe still, so I I agree with that. I I I'll give the deal B plus. Yeah. Bowen Byram signs in Chicago on a six by twelve and a half million dollar deal. So that makes him the most e expensive defenseman in the league. Yeah. Yeah. I personally think This deals a D. yeah, I I was gonna say obviously I wanna let play and see how it is 'cause it's it's very different being on a team where you're the second demon and not not number one. So you don't get the full spotlight and everything. Yeah, like almost a D minus. And they traded the fourth overall pick for this one as well. Yeah. For for Bon Barum. That was what made this happen. I and it's also for that's a franchise level contract at the moment. It's also for six years. So he got term as well. Like this guy's getting paid. Yeah. You you think about it, he's getting paid the same amount as McDavid is. And I I just don't Like you compare that as just like he's nowhere close to McDavid. He's making more than Bouchard. Yeah. And to be honest, like I know that you were talking so much last year about how Bouchard's contract, like ten and a half million, you know, this is such a bad contract. Okay, I wasn't saying it was he worth No, I was saying I was saying I think it was an overpay. I don't I honestly I could say in the heart of hearts, I don't think he was worth the full ten and a half this year. No, I I agree with you, but Comparing it to the contract that Boe and Byrum signed this year. I I fully agree. Boom Byrum isn't a top ten defenseman in the league. No, I don't think he is. I I would be even so inclined to say that he barely barely if if barely makes a top twenty. Yeah. And I would say it's a big if. I think they Chicago truly believes in him. They like what they see. And you know, for all we know, it could it could work out we were talking about how the Jeremy Swayman deal a couple years ago was not worth it at all. If anything. Yeah, it for for a Vesna nominee and eight eight by what eight by eight? Yeah, and he's on year two of eight now. So you still got six years of him at eight million dollars? That's that's crazy. That's great. That's great, so I guess we'll see with the cap going up to see if this contract is still actually all that and they still have to buy they still are yet to sign Connor Bernard to an extension. Yeah. Who recently in practice fell on the shoulder that he hurt and we haven't heard any news about that, but it looks like he's gonna be hurt for a a majority of the off season. Yeah, which is not good. No, not good for sh Chicago or for Byrum. But we wish him a speedy recovery. Luister Ryan stays in Florida. Yeah. On a eight by five. I I I think they're like showing a little bit of loyalty. Yeah, and I think I think the fact that he got eight years was to compensate for the amount of money that he was making like the five million. I think he could have made a little bit more somewhere else. Yeah. But gotten a little bit less term. Yeah, exactly. I'll give I'll give the deal B minus. Yeah. I'll give it a B. I think he's still a really good defense. He is. He is. Nico Heesher signed back with the Devils. Five by eleven point seven I think I think he's still a top level center. And he's a very good captain, so obviously you have to play her captain. I I wanna I I'll see B plus. Yeah. I think it's a fair deal. I think he wants to play there. He deserves to play there and you opened up a little bit of cap room with the marks from contract, so Yeah. It's fine. Rasmus Anderson signs a seven by eight point five in Vegas. Stays in Vegas. For me this is a this is a C minus. I I would say a D plus. A D plus, okay. Just just because of how poorly he was in Vegas in the playoffs. In the playoffs. I'm saying even in the regular season. I'm saying C minus to give him the benefit of the doubt. Because he does he does play well. But i He played well in Calgary and I'll stand by the fact that if you're on a team that's bad, you shine so much more if you're good if you're a decent player. A hundred percent. And I think that the contract that Vegas gave him is based on the the belief that they have in him as a player. Yeah. A lot of these contracts. Rather than his performance as a as a golden knight. Yeah. Olin Zellweger signed with Buffalo at a three by three point one. I really, really like this deal. Yeah, I think it's an amazing bridge deal. Yep. it gives Zellwiger a chance to prove his worth. in Buffalo as an offensively minded defenseman. And it gives Buffalo, you know, a little bit of flexibility to go bring in a