Latest / Brothers In The Box / Episode 30: Bouchard for the Norris
Transcript
- Brothers in the Box: What's going on everybody? Welcome back to another Brothers in the Box episode. This is episode 30. It is episode 30. Wow, the big 3-0. big 3-0. 30 episodes in 30 weeks. Happy Easter to everybody who celebrates a wonderful, day outside. Yeah, the weather's been really good. And we've been blessed. know, like there's been rain every now and then, but you know, I don't know, I think it was like 18 degrees or something today. It was actually more than 18 degrees. When I was at the gym today, I checked the weather when I was coming home, 21 degrees. That's insane. Which is beautiful. It's now settled down to a measly 17. But you know, that's still really good. Really nice, really nice outside. You know what, me personally, the thing that I'm most happy about is that I woke up today, I looked outside and decided today was the first day that I wear shorts. And I'm very happy with my decision. a decision. It's decision. I personally think that I'm going to be riding sweats more this even into the summer, even into the summer. ⁓ think you're that now. And then once the, once it settles in, because we're a family that runs on fans and not AC, as soon as that, you know, that Humidity of the summer starts hitting because right now it's it's still the transition between the the wind is still You know, the nice breeze is still there once the humidity starts picking up those sweats are gonna be gone No. No, you're wrong. You want to shake on it? You're wrong. Yeah. I'm not going to shake on anything. I'm just saying, I think I'm going to commit to doing a more sweats focused summer. Okay. And I'm excited to see that happen and more than likely change. Yeah. Well, I guess we'll see. I guess we'll see what's in store. you know, UCLA. I was not expecting that. Bruins. I don't know. don't know. Lauren Betts. I haven't been following too much of March Madness altogether. I've been looking at who wins, so I don't know who is the favorites and everything. I had them going to the final. You did? And winning. Really? Because... What did you talk about? You thought that it was going to go all the way last? I talked about Yukon. Because I watched play their ⁓ Elite 8 game they were just cooking and then in the final four they just got dropped. But he saw one game and decided, well... Going all the way, huh? Yeah. No. That's exactly what happened actually. but in my bracket, in my bracket challenge, I had UCLA. I mean, it's pretty good, know, predicting the winners. matchup was UCLA versus UConn. Obviously that didn't happen. South Carolina with the ⁓ performance against them in the Final Four, but... horrible performance in the Final. Yeah, today UCLA, they were just better. Yeah. And they played... They played much better, you know? There's this one girl on the team, Gabriella Jaquez. Do you know Jaquez Jr.? Is it her sister? It's his sister, yeah. ⁓ okay. it was cool. They both played at UCLA. They both played college ball at UCLA. And one could win an ad and one couldn't. Yep. Yeah. But ⁓ the were talking, was watching the game little earlier and they were saying that This girl, she didn't have a school to go to when she finished high school. And so all summer she was playing AAU. Interesting. In Oakland. And she had to fly two times a week to Oakland. Okay. And she was playing with like, you know, Sabrina Unesco. Yeah. Yeah. People like that. And because of her efforts of going to Oakland, two times a week and playing AAU, she was able to land a spot on the team. Yeah. I mean, that's, that's huge. I mean, I would wonder how she got, know, like the, obviously you need connections and stuff. ⁓ for sure. A hundred percent. And she's very good in her own way. She 21 points today, 10 rebounds, assists, solid player. Yeah. I you know, it definitely would help, you know, that having your like, is she, is she a sophomore, junior, senior? Senior. Six seniors on the UCLA team. And she, okay, that's, that's a amount. you know, really good for their draft stock for, ⁓ cause WMB draft is coming up next week. But yeah, definitely something to look forward to. And then, lady I was talking about, before Lauren Betts, really dominant ⁓ she's a big, just really knows to run the pick and roll from what I've seen and, and is good at, ⁓ getting offensive boards and being able to kind of dominate the floor is a big. Yeah, I know there's another big that recently, she's pretty famous. She's like another one of those like kind of like post players. She just put in the transfer portal. I think she went to USC. USC. ⁓ I know you're talking about her name. I know. Apparently some people were like, there's mixed feelings behind it. Some people are unhappy because they wanted to see her go to the WNBA and you know, apply for the draft. Yeah. But I think she put in the transfer portal because she is not fitting. I'm guessing she wants to go win the championship, you know. Yeah, and I think, was it Diana Mendez? I don't know. Or Audie Crooks. think it was her. Audie Crooks. I think. I don't know. I don't know if Audie Crooks. Oh, maybe she went to Iowa State actually. She goes to Iowa State. Yeah, sorry. Not USC. Yeah, Iowa State. I feel like I would get that mixed up a little bit. Yeah, colors. No, yeah, she's the dominant post player. I think everybody kind of, the goal in college is to kind of go win, you know, championship. It's fun though. is. ⁓ minus is a different breed. It is, yeah. And we have our final matchup for the men's side, which happen, take place tomorrow evening. ⁓ It's to be Michigan versus UConn. I called it last episode. You did. You did. