Beyond The Pond: Kevin Gorg, Steve Miller, Tony Scott, Russo Radio, Bill Guerin Presser!

Falness and Pat are back talking hockey! They’re joined by Kevin Gorg, Gopher AC Steve Miller, Tony Scott, Russo Radio, and we hear the Bill Guerin Presser!

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
From the Ponds to the pros. It's time for Beyond
the Pond on the Fan. Here are your hosts, Pat
mcletty and Kevin Fullness.

Speaker 2 (00:16):
Welcome to Beyond the Pond. Zach Halverson filling in for
Kevin Fallness on Pretty Slow News Saturday. Pat mcletty also
here as well as Brett Blakemore and Pat. We were
lining this show up earlier this week. We talked on
the phone Monday, we texted on Thursday, and well, we
didn't know what was gonna happen, but you did a

(00:37):
pretty good job of lining up some great guests for
the big shocker last night, the massive, massive trade, the
biggest trade in wild history. And my goodness, what a
what a day, what a weekend to kickoff Beyond the Pond. Here, Pat,
this is a that was that was some pretty pretty

(00:57):
wild news. Where did you hear the news of the trade?
I heard it, Zach.

Speaker 3 (01:04):
My son was sitting and she and he said, you're
not going to believe this. I'm like, what he said,
Quinn Hughes is coming here. I'm like, you're kidding. And
then that was it. I mean, it was it was unbelievable.
And Zach, there were two guys that I targeted that

(01:28):
I thought, well, you know what, why not why not.

Speaker 4 (01:34):
Take a swing at one of these guys?

Speaker 3 (01:36):
And one was Teate Thompson, which obviously is probably not
going to happen now, And the other one was Quinn Hughes,
because Hughes obviously.

Speaker 4 (01:46):
Was going to get dealt right, and I'm like, well
why not? Why not?

Speaker 3 (01:51):
I was a couple of weeks ago. I don't know
who I was talking to about this, but I'm like,
you know what, why not do what?

Speaker 4 (01:58):
Why not?

Speaker 3 (01:59):
When you know, especially with Jimmy Rutherford, who Bill Garon
worked for, excuse me, and their relationship, I thought, you
know what, there might be there might be something there,
and you know that was just me spitballing.

Speaker 4 (02:18):
Right, But to have this happen is.

Speaker 3 (02:23):
I mean, I mean I think it shocked the hockey world.

Speaker 4 (02:26):
I really do.

Speaker 2 (02:27):
Yeah. Oh yeah, it was everywhere, said social media blaze.
Of course, everybody's phones lit up last night. And if
you're somehow unfamiliar with what happened, Marco ROSSI Liam, oh
go through it. Zach Zave William, along with a twenty
twenty six first round pick, are headed to Vancouver in
exchange for one of the best defensemen in the league,

(02:48):
Quinn Hughes coming to Minnesota. He will make his Wild
debut tomorrow. We have a full show plan. We're going
to be talking with Kevin Gordon momentarily about this. Of course,
coming up at a eleven o'clock we will have Michael Russo.
I'm very excited to hear his perspective on this. You
talk about a pretty calm night at Edmonton turned completely

(03:09):
around for him. He will join us at eleven and
then we will have a Bill Garren's press conference live
at noon. We'll carry that right here on the fan
before we hear joe' donald and Tom Reid's thoughts. And
I mean, might as well bring in Kevin gorg right now,
let's bring him in. Yes, do it? And Kevin, this
is this is one of those days where you just

(03:30):
you wake up and you get like you don't really
remember what happened. You're still in that kind of sleepy days,
and then you look at your phone you realize, oh
my gosh, that what happened last night was not a dream.
Quinn Hughes is going to be a Minnesota Wild hockey player.

Speaker 5 (03:46):
Yeah, good morning, guys. Great to be with just a shocker.
I'm still trying to process all of this. He's an
amazing player and you know, we've watched him for years
in Vancouver. He's still only fore. It feels like he's
been in the league longer eight years. He's a remarkably
talented kid. Wild gave up a lot to get him,

(04:09):
and I love the Bill Garren constantly pushing the envelop Guys,
he is not afraid. And this is another one of
those really bold, all in type of moves.

Speaker 3 (04:18):
Okay, I I don't know if they saying that. Well,
I'm gonna be careful here. Okay, I'm gonna be careful here.
I'm going to say that I think Minnesota fleece them
in the deal. I'm gonna say Minnesota fleece him in

(04:40):
the deal in this particular time. Look at what they
gave up, right, and this has nothing to do with
potential in the future for these young players. Okay, but
Lee has done nothing. He's done nothing here yet, Yes,

(05:05):
still young. He may very well be in turn into
a serviceable player.

Speaker 6 (05:10):
Right.

Speaker 3 (05:11):
Zeve william is the one I did not want to
give up. But you have to give something up to
get something, and he has. He has potential that you know,
we don't know where it's going to lead to, right,
how many times KG have we seen guys? You know,
I'm not saying he's not I'm not saying he's he's

(05:33):
he's uh, he's going to but but we don't know.
Marco ROSSI, Okay, very good player. You have to give
something up good to get something, and when you can
get a generational player like a Quinn Hughes, to me,

(05:56):
it's an absolute no brainer.

Speaker 5 (06:01):
I think he's the best player in the deal, and
it's not close, I'll give you that. I think a
lot of this is going to be predicated on whether
Billy Garran.

Speaker 7 (06:09):
Can resign him.

Speaker 5 (06:10):
He's got a year and a half left in this contract.
It's a super team friendly contract at seven point eighty
five for a player of his skill set.

Speaker 7 (06:18):
And if Minnesota can retain his services.

Speaker 5 (06:20):
And they can bump him up to like a seven
or eight year extension like we saw with the Friestock,
and that would likely have to happen next summer, then absolutely,
you know, Minnesota, certainly early on, would have the edge
on this deal. I think you have to look at
it this way. If you're Vancouver. There were a lot
of teams looking to add this guy to their reference.

(06:41):
Who's in New Jersey where Hughes as his two brothers.
You know, Billy Garran had to give up something special
to get them, and I think between Rossi and z Boy,
I mean absolutely did Ogrin's got the upside, but we
don't know what he is yet, first round pick.

Speaker 7 (06:54):
In the mix, and mean, let's just be honest.

Speaker 5 (06:56):
You know, Bill Garon outdueled other gentlemen to.

Speaker 7 (07:00):
Get this guy for a reason.

Speaker 5 (07:01):
And if you think about what a Minnesota powerplay could
look like, and you can fill in the blank setting
where you want, but when you start with when Hughes
Aroca priest having Matt Boldie, You've got something here that
that really is tough to argue with in terms of
what this can do for this franchise and taking them
a Cup contender.

Speaker 3 (07:20):
Well, casey, here here's the here's the way I look
at I mean, you you know how many times do
we see teams wait, wait, wait, we're young, we're this
were that when you have an opportunity to get a
generational player, and Quinn Hughes is a generational player. He
is the second best defenseman in the National Hockey League.

(07:43):
And when when when you have an opportunity to get
a player like him, you throw everything else out the window.

Speaker 4 (07:56):
I mean you have and you absolutely throw everything else
out the wind, know and I you know, look at it.

Speaker 3 (08:04):
Any you know, why are they going to sign them?
Resign you know, or you know, have the ability to
resign them. Hey, they're all in now, They are all
in now, And yeah, they have a year and a
half to sign them. You know, they're they're going to
have to put the big cell job on them. He's gonna,

(08:25):
you know, with with the way you know things are
here in Minnesota. Guys seem to like it here, you know.
To me, it was an absolute no brainer to do.

Speaker 5 (08:38):
Yeah, and great players want to play with great players.
And Quinn Hughes knows exactly what he's coming into with
with Boldie and Capreesov and Favor and the pieces that
are in place here right now, the goaltending that Minnesota
certainly has. And I'll take it a step further, Mick,
Minnesota is going to become a place that players want
to play for a couple of reasons. They're right now

(09:00):
in their window to make a run move doubt about
when you look at the time of Caprice out where
bold he is going. But then then you got to
take it to a different level.

Speaker 7 (09:09):
With the facility.

Speaker 5 (09:10):
Day practice at at Tria second to non practice facility.

Speaker 7 (09:14):
The guys rave.

Speaker 5 (09:15):
About the setup there when they come in, They've got
their meals, their meetings, everything is last a and then
Dominic Kenning the travel court ender for the Minnesota while
I and Bill Garrett put together and I've been doing
this for twenty years, so I've seen everything. You won't
find a team in this league that travels better than
the Minnesota Wild and that word gets out.

Speaker 7 (09:34):
I'm telling you, these guys talk with.

Speaker 5 (09:36):
Port nations, with Olympics with the off season, so I
don't know how much of Atlee job they're going to
need to do it.

Speaker 7 (09:41):
I get it.

Speaker 5 (09:42):
A lot is thicker than water and his brother's playing
New Jersey. I understand that distraction. But this team right
now and in the next year and a half has
a great opportunity to make a run, has everything in
place on and off the ice, and I don't see
a lot of players wanting to leave Minnesota. And you've
got a great group of.

Speaker 7 (10:01):
Guys in that locker room. And I think that matters.

Speaker 5 (10:03):
And so I think Bill Garrett knows that and he
trusts what he's got right now in this hockey team,
from the leaders he's got, to the talent he's got,
to the facilities, to the travel, I think he knows
and I think he's confident that he can resign this guy.

Speaker 3 (10:18):
There is so much Kevin that goes on that we
have no clue about, right, And you don't think that
they thought this through? And you know a lot of
people have you know, harped a me, Well, jeez, they
don't have any centers now, they don't you know, you
know who's going to score from up front? And you
know when they're going through all of this, do you

(10:41):
think that they're not thinking about all of the scenarios
how this all plays out. And I can tell you
one thing, and you know this as well as anybody,
when it comes to the playoffs, and how important are
special teams in the playoffs?

Speaker 8 (11:00):
Right?

Speaker 3 (11:00):
That one extra power play goal and you're talking about
a power play with Hughes, Boldie Caprice, so ac Zucarello,
are you kidding me? And you know you know so
and and and then you look at it.

Speaker 4 (11:18):
Well, you know where's their scoring gonna come from.

Speaker 3 (11:21):
Well, it's already coming from those guys on five on five, right,
So they you know, they put in a system their
third and their fourth line. Yeah, you hoped, you hope
to get some help there, but you know what they're
they're going to defend like they've never defended before. That

(11:43):
will be the mantra of that fourth line, the third line,
you know that that type of stuff.

Speaker 4 (11:49):
So to me, it just it makes all the sense
in the world.

Speaker 3 (11:54):
And I just think it was a brilliant move. On
the wildest part, Well.

Speaker 5 (12:01):
This is a guy that had a couple of years
ago ninety two points, played all eighty two games, won
the Norris. And I go back to something Ryan Carter's
talked about both on and off the year with US.
Stanley Cups tend to find superstar players, and if you
go back decades and look at teams that win the Cup,
they have got superstars up front and superstars on that

(12:24):
blue lining. Clear that they've got great coldtenning. This is
a player in Quinn Hughes that looks like a player
that before he's done, is going to win a Stanley Cup.

Speaker 2 (12:33):
Matt Boldie is.

Speaker 5 (12:34):
A superstar player that looks like a player before.

Speaker 7 (12:37):
He's done is going to win a Cup.

Speaker 5 (12:38):
And we've been saying this about Brooke the freestot now
for five years.

Speaker 7 (12:42):
You have got the.

Speaker 5 (12:43):
Type of high end talent now on this roster that
is exactly what the template it looks like for teams
that win a championship. And Bill Garrett knows this. He's
been there as a player, he's been there on management side.
He knows what a Stanley Cup contender helps deals and
smells like. And this is a player that can take
you over the top. Now, I will tell you, Dick,

(13:04):
I don't think Minnesota leashed anybody here. I think Vancouver
had to make a deal that got damn.

Speaker 7 (13:09):
Better for the future.

Speaker 5 (13:10):
They'll like me to get me better team five years.

Speaker 6 (13:13):
Down the road.

Speaker 5 (13:14):
But you can't tell me as you wake up this
morning and you're in Minnesota while fan, you can't tell
me that this is not a dramatically better hockey team
today than they were yesterday.

Speaker 2 (13:24):
Well, yeah, talking with Kevin goreg on the FanDuel Sports
never can see him on TV. We'll have, of course,
the radio broadcast today. Wild Senators coming up at one
it's beyond the pond with Pat Mcalutty and Zach Calverson
and Pat question for you and Gorgy, I mean you
can talk about Marcus Johansson's play this year. Is that
maybe a factor in Bill Garin's decision saying hey, this,

(13:47):
we have everybody, these guys like Marcus Johansson clicking on
all cylinders here, this is the time, this is the window.
Let's go forward here.

Speaker 3 (13:56):
Well, and I'll add one more player to that, and Greg,
you will agree with me, is Danielle You're off. I
think they've seen growth in his game and in his
maturity just from the beginning of the season till now,
where they thought, you know what, you know, we can
you know, we can part with a Marco Rossi.

Speaker 4 (14:18):
We can give him up.

Speaker 9 (14:19):
Now.

Speaker 3 (14:19):
I don't know if You're off, if his name was
was part of that, you know, initial discussions. You know,
we won't know, We probably will never know, you know,
And and and getting rid of You're off instead of
uh Rossi, you know who knows. But but that being said,

(14:40):
they feel that they probably have enough confidence, you know,
to to include a guy like Marco Rossi in the deal.

Speaker 4 (14:47):
Now I will say this also and kg.

Speaker 3 (14:50):
You may know more than than I do about this
because I don't know what the what their cap situation
may or may not be. But come trade deadline, you know,
Minnesota to may or may not be able to you know,
at a quality forward at the deadline to even enhance
their chances going into the playoffs.

Speaker 5 (15:13):
See if Billy will have a chance, especially if you're
if you're moving money on the trade, if you're moving
somebody out to bring somebody in. I still think he'll
take a look at trying to find a centerman and
make your spot out and and having no doubt, I mean, Johansson.

Speaker 7 (15:28):
At hundred a million dollars is a.

Speaker 5 (15:29):
Huge part of the story of the Minnesota while this
year and the consecutions he's making.

Speaker 9 (15:34):
But hereof in the last.

Speaker 5 (15:35):
Couple of weeks with Rossi on the show, being able
to handle the responsibilities that go with being a first
line center, having Zuperrella and Capriest out at that time
on his wings and playing hard in both ends and
being a successful piece there, certainly I think open the
eyes to Bill Garren and his crew saying you know,
we can do this. We've got an Eco Sturm who

(15:56):
can really solidify the bottom part of the rank back
at a stud at the top with the with the
Boldie line in the middle, and then you've got a
guy like Ryan Harmon that's ben use.