couple more pieces and maybe push to the playoffs again. Maybe try and make a little bit of a deeper run. Yeah, and it's just a immediate replacement for Bon Byron. Yeah, and you you got another it's like they didn't even and I I I'm not saying that Zellwiger is the same level as Byron is, but you you virtually have filled the hole. And gotten a f a fourth overall pick out of it. Yeah. And gotten a new defensive pin. Mm-hmm. And So I mean I I I don't hate that at all if I'm Buffalo. Yeah. and I want to give this deal an A minus. Yeah, I would give it a would honestly give it an A. Okay. I I I agree I I think that's that's very fair. Mm-hmm. one of the biggest surprises for Ishan, for both Ishan and I was Radko Gudis going to Florida. The ducks captain leaves and signs a six by one point five million dollar deal and his deal will not be over. Until he is forty two years old. And again, with the E two Luster Ryan, I think the term compensates for the A V. Mm-hmm. And whether or not they end up buying out the contract towards the end of his career or not is up for debate. Yeah. But But I think it's I I think it's a good deal. Yeah, good deal. Especially for the next two or three years. Mm-hmm. Where he's still gonna be a a a physical presence and a force at For lack of better words to a force to be reckoned with. Yeah, someone that'll go injure your best player. Literally. Shout out to Austin Matthews. Demedov signed an extension, an eight by nine point one five. I think this is really good from Montreal. I think he's gonna be worth more than nine million dollars. Maybe not next year, but I think in year three or four of the deal, yeah. He'll be worth more than than what he's making. And it'll look like a good deal in I think it's to me it looks like a good deal at the moment. So I I'm gonna give this an A. I don't agree. Dan Vladar stays in Philadelphia and after his heroic playoff run gets a five by five. But he got paid C minus This guy's been a backup for his entire career and then finally make starter numbers. It's just absolutely insane. Yeah. I remember when he was getting smoked by McDavid in the Burl Battle of Alberta. Like I I think like Do you remember that game where Markstrom and Mike Smith went at it and then they had to then he came in as a backup and he just absolutely got lit up? Yes. yeah, I think you know, you he did very well in the playoffs and he deserves to get money for that, but he's not worth as much. No, he's not. I'm excited to see what he'll do with it though. Sam Miskevich signed in Seattle, three by three point eight five. not a bad deal at all. Seattle is just a mid franchise. They're just trying to be as mid as possible. And I honestly I think it's really unfortunate because they do I really enjoy their arena. The Climate Pledge is a premier destination to play at, and it's a beautiful new arena that really showcases all that Seattle has to offer. Yeah. so it's a shame that players don't want to play there, but I I think this is a good deal. I want to give them a B a B plus. Mm-hmm. I I would agree with that. Ian Cole signed with Chicago at a one by four. It's a little bit too much for him. Yeah, I I would agree. I would give it a I would give it a B minus though. I would also give it a B minus. I think he he's there to he's a decent defenseman. I think he definitely earned up more money in his time in Utah than his time in Vancouver as a sleeper agent for the Oilers. and then we have Mikhaeev signing in Tampa on a four by three point eight five. I'm very happy the Oilers did not sign him. Yeah, I think this is an overpay for him, a player of his caliber. He's gonna be playing Third, maybe even fourth line minutes for Tampa. I mean, maybe he takes Nick Paul's spot now on centering that third line, but I think McKeeav played his way to this number with the work that he did in Chicago because what he showed in Vancouver was nothing Close to being paid three point eight five. Yeah. No, I would I would definitely agree with that. I'll give I'll give this contract a C plus. Yeah. I I think I'll I would agree with that. Yeah. Tyson Forrester, eight by seven point one, stays in Philly. I think this is a little bit of a premature contract. Yeah, I think they're they're I don't know what it is with Philly and just like believing a lot in their forwards. I I don't think this contract is gonna age well. They put the same faith in Owen Tippett. Yeah. And yes, he's good, but his contract is too much for him right now. Yeah. But yeah. I mean you put Tippett next