- 7 months ago
The Florida Panthers lose to the Toronto Maple Leafs 4 to 1. The Cats are back at it on Thursday against the Canadiens. Florida Panthers Television Broadcaster Steve Goldstein joins the show to talk Panthers surviving, Miami Dolphins pursuit of John Harbaugh, Matthew Tkachuk's return updates and how his return will impact the Cats. Goldstein also expresses his thoughts on Sam Bennett being out of Team Canada, and Aleksander Barkov injury timeline.
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00:00Ah, welcome back everybody. Welcome back. Tobin and Leroy here with you on FM 104.3 WQAM.
00:11Took a couple ones on the chin last night. He got smoked by the Timberwolves 122.94.
00:17Panthers, they started off their road trip and they fell to the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1.
00:22That's okay. They're back at it on Thursday. Very busy sports night on Thursday night.
00:27The Panthers will be taking on the Canadiens at 7 o'clock.
00:30We talk to the voice of your Florida Panthers on the television broadcast alongside Randy Mullen.
00:35They do an excellent job. Steve Goldie Goldstein joining us there.
00:39Steve, appreciate the time, man. How are you?
00:41Hang on a second. Hey, Coach Harbaugh, come here. Hey, John. Okay, I'm with you now. I'm sorry.
00:46Do you remember, Steve, do you remember the last Harbaugh pursuit? Do you remember how weird that was?
00:51You know, it's funny because I was working that day for CBS, you know, Miami Channel 4.
00:59I worked part-time and I was actually staked out on, what is it, 30, right?
01:04Southwest 30th off University, the old training facility when the helicopter came in.
01:10Oh, man.
01:11So, yes, I remember it.
01:12That was something.
01:13This loss last night, you know, they're coming off an excellent loss against the Avalanche.
01:18Last night, you know, it was a tough one.
01:21As angry as I've heard Paul Maurice or perturbed as I've heard Paul Maurice after the game,
01:25what did you make of the performance and Paul's reaction to it?
01:29Yeah, I agree. You know, he's got such a good finger on the pulse.
01:32Look, this is new for everybody.
01:34I mean, you know, how many teams repeat, go back-to-back in three straight times getting there.
01:38So, you know, he's basically had the foot off the gas as far as really getting on guys
01:45because he understands the situation.
01:47And, you know, last night you got an inordinate.
01:49You're up to seven guys out of the lineup without Jones.
01:52You know, and you can live with three or four.
01:53You start getting over five and six players out.
01:57It's really tough.
01:58It's, you know, it's like 40% of your team.
02:01But last night annoyed him because I thought, and obviously I'm assuming he thought,
02:05they really weren't ready to play the game.
02:07You know, Toronto have been playing well.
02:09It's a rival.
02:10It's starting a road trip.
02:11It's coming off, you know, a real big win over Colorado.
02:14And, you know, they just didn't play the way they're supposed to look.
02:16They didn't look the way they're supposed to look.
02:18He can live with losses, but it's got to look the way it's supposed to look.
02:22And, you know, Toronto was the better team in the effort level as far as the 50-50 battles.
02:27They won more of them.
02:28They had the better legs.
02:29So, yeah.
02:32So, there's, you know, I trust the guy so completely as a head coach because he's done everything right since he stepped foot in South Florida.
02:38And he's got a great knack and his finger on the pulse of when to push, when to kind of say, hey, guys, not acceptable, and when to kind of, you know, just back off, which he has most of this season.
02:49Yeah, and it's also a tough thing because it's like you earn that trust after, I mean, three straight trips to the Stanley Cup final.
02:55So, it's hard ever when to know and, like, to worry as a fan or to just be like, well, they're the champs.
03:02Like, you got to just accept that.
03:03Like, how do you ride the wave of that?
03:06Because, like, you can only take so many.
03:08Even Marchand getting banged up last night.
03:10Like, you can only take so many where you're like, are they going to be able to dig out of this?
03:14Right.
03:14Well, you know, the key is, you know, before last night, you felt pretty good.
03:18Half a season, you're on a 94-point pace, you know, without your guys.
03:23Hopefully, those guys are coming back.
03:25And you're feeling like you're in pretty good shape.
03:27I mean, three years ago at this time, they were nine points back.