Speaker 7 (16:05):
In the middle as well.

Speaker 5 (16:06):
So I think that gave them that they avenue of
pursuit to make the movement, and it clearly had to
include a guy like Marco Rossi to make it work.
But actually to make it work for Vancouver, I'm sure
it came down as z boy and I know how
much Billy, Darren Love, Steve and I think everybody in
that locker room did as well. But to get a
player of this quality, you're gonna have to give up

(16:28):
something really special. I think you know clearly in the
Voyant they did.

Speaker 3 (16:31):
And back to my point, Cage is how long do
you wait? I mean, you know, you know you can.
You can keep on saying, yeah, well we got good
youth coming, We've got you know, we've got all these
up and young younger kids coming up. But but how
long do you wait before you say? You know what,
now's the time. I mean, we we can't waste any

(16:53):
more time, you know, I mean, you've got you've got
caprice toff in his window. You know, Boldie's coming into
his own. I mean, when you've got the opportunity and
you can add a guy like this, boy, I just think,
you know, nothing is guaranteed. There's there's you know, every
team in the league is saying, you know, boy, you

(17:16):
know we're you know, we're we're close for this or that.
But man, you know, to take a swing at it.
I think it's uh, you know, I I think it was.
It was a great move and and the top it
off KG as you know, with the goaltending that they're
getting and the way that these guys are pushing each other,

(17:36):
you know, it just it just it aligns pretty well.

Speaker 8 (17:40):
Well.

Speaker 5 (17:41):
What I find fascinating, guys, is you look within the
Central Division and if you look at the position on
the blue line, the best player in the league at
at defense is is cal mccarr. The next best is
the guy that while just got no doubt about it,
in Twinn Hughes and probably the third one in line
resides in that and Mero Hayskin and he just scored

(18:01):
a big goal short handed against Minnesota a couple of
nights ago. And within those three teams right now, if
you handicap this three best defense in the league. All
three teams set up to make a run this year
in April, in the postseason. In fact, in the Betty market.
Right now, Colorado and Dallas are one and two. So
I don't think that's going to be a coincidence either.
I go back to the types of teams that win.

(18:24):
Stanley Cupps have a player that can take over a
game on the back end, and Minnesota has that guy
right now in Quinn hughes Or.

Speaker 4 (18:31):
It's going to be fun to watch, isn't it.

Speaker 2 (18:34):
I can't wait for tomorrow. It's gonna be great.

Speaker 5 (18:36):
I mean, ottawas in town, there'll be a buzz in
Saint Paul. But to see him debut, a kid that
was born in Florida but really grew up in that
area in Boston, It's it's really going to be a
pretty cool weekend in Saint Paul.

Speaker 2 (18:50):
I'll tell you there's already a little bit of a
buzz already here at the Grand Casino Arena. It's feel different,
felt different walking in today. Is there's is a change
in the atmosphere. Kevin, and thank you so much for
your time this morning. We will see at the rink
and again thank you for your time.

Speaker 7 (19:08):
Yeah, I love your show. Guys, have a good one
to day.

Speaker 6 (19:10):
Alby, thank you very much.

Speaker 2 (19:12):
That's Kevin York Fan, Duel Sports Network, and we will
have plenty more to talk about here regarding this massive,
massive trade. But when we come back, we'll talk a
little bit of golfer hockey as assistant head coach Steve
Miller going to be joining us here on Beyond the Pond.
He's Pat mcletdy Brett Brigmore hitting the buttons and hitting
the breakaways as well. I'm Zach Elverson. It's Beyond the

(19:34):
Pond and the Fan a very special edition of Beyond

(19:57):
the pun on this Saturday, this December thirteenth, twenty twenty five.
Welcome back. Filling in for Kevin Fallness. I'm Zach Calverson
here in Saint Paul, across the river in Saint Louis Park.
It's Pat Nicoletti. We are moments away from being joined
by associate head coach of the Golden Gopher men's hockey team,
Steve Miller. In the meantime, we are talking, of course,

(20:20):
about the big trade. Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Connects defenseman,
is now a Minnesota Wild defenseman. He is coming to
Minnesota in exchange for a twenty twenty six first round pick,
as well as Liam Ulgrin, Marco Rossi, and Zi Bulliam.
We will have Michael Russo coming up at eleven o'clock
to talk more about that. A little bit later on
this hour, we will have some high school and youth

(20:42):
hockey discussion with Tony Scott of Youth Hockey Hub, and
before all of a sudden done, we will have a
live presser with Bill garon his first comments with the
media following the biggest trade in Minnesota Wild franchise history,
all before Joe and Tom join us, and then of
course we will have Wild senators coming up at one

(21:02):
o'clock right here at Grand Casino Arena, and it's just, uh,
it's just it's awesome. It's an awesome, awesome day. Thank
you so much for joining us. And now Pat, we'll
bring in our guest, Steve Miller, the Golden Golphers on
the the winter break. And it's a little interesting break
here now, more interesting than than normal because world juniors

(21:23):
coming to tell me of all that excitement. But it's
it's a fun, fun time here to be a hockey fan.
As we kind of have a chance to breathe before
we get into the second half.

Speaker 3 (21:35):
It's me I'll turn my mic on. Uh yeah, my
first first day doing this. Yeah, it's uh it's a
it's a great time. I mean with uh with obviously
with with Hughes and and uh World Juniors coming up
and uh so. Yeah, a lot of a lot of
good things happening in the state right now, Zach.

Speaker 2 (21:56):
Yeah, and uh SO associate head coach Steve Miller joining
us now out here on beyond the ponding and coach again.
It's just it's it's a hockey the center of the
hockey world. Basically the next few weeks is going to
be Minnesota three Am Arena Mariucci now going to be
converted into a World Junior's group home as well. It's

(22:16):
it's a it's a fun time down in Dinky Town.

Speaker 10 (22:20):
Time to breathe. What are you talking about, brother? I
got time to breathe.

Speaker 2 (22:23):
At least at least I.

Speaker 10 (22:24):
Got my Christmas shopping done yesterday. I went out saw
Mark Barr at the World Junior Store in the mall.
They did a great job. There's lots of great year
out there. Cool little you know, mementos and hoodies and
all that stuff. So I got to see that, but
got all my shopping done and now I'm tackling all
of our teaching videos. Get all those done today and
then get on the TV to watch Cole Miller play

(22:48):
Northern Michigan. Then we mark at Yes and Connor Miller
came home from college and they finished their first half
of the Lake Forest and you'll start second half the
year versus Oxford. So it's a it's a crazy I'm
and obviously our daughter who played soccer bowling green is
in the in the area, so we'll get a little
bit time together and then they'll be hit or miss

(23:09):
during the term.

Speaker 4 (23:10):
And I all right, before we get to go for hockey.

Speaker 3 (23:14):
I want to hear your take on on the on
the Quinn Hughes deal.

Speaker 10 (23:21):
Well, obviously, you know, unfortunately to go there, Yeah, Quinn
n Z. But a great trade for the wild I
mean obviously a you know, a huge difference maker on
the back end, and you traded away, uh, you know,
to get talent. You got a trade talent and obviously
they moved some great players to get a great player.

(23:42):
And you know, you don't you don't see a lot
of trades like these and sports anymore for whatever reason.
I mean in basketball, the salary cap hinders everything. And
you know, when the Luca trade comes across the wire,
I mean everyone's just stunned. But it's, uh, both teams want,
both teams want, and uh, what a great, what a great,

(24:02):
what a great trade.

Speaker 3 (24:03):
For the wild Now were you were you an assistant
at all when he played on the US team, the
junior team, Yeah, the.

Speaker 10 (24:11):
One in Buffalo that was his first year. Yeah, we
took silver in Vancouver, yep, those two years yep. And
then obviously was that Ohio State coaching against him.

Speaker 4 (24:19):
So that's right, that's right.

Speaker 3 (24:22):
And you will be again assisting Bob Moscow with the
US junior team. You know, they obviously wanted back to
back and now you're going for number three. Give us
some thoughts on on your upcoming US team.

Speaker 10 (24:42):
Well, I think you know everything. You know, obviously, if
we've got all the gift stuff came from you know,
we had a rings yesterday and we got the big
plaque with the team pitcher that all that stuff came yesterday.
Obviously you look at that, uh with a you know,
very very proudly with a smile, but you also know
that the page has been turned and now it's a
new group. It's a new you know, even though there
are guys returning, it's a new group because there's a

(25:03):
new leadership, Guys stepping into those roles that one of
those roles last year, you know, guys you know, trying
to make the team for the first time. Yeah, it's uh,
this tournament is as fun as anything, uh in the
world at this age level? Is it? It's it's the intensity,
how good the games are. You can't take penalties because

(25:25):
if you do, it's gonna cost you. So it's it's hockey.
I think you're kind of in its purest form because
there's there there's no one's gonna fight all that stuff.
It's just you gotta you gotta be dialed. You got
to be dealt with your discipline. How well you know,
how fast can we get this group up to speed
playing together as a group of five and being connected.

(25:45):
There's so many challenges that you know, start tomorrow at
our first media five and then get on the ice
Monday afternoon to you.

Speaker 3 (25:52):
Know, I was going to ask you that you know, yeah,
you want it under Bob obviously, and then you know
the last two you know, with David Carl. But you know,
a big part of it is is is getting the
group to come together. And I mean, how how difficult
is it in such a short amount of time to

(26:13):
bring guys in get them together. I know you're you know,
together in the summer and such and and that's where
you started. But but you know, how difficult is it
to you know, to to you know, bring guys together
and and get them, as you said, all connected right
away and ready for a tournament like this.

Speaker 9 (26:31):
It's difficult.

Speaker 10 (26:32):
But I think you know, you start laying the groundwork
in the summer. I think just with when you're preaching discipline,
and it happens in the summer, and then you know,
that would be one of the you know, coaches big
talking points you know tomorrow night about discipline. You know,
I think it's part of the challenge. But you know,
we're very fortunate as a country where we are right
now with our talent in the country and it comes

(26:54):
from everywhere, and uh who we are as deep as
any country in the world with with our hockey players
and our ability to play the game at a high
level and compete and skate at a high level, you know,
and to the point where we have to at the
end of the day, we have to make some very
difficult decisions on who makes this team. And you know,
it might be that, you know, that player that makes

(27:16):
the team doesn't take you know, stupid penalties. You know,
it doesn't. It plays with great discipline within a system.
It is a great penalty killer. All those little things
go into evaluating the team, you know, and putting this together.
But that's all part of the that's all part of
the fun. Part of the challenge is getting these guys
to play together. And I remember last year, you know,

(27:36):
we had we had six penalties against Finland in the
game that they beat us in overtime, and we killed
five of them. And uh, and then David said afterwards
to the team, enough is enough. You cannot do this anymore.
We cannot kill six penalties a game. It will cost us.
And then by the end of the tournament, I think
we were averaging maybe three three p ks a game

(27:59):
and set or two, you know what I mean. So
we got that cleaned up. But that's all, that's all
part of this challenge. And uh and and to do
it in the great state of Minnesota, the state of hockey.
How cool? How cool is this? And a great event?
Uh that Uh the fans of Minnesota get to get
to watch their stand.

Speaker 3 (28:17):
Yeah, and it's crazy in your job, and and Bob
and the rest of the staff, it gets more difficult
every year, doesn't it. Just just with the talent pool
and and getting the right guys and getting the right
chemistry and and uh, I mean the the talent in
the US now is just uh, it's off the charts

(28:38):
crazy good, Yes it is.

Speaker 10 (28:41):
And you know, you kind of go back to, you know,
the coach Coach Brooks's quote. I think it's I don't
want the best players, I want the right players. You know,
it always it always starts and ends there with that
coach Brooks quote.

Speaker 2 (28:53):
But again, like you.

Speaker 10 (28:55):
Said, we have a lot of depth in this country
and that's awesome. That's where hockey is, uh, throw in
our you know, great country. And obviously the nineteen eighty
teen eighty team got recognized yesterday and a lot you
know a lot of people can talk about eighty ninety six.
They have moments obviously make me and you were the
eighty guys watching that unfolding from our eyes. Yeah, you know,

(29:16):
people talk about ninety six and I'm sure there's young
kids playing today who who might say, I remember when
Troy Terry scored those three shootout goals against Rush, Jeremy
Braco had to score two otherwise it was over Miss
Semis and Troy scored that last one against Canada. So
all these great moments throughout history for our country, and
I might have forgotten one, but pretty cool stuff.

Speaker 3 (29:40):
Yeah, let's uh, let's turn to our Gofer hockey team.
Young you lose what forty seven per forty five percent
of your scoring from a year ago. There were challenges
to start the season, but as the season is come

(30:00):
along now, how much growth are you starting to see
in some of your younger players from the beginning of
the season to where we are now?

Speaker 10 (30:10):
Oh much better? I mean, obviously October was a was
a struggle for us, and we turned a good page
on November and just started playing at a you know,
a high just a harder level, higher level. Obviously, the
Long Island Friday Night was unacceptable, Yeah, and we took
a step back there, but we've responded pretty good from
that point on. You know, we've we've been better at

(30:33):
possessing pucks and the ozone. We've been better at checking,
we've been better at not turning pucks over. But our
next step now, pat is we've got to develop a
better consistency with all of those things, are checking, our reload,
our puck possession, not turning pucks over in critical areas
of the ice. We've got to take another step. We

(30:53):
got to take another step with that. We've got to
keep we've got to develop a consistent level of play
because it's it's some times we don't have the same
legs that we do on the second end of a series,
and that's you know, and that happens your energies, energy
level in the games, game to game, and stuff like that.
So that's the big challenge again. We've we've taken a
good step forward in November and December. Now we have

(31:16):
to take the next step forward in January with our
consistency in checking, getting above pucks, reloading, taking care of pucks,
possessing pucks in the ozone, making ourselves a very difficult
team to play against. Then obviously we've got to, you know,
we've got to continue to improve our special teams, our
power players playing better. Our PK's got to be better.

(31:37):
And I've watched like fifty hours of PK in the
last months, and obviously we know that, we know that's
a challenge that has to be has to be met
head on, and when we get back the second half,
it will be Yeah.

Speaker 3 (31:48):
One of the guys who is going to be on
on your team USA Brodie Zeemer twelve goals. The kids
seems to just keep on getting better and better and
more confident every time he steps on the ice.