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I think UConn is going to win. What? What do mean You switched up from last episode. ⁓ You switched from last episode. we have our matchup for men's side, which will happen, take place tomorrow evening. ⁓ It's going to be Michigan versus UConn. Not to my own horn or anything, but I UConn is going to win. I don't care. No, I was expecting us to go into this being and having a debate about this. he's just switching up. is going to win. UConn is my team. Michigan is your team. Yeah, I believe in UConn. I don't want Michigan to win. No, I think... I'm just saying, you know? UConn is my team. Michigan is your team. I don't want Michigan to win. gonna happen. ⁓ is gonna come out there and I think they're the favorite. Are they? Right? I think so. Let's check. Yeah, what are we thinking? I mean, you know, they did upset Duke, so. They did upset Duke. It was, A lot of people, there's some people saying Michigan. Michigan. I mean Michigan has also blown past a lot of their division as of right now. I don't know if you remember, remember Miss Hunt? I do. Yes, she has Michigan to win. There's like a bracket challenge at school. Michigan? is favored by seven points currently. I'm taking the underdog. I'm riding Michigan. No, just kidding. No, think Michigan. No. Bro, the line about switching up didn't actually did. It was a fake switch up. No, Yukon was the favorite since then. No, I've seen enough. Michigan is going to be your champion. Watch it happen tomorrow night. Even if they win, bro. the line about switching up didn't actually did. It was a fake switch up. Yukon was the favorite since then. No, I've seen enough. Michigan is going to be your champion. you didn't call it but you're a fraud no i'm not a fraud i said that last week i'll say it again today michigan we're riding michigan you better not cut this out of the episode oh no i'm absolutely not gonna cut it out what are you talking about i i chose to ride michigan yeah i did the research michigan we're riding michigan you better not cut this out of the episode well you heard it here. I'm going with Yukon. At least he's going with Michigan. To be fair, I do really like Yukon's coach. Yeah, he's so funny. Yeah, and he's so tough. He is. I loved reaction to the game winner. Yeah, it was fire. No, let's get into some hockey. The ⁓ Pacific Division, close now. Very close. I mean, not just the Pacific, but... also the Eastern Conference is pretty close in the wild card race. The Central is kind of far off. The Atlantic is a little bit more... No, the Atlantic is close. No, like the top teams are close, but the wild card, like the bottom is not as close. But the Metropolitan is really close for wild card race wise. What we got going on to this week, we have the Oilers at 77. games played with 87 points. The Ducks, same. 77 games played, 87 points. And then the Knights, just one point behind them at 77 games played and 86 points. We have the upper hand on the Ducks. do. I don't understand why. Head to head. Is it head to head? Because I originally thought it was regulation wins that were the deciding factor, but it could be head Which also makes a lot of sense. But nonetheless, yesterday the Oilers... You you said it was a big loss. I don't really agree with you. I mean, we didn't have Hymen. We don't have Dry Saito. Yeah. Um, Ingram, you know, could have played a little bit better. I think the thing that I just didn't really like was, you know, obviously our power play is lacking because of those two guys missing, but just the defensive side, I feel like we could have just played better defensively, I think. There's a lot of chances, like, you know, we watched that there was a power play that we had and then right after they go and score this like kind of nice tip goal, Mark Stone just tips it in, like Ivan Barber should have shot in. And, you know, I just think, you know, like you're putting so much momentum on trying to come back in the game and then that happens. ⁓ So clarify something just real quickly. It's the next tiebreaker after games played is regulation I assume. So Anaheim has won 31 games, but only 24 of them have been in regulation. I see. Okay. The rest of the seven have been in, or sorry, not seven. What am I talking about? Whatever the difference is, they've won in overtime. Whereas we have won nine games in overtime and 30 in regulation. It just makes so much more sense if they could