03:30So, you know, that was before the game last night.
03:33You would have liked to get the win last night and start the road trip with a victory.
03:36But, you know, I just look at it personally as it is what it is.
03:41I mean, nobody has ever played.
03:43And it's uncharted territories because no team has ever played as much hockey as these guys have over the last three years.
03:48It's never happened.
03:50And then you go, and not only do you lose a ridiculous number of guys, but you lose the guy that, you know, if I'm starting, I know Connor McDavid is,
03:59Nate McKenna, Alexander Barkoff's the one that's won the last two cups.
04:02So, you know, arguably, if you're starting a team in the league, the guy you're taking isn't even playing.
04:09So it's not just all role players that they're missing Barkoff and Kachuk.
04:14So I thought they managed it pretty well.
04:17It's a matter of just kind of surviving, keep your head above water.
04:20And I think they've got a pretty good confidence that after the Olympic break, when they get most of their people back, you know,
04:28it's a team that, okay, if we're, you know, within three points or four points of a playoff spot, we're in pretty good shape.
04:34And as you know, it doesn't matter where they finish this particular team.
04:37In fact, in some ways, I think they'd rather finish lower and actually start on the road because they've had so much road success in the playoffs.
04:43So, you know, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens tomorrow night.
04:46Montreal is a team that's kind of had their number for whatever reason, even though they kind of had the game won when they played a couple weeks ago at home.
04:54Yeah.
04:54And they let it get away.
04:56It crazy game.
04:57I was, I was happy to see Tarasov bounce back the way that he did though, because that was incredible against, against Colorado.
05:02Cause he had, I mean, he had a shutout in hand, like basically against, against the Canadians and it just slipped away.
05:07Could not agree with you more.
05:09And that second goal, the miscommunication behind the net could not agree with you more.
05:12And for a guy like him to come back against the avalanche and play the way he did.
05:16And he's got McKinnon on the breakaway with three seconds left.
05:19I thought that was big.
05:22Since mid-October, they're 10, two, and one following a regulation loss.
05:27So they don't let things linger.
05:30They have a unique ability to snap right back.
05:33So I'm real curious to see how they come out tomorrow night.
05:37So Matthew Gachuk spoke this weekend and he said, he kind of alludes to maybe,
05:42at the end of the road trip, but I saw on your, your Twitter yesterday that he's out of the, the non-contact Jersey.
05:48What's the buzz?
05:49What do we, is there any chance it's early on the road trip?
05:51What do you think is, is the feel of when Gachuk will be back?
05:54Well, you know me, I'm like every other fan.
05:56Okay.
05:56You lost the game last night.
05:58You know, if you don't win tomorrow, get them in there on Saturday.
06:02Um, you know, it's funny because it's a weird road trip to open.
06:04It's, you know, this, the first part of it ends with game four in Buffalo on Monday.
06:09Then they've got three days off and then the road trip kind of continues on Friday and Saturday.
06:15So look, if he doesn't play in the next three games, you're really giving them like an extra four days off.
06:21They may elect to do that.
06:23Um, I'm kind of joking.
06:25I don't think any results over the next 72 hours determine whether he plays, um, either Saturday or Monday,
06:32or they wait until the following week, but you know, the great news is it appears to be imminent that he will be back at some point very soon in the next handful of games.
06:43And what do you just like, what do you think they're, they're going to be missed?
06:46Obviously he's great, but it's, it's, we haven't seen him since game six.
06:49So like, what do you think that's going to just bring to them as a whole, as far as balancing out the roster and, and obviously just the attitude that he brings.
06:56Yeah. I think those two things are huge. He does those two things. And, you know, remember we hadn't seen him in a long time before game one in Tampa last April.
07:05And what does he come in? You know, he bangs in two power play goals. Wasn't even probably close to a hundred percent didn't play very much five on five.
07:13And the guy just had a huge impact and whatever percentage he was in the playoffs, he was at a point a game during the playoffs in need of surgery.
07:20So I think it's going to be a huge factor, you know, on the power play, which right now without Jones and without Barkov and the Chuck has struggled a bit of late.
07:31He brings the stuff you, you talked about. And we also have to remember, you know, with all the stuff around his persona, which is a big part of it, the guy's a legit point a game guy or more.