Speaker 10 (32:04):
Yeah, he's doing you know, he's doing a great job
of you know, again, his you know, his his tenacity
on the fore check, and how hard he works off
the puck. He's been being rewarded, and then his puck
possession play. I think, yeah, you know, at times, you know,
in October, we just we're playing a little too fancy
on the rush. We're just turning too many pucks over. Now,
we're hitting the line with speed. If there's no play there,

(32:25):
we chip it. Let's go get it back below of
the goal line. Let's start our offense from there. Or
maybe we've got to protect the puck, maybe we've got
to turn, maybe we got to escape. So I think
you know obviously you know him and LJ have done
a great job with that for us, you know, continuing
to you know, if you can't make a play with it,
put it somewhere where we can fight for it and

(32:45):
maybe come up with the next puck and start the
offense from there.

Speaker 2 (32:49):
Well, thank you very much for your time, coach. Find
some time to breathe here. I mean it is you know,
it's gonna ramp right back up again, as you know
more than anybody. And we're excited to see you and
and Bob and everybody here at Grand Casino Arena in
just a couple of short weeks. Uh, it's gonna be
it can be an exciting time here in the state
of hockey.

Speaker 10 (33:10):
Thanks for having me, guys. Happy holidays. And when I
go outside today, all my packer two guns.

Speaker 4 (33:14):
Yeah I know, yeah, I know you all and you
know I'll be texting you later.

Speaker 3 (33:18):
So thanks Taylor, appreciate it all right you guys holiday
ye take care.

Speaker 2 (33:23):
That's associate head coach at the Golden Golpher men's hockey team,
Steve Miller, also of course helping out uh on the
bench for the you know, the team USA, UH, the
world Junior Championships. They'll be coming here in a couple
of weeks at your tickets World Juniors m N two
six dot com. I can also listen to those Team
USA games here on Kfan and k F A N plus.
We'll take a break when we come back, we'll talk

(33:44):
high school in youth hockey. Tony Scott youth hockey up
joining us next. It's beyond the Pond on the fan.
Man beyond the Pond and welcome back. It's the fan.
We have Michael Russo coming up at the top of
the hour talking the Big Quinn Hughes Trake. Quinn Hugh
is going to be joining this Minnesota Wild squad tomorrow

(34:07):
here at Grand Casino Arena. I'm Zach Calverson, by the way,
filling in for Kevin Fallness. Pat Mcatty is here as well,
and on the phone we have Tony Scott talking a
little bit of high school in youth hockey. First, Tony,
let's talk high school. I was just at Saint Croivali
Rec Center saw a couple of great Class A teams
in Montamede in World last night. We had that game

(34:29):
here on the fan. It was a very entertaining one
and Montamede I was able to tie the Hill Murray
Pioneers not too long ago. And that's a heck of
a heck of a couple of teams there in the
Class A side. But now Class two A with Hill
Murray battling Saint Thomas Academy the three versus four game,
that should be a heck of a tilt.

Speaker 9 (34:51):
Yeah, it's always fun when those Metro East guys get together,
those those teams get together. You know, you saw Monamedia
last night. What a what interesting story with Mount of
medi plays Hill Murray. There's there's cousins and brothers from
both sides of the towns. I'm going to get out
to that next game. There's like a grand hole, like
five different cousins playing on both Montamedi and Hill Marie
this season.

Speaker 2 (35:12):
Yeah, they don't really. There's just a lot of very
similar names over over, not only every single year, just
we have the same sam Pears and and others. That
is very familiar names and faces out there.

Speaker 9 (35:26):
Sampeire, de Mars, Red Paths. They're all related in some way,
shape or form. They all train together in the offseason,
so when they play against each other, they're playing for blood.

Speaker 4 (35:36):
What else. What else do you have going on today, Tony.

Speaker 9 (35:40):
Well, you know we talk about hitting all the time.

Speaker 4 (35:43):
This yeahs now no, no.

Speaker 9 (35:47):
And we always we always talk about Northern Minnesota. Today
I got a good one here. This is Southern Minnesota
at its finance. What Tika, who we've been talking about
on our podcast for the last couple of years. They're
undefeated this year against Class A. They take on Laverne
who's six and zero as well, so kind of a
good North Southern Minnesota Class A battle. Laverne has outscored
their opponents fifty five to eight and their six games

(36:10):
today this so far this year. It should be a
fun game down in Donald Leverne.

Speaker 6 (36:14):
Today.

Speaker 2 (36:15):
On the girl's side, we talked about the three verses
for SCA hill Battle, another three verses for battle today
battle as well between Taca and Dinah.

Speaker 9 (36:24):
Yeah, I thought he Dina play Centennial. Believe I've never
said these words. He Dina girls is reeling right now.
They got beat bad by Centennial Spring Lake Park on
Thursday night. They hope to get healthy today when they
travel against over to Pagel and see the Skippers, who
are also undefeated. Should be a good, good hockey game.
I think the Skippers are the better team right.

Speaker 2 (36:44):
Now and on the top of the rankings there, and
then in the girl's side, Holy Family battling the Spuds
of Morehead. We all know obviously how the boys team
did last year and how that program is rolling, how
the girl's doing up there.

Speaker 9 (36:58):
So the Spots sped teams at tenths to the state
former go for Ryan Krafts, the head coach of that.
But check this out. Holy Family is nine to zero.
Five of their wins are over top ten teams. They
hope to make Morehead number six today.

Speaker 2 (37:13):
Sticking in the girls side of things, you know this
is near and dear tomorrow. I've played in plenty of
these mouse Goheen tournaments as a kid at White Bear
Lake ten A and twelve A going on. Start with
ten A with still Water the Ponies, who are they
taking on?

Speaker 9 (37:29):
So still Water play chess champ. Both the teams are
top ten. It's a traditional bracket tournament. They don't have
these anymore where they just play the quarterfinal, semi final,
and championship. And today what I think is the championship
game is still Water takedown Chefs to Chan today that
should be a really good game. I think that winner
that one will end up winning the championship. And then
in the twelve A, you're White bear Lake Bears and

(37:52):
Ostye Mable Girl. They're on a collision course to play
each other tomorrow in the championship game. They played once before.
I saw part of the game White bear Lake and
asking me, but asking won that one for one. I
bet the Bears win the Moose, to win the Moose
tomorrow on home ice.

Speaker 2 (38:08):
Would love, would love to see that update. Now'r on
the youth of world.

Speaker 9 (38:14):
All right, so here's an interesting story, and says throw
us a turn results at you.

Speaker 6 (38:18):
I wanted to.

Speaker 9 (38:18):
I want to give you a little something to chew on.
Especially with Hockey Day being in Hastings, that youth program
is a little bit on fire right now. They've caught fire.
Their scored eight team won the Spirit to loose their
number one in scored DA's right now. They've got a
bunch of brothers and cousins on that group down on
the Hastings, the Stewart brothers and cousins and their PEB
double A team. They're a top ten team too. So

(38:40):
would it be fun to kind of get a rebirth
about Hastings nineteen ninety nine. Again here in a couple
of years. Their top player at Peva Double A is
a kid named Cooper Ewing. He had six goals last
night in the Bamiji George Palala tournament up north.

Speaker 2 (38:54):
I would love to see that, especially because you go
down there. It's obviously it's such a great town and
the Hasting Civic Center went a wonderful arena, and what
wonderful facilities they have there. They certainly deserve better, and
it sounds like they're they're they're putting it back together
down there in Hastings.

Speaker 9 (39:12):
They're definitely put to They had their a very unique
squirt program where they do a lot of in ouse
hockey the first half of the year. East Grand Forks
has done this for years, More has done it for years,
and I think it's starting to catch on. There's trying
to rebuild a program down there. And for you and Isaac,
where we cover a lot of the top end teams
in high school, it seems like it's the same teams
over and over and over again. It's fun to see

(39:33):
a Hastings team succeed.

Speaker 2 (39:35):
And you mentioned Hockey Day being down there this year
and they're very excited. Those jerseys they unveiled a couple
of weeks ago look very very cool and it should
be a really I mean, and it's not just the
Hockey Day we talk about, you know, especially with White
Bear and other towns we've it's not just Hockey Day now.
They do multiple games ahead of Hockey Day in celebration
of it. But they're even going beyond days. They're going

(39:57):
weeks down there. That that years league right right, the
Hockey Month is a great way to put it.

Speaker 9 (40:03):
They had Orno on Dots County played over in Hastings
last Saturday, and I'm expecting more and more of these
games to pop up at their rink. It's a different
set up there at the United Heroes League that they
have set up there versus the other ones like they had,
like they have in White Bear and the other communities
where it is more like a week where they can
do it you know, a year round or actually winter time.

Speaker 2 (40:26):
Yeah, and the permanent blachers they have built over there.
It's really really cool and and just such a unique
unique deal out there. Really cool to see the you talk,
you know, talk a lot about the Metro schools. We
talk a lot about the northern schools, but as you
mentioned with with Laverne was SIKA and then now even Hastings,
which I guess borderline metro but still a little bit
out there. It's it's cool to see that part of

(40:47):
a Minnesota representative as well.

Speaker 9 (40:50):
For us, it's all about the whole state and as
not always the dynas in Minneta, because it's it's the
it's the entire state that makes this thing so great.

Speaker 2 (40:58):
What do you have coming out up on Youth Hockey
hub dot com.

Speaker 9 (41:03):
Well, a bunch of podcasts, seven of them will every
week with everything you name it, college, pro, pro women.
We cover obviously high school and youth, and it just
seems like every day we're pumping out more content for
people to enjoy, whether it's videos or podcasts, or rankings
and everything in between. If you need to find it,
you can check out our website and you'll learn everything

(41:23):
you need to know about hockey here in Minnesota.

Speaker 2 (41:25):
Awesome, awesome, Tony, Well, thank you very much. I know
you're going to be busy with these holiday tournaments coming
up as well. It's it's a very busy but fun
time year for you, and appreciate you taking some time
with us.

Speaker 9 (41:37):
Thanks you guys. I appreciate it.

Speaker 2 (41:39):
Thanks Tony, Tony Scott youth hockeyhub dot com. Appreciate the
update from the lower levels of hockey here in the
state of Hockey. But we're going to turn things back
to the highest levels of hockey. Pat, I don't know,
is it still hit you yet that that Quinn Hughes
is going to be playing in a wild sweaterneck?

Speaker 7 (42:00):
Uh?

Speaker 4 (42:02):
Very much so, as Zach I.

Speaker 3 (42:04):
Uh, you know again, you know, as my my son
told me yesterday, right, hey, you're not going to believe this,
And I'm like, what you know? And then you know,
when he when he told me the news. Uh, you know,
it's always kind of a pipe dream that one of
your teams will uh take a big swing at something

(42:26):
and actually pull it off. And and you know, for
for Bill Garon to do this, and you know, get
the blessing obviously of of the owner, Craig Leopold, and
and uh, you know, I, I you know, I think
it's just uh, you know, it's very exciting.

Speaker 4 (42:44):
It's a very exciting.

Speaker 3 (42:44):
Time for you know, all the fans in Minnesota and
and in the organization as a whole to uh to
be able to do this. So yeah, it's uh, you know,
it's it's gonna be a lot of fun to fun
to watch and see how this thing plays out.

Speaker 2 (43:02):
Well, I will say well done getting Michael Russo this
weekend on Beyond the Pond, because there's I think a
few better people to talk about when it comes to
this trade than the athletics. Michael Russell. Go ahead, Yeah,
I know, it's just said.

Speaker 3 (43:16):
You know, there's so many you know, you knew that
he was more than likely going to be dealt. You know,
I think that.

Speaker 4 (43:24):
Was a foregone conclusion.

Speaker 3 (43:26):
And you know, you you heard all these other different teams, Detroit,
New Jersey, you know, the New York Rangers, you know,
you know other teams. I think there were six teams
that Vancouver is talking about, but one that you didn't
hear about was Minnesota and h and then you know,
for for this to come to fruition like this is

(43:49):
just I think it. I think it blew everybody away
in the National Hockey League and in all of hockey.

Speaker 4 (43:55):
And so, you know, good on Minnesota.

Speaker 2 (43:58):
And that's that's what I want to find out. You know, obviously,
a guy as well connected as Michael Russo, how much
did this blow them a way? How much Howicks surprises you,
as I imagine there was a little bit of shock
with him as well. So we will talk with him
coming up after the break and still to come. At
eleven or sorry, noon, Bill Garon will have his first

(44:18):
time talking to the media about this blockbuster trade. Will
carry that live press conference at noon. Joe o'donald and
Tom Reid, the voices of Wild Hockey, will join us
shortly thereafter with their thoughts, their reaction. And we also
still have a hockey game to play today, Pat one o'clock,
the Ottawa Senators in town to take on the Minnesota

(44:40):
Wild And what do you think of that?

Speaker 3 (44:41):
I mean, is it kind of is it like, Okay,
get this game over with so we can get to
tomorrow's game, or you know, I mean, they still have
a game to play. These points are obviously still very important.
They're playing a very good team today in the Ottawa Senators,
who have you know, you know certainly you know, built

(45:02):
their roster and their team and and you know they're
they're very very good teams, so certainly not going to
be an easy game today, and you know they'll be
a little shorthanded. Obviously without Hughes not in the lineup,
and you know, the three guys moving on to Vancouver.
But but you know they still got to play it

(45:23):
still important game and and obviously certainly when they want
to win.

Speaker 11 (45:27):
My question is, will Quinn Hughes be in the press box?
Will be will he be in Grand Casino Arena? Because
if they cut to him, production cuts to him saying
welcome to Minnesota, Quinn Hughes, that place will erupt and
I want to.

Speaker 4 (45:39):
See that would be Yeah, I got a one of
the systems pass.

Speaker 3 (45:44):
I certainly do not know his travel arrangements for today,
but that that would be something, wouldn't.

Speaker 4 (45:50):
Uh, Brett, I'd love to be there for that.

Speaker 2 (45:52):
I'd be nice just to get him in the locker
room at the very least and acquainted with his new teammates.
And obviously, yeah, but you mentioned to Pat the distraction
factor here these players, it's going to be certainly a
test to stay focused and hopefully they can can figure
out their game. But I will also mention the roster
page on the NHL media website for the Wild that

(46:15):
has been has been down as I think they're still
trying to display what players are going to play uh
and our thoughts with Aaron Sickman and Jackson Rebuilt, Dylan
Daniel trying to figure out what put together on the
all the paperwork here, massive, massive moves happening again. The
biggest trade in franchise history. It happened yesterday, Ze Bulliam,

(46:38):
Marco Rossi and Liam Ogren along with a twenty twenty
six first run pick headed two Vancouver in exchange for
Quinn Hughes. We will talk about this trade and more
with the Athletics Michael Russo when we come back. You
are tuned into Beyond the Pond on the fan Beyond

(47:03):
the Pond, Welcome back Zach Halverson, Filly in for Kevin Faulness.
Pat Mcalletty here as well in Saint Louis Park. I'm
in Saint Paul and we head up now and I
believe to Edmonton, the Athletics. Michael Russo joining us now
here on Beyond the Pond, And we were talking before
the break, Michael, you know how shocked we were and

(47:25):
how the Wild just seemingly weren't even on the radar
for a player like Quinn Hughes. But how shocked were
you how surprised were you. Was there any sort of
rumblings in the world about this being a possibility.