to a guy like McDavid and then maybe his contract doesn't look so bad. Yeah. Well anyone's contract can look good next to McDavid. Literally, literally. the Forester deal I'm gonna give a D plus. Yeah. I'll give it I'll give it a C minus. It's a little bit harsh, yeah. C minus. I guess Forrester has a lot to prove. Yeah. Making seven point one. Roslovik and Jack Roslovik is no longer with the Oilers. He signed with Elise on a two by four. And I'm relieved that the Oilers did not sign this deal. Because although I liked Roslovik in the regular season, He was nowhere to be seen in the postseason. And the Oilers only have so much cap to go around. And four million dollars on a guy that's not gonna perform past May is not worth it for me. Yeah, I I agree. I think it was I'm very happy for him because I really liked seeing him play with the Oilers. And taking that one year by one point five was very good and it helped his stock a lot. Mhm. for him, I think it's it's an A. But for the Leafs I would say it's it's A B. I don't hate it because he he d he is a good he's a good dinner. But he's he he's not the player that I think everyone believes he is. I I agree with that. I agree with that. Yeah. Arvidson signs in Detroit on a two by five. Mm-hmm. And that is very interesting. so he after moving to Boston played his way to this contract. I'm I'm happy for him because I think he was underutilized as an oiler in the systems that Chris Noblock played. Mm-hmm. And so For him, I I think it's a it's a great move. For Detroit, I I'm not sure what direction they want to go in, especially with the loss of their captain who wants to be moved, Dylan Lorkin. Yeah. I think it's a little bit too much, so I I'm gonna go B minus, but I I would agree with that. I think the contract of five million is is definitely an overpay for Arbitson. Yeah. Stuart Skinner signs with the Jets after moving Connor Hellebuck. for for the moment. Potentially starting. Potentially starting. if if he is a backup, he signed a two point two by three point seven five. I like the number. Maybe a little bit too much for a backup. But I don't I don't hate it though. I think he's a he's a very good backup. Yeah. He's not a he's not a good starter, but he's a very good backup. He's a very good backup. I I will give him I will give this deal a B plus. Yeah. Trevor Ram sorry. Trevor Van Reemsdyke signed with the Penguins at a 2.4. I like the direction that the Penguins went with this. And I'm gonna give them a B plus. Yeah. I I honestly I really like him as a player. I think he's a good really good playstyle. yeah, I I agree. Jacob Truba signs with the Sharks. Four by eight point two five. I think this is a massive overpay. Huge overpay. Traded for Nurse who is virtually the same player as Jacob Truba. Definitely no, I would say they're both physical, but I feel like Truba has that I don't know. Truba is more defensive and Nurse is maybe a little bit more offensive, but they're they both have high very similar. Yeah. If I'm honest, I would give this A C minus? I'm gonna go with a D plus. Okay. Especially because the fact that they now have Nurse and it's a lot of cap. Yeah. It's the most expensive defensive pairing in the league now. They they they're in a need for defense, so I get it. But still it's you I I think there was there is different options that you could have gone with and I don't think this was the This was the choice. Yeah. Bobrowski signed with a lease, as we mentioned before, a three by seven, so he's making seven million dollars. I understand the fact that you don't want to start stolars. But I think this is too much for an aging goaltender, especially with the season that he had last year. Y you look at okay, the thing with Brabrovsky is he's he's really good in the playoffs, but you have to get to the playoffs. And the Leafs at least for me right now, are not looking to be a playoff team. They made a lot of moves and I like the moves that they made, but I don't think they're there yet. I agree with you. I agree with you. I'm gonna give this deal a C minus. Yeah. Alex Kerfoot signed with the Preds on a two by three point five. Honestly solid deal. Yeah. For him as a player. I I'll give this a B plus. Yeah, I would agree. Colton Sissons and Teddy Blueger both signed with the Leafs. Sissens at two by four point two five and Bluegger at two by two point five. I think the Blueger deal is better than the Sissens deal. Much better. I I think the Sissens deal is a little bit of an overpay. It is a little bit of an