just put an extra column for that. Yeah. Or, or they went to a three to one more app format. Yeah. but you know. Yeah, I mean other notable kind of teams that are close to a playoff spot and you know have the potential. Currently the two teams that are in the wild card spot in the Western Conference are the Mammoth and the Predators. However, the Kings are tied with the Predators. They have the same amount of games played which is 76 and 81 points. I guess the Mammoth are most likely going to get that. last wild card spot considering they're at the same amount of points as Vegas is right now. the sharks are knocking on the Kings and the Predator's door. down. They have a game in hands ⁓ you know if they win that game then they're right back in it. My question is would you rather play the Knights, the Mammoth, or the Ducks? Is there a situation where the Oilers purposely lose to play the Ducks or the Golden Knights instead of going over and playing the Mammoth? I think, know, obviously there's like probably a travel factor to it. For sure. Utah's not as close. But it's not horrible. Like, no, it's first time playoff team. Yeah, like I think, you know, they're obviously going to be a little bit more rusty, ⁓ rusty, but they're just not, they're going to be new. They're new to the playoffs. ⁓ It'll be a little bit easier to take advantage of that. And more nerves as well. Yeah, for sure. You obviously have really good players and they've shown that have really good players. have Lane Keller, Logan Cooley. of my favorite players, Dylan Gunther. ⁓ their back end is good. Their goal-tending is a little shaky. Which is nice because we can take advantage of that. Yeah, but you could say the same thing about us. I feel like those will be really high-scoring games. I agree. That series will be very high score. And it will be crucial to have Dracidl back and Hymen back for both those, regardless of who we play. But yeah, I think, you know, we'll see what happens. It's going to be an interesting final five games for the Oilers. I don't really want to play Vegas. If I'm being completely honest, I'd rather play the Mammoth, the Ducks or the Kings. Yeah. But. Let's just win our next three. and clinch exactly we got the mammoth one tuesday then we have the sharks and then we have the kings on saturday so hopefully by next week we'll be in the playoffs next podcast episode hopefully in the playoffs maybe we'll see because then we have the the abs and the canucks i think the canucks will be a good final like end game i think most of our guys will get arrested yep but um you know We need a clench to playoffs first, because obviously if we haven't, you know, if there's still potential to, you know, be first in that division, I don't think they're going to take a chance by resting some of the top guys either. No, but I think it will be nice if we could. This is what I'm saying. the Oilers continuously choose to like not try and get as high score, like as many points as they possibly can. Cause like you look at a team like the Avs right now, they're eight points ahead the Stars and they have two games in hand. Yeah. they have, know, they did lose a big piece this week. we don't know what timeline is ⁓ and if even is going to make it back for playoffs. But, you know, there's still that ability to rest like the top guys like making in, Natures, know, even like older guys like Lannis Gogg, you know, making sure they're all ready and for the playoffs. ⁓ actually, Makar will be back before playoffs. ⁓ Okay. Yeah. Well, that's confirmed by Ben Noor. Good news for them. Yeah. They really looked lost without him. Yeah, I didn't realize how influential Makar was to the Avalanche team. Yeah, because the Vancouver Canucks, the worst team in the league by far, a team that only has 52 points has only won 22 games, beat the best team in the league. Yeah, surprising. April Fool's. jokes you thought were good? No, we're still thanking. April fools on both teams for us. realized how bad the Avalanche were without Makar. And the Canucks fooled every single Canucks fan into trying to rejoin their franchise and not going into the dark years for the next five years. But you know. Let's quickly touch on who has clinched the playoffs. We got Carolina, Minnesota. Tampa Bay, Dallas, Colorado. Two bigger names or smaller names that I was not, one I was completely not expecting. And then two to be clinching this early was surprising to me. Yeah. a right now. We'll see what comes playoff time. Cole Caulfield. Almost at 50. Almost at 50 goals, sitting at 49. I do believe he'll get to 50, which is going to be really good for the kid. It still baffles me that the US didn't take him to Olympics. mean, having the potential Rocket Richard winner. He's very close to McKinnon. McKinnon's at 51 and Caulfield's at 49, so next game. You could very well see Caulfield hitting that number and if Makara is not there, know, obviously McKinnon is going to get a little bit more touches on the puck. The difference is, that Colorado does have a game in hand. I wonder