Speaker 12 (47:40):
First of all, what a pleasant surprise.

Speaker 2 (47:42):
Where's Falmas He's way up north?

Speaker 12 (47:45):
Yeah exactly, I mean truly like I was not expecting
the docile tones of Zach Halverson so so so yeah,
I mean came out of the blue. I mean, you know,
the one thing, it's funny because you look at the
team go to be in on this. There was no

(48:07):
doubt in my mind that Bill Garran was going to
make his swing. And because you know, I talked about
this on my podcast a couple of weeks ago that
I was starting to hear Marco Rossi's name out there
a lot, and especially because the Wild were winning, I
thought that would actually almost convinced Bill Garon that that
he was more expendable. You just felt like, because I
knew the the Vancouver Canucks' interest in Marco Rossi dating

(48:28):
for a couple of years now, that they could be
in on this. But I didn't think the Wild we're
going to be willing to give up you know, four
incredibly quality assets for first round picks essentially, but what
they get here is a twenty six year old defenseman
that is the second best defenseman in the league. I mean,
he would be the best defenseman in the league if
Cale mccarr didn't exist. Right, reason why Quinn didn't win

(48:51):
the Calder Trophy a couple of years ago. And what
I love about this move is that he's in his prime,
like he is, like, look, there was a time in
Vancouver when they were good that JT. Miller and LEAs
Petterson shows together. The last couple of years, he has
not had the ability to really play the game that
he wants to play, and now all of a sudden,

(49:11):
he's going to be. First of all, he's a human breakout.
The puck is on his stick analytically more than anybody
per game in the league. Ever, it's like on his
stick four minutes a game, which is ridiculous. I remember
years and years ago there was a study done about
Mike Madonna where the puck was on his stick at
times like like fourteen seconds per game. Like that's how

(49:32):
just special that, Like you know that this kid is,
you know from the position that he plays, but that
it just it's it's unheard of the way that he
wants to transport the pup and he's gonna get the
the puck up Crocaprisov and that Boldie, and I think
it's just going to help their overall offensive game by
just being out of their own zone. So that's the
best way that he defends. And the other thing, like

(49:56):
I just talked to is Asian pat person for a
half hour. I talk to him last night as well.
Quinn is extremely excited about this, Like he basically told
them it was time to go, and so he had
been in the loop of all the teams that were
talking to Vancouver and talking to Patrison about this. And
the best thing about Patrason, who's who's a superagent, is
that they that usually when high profile clients and his

(50:19):
are being on the move, the teams respect him so
much they led him to be they let him essentially
help a lot of these teams. He's been in conversations
with bulgarin the past week, and so Quinn was in
the loop. And I think Quinn's only real demand here
with no trade protection was he wanted to go to
a hockey destination where he can enjoy hockey for the
next year and a half and maybe put in a

(50:40):
position where he can extend. Now the Wild have been
given no new assurances that he will extend, but they
are absolutely after my conversation with Paprason. Keeping an open mind,
you know, there's a lot of belief out there just
because you know of the excitement of him potentially one
day playing with his brothers Luke and Jack, that it's
just a know, aforementioned thing that it's going to happen.

(51:02):
That is not the case, and I do think Wild
to have the time here to convince him to stay.
And then you add the other dimension here, which is
USA Hockey, the fact that his coach will be the
assistant coach there, that his GM is going to be
the GM in there, two of the greatest American players
on the team are going to be Boldie in favor.

(51:23):
There's a lot of intangible could help Quinn want to
be here, whether it's eight years, five years, whatever. So
I don't think that that the Wild would do this
move without knowing that they're going to be extremely aggressive
and trying to convince him to stay, and I think
they believe they'll they'll have a chance of doing that.

Speaker 4 (51:41):
Hey, Michael, how much do you think.

Speaker 3 (51:45):
Bill Garran's relationship with Jimmy Rutherford and having worked with
him in Pittsburgh.

Speaker 4 (51:54):
Did do you think that had oh any more.

Speaker 3 (52:00):
You know, sway to Minnesota's side, just because of the
trust between those two executives working together in the past.

Speaker 12 (52:11):
Well it's not just that, Pad, it's also Patrick Alvin's there.
But I really don't. I think the package was just
the best I mean, the one thing when Bill Garrett
and we've seen it, I mean, and I know that
sometimes he's criticized for it, that he gives up too
much in trades, like like the David Gerritrid trade or
things like that. Now Bill Garon doesn't mess around like
when he negotiates, He just gets to the number. When
he tries to make a trade. He doesn't want to

(52:32):
waste time. He makes the best package. So I don't think.
I think if this was somebody that Bill Garroon never
dealt with in his life, it would have been the
same thing when all of a sudden you offer Marco
Rossi's you bullyam Liam Obrian in a first round pick.
I think that package right away is gonn be better, guaranteed,
can be better than anything the New Jersey Devils could
have offered, and probably even what the Detroit Red Wings

(52:55):
were willing to offer. You know, I think obviously the
Detroit Red Wings if they wanted Quinn Hughes have offered
a Dylan Markin or more excited or something like that.
But in terms of what the package is equivalent to
the Wild, I just think it was the best move.
They get their center, they get a guy in ze
Boyam that could eventually, maybe in three or four years,
be like Quinn Hughes. But the Wild wet their window

(53:16):
right now. They just signed to Prestoft to this contract.
They have Matt Boldie and his prime. They have Brock
Favor in his prime. They have two incredibly good goaltenders
right and I think they are just in a position
right now where they were not willing to sort of
wait the four years to see if Zee Boyam could
become Quinn Hughes. Right now, Quinn Hughes at twenty six

(53:36):
years old is one of the most elite defensemen that
we've ever seen play this game. And yeah, does it
thin them up front? Absolutely doesn't mean that Bill Gerrin's
done either to maybe go out and try to get
a center, But the reality is that what Quinn could
do from the back end automatically will help the wild

(53:57):
offensively more so right now and maybe make you know,
maybe maybe figure out a way to uh to you know,
replace the production that that Marco Rossi is that you
lose with him?

Speaker 6 (54:09):
Yeah?

Speaker 3 (54:10):
That that was my next question. I'm glad, excuse me,
I'm glad you brought it up.

Speaker 4 (54:15):
Will this give Minnesota.

Speaker 3 (54:19):
Or will they have the room to potentially add a
forward that they may be targeting or looking at or
is that something that we look at maybe at the
trade deadliner?

Speaker 4 (54:33):
How's that potentially all going to fit in?

Speaker 12 (54:36):
You know, right now, their cap situation is really you know,
convoluted because they have so many two way guys on
the roster that technically shouldn't be part of their cap.
So it's really hard to figure out exactly what their
cap situation is. But right now, you know, essentially with
the move yesterday, they added a million dollars right it
was six point eight out seven point eighty five in so,
and they had a good amount of cap space if

(54:57):
healthy still, so I think that once they could try
to get healthy, if this team ever could get healthy,
the goal is to accrue to eventually make that move,
they would probably have to trade some money off. You know,
Ryan Hartman has been on the block. I think it's
probably less likely now that you would move him unless
you're getting a center back, just because you know, obviously
they traded Rossi here. But I do think that they

(55:19):
realize that they're still probably a center away from being
a true, true contender to get them on par with
Dallas and Colorado, and that is always going to be
the concern in this division, Like these are the three
best teams right now in the division, maybe even in
the conference, and the reality is that one of those
teams is not getting past the first round, which is scary, right.
I mean you're right now, if the Wild finished second

(55:41):
or third, you're playing Dallas or Colorado. So you know,
that's another reason. And I think it's been well documented
that Bill Germ and the staff of the Wild just
truly did weren't convinced that warco It was a true
number one center or that you could win with him
as your number one center or a two center in
the playoffs. What they didn't have and now puts them

(56:01):
on par with Dallas and Colorado is Miuro Heighten is
absolutely all world this season, especially for Dallas and Kyle
mccarr is Cal mccarr. So now you add a Quinn Hughes,
and if you look at the you know, history of
teams that win the Cups, you usually need an elite,
elite defenseman that the Wild just haven't had really since

(56:22):
the days, you know. I mean you could say Ryan Souter,
although a different type of defenseman, but you know, Brent
Burns was that Norris Trophy type defenseman, but he really
developed well after you know, leaving here, so they've never
had somebody like this from the back end.

Speaker 11 (56:36):
Hey, Mike, you gave a lot of reasons for optimism
that an extension could be coming, not guaranteeing anything, but
a lot more brighter than we may have thought before.
Do you think this deal is whether we look back
at it as a success, predicates on and getting an
extension done or even having the one and a half
years is good enough on its own?

Speaker 12 (56:57):
No, definitely, the one and a half years isn't good
enough on its own. Now remember this, you know, Quinn
Hughes has no no trade protection, and so it comes
a point where where Quinn Hughes like the one thing
that was very clear to me in my conversation with
Pat prison just right before I got on with you guys,
is that there had been an incredible amount of conversation

(57:19):
with the Vancouver Canucks in the last three weeks. They
met with not only Jim Rutherford and Patrick Alvi the
owner as well, and Quinn basically told him I am
not resigning here. So if that happens here, I think
that that right away would tell you that Quinn is
going to play ball and be like, hey, look, just
out of the goodness of my heart, I'm telling you

(57:39):
I'm not convinced that I want to stay here, so
give them ample opportunity to make a move. Then you
add the relationship that Patperson has with Bill Garrion and
how good of an agent he is. I think Pat
would play play a role in helping find Quinn a
new home where the wildcare recruits of assets, kind of
like Niko Rant and with with what happened with Carolina
last year, where he wouldn't resign there and they were
able to move him on to to Dallas and recruit

(58:02):
some assets. So, you know, and the Wild have much
longer time to try to convince him to stay here.
And so I do think that there's that there's a
you know that that chance that that I don't think
a year and a half is good enough. But it
doesn't mean that if Quinn isn't going to resign here,
they can't move him. I mean, just think of how
incredibly like if he's going into his uf a year,

(58:24):
how many teams would now step up to try to
trade for him just for one year let alone, maybe
even a new Jersey Devil teams who thinks that, or
a Detroit Red Wings team that might think that they
could resign him long term. So I just think that
that was the risk that Bill Geron played here is
will convince him to sign. But if not, I'm going
to be able to get a ton of assets back
for him anyway and try to recoup what he gave

(58:47):
up or somewhat what he gave up in this deal.

Speaker 3 (58:50):
Of all the deals that were reported, do you think
this was the best deal for Vailing?

Speaker 12 (58:57):
Yeah, I mean, I I love what Vancouver did here.
I mean, you know, I think that Marco, I mean,
everybody knows what I think of Marco Rossi, and I
think that he's gonna go there and be fabulous. I
think Steve Billyiam's gonna you know, develop into a tremendous
hockey player, and and I don't you know, in that situation,
let's see what Liam Ogrin can do. So I think
that that that Vancouver did really really well here, but

(59:18):
I also see the risk on why the Wild did
this move. You know, again, this is not a twenty
nine or thirty year old defenseman. This kid's twenty six, right,
He is a absolute superstar. I mean, just look at
the number of times that Vancouver plays Minnesota. Just look
at what Vancouver did to Minnesota in the bubble in
that playoff series, and how good Quinn Hughes was.

Speaker 6 (59:38):
He is.

Speaker 12 (59:39):
He's just a tremendous player. And I just can't even
imagine their power player. And ersonec on it with zu
Carello and Quinn Hughes, like, holy moly, you.

Speaker 3 (59:50):
Know, and Michael, don't you think I mean, I mean,
you've been in this game long enough and have covered
enough deals and non deals and stuff and such. But
how many times have we seen teams just say, yeah,
we've got a lot of youth, we're building, we're building.
But when does it get to the point where you say,

(01:00:10):
you know what, we got to make this move now,
you know we we we've.

Speaker 4 (01:00:15):
Got to take a chance.

Speaker 3 (01:00:17):
We you know, as you mentioned, we've got this window
with with Capriceo and you know he's he's not a
spring chicken anymore. I mean he's not old, but he's
not a spring chicken. Boldie Favor, you know, Ericson Eck.
You know the goaltending that they have. I mean, you
almost have to think this is the right time to

(01:00:40):
make a deal of this magnitude.

Speaker 12 (01:00:43):
Well look, I mean, you know, fans have been waiting
for four patient years for this team to get out
of the hell that it was in with the present
suitor buyouts, and then they went into the summertime and
they weren't able to do it, and there was a
I mean, just look at the Dallaskan the other night
against a rival rival game. Nobody's in the stands, Like
I'm obviously I'm being a hyperbolic, right, I couldn't believe

(01:01:05):
watching here. I'm in Edmonton, but I couldn't believe seeing
the number of empty seats. This moves the needle. Fans
want to see this team make some moves. Bill Garon
has always promised that he was going to go big
game hunting this year if he could we all assumed
he meant like a Dylan Lark, and well, they're not
trading Dylan Larks, right, I mean, Dylan's been unbelievable in
Detroit's been and you can't just invent that Tate Thompson's

(01:01:29):
gonna want out of Buffalo. And the other thing is
Bill Garan's got enough history trying to make moves for
Jack eichelb JJ, peterca to know the intel that Buffalo
might just not be truly enamored with the with the
pieces that they would get back from Minnesota. So he
probably wasn't sitting there right forever for you know, for
Tate Thompson to ask out a Buffalo and then just

(01:01:51):
pray that I can get in on that. So right now,
the only big name on the market that wanted out
of a team was Quinn Hughes, and so the while
goo and make the move.

Speaker 6 (01:01:59):
And so.

Speaker 12 (01:02:01):
I think that what this one hundred percent tells you
is that the in that position that Billy's winning with
the fans now that he wants to turn this team
immediately into a Cup contender. I'm not saying that this
move alone does that, because I still am not you know,
I'm really concerned about the way they look up front.
I mean, just look at the lineup. Obviously they have
some injuries right now, but look at the lineup they're

(01:02:22):
going to be icing tonight. And I mean they're gonna
have Ubei Kubel and Tyler Pittlick and Ben Jones in
the lineup. I mean, you know, they've they've got their
an injury away from major depth issues, right so you
know they've got to still, I think, figure out a
way to add or hope one of these young kids
like a Hunter Hate could come up and and and
be good. But clearly Bill Garon is in that mode

(01:02:43):
right now where he knows that turn into a contender.
I think that's been the edict from from Craig Leopold
for a while. Now that you know enough is enough,
let's let's make some big swings here. He did it
with Croll Capriesov. He obviously does it here and you know,
we'll see if it works.