overpay. I wanna give the the Sissons deal a a B minus and the bluegard deal an A minus. Yeah. I would say the Bluegard deal is more of a B plus. Okay. But he is he is a good player. full circle moment for Mason Marchment as his dad played in San Jose and now he signs with San Jose at a five by six point seven five million dollar deal. They have the cap maybe a little bit too much for a guy I would say his skill Way too much for for Mason Marchman. We're also not the biggest Mason Marchman fans. Keep that in mind. He injured Zach Hyman and he ruined our chances to win a cup in twenty twenty five. He did. But I I I think he is a good player. He will add that level of scoring that they do need and more depth. I'm gonna go with C. Yeah, I think C or C even even a C plus. Yeah. I think he'll he'll have the extra incentive because he's his father played there and it'll be nice for him to play there. Kuzmenko signed with Pittsburgh on a one by five, very happy for him to get a little bit of money. I think this is a tri it's an expensive trial for Pittsburgh. Yeah. I think he'll play nicely with Chinikov though. Yeah. I know it's like an overpay, but I like the deal for them. I think it's they're they're experimenting and they're trying to still push to go to that final and somehow make a deep run in the in the playoffs. Just you know. Keep doing until until Sid. Yeah, however many years Sid is on the team for. but I I would I would give it a B minus. And then just recently we had Bjork Strand to the New York Rangers on a one by four point five. I think that's a little bit too much for Bjork Strand. Yeah, I I honestly I was expecting somewhere around there. I think it's he he is a good player. He played on Tampa's power play. So he can score. But it's it's not a horrible deal. It's not a horrible deal. I'm gonna go with C plus. Yeah, I I I think that's a little bit too harsh. I'll go B minus. Okay. Vincent Desharnais signs with the Capitals and a five or sorry, four by four point two million dollar deal. This I think is a very far reach for the Capitals. I liked what they're doing with their forward core, but this is this is something. The defensive core is this guy, he's very good at blocking shots. I'll give you that. But other than that, I don't know and and maybe things have improved for him. I haven't really seen him play in San Jose, but just there's a lot of parts of his game that need work and hopefully the capitals can and can f go ahead go around and fix those parts of the game to justify this large contract. But at the moment I I'm gonna give this a C minus. Yeah. No, I I don't think that's crazy. He I don't think he's worth that at all. Mm-hmm. but something that I did like from the caps, Boon Jenner, four by five point seven five. I really I'm a big fan of Boone Jenner. I think he's a really good he'll play a big leadership role, similar to what OB does. Yeah, and another captain that has gotten traded so or signed somewhere else. Mm-hmm. No, I I like the deal from them as well. it's another voice in their locker room that's a a little bit different from Tom Wilson and and Ovechkin. Yeah, you can you can take this how you will, but to stop Rowensky from getting traded or asking out I think they're gonna make him the K. I think the I think Columbus told them to make him the c the give him the C. I think so too. I agree with you. Mm-hmm. And maybe that's part of the reason why Jenner didn't stay. Yeah. I think he also wants a shot to win the cup. Yeah, I think he does. And I think the Caps now have one of the best, if not the best, forward core in the league. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. I I agree with that. Mm-hmm. Anders Lee signs in Utah at a three by five point four. It's a little bit high in A V. Yeah. But Andrews Lee, another captain. Yes. Brings experience that he can pass along to a young Utah core. Mm-hmm. And he's more of a defensively minded forward that will be able to play crucial PK minutes for them. Yeah. And I'm I'm gonna give this one a B plus. I agree. Jamie Alexiac signed with the Canucks two by five. I think this is a little bit of an overpay, but you know, a little high. They they have cap. They're gonna play if they're gonna pay their players, I mean might as well pay our players. It's not a it's not a very long deal, so it makes sense. Yeah. maybe he can try and get in the weight room with with Buy Buyam. Yeah. Try and make him a little bit bigger. for those of you who have not seen Alexiac play in real life, he is a and I'm not