07:44And to me, I'm fascinated because I think it's really the first time he's healthy since his first year as a Panther. Remember, he took the hit from Kolasar, the 23 final.
07:56Remember, he needed his brother to help him get out of bed to even play game four and get painted help getting the skates on him.
08:02And a guy is just a true warrior and a gamer. And, you know, he was never really healthy.
08:08I don't think a hundred percent since. So I think it's going to be a huge factor.
08:13And I just hope that as he comes back, no one else leaves the lineup. That's my hope.
08:18Do you think like in all honesty, like I understand he's so American.
08:22Matthew Kachuk brushes his teeth with a bald eagle like he is Mr. America.
08:26Is there any nerves about letting him go to the Olympics just because and I know he's so private with it, but just, hey, like you said,
08:34this may be the first time they've had him fully, fully healthy. And now he's he's leaving your team.
08:39Look, you know, me, I'm a little old school on it. I don't care when guys play preseason football.
08:46We saw Barkoff on day one get hurt in a drill with no contact. Anybody can get hurt any time.
08:54You know, first of all, it's kind of a moot point because he's playing and all these guys, if they can go,
09:00they're putting on the jersey for their country, whether we like it or not.
09:04In a perfect world. Yeah. The only hockey that anybody would play or the only games that any athlete in any sport would play
09:12would be the ones for your team. But, you know, that's just not reality.
09:17So, you know, he's going to the Olympics. I think it's great as a hockey fan.
09:22And, you know, obviously, like you, we all root for the USA.
09:26Him and his brother being there is going to be awesome.
09:29And you hope he comes out of it. And he's even in better shape.
09:33I don't know if he can gain any more confidence, but comes back a confident player like the rest of them.
09:38And he's ready to go. Look, this was a big topic last year in that four nations.
09:41Yeah. And not only did all those guys go and play, but Matthew actually got hurt and was out and they still won the Stanley Cup, which is incredible.
09:51On the Olympic topic, I felt terrible for Bennett. He seemed really bummed that he didn't make the roster.
09:58What the hell? How does the Conn Smythe trophy winner not make the Canadian roster?
10:03I mean, look, to me, it's silly. He was a big factor in them winning the four nations.
10:06And what did he do after that? Scored the most road playoff goals in the history of the NHL and in the playoffs.
10:12And as you said, won the Conn Smythe. So I don't get it. That guy's on my team, you know, seven days a week, 24-7.
10:20You can read between the lines. You know, there's a few guys in the Lightning that made it.
10:24John Cooper is the coach. You know, if you're in his shoes and we're not, so we disagree with it.
10:28But if you're in his shoes, you know, he's won with Anthony Sorelli and those guys.
10:33So he wanted those guys. And, you know, I'm not disparaging any other player.
10:37Nick Suzuki's having a terrific season for Montreal. But, you know, Team Canada made his choice.
10:43If it's me, I'm with you. That guy's on my team, 24-7, 365.
10:49He is. He did say yesterday was kind of unknown whether or not he was one of the alternates.
10:55So he did say yesterday in the locker room after the morning skate that he did get a text that he is an alternate.
11:01So there's still a chance he ends up going because, as you know, you know, there's still a month to go.
11:06And, unfortunately, the way this sport is, you know, each team's probably going to have a couple injuries.
11:12Yeah, because I immediately went where a lot of people went.
11:16This feels like a petty maneuver by Lightning Panther bleeding into the Canadian national team.
11:22Because, like, when you're doing a Lightning game now, do you just expect, first of all,
11:27who the hell are they bringing up?
11:28And are you just expecting Royal Rumble every time that these teams square off?
11:31You mean Oglethorpe from the flat shop is being called?
11:35I mean, yeah, that Scott Sabrin thing of just calling guys up on game day.
11:39I don't really know what Tampa's trying to accomplish, except maybe the Panthers just so in their head
11:44from not only eliminating them the last two years, but, you know, some of the games were close.
11:49But winning 8 out of 10 is 8 out of 10.
11:52Both series only went five games.
11:53It is what it is.
11:54You know, I will say this.
11:56Before the Four Nations last year, you know, I spoke to John Cooper.
12:01And, you know, he told me, like, face-to-face, like, you know, he loves Sam Bennett.