Speaker 4 (01:03:00):
How shocked do you think the rest of the league
was with this move?

Speaker 12 (01:03:05):
I think I think really probably shocked, just because I
don't think a lot of teams thought Minnesota would be
in on this type of move. You know, I had
my spider senses up yesterday that something big was going on.
I kind of I mentioned you up in Edmonton with
USA Hockey yesterday. All day yesterday I was working on
an Ellen Hughes feature. His mom is essentially the mother

(01:03:27):
of the USA Hockey women's team, the conduit between Robo,
the head coach, and the players. So I've been working
on a feature on her to run right before the Olympics.
And so I did get to talk to her the
last couple of days a little bit about Quinn And
not that I she told me any intel that he was,
you know, I mean here or anything like that. But

(01:03:47):
you know, just because I've been thinking so much about
Quinn in the last couple of days, you know, you
just start to think, like, if the Wild were ever
going to get in on this, it would have to
be Marco Rossi. Then you start thinking what else, Well,
you knew it would have to be boy him. What
I didn't know is that he would just you know
throw in you know, an Ogren and the first But

(01:04:07):
you know, like we reported, Look, you know I reported
last week that the Wild offered Rossi to Vancouver for
Ratu Shilov's and a first and a first round pick
at the draft that was actually rejected by Vancouver. But
then last week when I reported that the Wild offered
Ogrind Sutherland, I heard that Marco Rossi's game came up

(01:04:29):
at a key for Sutherland deal and Bill Garon basically
hung up the phone on them. But when they're suddenly
now asking for Rossi after rejecting Rossi, you just know
that now there might be sort of the components to
a trade to be made. And clearly Bill Garon, uh,
you know I saw that as well.

Speaker 3 (01:04:45):
Does does this deal get done without William No?

Speaker 12 (01:04:49):
I don't think so, because what Vancouver gets back in
him is somebody that they in the next three or
four years hope can become that Quinn Hughes and and
as we know, you know, Quinn Hugh is the player
that Zee Boyam has long fashioned his game after and
respected the most end to play like. And so you
know that's the irony. Also, the deal is that maybe

(01:05:10):
he turns into that type of player. I mean, obviously
you know it, but it's still like he has to
turn into that player. You know, Quinn is that player?

Speaker 2 (01:05:18):
Have you gotten any I guess angling from the locker
room how the players feel about this, Is there any
sort of I mean, obviously, you know, losing Zeve not great,
but getting a guy like Quinn here, that's gotta get
the locker room excited. Yeah.

Speaker 12 (01:05:31):
I texted with two players last night, just off the
record to get the reaction, and I got one fire
emoji and one like holy hell emoji because he hadn't
known yet, And both were extremely excited based on their
little bit reaction. But again it was just shooting the
breeze just to ask what they thought kills down there today.
And obviously we'll get player reaction. Will be at the Bill

(01:05:51):
Garon press conference, my colleague Joe Smith. But look like
bat Boldie and Brock Favor already have a relationship with Quinn.
You know, John Hines and and and uh Bill Garon
and the training staff already have a relationship with Quinn
from Four Nations and soon to be the Olympics. You know,
I think Quinn is just talking to his agent and

(01:06:15):
like I said, I'm hoping to talk to his mom
here in a couple of minutes. I think that he's very,
very excited. So I look, I think that the Wild
are going to be sort of this a bit and
and be really really excited. Obviously it's tough to see,
you know, good players leave, but when you add a
player like this guy, it's it's pretty special. Now he's

(01:06:36):
just got to be healthy and perform, and I think
he will.

Speaker 4 (01:06:39):
Hey, Michael, did this?

Speaker 3 (01:06:40):
Did this ultimately come down to Quinn saying yeah, I'm
I'm all you know, all accept this deal?

Speaker 4 (01:06:46):
I mean he was no, no, no.

Speaker 12 (01:06:49):
It came down to three weeks ago him saying I'm
not resigning here, so now's the time let's move. And
then they made the move. He was because his agent
was involved, well aware of the teams that were interested in.
What his agent told me is that Quinn the entire
time when he found out what Billy Garan was offering,
was really excited that he thought it could happen with Minnesota.
But so he didn't have any control of this. But

(01:07:10):
that's a good sign right away that Quinn was excited. Look,
I mean, this is a great situation for him. He's
very close to his parents, you know, an hour and
a half flight in Detroit. He's very close to his
other two brothers. He goes to a hockey loving market
and a team that has chance to be a true contender,
So I think that there's a reason for him to
be extremely excited. And he gets back to the middle

(01:07:31):
of the country as well. He's an Allara on the
west coast, so I think that he's going to be
really excited to get here. And I think fans are
going to like him too. Like I've sat down with
him a number of times at ANHL media tours. He's
very soft spoken, but he's hilarious and he's interesting. He's
liable to say absolutely anything, like any of the Hughes brothers.
And by the way, as I've learned the last couple

(01:07:53):
of days, mother will and you know, so I think
fans are going to like him as well, just as
off the And the other thing that he'll love is
being out of that bubble, like he'll now be surrounded
by six reporters have to practice rather than twenty six
and you know, I think that'll be a breath of
fresh air for the for a kid that you know,
was a young captain that every day had to stand

(01:08:14):
in front of the media in a huge, loud marketplace.

Speaker 4 (01:08:17):
And how about this one for you, Michael.

Speaker 3 (01:08:21):
The ability to pair with brock Faber, who doesn't care
about you know, he cares more about you know, playing
defensive hockey than he does offensive. And now, you know,
knowing that he's got favor there, I mean, he may
even unleash himself a little bit more.

Speaker 6 (01:08:40):
Yeah.

Speaker 12 (01:08:40):
Absolutely. And you know what's really interesting about that whole
dynamic too, is is that we've all assumed at the
Olympics that they're just going to go back to slave
in favor because there was such a great shutdown line
at the at the at the Four Nations. But remember
they didn't have Quinn there because he was hurt and
they lost her Knackivay in the middle of the tournament.

(01:09:01):
So just having those two guys back could lead to
the defense pair there. And if all of a sudden
Quinn and Brock develop exceptional chemistry here in the next
six weeks before they get over to Milan, I mean,
perhaps that's the pair in Milan. So I think that
is a really good potential pair. And then you get
with Brodin with Spurgeon, you put Middleton on the third

(01:09:23):
pair when he's back from his concussion with Bagosian, that
is going to be a hard defense. Like suddenly their
defense looks really, really formidable if they're healthy.

Speaker 2 (01:09:32):
Big game for the while today against the Senators. Michael
and obviously Quinn will make his debut tomorrow. You know,
if he's going to be in the state of Minnesota
at this point today or is he going to be
joining just tomorrow morning.

Speaker 12 (01:09:45):
I believe he's, you know, with the one pm game.
I think it was hard for him to get here.

Speaker 2 (01:09:51):
I think this.

Speaker 12 (01:09:51):
You know, he still has to pack up his life.
The Wild do not play in Vancouver for the rest
of the season, so I think he'd like to get
a lot of his stuff out of there and on
the move as well. So I think Bill just gave him, like,
you know, look, the trade happened late last night. With
the time difference, it was hard to get him commercially here.
I guess you could have sent him a private plane,

(01:10:12):
but I think just to get him, you know, refreshed
and feeling good and more comfortable, I think they just decided, Hey,
Sunday would be better.

Speaker 6 (01:10:19):
Can't wait.

Speaker 2 (01:10:19):
It should be a fun one. Thank you so much
for your time, Michael and joy Edmonton. We'll get you
back your state side soon.

Speaker 12 (01:10:27):
This was a true pleasures act or such a pro
I mean, I just hope that Kevin doesn't get Wally pipped.

Speaker 4 (01:10:34):
Hey, and I wanted you for another segment.

Speaker 3 (01:10:36):
We know you're you're busy because I wanted to talk Olympics, but.

Speaker 4 (01:10:40):
We'll save it for another week. About that.

Speaker 12 (01:10:43):
Yeah, absolutely, you can have you next week. I just
you're busy with this huge trade. Yeah, we appreciate you.

Speaker 4 (01:10:49):
We appreciate your time.

Speaker 2 (01:10:51):
All right, take care, all right, thanks Michael Russo the Athletic,
read his stuff, read Joe Smith's stuff. I mean, I'll
tell you what, Michael, we were very lucky there, not Michael,
I should say, Pat, we're very lucky to have Russo
and Joe in this market, because, I mean, you want
to talk about a big trade and then rising to
the occasion covering all that stuff there, their stuff has

(01:11:13):
been incredible to read and follow the last day or so,
so finally they finally got something that day I think deserved,
which is something like a big blockbuster trade.

Speaker 3 (01:11:23):
Yeah, listen, I you know this is certainly the biggest
trade in wild history. Wouldn't you say?

Speaker 10 (01:11:32):
Oh?

Speaker 2 (01:11:32):
Yeah, I can't even think of anything close, especially when
you have you know, I mean, it's unbelievable.

Speaker 3 (01:11:37):
The biggest flash before this was was Zach and Ryan
uh signing his free agents, but that wasn't a trade,
so you know.

Speaker 2 (01:11:46):
Certainly in the middle of the season too like this.
You know, it's just it's.

Speaker 4 (01:11:50):
Just very rare that that this happens.

Speaker 2 (01:11:53):
And it's so amazing too, because I remember where we
were in late October. I remember that after that Penguins game,
with the locker room was like and and just how
dreary and dark things were, and it just it felt
like it couldn't get any worse. We were, you know,
this was the season was was looking to be a
lost season, and to go from that point to where

(01:12:14):
we are now with what they have done, with the
wins that they pile up, the teams that they have beaten,
and including of course uh Colorado and the Dallas just
last week.

Speaker 6 (01:12:24):
I mean, this is it's.

Speaker 2 (01:12:26):
It just feels like, uh, it's it's just so shocking
and well, obviously in a good way.

Speaker 3 (01:12:31):
Well it it is so hard in all of pro sports,
Zach to make deals, and especially ones of this magnitude.
I mean, it takes so much and then it takes
the willingness of you know, a particular team or teams

(01:12:52):
to actually you know, have that you know what to
pull the trigger on it. And you know when you
when you look at it and you're giving up Ogrin
number one, pick Rossi number one, pick Bullyam number one,
pick uh and then to give up a future first
drone pick that takes something and you know you can

(01:13:15):
you can break it, break it down in terms of
the value for each of the each of the players,
and and you know what what they bring now or
what they potentially could bring. It's it's still it takes
an awful lot of of you know, balls to to
pull something like this off.

Speaker 2 (01:13:35):
That's about you know what, We'll forgive that term that
that I can't think of a better way of saying about.
You said it wonderfully, so so beautifully. Really what a
just what a crazy day here in Saint Paul. And
it's just the start of it. We have a press
conference at noon with Bill Garrin his first opportunity to
share his thoughts, his insight on the trade. I wonder

(01:13:58):
if they'll be Champagne in the lock in the in
the press. I don't think there will be, but I
mean it's it's it's a big day in Minnesota wild history.
We will carry that press conference live at noon. We
will still have Joe and Tom coming up right after
that as well Brad Blakemore's breakaways. We might even get
some of your thoughts out there, so if you want

(01:14:19):
to Texas six four six eight six, we can share
some of those thoughts. Maybe even a talkbacker too, who knows.
We'll see. So we'll take a break, we'll come back
with more. It is Beyond the Pond, a very special
edition of Beyond the Pond, the Quinn Hughes Trade edition
Beyond the Pond. Here on the fan Pat mcceletti and

(01:14:49):
Saint Louis Park Zach Elverson Here in Saint Paul Grand
Casino Arena. It's Beyond the Pond. We have a press
conference with Bill garn coming up at and talking about
the big news of the day. We also have a
text line six for sixty six eighty six if you
want to talk about that big news of the day,
whatever news you want to talk about, Pat, I think

(01:15:09):
the a topic has got to be this Quinn Hughes trade.

Speaker 3 (01:15:12):
Huh uh, yeah, just just a little bit. How shocked
were you, Zach when you phoned out.

Speaker 2 (01:15:18):
Well, we were, we were preparing, we were about ten
minutes from taking air last night, war Rowed and Montamenai
on at San Croix Valley Rec Center and uh.

Speaker 3 (01:15:28):
Did you even call the game or did you just
talk about the trade?

Speaker 2 (01:15:30):
Well, it was initially kind of annoyed because there was
a seven o'clock puck drop and I was like, well
it was six forty five, six fifty and the JV
game was still going on. Obviously things had been pushed
back of it, so I was a little annoying, and
I'm like, oh man, what are we going to do
for fifteen twenty twenty five minutes? Ever, when whenever the
puck would would drop, while were going to kill that time?
And well, I gave Bill callll right into your lap.

(01:15:54):
I gave can you do something?

Speaker 4 (01:15:57):
Yeah, I'm sure he picked it. I'm sure he picked up.

Speaker 2 (01:15:59):
He acted fast. Yeah, it was It was nuts, and
people that the phones of conversations at the rink started
picking up as well as every really the news spread
and uh, and then obviously we took air with with
Danny Ryan at seven and talked about it and broke
the news basically on the air, and then we took texts,
which we'll be doing in just a moment against six

(01:16:21):
four six eighty six, and and then even Joe o'donald
happened to be at the arena because his kid was
playing on the other rink, and so he swung by
in the first intermission of the game and shared his
initial thoughts, which were very similar to mine in we
didn't what do you what do you are you supposed
to think?

Speaker 6 (01:16:41):
Yet?

Speaker 3 (01:16:41):
Yeah, he's supposed to talk, you know, And and and
one thing, you know, these trades that they just don't happen, right,
I mean, this has been you know, a lot of
thought put into it.

Speaker 4 (01:16:53):
You know, what's a roster gonna look like?

Speaker 3 (01:16:56):
Uh, you know, cap situation, Uh, you know, all of
these things go in, you know, so there's there's just
a lot that goes in that you and I have,
you know, the conversations that go on, and you know,
and and all of the different scenarios and that that
that have.

Speaker 4 (01:17:16):
To you know, play themselves out, and so you know,
it's just it's.

Speaker 3 (01:17:23):
We look at it and saying, oh, yeah, there's there's
the deal they did it. But all the stuff that
goes on that that we don't even know about, that
that that takes place, all the conversations you know, from
within the organization and and all of that kind of stuff.
So it just, uh, you know, it was just for

(01:17:43):
it to happen. I think, uh just blew us all away.

Speaker 2 (01:17:47):
We have a text from a sex Materia area code saying,
anytime you get the chance design a truly elite player
in his prime, you do so we I'm to see
the quality talent, but you have to pay for elite players.
Billy g swinging for the fences here sends him message
that the time is now, let's go.