if they play McKinnon to get the rocket end of season or they just let it go. Yeah. Also, feel like that'll be up to his discretion. Just a quick, a note before, you know, we move on to kind of like the biggest Like one of the very, what's the word I'm looking for here? A close race, know, multiple trophies are close this year. But the Vezna that I wanted to quickly touch on, I don't know who's going to take it. Cause okay, I'm looking at the stats right now and I cannot see Scott Wedgwood winning the Vezna. No, might be Vassi. I think Vassi makes the most sense cause obviously his team has done really well. Yeah, probably has the most wins as well as any goaltender. He does 37. Yeah, Who's second on wins? Second is a veg malcha. Okay, but it's not ⁓ taking it. I like There's some underdogs on this list. Like I did not expect dan vladar to have a 2.47 Yeah, but he didn't play every game. Yeah, it's true. But like also like someone like yes for wall said has a 914 I don't think it's crazy to give it actually no it is kind of crazy to give it to Wallstead. Yeah he's he's not because he's not their starting goathunder either they're splitting the crease currently and actually no no actually it's more like 60-40 for Gustafson like I'm guessing going into the playoffs they're gonna give Gustafson the crease yeah but you know he's still Wallstead still a very solid goathunder there's been a lot of guys that have been stepping up here. The Art Ross race. Very close as well. Very close. I don't think that the heart is close though. I think we all know who he's going to. Yeah, it's going to Kuturov. I agree. Yeah. Like he's literally led his team, a team that I did not think was going to be at the top of the Atlantic this year. to be completely frank, has dominated. Yeah, and when you think about- And without Headman for most of the year. And Headman's not even playing up to where his potential is. He's elevated players like, you know, Dylan Radish. Darren Radish. Sorry, Darren Radish. Yeah. and then also given like younger guys like Hagel, Sorelli, the only I think there still is an argument to be made for McDavid. Because of Dryshaddle being gone. Because of Dryshaddle being I mean they were on a five game win streak. And that was the biggest win streak that we've had all season. We could have won three games for a while. But yeah I think if I was to give my vote it would be Kuturov. I agree. Yeah I think you know obviously the thing that- If the San Jose Sharks make the playoffs, I'll give it to Celebrini though. I don't think that's crazy. don't think that's crazy. Cause he's the reason. ⁓ saw this that one of my friends sent it to me. was when Celebrini has a point. was like they win like 90 % of their games. That's MVP. literally what the most valuable player is. It's the most player. to your team and to the league. league and, you know, Kutroff has been their first team, Mcdave has been their first team, like, McEnen, Sellebini, all very crucial. But, you know, there comes a point where it's not just about points, it's about, you know, if you're, if you're scoring and you're doing well, then your team wins. That's exactly what you need. Exactly. Exactly. Buffalo Sabres, though. What master class. I agree. 46 wins, points. remember the beginning of the year when we started this podcast, we joked about the Buffalo Sabres making the playoffs. Yeah, think the first, if I go back to the show notes from the first episode, Oh here it's in the prediction episode 3. 3 prediction. Yeah. Will Buffalo finally end its postseason drought? That was a question that we had. And I guess that question has been answered. It has. And yes, they will. A lot of questions. Maybe we'll review this. We'll review these questions. At the end of the season? Yeah, maybe. Also review our predictions? Yeah. I think we got a lot of them. lot. Yeah, but... I'm looking at the Pacific. We both put Vancouver as a playoff sport. How wrong were No, Buffalo, they're a first round but I do think that they did a lot. If they draw Montreal, I'm very excited for that. Yeah. I think that's going to be a very good matchup. I think Montreal will take it. I do think just because they've been in the playoffs and they have a little bit more experience and also I like their team better. Yeah. They have a little bit more depth. Yeah. The defense is something you shouldn't underestimate for Buffalo though. Yeah. No, very, I mean all around like scoring wise as well. mean, goaltending is a little bit less solid. Then I mean both teams are like, you know on the edge of goaltending but I would give it goaltending to Montreal as they have dobes Martin bow every now and then you know, eliminated teams though The Florida Panthers ⁓ eliminated today or not today a couple days ago couple couple nights ago. Yeah Wow You know, we talked about it ⁓ happening and trending towards happening for the last couple episodes, but to actually see that they're not in the playoffs. It's I think shows you how important Barkov is to that team. Yeah. I mean, you know, obviously been