12:07And he wants Sam Bennett on his team.
12:09He needs Sam Bennett on that team.
12:11So this is not just a flat-out case of John Cooper saying,
12:16I don't like that guy, I don't want him on my team.
12:18Because last year he did want him on the Four Nations, and they did win it.
12:20So, I'm not sure, you know, there's a GM.
12:24He's only the coach.
12:25Everybody has a say.
12:27I'm guessing the coach gets to pick a certain number of players, you know,
12:30that he definitely wants.
12:32There's a cap on that.
12:33And you had some other guys, like Suzuki, who are having good seasons.
12:37So, I'm guessing it was kind of a numbers game.
12:41It would be great for the rivalry, as if we need any more in the rivalry,
12:45if John Cooper was shunning him.
12:47I really don't think that's the case.
12:49I'm talking to Steve Goldstein, and you guys can catch him tomorrow
12:52on Randy Moeller as they broadcast Panthers and Canadiens, of course,
12:57as they continue their road trip.
12:58Before we get you out of here, Goldie, just getting back to Barky.
13:02Matthew Kachuk said he's a freak in the rehab.
13:05He was telling Eric Spoelstra back in training,
13:07I'm going to be back in five months.
13:09Have you seen him walking around?
13:10Is there any buzz on a freak recovery from Barkoff?
13:14Anything on that at all?
13:16Well, I was surprised at the Winter Classic practice on New Year's Day
13:20when he was out there.
13:21Now, he wasn't in uniform.
13:23He had the big, huge brace on his leg and on his knee.
13:26But he was on skates three months after reconstructive knee surgery.
13:31So, it is encouraging.
13:34Look, this is such a wild card.
13:37Because, as you know, number one, from the team standpoint,
13:41the league has changed the rules.
13:42I'm sure you know this.
13:43You cannot be over the salary cap anymore in the playoffs.
13:47So, if you're the Panthers and, you know,
13:50the trading deadline is literally two months away,
13:54do you make the determination that he can't come back
13:59and use his money?
14:02Do you make sure you save it?
14:03I think he's probably earned that.
14:06Right.
14:06If you know he's coming back for the first round,
14:09then you definitely don't use his money.
14:12If he, you know, under the cap,
14:14if he can't come back until,
14:16and I think kind of the latest or the average one
14:19was maybe the third round of the playoffs,
14:23well, you got to first get to the third round of the playoffs
14:25in order for him to come back.
14:27So, I think it's anywhere, honestly,
14:30from the end of the regular season,
14:33which is in April,
14:34to maybe the middle of May,
14:35and that was always the timetable.
14:37It's like a six-week window.
14:39And, obviously, it makes a huge difference
14:42if he can play in the regular season,
14:44especially if you need those games to make the playoffs.
14:46So, you know, it's up in the air.
14:50They got to make a lot of decisions on it.
14:53But, yes, there's no doubt.
14:54If anybody can come back quicker, it's him.
14:58The guy is in incredible shape.
15:00And, you know, 24-7, all he's doing,
15:03whether it's on the ice, in the gym, resting,
15:06whatever it is, all he's doing
15:08is the best that he could possibly do
15:10to come back as soon as he can.
15:11We definitely know that.
15:13I love the grainy videos of him at a park
15:15just seeming like he's doing, like, Tai Chi on his knee
15:18just to whatever he can.
15:20People are stalking him in South Florida.
15:22Like, where was that?
15:23Was that up in Boca at a park?
15:24I don't even know.
15:25I think so.
15:25It was on Panthers Reddit.
15:26Like, you just go and check it out.
15:28You can see all the grainy stalking photos of Barky.
15:30Goldie, appreciate the time.
15:31Have a great broadcast and safe travels.
15:34Appreciate it.
15:34Thanks for having me.
15:35See you soon.
15:35There you go.
15:36Steve Goldie Goldstein.
15:37Go check him out.
15:38Randy Moeller tomorrow.
15:40Panthers and Canadians.
15:42And they obviously do a fantastic job.
15:44Of course, you're home of the Panthers right here
15:46on FM 104.3 WQAM.
15:47Doug Plagans.
15:48Billy Lindsay do a great job on the radio.
15:51The Cats will be back tomorrow
15:52taking on Montreal.
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