Speaker 3 (01:18:03):
Well, yeah, that that makes complete sense now, and you
look at it from Vancouver's point of view. You know
a lot of people up there, you know I've read stuff.
Well you know I didn't get much in return. You
don't know what you got in return, because you have
a bunch of young players, especially with well, well you
know all three of them really. I mean, Marco is

(01:18:23):
still very very young, and you know, he's proven what,
you know, what he can do, and it's taken him
a couple of years. But but you know, you know,
his numbers don't lie. And then you know with Ogrin,
the jury's still out on Zeve William obviously, the potential
there is h you know, is you know, potentially really

(01:18:46):
really good, but you don't know how that's going to
be in two or three years. What type of players
are they going to be in two or three years.
They're going to get a draft pick that will probably
be what anywhere from twenty seventh thirtieth in in in the.

Speaker 4 (01:19:02):
First round next year.

Speaker 3 (01:19:04):
But they do have a you know, they probably will
get a very high draft pick with their own number one,
So you know, do they package that you know, who
know who knows what what Vancouver is gonna do. But
the bottom line is what we know is Vancouver is
nowhere near ready to contend for a Stanley Cup title, right,

(01:19:25):
and so so it makes you know, I think it
it was a trade.

Speaker 4 (01:19:30):
That probably makes sense for both teams.

Speaker 2 (01:19:33):
So when asked about the the reactions from William Ogrin
and Rossi what their comments have been, I know, haven't
heard anything, yeah, right, And I know ROSSI talked to
Russo yesterday saying he's he's you know, it is what
it is, yeah, saying that's business, that's part of it.

(01:19:54):
We all play hockey, we all know what might happen.
This is all his quote. But I'm really happy for
everything minis so it has done for me. There are
ups and downs, for sure, but I had a really
good time in Minnesota. And that's you know, it's the
business side of things, pat that uh you know obviously, Yeah, yeah,
it's it's always it's always tough.

Speaker 3 (01:20:13):
And and you know, and you have this you know
feeling of, you know, while not being wanted by the
team that sent you away.

Speaker 4 (01:20:23):
But then you have.

Speaker 3 (01:20:24):
To flip that over and say, wait a second, you know,
the Vancouver Connects wanted me, right, And and even take
a kid like Builliam.

Speaker 4 (01:20:33):
He's a rookie.

Speaker 3 (01:20:34):
You know, he's a rookie, right, He's he's thrilled to
be in the league, thrilled to play in the in
the best league in the in the world, and and
he's just getting off in his career, right, just starting off.
So you know, for a kid like him, you know, Okay,
I'm onto the next team and I'm gonna show him

(01:20:56):
what I can do. And so you know, from that perspective,
you know, I think I think everyone will be pretty happy.

Speaker 2 (01:21:04):
I just unbelievable, unbelievable day. See some other texts coming in, uh,
carill Boldie Hughes, Faber Wall of Saint Paul. Do you
like parades?

Speaker 13 (01:21:16):
Ye?

Speaker 4 (01:21:17):
And with the skatriots, boy, surely you know.

Speaker 3 (01:21:20):
And and and here's the thing, you know, you you
listen there, if I were to ask you, you know
what teams are you know, I have a legitimate shot
at winning the Stanley Cup. I mean, you know, there's
probably eight or nine that think they can, right, but
not everyone can win it, guys. So it's you know,

(01:21:41):
sure there's a risk, but if you don't try, you're
never gonna win.

Speaker 2 (01:21:46):
And you know, you just see how they've played some
of the top teams in the league, including Dallas and Colorado.
They've kept up with them. And you know, all things considered,
obviously without without Quinn Hughes, what.

Speaker 3 (01:21:59):
And Brett, what did I say last week? The roster,
the roster as it's put together right now, cannot win
a Stanley Cup. But I did say that, and I
and I.

Speaker 4 (01:22:09):
Truly, I truly believe it.

Speaker 3 (01:22:13):
Well, well now now now it's a little different story,
isn't it. You know, because you know how at least
for me, how important it is special teams are in
the playoffs. And and that's you know, obviously killing penalties
and your power play. You need that power play goal,
you know, to maybe get you over the edge a
little bit. And and so you know, certainly not to

(01:22:35):
say that they're going to win the Stanley Cup, but
it just gives them, I think a little a little
better chance because you know, as Michael pointed out, look
at Dallas High skin it right, elite elite defenseman. Look
at now, we don't even have to talk about Colorado.
You know they have they have the best in in
Cale mccarr and so you know, they got macar McKinnon,

(01:22:56):
we got Hughes, Caprice off right and so and Boldie
and so you know, you you're giving yourself a chance.
And then ultimately, what do you need the most going
into the into the playoffs.

Speaker 4 (01:23:09):
You need good goaltending.

Speaker 3 (01:23:11):
Right now, Minnesota has two guys that are playing as
well as anybody in the National Hockey League.

Speaker 4 (01:23:17):
And so, you know, and that's why.

Speaker 3 (01:23:19):
I kind of think you look at it, and and
and and and Billy probably looked at his team and said,
you know what, you know, we're we're getting elite, elite goaltending.
We've got a brock favor favor back on defense as
one of the elite defenseman defensive defensemen in the league.

Speaker 4 (01:23:38):
We've got Boldie, CAPRICEO.

Speaker 3 (01:23:40):
And and you know we got you know, those guys
are right up there as far.

Speaker 4 (01:23:46):
As you know scoring in the National Hockey League.

Speaker 3 (01:23:49):
So you know, I think a lot of other influences
make this deal possible.

Speaker 2 (01:23:58):
We will have a abbreviate Brett Blakemore's breakaways when we
come back. We still have at the top of the hour,
Wild General Manager Bill Garon a press conference. That will
be his first opportunity to really talk about this well,
this massive trade, the biggest trade that any Wild GM
has made in franchise history. Quinn Hughes coming to town.

(01:24:18):
He'll make his debut with the Wild tomorrow. But before
that game, we have another one to talk about as well,
the Wild and Senators. We're playing puck drop a little
after one right here on the fan again. Big news,
big day, big opportunity to share your thoughts as well.
Six four six eighty six, Keep the text coming. He's
Pat Mcaletty, I'm Zach Calverson. You are tuned in to

(01:24:40):
be on the pond on the Fan's time for Brett
blake foroth breakaway.

Speaker 4 (01:24:46):
Caprice.

Speaker 5 (01:24:56):
And now Blakemore Breakaway.

Speaker 11 (01:25:01):
Welcome Back Beyond the Pond and the Halvey That is
still one of my favorite opens on the fan, so
I appreciate you doing that.

Speaker 2 (01:25:08):
All I did was voice it. The production in the
fancy work was done by Kevin Falness, who we remember
today and always.

Speaker 11 (01:25:18):
In remembrance of Kevin Falness.

Speaker 2 (01:25:20):
What what a weekend to go to call rain?

Speaker 6 (01:25:22):
Yeah?

Speaker 11 (01:25:22):
I know, you know you're there for twenty five years.
You take one weekend off, the team makes a franchise
altering trade, you know. Sorry, So speaking of we do
have to get to a Bill garin presser the top
of the hour. So you asked Pat how his kind
of it got revealed to him. I was watching Christmas
with the Cranks, not by choice, and I get, yeah,

(01:25:44):
I think Santa Claus is better. I get two calls
from a let's just say a large Long Island native,
and I think that's weird. Get it back to back,
and then I get another call from someone I haven't
talked to since college. I'm like, something is awry, something
is happening here. At the time, I was so stunned

(01:26:06):
at the price that I wasn't really thinking about Quinn
Hughes and what he could do for the Wild and
that first original tweet was like, boy, they gave up
so much. I think my opinion has evolved now to
the point where I'm just fired up to see this team.
Is there an excitement? I mean, where is this stack
for you guys? As far as like parising Suitor, we
were fired up about Coroll caprice Off. I was watching

(01:26:26):
blurry KHL highlights of caprice Off for years before he came.
I think this is ranks right up there as far
as excitement factor, isn't you Pat?

Speaker 3 (01:26:34):
Yeah, well, I absolutely think the excitement is off the charts.
And I will say this, I don't think I'll go
I'll go back to what I said to where this roster.

Speaker 4 (01:26:49):
It was was because.

Speaker 3 (01:26:52):
It no longer is to where it is now and
the opportunity to make a splash with the players that
they have that are in their prime or in that window.
And so I think for that reason I didn't think

(01:27:13):
it was too much.

Speaker 4 (01:27:15):
Does that make sense?

Speaker 2 (01:27:16):
Yeah, Halvey, Well, you know what, I'm gonna be honest
with you. I got a call from Joe Donald figuring
things out. Miss the question, but I'll agree with everything
that Pat just said.

Speaker 4 (01:27:27):
You should should down on it.

Speaker 11 (01:27:29):
He will right as always. Well, I'll ask you the
next question. I asked Russo and I wanted to get
your thought. Do you think the extension is needed for
this to be a successful move or if they just
make a run in the playoffs, Well, it's a year
and a half and we'll take it. We took a swing.
Or do we have to sign to an extension for
this to be a successful.

Speaker 2 (01:27:47):
Move woll Stanley Cup. Yes, at least a couple more years. Yes,
if they don't get the extension, it really depends on
the return if they can get rid of them. If
it's to me, it's it's tough because I was a
big big Z fan. He had probably I think his
best game the other night right here in Saint Paul.

(01:28:08):
So tough to lose him. But I think there's plenty
of routes here where this trade is is more than
worth it.

Speaker 4 (01:28:14):
I'm gonna be.

Speaker 3 (01:28:15):
I don't know if naive or stupid or whatever, I'm
I don't even want to think about that part. I'm
thinking about the now they got him, let's see what
they what, you know, how far they can go with them?
And but Ultimately, if you want me to answer the
question the return for him, You're never gonna get the

(01:28:38):
return of a superstar. Right Let's say if they would
have lost, if they would have traded Capri Soot, they're
not going to get the return now, well are you?
And you're probably not going to get a return that
is to your one hundred percent liking if you have
to move him. But I'm not to worry about that

(01:29:00):
right now.

Speaker 11 (01:29:02):
I'm gonna squeeze one more in before he gets to
Bill Garren's presser, because I got this text and I
wanted to read it. People just can't have fun. People
just can't be happy. Seven to six to three. Guy says, guys,
they still need to get bigger. All Stanley Cup contenders
had players like Keith Kachuk, cam Neely, et cetera. Players
who are tough like Felino but are also scorers. The

(01:29:24):
Wild have never had that kind of player that in
all caps is why they're never They've never been to
a final. And then he goes on to say, I'll
be texting you again after the first round exit. First
of all, have fun in life. You seem miserable. Second
of all, I disagree with the premise entirely that the
big thing keeping the Wild from making a run is

(01:29:45):
just size, because I feel like they've had grinders and
size for twenty five years, and they've had grit players.
I've always said that they need more depth scoring, and
even though he's a defenseman, Quinn Hughes brings that and
then somebody makes everyone else better around him. So yeah,
I think thing to add on. I think they need
another forward. I'm not saying they should be done, but
can't we just enjoy anything? Why do we have to

(01:30:06):
have this this old school we're talking about Keith.

Speaker 2 (01:30:09):
For God's sake, Brett, thank you so much. We have
to get a break in here before we head to
the press room with Bill garon the Wild General manager.
The press conference, Bill garn discusses the Quinn Hughes trade.
When we come back, it's beyond the pond on the
fan extended beyond the pond today. Normally we're already done

(01:30:46):
and Pat mcletty has has gone his ways to do
whatever he wants to do. On a beautiful Saturday, that
really beautiful Saturday afternoon, Brett, I don't know, it's frigid,
it's very cold, very cold Bill garn should be taking
the podium at any moment. We will have that for
you right here on Kfan. We are listening in. And
of course you never know when these guys actually go

(01:31:09):
up there, so it could be now, it could be
five minutes from now, and then Joe Donald and Tom
Reid will join us after the presser to react to that.
Also get a set for again. It's it's crazy, there's
a game today, Wild Senators at one. The timing of
this trade, you know, you can't really control that necessarily,
and that's just how this it goes. And then of

(01:31:30):
course the while play again tomorrow they host the Boston Bruins,
so the nice thing is they're home and so that's
definitely a much friendlier way of welcoming in a new
teammate and Quinn Hughes. But I'm interested to see Britt.
Maybe you can talk. Oh here he is actually well
that's Aaron Sickman. Oh come on, erin, Billy will be

(01:31:51):
here momentarily, he says, So, okay, do you have a
moment here to talk? What do you expect from the
Wild today? With about as big of a distres as
he could possibly have and a good distraction in the
last but still a distraction. It is.

Speaker 11 (01:32:06):
It almost feels like the game is a footnote, you
know what I mean, like, oh, yeah, that's right. They
play today. You know, we want to talk about this.
I mean, Bill Garrett's having a press conference. We're going
to carry live and I guarantee you there's not gonna
be a question what do you see from Ottawa? I mean,
that's gonna be the deal. I mean, I expect a
good performance. If anything, If we judge from one of
Russo's comments, which will be podcastable later, is that he

(01:32:29):
texted a couple of players off the record and they,
you know, fire emojis and can't believe it, what the
hell emojis. So the players, certainly who are left that is,
are fired up about it, and hopefully it's a big
jolt for the team. I think the biggest thing though,
out of all everything that Russo talked about was the
fact that, you know, we got a text earlier when
I first mentioned that I wasn't optimistic that they would

(01:32:51):
re sign him. I thought, you know, it's the new
Jersey thing and his brother thing is going to be
a real deal and something that's going to hang over
the franchise for the next year in chain not so fast,
my like, not a guarantee, but it seems like he's
open to it and excited to be here. And that
was more than what I was expecting. So I'm kind
of fired up for that. But I hope it boosts
the team. To answer your question going into this Ottawa

(01:33:14):
matchup today at Green Sino Arena.

Speaker 2 (01:33:16):
It's just awesome to have have a presser like this
and have something be this meaningful and be this big,
and the eyes of the world, at least the hockey
world upon Minnesota right now watching the Wild very closely.

Speaker 6 (01:33:30):
Now. I mean, we are already.

Speaker 2 (01:33:32):
Sort of making a case at this point, but now
we have Quinn Heughes, the newest Minnesota Wild defenseman, coming
to town from Vancouver. I thought we were going to
have Bill just kind of waiting.

Speaker 11 (01:33:47):
Just think about think about this while we wait. We
have a top three forward in hockey, right some would
I mean, there's McDavid, there's there's McKinnon, and then you
can make Armic capriz ats right there. We've got a
top two defenseman in hockey with mccarr and now Hughes,
and we've got one of the best goalie tandems in

(01:34:08):
hockey with the wall of Saint Paul and gusbus which
I want to get your thoughts on eventually if we
still need to tap dance as far as who do
you prefer and who started Game one of the playoffs.