dealing with injuries the whole year. Marsha and like got injured halfway through the season hasn't come back. Kachuk only came back. And then has been like iffy now and then. Ryan Rath hasn't been the same player he has been with Barkov. And Bobrovsky is a shell of his former self. Yeah. So I mean, you know, we'll see where this team goes. the beginning of the season, I was very unhappy that they signed all these older guys to these contracts. And I'm not so mad about it anymore. Yeah. I think, you know, karma has a way of working itself out and they made their decision ⁓ you know, now they have to stick with it. Exactly. I'm glad to know that a Florida team is not going to win the Stanley cup this year though. Well, it's not true. Well, Tampa has Corey Perry, so. They're not going to win. Yeah, it's true. But the only thing that I wish we could have done is if we had a game where we played the Panthers and we could have been the ones to eliminate them. Fully, would have been very poetic, but we'll be the other Florida team. Yeah, exactly. The Canucks ⁓ eliminated, eliminated for a while now. Rangers, the ⁓ eliminated yeah they've been eliminated not a surprise the Leafs and their 10-year consecutive playoff streak gone so so will be Austin Matthews at the end of the I'm not sure I don't I don't I'm not sure I think they do a free refree like a full rebuild I don't think that they need to I don't think that they need to either but I want them to I think that Berube is not going to be coaching next season. No. You know, they already put in a GM change. There's no more tree living. So it's going to be a very interesting off season in Toronto. I agree. I think it will really dictate whether or not Matthews will stay there. Yeah. I mean, if I was Matthews, obviously they've entrusted you with the C so they've shown their like support, you know, not after that radical Gouda set they didn't, but you know, Max Tomey, Max Tomey stepped up. And when he hit, when they played the ducks again. ⁓ so, you know, obviously most of them do care, but you know, there's going to be a lot of changes. Morgan Riley is definitely going to leave. if I was Tavares, ⁓ like, what do you think, what do you think Tavares is ⁓ do you think he stays and, you know, finishes career in Toronto or could you hear me out? Could you see there's a possibility where he goes back to the Islanders? Absolutely not. You don't think so? No, buddy. ⁓ The relationship I think between the Rangers, just fan base and Tavares himself is so toxic. Yeah. That I don't think that there would be any reception It would be insane. would be insane. I do think that there is a possibility. I don't know how much time is left on this contract. But if I was Tavares, scoring 30 goals again this season, I think he still has what it takes to be a top six player. Maybe you go talk to a contender. I think that's more than... You that makes the most sense for him. He has, okay, his contract right now is four years. He kicks in... ⁓ Next Yeah. Yeah. With a full no movement for the first two seasons and converts to a modified no trade, which is a five team So maybe, you know, you definitely have a conversation with your agent. And then I don't know what the contract is on his now if it's a no, it's a no movement. But maybe I'm guessing so maybe you, you go and you say, want to go play for Vegas. No, you know, we hear me out. Trade nurse. comes to play. Come in place for us. Um, I think Vegas is a really good fit for him. Yeah. Yeah. I could see it. I could also see him go and continue playing in the east. mean, know, going to go play with Marner is not a horrible decision. could also see him going elsewhere, you know, like I don't I don't seem going to like a major like a major big contender like, know, look at like he's not going to the ABs. He's not going to Dallas. Yeah I Don't think he'll go to Minnesota but you know, there's definitely teams that do need solid centers. Yeah, Think maybe goes and plays for the Ducks you could you could be real good. Yeah Yeah, he's I don't want more players to come in the Pacific. It's like it's like that. I don't know if you remember it was a couple of years ago. John Moran said I'm fine in the West in an interview and then a bunch of star players moved to the West. Yeah, no, he's not. But he's I don't even know what's happening. He doesn't even play for him. No, he still does. I'm not on it for NBA. There were still talks about him getting traded at the trade deadline, but nothing ever happened. Jaron Jackson Jr. got traded. was like, I'm not envisioning the fact that there were talks about him getting traded. yeah, you know, like I don't want that same thing to happen again. You know, you already saw a bunch of players move. Marner moved, Panarin moved, Rasmus Anderson stayed in the Pacific, but he didn't go elsewhere. Yeah. A lot of good players in the Okay. change. Raw ⁓ the in. ⁓ as the islanders are chasing a wild card spot. I love it. I think logging up a coach like Peter DeBoer is really, really good from the islanders. think