saying this just because to say it, but he's a six foot seven defenseman who's like two hundred and fifty pounds and he's basically all muscle. Yeah, it's huge. and he he lays the body. Yeah. Like no nobody you've ever seen. Barrett Hayden got offer sheeted. so now he moves from Utah to the New Jersey Devils on a one by four point seven seven five deal. And this is a bridge deal for them. Yeah. we'll see how he plays alongside the new pieces that Devil's acquired. There have been a lot of rumors of Jack Hughes not staying. in New Jersey. We'll see what happens with that. I don't I don't hate it. I don't hate it either. I'm gonna I'm gonna go with a B Yeah. I would even say B plus I like him as a player. Yeah. Scott Lawton re-signs in LA for a three by three point five. And this is a good deal. Solid deal. I want to give them an A minus for this one. Yeah. Mario Ferraro signs with the Jets on a three by four. I know the Oilers were in on him for a little bit. and so I'm glad that we did not stay in the mix for this deal because I think 4 million is a little bit high for him. I want to go with B minus. Mm-hmm. Maybe even C plus. Yeah, I I would agree. Jacob Dobesh signed a three by five point three five seven five seven five. I don't understand why this is such a Specific number. It was a specific number, right? I think it's due to the signing bonuses and performance incentives that are part of the contract. Yeah. I really like this deal. He played great in the playoffs. I honestly think this is an underpay. I think they could have paid him more. I wanna go with an A plus for this deal. Yeah. I wouldn't I think this is what it is a little bit of a bridge to see if he can keep playing the way that he has. Maybe if he wanted to sign a bigger deal I'm guessing they were offering him around seven. Mm-hmm. Would be my guess. Like a seven by seven. Yeah. Would you agree with me? Yeah. And and instead he chose to take the bridge deal because he wants more on his next one. I I think I would agree with that. and then and then you y you said your f one of your favorite deals of the of the dead l or sorry, of the of free agency so far. Yeah, Maverick Bjork. he signed with the Preds because after the trade. Mm-hmm. six by five point five. In my opinion, he was one of the best players on that Dallas team in the playoffs. Mm-hmm. And he truly stepped up and he showed that he could play on that top line. Even the second line. Yeah. And doing something like that in a team like Dallas is insane. Yeah. Obviously, you know, other players like Ranson and didn't step up. but he he single handedly took that like center two position away from Rupe Hince. Yep. and I think he'll have a chance to shine even brighter. Yeah, I think I think that deal is gonna look very good in two years. I agree with you. and then just to finish off our signings Pavel Menchukov signed a deal to stay in Anaheim a five by seven point two. I think the contract is a little high at the moment. I think in two years it won't look high. Mm-hmm. so I'm gonna give it a B plus. Yeah. And then Igor Chinikov signs a three by six point two five. I really like the way he played in Pittsburgh this year. Yeah. And it's crazy to think that in the first episode We were talking about him possibly coming to the Oilers. Yeah. but yeah, he he's great. I'm gonna give them an a B on this deal. I would agree. and then one of the biggest stories this week was the offer sheet that Philadelphia sent to Anaheim and this was hours after Anaheim said that they would match any offer sheet that came for Leo Carlson. And Ishan, tell me tell me about this offer sheet. Yeah. It was a five year deal by not, a measly twelve million. Even that is is crazy. But no, we wanted to make the Flyers, the Philadelphia Flyers, took The fact that Cutter Gutier said no after he was drafted and he said no he was not gonna play in Philly. And they took that one personally. So they said we're not gonna take Gutier back. No, we're gonna we're gonna take Carlson and we're gonna give him eighteen million dollars. So you guys can either match that or you can take four first round unprotected picks and we take away your best center. To me, if I'm Anaheim, I think you have to let him go. I I think it makes them out 'cause if you have four unprotected first round picks, you can go get someone else. Yeah, and the and the chances of Philly making the playoffs again and going as far as they did, I think are low. Yeah, I don't think that the team that means in the next four years, in addition