Speaker 4 (01:34:17):
Because I think it's Wolsted, let's play, let's go.

Speaker 2 (01:34:22):
Why not?

Speaker 11 (01:34:23):
I mean, we've got it all.

Speaker 2 (01:34:24):
I do want to add too. I'm excited about this
presser because, as you know Bill Garin, he says what
he is on his mind. He does not I mean,
he keeps the important cards close to his chest, but
he's very open with with the media and by extension
of fans. So we're going to have one of the
biggest trades in Wild history, certainly one of the biggest
trades really in the league in a long, long time.

(01:34:47):
It's going to be interesting to have an in the
insight of a GM like Bill and hear his thoughts
because a lot of other guys, you know, would be very,
you know, very short winded. He's going to be very
long winded. I think here in press conference, here we go,
Wild General Manager and President of Hockey Operations, Bill Garin
at the podium now.

Speaker 13 (01:35:12):
Yeah, it's uh, it was a it was a good
night last night.

Speaker 4 (01:35:18):
Uh.

Speaker 6 (01:35:19):
Bringing a player like Quinn Hughes here.

Speaker 13 (01:35:22):
Uh, you just don't get these opportunities all that often,
you know, Marco rossi Z, William Liam Ogrin all great kids,
great players with bright futures.

Speaker 6 (01:35:40):
Definitely hard to uh.

Speaker 13 (01:35:45):
Hard to part with guys that you draft, develop, you
spend time with, you get to know them and their families.
But like I said, when when a player of Quinn's
caliber comes available and you have an opportunity to get him, uh,
you know, there's a cost to it. And uh you

(01:36:06):
know we were we were willing to to do what
it takes.

Speaker 14 (01:36:09):
Rutherford said, you brought this idea to him probably five
just seven days ago.

Speaker 5 (01:36:13):
Is is that accurate?

Speaker 12 (01:36:14):
And why that?

Speaker 6 (01:36:15):
Yeah?

Speaker 13 (01:36:19):
Yeah, I was actually flying home from a scouting trip
a week ago.

Speaker 6 (01:36:28):
What's today today? Saturday?

Speaker 13 (01:36:30):
Yeah, uh so yeah, a week ago and or Monday,
week ago Monday, and uh yeah I just called Jim
and just uh we you know, obviously Jim and I
have a relationship, and uh we we chatted about it,
and he told me what what they wanted to try

(01:36:54):
and accomplish with with the move, and I felt we
could satisfy their their needs and and and we did.
And uh, that's why it's great. You know, Jim and
Patrick are friends, guys that I've worked with in the past.
I know how they I know how they deal with
situations like this, and they get right to the point.

(01:37:15):
And I think that's why it worked worked so well, just.

Speaker 8 (01:37:20):
Putting the package together real or just how'd you get
to the finish line? And it sounds like Quinn had
some involvement or was aware.

Speaker 13 (01:37:27):
Yeah, from what from what Jim tells me, you know, obviously,
Like listen, when you're dealing with players of this caliber,
guys that are guys that have done so much for
your organization, you know, I think, And that's that's why
I love Jim. Like you, you want to do right

(01:37:49):
by the player as well, but you have to accomplish
The first thing is accomplishing what you need for the team.
But then there is a human element to it. And
I think we satisfied you know, both parties everything in
in that.

Speaker 8 (01:38:05):
Did you get any assurance Bill that he would resign?
And how does that factor into putting a trade together?

Speaker 13 (01:38:12):
Listen, you can't you can't make promises like you know,
and after the deal done, talking to Quinn and Quinn's
agent like you, but I think I think Quinn will
really like it here. I think this is he's a
hockey nut, Like he watches every game, he knows what's

(01:38:35):
going on in the league, you know, getting to know
him through the Four Nations process.

Speaker 6 (01:38:41):
Uh, he just loves hockey.

Speaker 13 (01:38:43):
And I think there's obviously no better market than Minnesota
to be a hockey player. And uh, you know, I
I believe in our our team and our culture and
our organization and our our market, our fans are or
the I mean, hockey's in the fabric here. And I

(01:39:04):
think he'll really like it.

Speaker 12 (01:39:06):
You've already shown him.

Speaker 14 (01:39:07):
It seems enough though, for him to not have completely
vetoed the idea, right, I mean, how proud are you
of that that this was a place that he's like, yeah,
you know, let's give and go.

Speaker 13 (01:39:15):
Yeah, I'm very proud of Look. I love Minnesota, our
players love Minnesota. This is a great place to play.
But no matter what, whether you have good weather, good taxes, good,
I don't know, whatever, hockey has to be good. The

(01:39:37):
hockey has to be You can make, you can live
in the sun, you can you know, live in these
great places or make a little more money. But if
the hockey's not good, you won't be happy. So that's
what really matters. If the hockey is good, if your
job is good, you will be happy. And I think

(01:39:59):
when will be really happy here here?

Speaker 8 (01:40:01):
Just yet?

Speaker 13 (01:40:02):
Or no, we're gonna uh Chris Kellagher and I are
gonna fly out and get him and uh bring him back.

Speaker 6 (01:40:10):
He'll be in the lineup tomorrow. Help with that.

Speaker 12 (01:40:13):
Selling him on Minnesota.

Speaker 2 (01:40:14):
That's gonna be blizera when he gets here.

Speaker 6 (01:40:16):
Yeah, that's a big time.

Speaker 13 (01:40:18):
He's gonna skate on one of the lakes tonight just to loosen.

Speaker 12 (01:40:22):
Up the game. Though, I'm gonna go right now, will
you start.

Speaker 6 (01:40:27):
With that's up to John.

Speaker 15 (01:40:31):
Yeah, the summer you have some flexibility cap wives to
go after some big players. And during the season, like
how much was like something like I don't know if
this player was in mind, I guess, but like how much?
Is that just a reflection of what you were talking
about that have the opportunities to have something like this, Yeah, it's.

Speaker 13 (01:40:46):
Just it was it's like I said, this summer like
we didn't make any you know. Uh, Well, according to
you guys, we didn't do anything this summer, but you
know what, it's nice to be in the game, you know,
and we weren't able to do this for the past
four years, so it was it was nice to just

(01:41:07):
to you know, you throw your hat in the ring
and put your best foot forward and and.

Speaker 6 (01:41:13):
Like I said, it's nice to be in the game.

Speaker 15 (01:41:16):
With the way the pre agency goes now with Celler
cap point, everybody has money, I guess, like how much
art Just this is the way to get these kind
of special players. Is a trade versus like waiting for
July or something like that, you know, to get something
like this bug.

Speaker 13 (01:41:28):
Yeah, I mean it's it's definitely one way, uh, you know,
with the with the cap going up the way it is, uh,
you know, it's definitely made it more realistic for teams
to sign their own players and makes it a little
more difficult, uh.

Speaker 6 (01:41:48):
Free agent wise.

Speaker 13 (01:41:50):
So when, like I said, when when a player this
caliber becomes available and you can get in the game
and you're serious, it's just it's it's good to be involved.

Speaker 8 (01:42:06):
What does this say just about the Stanley Cup potential
in the window for the team of the message that
it sends and just how much in mind knowing you're
going to have to compete against the likes of Colorado
Dallas and how much does that factor into But just
what you believe the team's potential is now?

Speaker 13 (01:42:20):
Well, I mean I've always said I believe in our players,
I believe in this team.

Speaker 6 (01:42:25):
I believe in what we're doing here.

Speaker 13 (01:42:29):
And I think adding somebody like Quinn, uh, I think
the guys are happy. And you know what, as for listen,
we have an extremely competitive division. It's I mean, you're
going through the meat grinder here and and you know,

(01:42:52):
we respect our opponents and but we we we want
to do our own thing too, and we want to
be we want to compete for the Stanley Cup.

Speaker 12 (01:43:04):
While we're in Vancouver last week.

Speaker 15 (01:43:06):
Between that and you're scouting from Molanal, how much have
you watched in the season.

Speaker 13 (01:43:14):
I haven't seen him play live, but I think I
know enough about him. I think the whole world knows
enough about him to understand what he is and who
he is. And like I said, like he's a special player.
And uh uh, these these opportunities don't present themselves all

(01:43:37):
that often. But so we're we're we we feel, we
feel fortunate and uh, I just I just love the
way the deal went down because I really, I really
think we got what we were looking for, and I
think Vancouver got what they were looking for. They got
three really good young players that are going to help

(01:43:57):
build their team, and we got you.

Speaker 6 (01:44:02):
Know, uh, you know, franchise defenseman.

Speaker 13 (01:44:07):
Just talking to him, yeah, he's he's really excited. Yeah
he's I mean, he's such a great kid. And like
I said, we uh through the whole four Nations process
last year with him kind of maybe being ready not
we we talked uh almost every day through that process,
so we got to know each other. And all he

(01:44:30):
all he wants to do is is win and and
and be a part of something special.

Speaker 6 (01:44:35):
So he's really excited.

Speaker 13 (01:44:36):
And I think we have a really unique bunch of
guys in our locker room, and he will he'll see
how how how we operate and how that group of
guys operates, and you know, from the leadership from Spurge

(01:44:59):
to to carill on down, it's a it's a really
good bunch of guys and they play for each other,
and I think that's what he's looking for.

Speaker 8 (01:45:07):
Do you think you are at the mid up the
middle now Bill, and how much is this maybe also
indicative of.

Speaker 13 (01:45:13):
Your off's growth so far of what Yeah, yeah, I mean,
Danilla's really Danilla keeps getting better and better, and I
think that's what really made it possible. I'm not worried
about our center depth at all. You know, we we
still have flexibility, so you know, who knows what we

(01:45:36):
can do in the future. But yeah, I'm really comfortable
with with where we are.

Speaker 14 (01:45:42):
So with Rossi's moving on, you're losing a little bit
of that production that he brought. But just how much
does Quinn Hughes really tilt the ice and bring it
as well?

Speaker 13 (01:45:51):
Well? Like I said, that's why that's that's why this
deal just works because you know what Marco.

Speaker 6 (01:45:56):
Marco is a big part of this team.

Speaker 13 (01:45:58):
You know, he could play with Zuoke and Carill, he
could play with Moosse and Trenny. He could play anywhere
up and down the lineup. He's a smart player. He produces.
You know, sixty points last year is not easily replaced.
But we're also adding a guy that has had a
ninety point season as a defenseman, and you know, the

(01:46:21):
the way he runs a power play, just the way
he moves a puck, and.

Speaker 6 (01:46:29):
I think it's a win win this deal.

Speaker 15 (01:46:31):
I've been done without Ze as part of.

Speaker 13 (01:46:33):
It, and I don't think so. Yeah, I don't think so.
And look, I love that kid. I mean, he's a
special he's a special kid. He's a special human like I,
you know, getting to know him and his family, and.

Speaker 6 (01:46:51):
You know, Vancouver.

Speaker 13 (01:46:52):
Got three really good, young quality guys, and you know,
if Hughes wasn't available, they'd still be here. And I
was totally fine with that. And but like I said before,
you have to you have to give something to get something.

Speaker 16 (01:47:12):
Why do you feel like this was the right moment
to kind of push all the chips in and acquire
a guy like Hughes.

Speaker 6 (01:47:18):
Because it's because it's Quinn Hughes.

Speaker 13 (01:47:24):
And if you wait for the like I don't know
what the right moment is, but if you wait for it,
you're gonna miss it.

Speaker 6 (01:47:34):
You know.

Speaker 13 (01:47:35):
I don't know if the weather had to be warmer
or something, or but no, there's the when it's a
player of this caliber, the right time is always now.

Speaker 8 (01:47:45):
Bill. You talked about that in the past, Like you
called it, it's just a feel to know when that
right moment will come along. And just now, in hindsight,
just how happy are you that you were patient and
you know you didn't just you didn't try to go
for this sooner because you probably wouldn't be in this
position out if you tried to make this move.

Speaker 2 (01:48:01):
Two or three years ago.

Speaker 13 (01:48:04):
Yeah, I patience isn't always one of my strong suits.
But yeah, maybe some things didn't work out. Uh, like
other deals probably didn't work out, and it just yeah,
it just fell into place Like I didn't.

Speaker 6 (01:48:23):
There was no.

Speaker 13 (01:48:25):
I didn't have this grand plan of like, oh I'm
gonna wait three years and then bang, you know, I'll
do it, you know, right before Christmas in twenty twenty five.

Speaker 6 (01:48:33):
No, it.

Speaker 13 (01:48:37):
Just became available, and like I said, we just wanted
to be involved really the last.

Speaker 8 (01:48:43):
Week, like even at the beginning of the season, when
his future became kind of unclear, not even in camp
or anything.

Speaker 15 (01:48:49):
Yeah, what made you decide to give him a call
that day?

Speaker 12 (01:48:53):
What was in the airport where I was.

Speaker 13 (01:48:54):
That you know, you know, when I was I was
in New York and and and Matt Seals called me
and he said, hey, you know this sounds kind of crazy,
but maybe give Jim a call.

Speaker 6 (01:49:08):
And I I give Matt a lot of credit.

Speaker 13 (01:49:11):
With just you know, he pushes me, you know, so
does Chris kell Heer and Mike Murray. They pushed me.
And but Matt made the call and he's like, this
might sound nuts, but maybe make the call. And I did.

Speaker 15 (01:49:27):
What was it Christmas in July?

Speaker 12 (01:49:28):
It's Christmas and Christmas and Christmas?

Speaker 8 (01:49:32):
Yea confident bill from the like not maybe knowing who
else was inquiring and what they could put together. Did
you initially just think that you could stand out as
a suitor.

Speaker 13 (01:49:44):
I don't know what anybody else offered, but I know, hey,
look with like I said, with players of this caliber,
you cannot screw around. There's no there's no You're not
gonna fool anybody, you know. I mean, Jim's been doing
this for forty years, like I know, Patrick, they do

(01:50:09):
their homework, they know. So we had to go with them,
go to them with something real right away, to tell
them that we're serious, and that.

Speaker 6 (01:50:26):
That was the initial offer.

Speaker 15 (01:50:28):
There was no back and probably that much back and forth.

Speaker 13 (01:50:30):
Then I was just kind of like, no, I mean,
Jim had other options, you know, and he had to
you know, kind of see things through. I don't know,
you know who he was talking to or what his
process was. But we came out of the gates with
that because they wanted to check certain boxes and we

(01:50:53):
had to.

Speaker 6 (01:50:54):
We had to check them for them. That's the only
way it gets done.

Speaker 13 (01:50:58):
It doesn't We're not going to nique one by them.