Dallas didn't give him, like, obviously he made those comments about Artinger and you know, that's what ultimately ended. He lost the room and unfortunately that's what happens. It's what a coach does when he's angry. And it's, no, no, I understand like, you know, obviously the coach has to keep their cool, but time and like, you have to, you have to understand it from the coach's perspective. If you constantly take your team to Game 7s, you're known for winning them. then at the same time, you take your team to positions like they've ⁓ to the Western Conference final last two years. Yeah, they have. And they lost two times to us. I'm not complaining. ⁓ you've put your team in positions, you've coached them in positions to play well. ⁓ they just haven't come through. And obviously, that can make you lose your cool. Yeah, for sure. I think he's a great coach. I think he is as well. He'll definitely help that team develop in the way that they need to They're kind of ahead of schedule They are you know Mm-hmm. don't know. think yeah, like I wasn't expecting like a full Playoff push from them this year. I'm being completely honest I thought they were gonna go through a full rebuild before I didn't think Schaefer would have that much of an impact on their team But he has he's a stud. Yeah, he's definitely winning the rookie of the year Yeah, the Calders are basically already in his hands Um, like for a defenseman to not only lead the lead the back to back defenseman's defenseman win Elaine winning last year. He did right? did. Yeah. Yeah. Um, there was, there was some talk about, uh, demit of yeah. Winning also Saniki. I, I, I mean, like, I think it's foolish to say that anybody else would even come close. Cause he's, he's, he's literally changed the whole Like face of the islanders. Yeah, he's a narrative around the islanders and I think the amount of money he's generated for them in ticket sales alone is insane and Jersey sales and his overall hype Yeah, I don't know how long his contracts probably like three years is his rookie deal. Yeah, but he's gonna get a lot of money He's paid. I think I hope he leaves. I don't want to see the islanders too well. I think he enjoys playing in I think I think he does as well. He does and he looks good in that in the orange. I don't care Go somewhere else, please. I think he's gonna get more than Capri's off How much did Capri? No Capri's off got 17 million No, he got 20 didn't he? got 20? No No, I swear he got 17. No, no way. He got 20 20 million is crazy. That's 20 % of your salary gap Oh yeah, he got 17. Yeah, yeah. think I could see a... No, for your next... for his next card, not even his main deal. He's gonna get more. You think 18? I think at least... I think... I don't think he'll get... I think that's too crazy. It's not. I think he'll get... I think he'll get 14. It's not too crazy. I think he'll It's not too crazy. He's gonna be the face of the league. 14 by 5. No. Yeah. 17 by 17 by 5. 17-5 I think is I Don't even know I mean they have they probably have the cap space a lot of their players will be Boy is gonna get paid He is I mean if he keeps up obviously him, know those next two seasons are crucial for his development But if he keeps doing this if he stays on pace, yeah, I could see him the Norris in the next four years Oh 100 % Yeah, you know who should win the Norris this year now speaking of defensemen's bush hard. Yeah, I mean, you know Kevin BX said recently that, you know, Bouchard is not a top three defenseman in the world right now. And I don't think a lot of people, I mean, actually, you know, I don't know about a lot of people, but I don't agree with him. I know Elias doesn't. I've been preaching Bouchard since day one of this podcast through the hate, through Ishan's hate. I've seen the flame that burns bright. I think that is Evan Bouchard. think there's been there's been valid hate that he's he's had in the beginning of the season. He was not he was not a top he was in the top 10 defenseman in the beginning of the season. not. But he's shown he's shown that he can it doesn't like I think a lot of people rely on the fact that you know he has McDavid and Dry Settle and that you know carries his assists and his points and like people say that he can't generate offense himself but that's not true. He was the only person to beat Carter Hart yesterday. Um, and there's a reason for that. You know, he's a very good player. He's a very good defenseman. Obviously there's a, there's offensive side is better than his defensive side, but that doesn't take away from the fact that he's a very solid defenseman. And I do think he deserves, he's nine points ahead of Zach Ronsky right now. And who's the next person? Um, 10 actually, 10 because of his goal. Um, he's at 21 goals, which is the same as Ronsky. 