Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston was nice enough to join The Steve Dangle Podcast as an in-studio guest this week and he was fantastic. So fantastic in fact that I’ve decided to write this blog post about it.
Here are just a few of the things we spoke about with Chris and some of my expanded thoughts on them.
ON FREE AGENCY
Just before the 18-minute mark, Chris confirms what a lot of people don’t seem to know, and that is that on June 25, which is day two of the NHL Draft, teams can start talking to free agents around the league. That’s a huge deal and in a summer that should feature Stammergeddon, as well as many other free agents to freak out about, this adds a lot of intrigue not only to the beginning of free agency but also the second day of the draft.
Chris then talks about the idea of making the draft and beginning of free agency into one giant event. I love it. It’s big, it’s exciting, there’s lots of news, we rip it all off like a bandaid, go enjoy Canada Day and the rest of our summer, and hockey is done before July. Who isn’t in favour of that?
Chris also confirmed that the NHL’s salary cap for next season will be confirmed prior to the NHL Draft. Much later in the show he also expanded on how the upcoming expansion draft will cause more buyouts in the not-so-distant future and how it changes things.
ON JARED COWEN
“The agent, Rick Vallette, didn’t know about it; didn’t consider it, I guess.”
Chris expanded that this thinking wasn’t necessarily bad when Cowen’s contract was signed because he was a young player with what looked like a pretty bright future. It’s easy to criticize Cowen’s agent for not foreseeing that but you have to wonder how often this happens.
Agents like clients who make them as much money as possible, not guys who get bought out. Whether you’re a fan of Cowen or not, I don’t think many thought a buyout would be the end result of this contract, especially when it was signed. As Chris mentioned, injuries played a large factor, as well.
ON PHIL KESSEL
The Kessel talk ramps up around 23 minutes in. Regarding Kessel’s apparent intention to bring the Stanley Cup to Toronto, Chris says “I heard a friend of his propose he gets a Bently and drives down Yonge Street with it.” Hilarious. This lead into a larger discussion of Kessel, his time in Toronto, and winning the Stanley Cup.
I really do believe the Penguins rallied around Kessel in their Cup run. Carl Hagelin and Nick Bonino singled him out at the Stanley Cup parade, Jeff Zatkoff went out of his way to go in-depth on Kessel and Toronto, the look on Sidney Crosby’s face when he hugged Kessel after Game 6 spoke volumes.
The Penguins seemed to want to prove the critics wrong on Kessel’s behalf. Chris also had an awesome story of something else Jeff Zatkoff did for Kessel when the Penguins played in Toronto around 28-minutes in (you’ll have to listen). Forget Iceburgh – Phil Kessel was the Penguins real mascot in these playoffs. I mean that and the team’s leading scorer.
ON THE LEAFS DRAFTING AUSTON MATTHEWS
“No doubt.” Well there it is.
DRAFT STORY FROM 2009
Fans always scream that reporters should get fired for a variety of reasons, especially when they’re wrong. Around 32-minutes in, Chris tells a story from 2009 where that actually happened.
ON JAMES REIMER
Chris says he doesn’t believe James Reimer will return to the Toronto Maple Leafs, which I agree with, sadly. There are several great Reimer stories sprinkled throughout this episode. One particular story had Reimer “reluctantly” admitting that he sold his place in Toronto.
My gut: I think Reimer would love to be a Leaf again, I still think there’s a chance it happens, I just don’t think it will.
Part of me wonders if the walls close around Reimer quickly. How many teams need a goalie? Carolina kind of made their bed with Cam Ward. Dallas has Niemi and Lehtonen forever. The Leafs need one, the Flames need one. Other than those two teams, where does Reimer find a job? He may either have to settle to start as a backup or 1A goalie for a while or sign somewhere as a starter but for less than he thought he would get and later in the summer.
ON MARC-ANDRE FLEURY
This discussion was very interesting.
Nobody really talked about it but Marc-Andre Fleury got to hoist the Cup before Matt Murray did. If that doesn’t speak volumes about his future with the Penguins then I’m not sure what does. The Penguins have to get rid of him somehow. Plain and simple, they can’t afford him. Just like with Reimer, where does he go?
The Leafs are an option and a fit. That said, Chris mentions that he thinks the Leafs prefer Frederik Andersen. We’re in for a wild offseason.
ON STEVEN STAMKOS
Chris mentioned that Stamkos’ agency, Newport, opens up their office in Mississauga to teams who want to sign their players. You might remember something about this from when the entire NHL, the Leafs included, wanted to sign Brad Richards. Chris has some insight on that little sage, as well.
Ultimately Chris said what so many have said for a while now – there’s a really good chance Stamkos stays in Tampa. This lead to a larger discussion on Stamkos, his health, Victor Hedman, the Tampa Bay Lightning being a Stanley Cup contender, and more.
ON RANDY CARLYLE
I don’t even want to spoil it. When you hear it, you’ll know. Priceless.
On a more serious note, he broke down the Ducks’ problems from last season and how Carlyle ended up back in Anaheim. Bizarre saga.
Later on he also shed some light on why Ron Wilson was essentially run out of town.
WAIT WHAT?
Supposedly the Flames almost traded Johnny Gaudreau when he was a prospect. Wipe that brow, Flames fans.
Want to listen to the full show? You should, because this post only touches on a small fraction of all the things that were discussed. Here’s the show for your listening pleasure!
Standard warning though: THIS IS AN EXPLICIT PODCAST! That means that it contains swearing. If you do not want to hear that sort of thing then please do not listen.