Speaker 6 (01:51:00):
They're they're smart.

Speaker 13 (01:51:03):
Like I said, Jim's been doing this, you know, since
before I was even a player in the league.

Speaker 6 (01:51:10):
So not gonna fool.

Speaker 14 (01:51:13):
Him about the tools in Quinn's arsenal. Obviously the leadership
component too. How great is it going to be to
have that presence in the locker round.

Speaker 13 (01:51:19):
I mean it's gonna be great. I mean you can
never have too many leaders. I think Quinn too with
you know, he's a soft spoken guy.

Speaker 6 (01:51:26):
Uh.

Speaker 13 (01:51:27):
His leadership comes on the ice, in the in in
his play.

Speaker 6 (01:51:33):
Yeah.

Speaker 13 (01:51:34):
Uh, it's always nice to have another leader in your
in your room. And you know they come in lots
of different you know, shapes, sizes, forms, you know whatever,
But he is a leader.

Speaker 8 (01:51:49):
The team is in a unique position, Bill just before
the CBA switches in terms of what you can offer
just how how much I guess you think you'll stay
in touch with his camp leading up to the summer.
How much will that be a focus and trying to
ignite those times?

Speaker 13 (01:52:04):
Can you give me one day?

Speaker 6 (01:52:07):
One day, that's all I'm asking for.

Speaker 17 (01:52:09):
No.

Speaker 13 (01:52:10):
Yeah, well, we'll take care of that when we have to.
I mean it's right now, we're just we're we're focused
on playing hockey. We'll deal with the other stuff when
we have to do. It's just like Corella, you know,
like there's a process and and we'll go through it.
And right now we want to get Quinn here, get
them comfortable, get them acclimated to his new surroundings.

Speaker 6 (01:52:33):
I don't care who you are.

Speaker 13 (01:52:34):
Your first trade is a doozy, you know when you
get to eight teams and then it comes to come
a little easier, trust me. But no, the first one,
no matter what is uh is always tough and uh.
But again, like we bring players in here for who
they are, what they are, to be themselves as uh

(01:52:56):
they're as human, their personalities, their playing style. We just
want Quinn to come in and be himself. He doesn't
have to save the world. He's just coming here to
help us be a better team.

Speaker 15 (01:53:09):
When did you read the deals yesterday? And like, yeah,
where were you when you get the call from Jim, like, hey,
like where let's do this.

Speaker 6 (01:53:14):
Or I want the honest truth.

Speaker 13 (01:53:20):
I was making meatballs for our Christmas Eve dinner and
Jim called, so I had to take my gloves, my
latex gloves off, so I was rolling meatballs and uh
he told me we have a deal. And uh there
was a fist pump involved.

Speaker 6 (01:53:39):
To make after that, right you know was Eve and
Waco and.

Speaker 13 (01:53:42):
Yeah yeah and those are those are tough and the
like I said that, the three kids a, I mean,
uh yeah, they handled it like men.

Speaker 6 (01:53:55):
And uh yeah, they're they're good. They're God, They're they're
good kids. Man.

Speaker 13 (01:54:02):
I I can't say enough about those kids and their
character and and what I think of them. And like
I said, if if if Quinn wasn't available, they'd still
be here. And I believe in them. I still do.
I always will will be.

Speaker 8 (01:54:20):
The best tastiest meats that you have.

Speaker 12 (01:54:22):
Now on Christmas eveil.

Speaker 6 (01:54:24):
They're gonna be really They're really good.

Speaker 13 (01:54:26):
They're really good. It's my wife's recipe and like, hey,
I'm just doing the groundwork.

Speaker 6 (01:54:32):
Yeah.

Speaker 15 (01:54:34):
Well, like you said when Kroll signed, like want to
play with great players. So I think I'm sure sure
why should like that could be a sung point in itself.

Speaker 12 (01:54:41):
You've seen that Boldie, you see Grill, you.

Speaker 13 (01:54:42):
See Yeah, Well, I think I think for for QUINNYA
if he I mean, I would imagine he looked at
our roster, you know, power play like you know, there's
there's Krill, there's Bolts, there's Zukie, there's Echi.

Speaker 6 (01:54:59):
Those are pretty good guys to line up with.

Speaker 13 (01:55:01):
And I'm sure they're excited to get him in town
and you know, start walking the blue line.

Speaker 6 (01:55:08):
Give what you parted with.

Speaker 2 (01:55:10):
How confident are you that the team still has the
assets to make further moves going forward as necessary.

Speaker 13 (01:55:17):
I'm confident. Yeah, I'm confident. I mean, you know, we've
built over. This is year seven for me. So over
the last six years we've we've built up our assets
in prospects, picks, whatever it is. We have flexibility in

(01:55:39):
our cap uh so we can still do stuff, all right,
Thanks everybody.

Speaker 2 (01:55:52):
President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, Bill Garin, we'll
call him Santa Garin. We were promised Chris in July.
We didn't get it, but we got it in Christmas. Christmas.
In Christmas also saying some really really cool things, really
candid things about about Quinn. Hughes obviously had a ton

(01:56:12):
of respect for the three guys that are going to Vancouver.
But as Bill said, quote, I don't know what the
right moment is, but if you wait for it, you're
going to miss it. I don't know if the weather
be warmer or something. When it's a player of this caliber,
the right times always now, and the right time was
last night. And to go off of what Pat was
saying earlier in terms of taking balls, well he was

(01:56:37):
making meat balls when he got the call. So what
a whirlwind of just epic proportions here. The biggest franchise
in history has been made. And we're going to get
the voice of the Wild, or the voices i should say,
of the Wild and Joe O'Donnell and Tom Reid, their thoughts,
their reaction to all of today's news, and then we'll

(01:56:58):
get you the Wild pregame show before the Wild drop
the puck. There's a hockey game today, I believe it
or not. Through all of this, we have to drop
the puck between the Wild and the Senators a little
after one. That's all coming up right here on the
fan final segment of an extended and I would say
special addition to be on the pond. Always fun to

(01:57:20):
have a show where we talk Wild. After one of
the biggest Wild trades, if not the if, it was
the biggest trade in franchise history. As again, Zee Bulliam
and Liam Ogrin Marco Rossi in a first round pick
headed to Vancouver in exchange for Quinn Hughes, who will
join the team tomorrow. We have upstairs now joining us

(01:57:41):
Joe O'Donnell and Tom Reid. The guys will call today's
game against the Senators. It's hard to believe, guys, I mean,
the game against the Senators today is just I keep
having to remind myself we actually have to drop the
puck and play some hockey today as well, after all
this craziness.

Speaker 6 (01:57:55):
Yeah, is there something going on?

Speaker 2 (01:57:57):
I guess so.

Speaker 6 (01:57:58):
Right in front of you.

Speaker 2 (01:57:58):
I don't know, they're warming up for something. But that
was I mean, you're just had the press conference with
with Bill Garrion. What are you guys' reactions to his comments?
And then just throw really that the news overall.

Speaker 17 (01:58:11):
Great because I thought someone was playing an April Fools
joke on me to be honest with you, but that
was not the case. But you know what, it's Billy's right.
I mean, when is the best time to do it?
That the time is now, when you have the opportunity.
This is an elite hockey player. Getting Quinn Hughes here
is a big, big pleasure of Minnesota. You gave up
a lot to get him, and and time will tell
how good this trade is going to be. But right now,

(01:58:32):
I think the fans have to be excited, and I
can tell you the guys in the deshroom have to
be excited also. You hate losing the guys you're going
to lose. At the same time, you bring in a
you know, an all star defenseman who's going to make
a big difference offensively for this hockey club.

Speaker 16 (01:58:45):
I think it's just a remarkable accomplishment by the hockey
operations staff.

Speaker 2 (01:58:51):
Stunning.

Speaker 16 (01:58:52):
My head was spinning for probably a couple hours. Alb
you you know, I saw you last night as still
water there, and I don't think I had league fully
grasp the situation. And the more that I've thought about
this deal, the more I like it. Yeah, I think
if you're a Wild fan, it's just my opinion. You
got to get over the sticker shock. It's a lot
to give up. It's a lot of prospects and promise

(01:59:13):
and hype to give up and boo him.

Speaker 2 (01:59:15):
We all know what ross he is.

Speaker 16 (01:59:16):
He's a good two hundred foot player, sixty seventy points
in you know, probably a great year for him, obviously
the first rounder. You never know how that turns out.
Ogrin maybe could pop at some point. Right, all those
things can be true, and what also can be true
is you got one of the world's best defensemen. You're
adding them two A core players that are in their prime.
He himself, Quinn Hughes, is in his prime. Whether he's

(01:59:38):
here for the next one hundred and thirty games, meaning
the rest of this year and next year and that's it,
or he's here the rest of his career or somewhere
in between. You got to take a swing like this
when you can.

Speaker 2 (01:59:47):
I love it.

Speaker 16 (01:59:48):
So excited to see him. Everything you hear about him.
Absolute gamer, good kid. He's wearing the C in Vancouver,
and we all know he's all world with and without
the puck. I mean, his puck possession numbers are through
the roof. He's gonna help this team in so many ways.
He's gonna put butts in the seats, and I think again,
you get over the fact they gave up a lot
and you look at what they got. Time will tell
how it plays out, but I'm really excited.

Speaker 2 (02:00:09):
We talked with Rus a little bit earlier in the
initial reaction off the record that he got from the
players was excitement. Tom And you're in the locker room
right now. You know, obviously today a little bit different
than what will be tomorrow when Quinn does make his debut.
But what are you thinking the players are thinking about
all this, watching, you know, some of their favorite guys go,

(02:00:29):
but also getting an all star player in Quinn coming
to town tomorrow. Yeah, I think you're right, z.

Speaker 17 (02:00:35):
Act the fact that they are losing some players who
to become a family here, and your part of your
family is leaving, but there's a new family member coming
in that might even be better for your team down
the road here, and that's what you're hoping for. You
want a trade like this, ACT. It'd be a good
trade so that both organizations prosper from it. You want
to make sure because when you do things like that
and they both prosper, you're not afraid to make a

(02:00:57):
deal again. It's when someone takes advantage of another team
and then it doesn't turn out, and then you're mad,
and then you don't want to deal with that person
ever again. But I think being a general manager as
Bill has been over the last few years and drink
of hockey operations here, he knows what it takes. And
you don't always make the right deals. You hope they're
going to be good deals. They don't always pan out
the way you want them to. But at the same time,

(02:01:19):
it's difficult for the players in the locker room right now.

Speaker 2 (02:01:21):
But you know what, I've been there, I've been traded.

Speaker 17 (02:01:24):
It's difficult when it first happens, but you fit in
very well because a family is still a family and
you know exactly what has to take place, and the
players are welcoming him coming into the.

Speaker 2 (02:01:34):
Fold and Joe for a banged up squad like this,
we just got word Jones burdeen. He will be not
playing in today's game upper body injury. I hate to
say it, but for more reasons than one. Quinn Hughes
sorely needed for this squad right now.

Speaker 16 (02:01:47):
Absolutely, you get the depth there, You get all world talents.
You know, you just hope that this core group of
players now can stay healthy because a while haven't had
their opening night lineup, not once all year. Yet they're
still firmly in a playoff spot. They've been playing great
the last six weeks. It'll be about health down the
stretch will be one other moves can you make. Certainly
there was talk about this team needing secondary scoring. You

(02:02:12):
kind of get that with Hughes obviously in a different way,
but no Marco ROSSI now moving forward certainly changes your
forward look. So I think a lot is still to
be told with this season in this team, and I
think for Minnesota, particularly today, it's about trying to survive.
In advance. They got a back to back. They'll play
Boston tomorrow. They're gonna be underman on the blue line.

(02:02:33):
Mac here said and David Yurchik are both gonna play.
Nicholas Obai Kubella is gonna play. There are several guys
in the Iowa Wild lineup the last few weeks they're
playing from Minnesota.

Speaker 6 (02:02:43):
Today.

Speaker 2 (02:02:43):
We'll see all pans out. I mean, let's talk today
real quick as we will be dropping the puck on
a hockey game here about a half hour from now.
What do you expect from the Wild and what do
you see happening in this battle against the Senators. Well,
Anna was a good team.

Speaker 4 (02:03:00):
Eastern Conference is stacked.

Speaker 16 (02:03:01):
Right, Ottawa's two games above five hundred, They're three points
out of a playoff spot and they are currently fourteenth
in the conference. Right, so they're third to last on
the conference, but they're three points out of a playoff spot.
Tells you how tight the East is. The West was
started that way and is kind of shaken out where
there's some top heavy teams and some bottom feeders. The
East is a bear. Ottawa beat the Wild twice last year.

(02:03:25):
They gave up just one total goal in the two
game season series in Minnesota year ago. They've got high
end skill and Stutsland Batherson. We all know how good
Brady Kachuk is. Jeff Sanderson or Jake Sanderson, Jeff's kid,
Jake Sanderson one heck of a defenseman.

Speaker 4 (02:03:39):
They've got a lot of talent.

Speaker 13 (02:03:40):
They're a good rush team.

Speaker 4 (02:03:41):
John Hines stressing.

Speaker 16 (02:03:42):
Yesterday the Wild have to be buttoned up defensively and
defend off the rush well and get good box outs.
If they're gonna win this game.

Speaker 2 (02:03:49):
And Tom, I mean this is the focus obviously for
us and everybody in the whole hockey world on this trade.
But these players having to remain focused on the game
in front. How do you, as a player, you know,
just kind of drown all the other noise out, drown
the excitement of tomorrow and just focus on the next
sixty minutes.

Speaker 17 (02:04:06):
And that's what you have to do as a player.
You're sitting in that locker room on and you can
bet through the leaders in that locker room.

Speaker 2 (02:04:11):
Whether they wear a C or a or wherever they wear.

Speaker 17 (02:04:15):
We've got to make sure that they are ready engaged
to go once they step on that ice. And Minnesota's
got the two points is at stake here, that's the
most important thing. Tomorrow. We'll take care of itself when
Quinn Hughes gets here and everything else comes back into
normal for the first couple of games anyway, But right now,
Minnesota's got a concentrate on this contest.

Speaker 2 (02:04:32):
Gentlemen, Thank you very much. We'll talk to you again
in a bit, all right, Thanks Ellie, Joe Donald and
Tom Ree joining us from the booth here at Grand
Casino Arena. We will continue all wild coverage right now
with the pregame show. I want to thank Michael Russo,
Steve Miller, Kevin Gord, Pat mcletty, Brett, Blake Moore, Kevin Faullness,
everybody involved here on this extended beyond the pond again.

(02:04:55):
Our wild coverage continues with the pregame and then Wild
and these senators will drop the puck very very soon.
It's all right here on the fan. Welcome to Minnesota,
Quinn Hughes