67 assists. To be fair, of those have been on the power play of the points. It is a lot. Whereas Renske is at 20 and Renske doesn't have as much help as he does. Yeah. But he's plus 23 and Renske is plus 10. Which is also a little bit of the team aspect as well. Yeah. But I would arguably say that their goal-tending is better than ours. I like Jett Greaves a lot. But I honestly I don't think this is even a question. In my in my eyes. The amount of... Just like it's just it's just like you look at the frustrating to see that that other people don't see it the way that I do. Yeah. I mean you look at the league and you look at the double standard that it's had over the last two years like last like last couple of years the defenseman that's won the Norris is the defenseman that gets the most points and we've been preaching that that's not the only thing. Yeah. Like obviously we know that like getting the Norris is the best defenseman in the league. So you're not it's not just the amount of points you score. It's not it's not just about that. But And I'll tell you. Bushra didn't deserve to win the Norris at the beginning of the year. His defensive metrics were way off. He wasn't playing like he is right now. But the way that he settles in and he settles the team, I think, I think, and the presence that he has right now on this team, offensively and defensively, I think speaks volumes. There's a reason why he's PKD1. Yeah. And I think there's a reason why they put him out there. in empty net situations where he, we have an empty net or the other team has an empty net. Yeah. There's a reason for that. He's out there for those, those clutch situations. And I think what a lot of people don't realize is like, think the biggest factor a defenseman can have is that calming presence. it's like either slow down the game or no one speed it up because you're the person that's going to be most like, you know, making that first pass to get into the zone ⁓ making that stretch pass or, know, passing through a player that brings it up. I think also his decision making has gotten ⁓ lot better. I think that has a big thing to do with Paul Coffey as well being on the team. But yeah, ⁓ for of you who don't believe Bouchard deserves the Norris, want you to go watch the five game streak that we had and go watch how influential Bouchard was in those five games because his passes and ⁓ the decision making. And everything that we've talked about right now has shown wonders to what he can do as a defenseman. Yeah. And I think for Bouchard, I think there's a narrative around him and mistakes that he makes ⁓ that defensemen make, by the including Zachary Renske, are just highlighted that much more because of the narrative around him. Yeah. And I don't think it's fair to him because I think deserves some more praise than he gets. And reason why the Oilers decided to pay him is because of his clutch factor and the fact that he has so good. yeah. Moving on to the final part of this episode of the players of the week. you want to shout out our honorable mention. Yeah. Honorable mention, Ricard, Raquel, ⁓ seven goals. One assist, five games played. Absolute stud Pittsburgh Pittsburgh's cooking right now. It makes some waves, you know, cause he's back said the kid They're not there. They're kind of clicking. You're not like that. It's Kenner's back in the playoffs. Who would have thought but uh Go for it. Go for it our other week is Jack Hughes he's getting that team of creative effect in fun He has five goals, six assists in four games played. Eleven points in four games is nasty. I know I didn't want to highlight this, but I feel like it deserves to be highlighted. The fact that one of those four games he had zero points. He only had four. He had four shots. You're such a fraud. such a Jack Hughes glazer. ⁓ 11 points in three games basically. Let's be honest. It's not just this week that each one will glaze Jack Hughes. It's every week. He's arguably the best Hughes brother. No, he's not. And it's not even close. It's not even close. What are you on? No, no, no. Quinn is the best. But Jack Hughes, Jack Hughes. it's like it's Quinn. It's Jack. And I know you guys can't see my hands, but Quinn is like is obviously the top. Jack Hughes is very close. like let's let's picture the Grand Canyon. OK, at the top of the canyon, you have you have Quinn Hughes. Yes. Probably like 10 meters down is Jack is Jack at the bottom of the canyon is Luke. You have to dig a hole and then can put Luke. No, he's a good player. He's a little bit younger than his two older brothers. So, you know, he's still developing. There's a reason he's in the NHL though. Yeah. I think, you know, he was injured this season. When he wasn't injured, he got the chance to prove himself and he's shown how good of a defenseman he can be. I mean, you know, he proved himself enough to make that starting like roll and you know start to push out Dougie Hamilton and then Dougie Hamilton stepped up because he's the goat. No he's ⁓ yeah I think Luke you know next year is your year buddy. I think we need to sign off because Ishan is just going to be speaking some more nonsense into existence. ⁓ hope you guys have a great week, enjoy the sunshine, enjoy tomorrow's game and happy Easter to all those that celebrate. We'll see you next week.