to your pick, you're gonna have four f first round picks in the next five years that are top twenty at least. You'd agree? Yeah. Anaheim has until the end of the week to figure out what they want to do. So next episode we will be updating you on what happens with that situation. But just a quick spoilers update. the signings that Stan Bowman and and company have made are Ryan Shea, five by five sorry, five by four, Matthew Joseph at a one by one, Shakir Amukma Dulin, who came To the Oilers in the nurse trade, which sent Darnell Nurse to San Jose for Shakir, Makmadoulin, and a defenseman named Sharp. Yeah. Devin Sharp, I wanna say. I have no idea. Devin Sharp. Something like that. And then the other trade that they made is Devin Levi and a seventh for a twenty twenty eight third round pick. Yeah, and then just to to finish off the signings, we signed Kappanan to a one by two point six, Spencer Stazny to a one point one five two five, and Frederick Anderson, recent Stanley Cup champion to a one by one. Ishan, give me your thoughts. I off season so far. When I when I saw these deals and these these signings, I I didn't think Stan Bowman could do it. I I was I was honestly in disbelief with a lot of these deals. I love I don't like if I'm being honest, I don't hate any of these deals. I actually love all of them. All of them are deserved. Kapanen got his money, he deserves it. We have depth and a lot of depth in defense now. Maybe maybe even too much. Yeah, I think I I think we're we will be letting Ty Emberson go. We chose to go Spencer Stasny and Machma Dulan. there's some more potential with Machmo Dulan because he's younger, but Yeah, and then the idea t to go three goaltenders instead of two. I think I I mean I I saw an Oilers Nation post and you know they've been falling off a little bit recently. But they they summed it up pretty well, whereas you look at Yari and Levi, it's a it's a it's a little bit of a scary combo. You don't know what's gonna happen with them. You look at Anderson and Yari, and that's still a scary combo, but you put all three of them together and and any day any night you don't know who you're gonna be getting. And the fact that there's that internal competition. Like who who like for who wants it? If I'm if I'm Freddie Anderson and I look at I got I gave my team thirteen wins in the playoffs and I wasn't the attendee that was there. I was sitting w on the bench when they won the cup. I don't I don't wanna go through that. And yes and yes I was hurt. But y still. Yeah, and if I'm Devin Levi, this is an opportunity to go on a a Stanley Cup a full Stanley Cup contender, a proper Stanley Cup contender and actually get minutes. And play with the best player in the world. Yeah. And then you look at Tristan Yari who has so much to prove because he sucks right now. No one expects anything about of him. And the worst case scenario is you just wave him. Yeah. If if y'all if Levi and Anderson both look like a solid tandem. You waive him, he goes somewhere else or he goes to the AHL and we don't have his money anymore. Exactly. I mean you're s you're still paying him, but he's not on the books. Yeah. And you go you can go get a top six forward. And and keep in mind that the Oilers still have five point nine million dollars in cap space. And I really would like Stan Bowman to either target a a guy like Claude Giroux, a guy like Jane Schwart not Jane Schwartz. Shane Wright. Not Shane Wright. Actually, no Jane. Yeah Schwartz. Yeah. McCann. No, McCann. Jared. Jared McCann. Yeah, yeah. a guy like Jared McCann. maybe even a guy like Patrick Kane, Yeah. Who knows? Maybe he'll maybe he'll take a pay cut. And go and go get something that you can put next to McDavid that is gonna give him Just something different. Another look. let's shake up the forward core a little bit. Exactly. Exactly. Ishan and I are extremely tired. We had a long day of travel in the sun for a long time. We hope you enjoyed this latest episode of Brothers in the Box and we will be back next Sunday with everything you need to know about FIFA. The NHL has been slowing down. hopefully LeBron will have made his decision on where he's going to be playing maybe his last Pre pre season. Pre team predictions. He's going to the Warriors. Phily. my god. I think he's going to Philly. There's no reason. No, there isn't. But I think he's going to Philly. but with that, we we wish you the best of weeks and enjoy the round of the the end of the round of sixteen and then the round of eight for the FIFA World Cup.