The Triad's longest running live sports talk show, The Drive. Will Dalton is helping you survive rush hour one hot take at a time. Oh, yeah. Just let that one play. Like a helicopter canes golden nights.
Game one, like a helicopter! Yeah. Man, this song hits right now. It just does! We're back at it on the drive right here on WSJS.
Well, we're on one. We're fired up. 336-777-1600, how fired up are you? I wanna hear it. Thanks to David Glenn for joining us a little while ago.
Yeah. I just feel energized after that. Like, I was upset that I didn't get my... Pre-show caffeine hit. 'Cause then go out and get it.
That I'm good now. That's all I needed. Just inject that into my veins. Just do that.
So Tonight It's the 20-year anniversary of the 06. You know, Stanley Cup appearance for the Kanes. And I can't think of a better way to celebrate that than making another run at it. Here in 2026. We're all fired up.
The state's fired up for this. You can just feel the energy everywhere. They're going to have TVs out in the parking lot at Lenovo Center. Going to be, I'm sure, watch parties all over the triangle, all over Raleigh, you know, with big screens. I know there's going to be a spot downtown in Raleigh where you can watch the game.
It's just, the vibes are immaculate. And to further Amplify that. Because the Kanes And NC State are often linked because, you know, they play in the same building. Carter Finley's right across the way there. Um And, you know, who's the Figure you think of in NC, the in NC state lore.
It's Jim Volvano and the Kanes. As much as we love Pete Pablo and Raise Up. Take your shirt off and wave it around like a helicopter. It does not match. What the Kane's social media put out.
to start the day. And here, and this is a great opportunity to get to our YouTube channel right now so you can see this or Xtreme WSJS radio. But here's how it looked and sounded. on the Kane social this morning. What does hope mean?
Home. that things can get better in spite of adversity. How do you go from where you are to where you want to be? And I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have to have a dream.
The goal, you have to be willing to work for it. There are three things we all should do every day. If we do this every day of our life, you're gonna have what a wonderful. Number one is laugh. Number two is think.
You should spend some time in thought. And number three is you should have your emotions moved to tears. And then I always get choked up. You know, it also gets me a little emotional. Enjoy your life, the precious moments you have.
To spend each day with some laughter and some thought. To get your emotions going, to be enthusiastic every day, to keep your dreams alive in spite of problems, whatever you have. and be able to work hard for your dreams to come true, become a reality. If you have someone with a dream, if you have a motivated person with a dream and a goal and a vision, If you have someone who never gives up, who has great hope. And that team taught me the persistence, the idea of never, ever.
Quit it. Don't ever give up. Don't ever. Start fighting. Yeah.
Yeah, if that didn't get you fired up, if that didn't make you feel some type some goosebumps. Ahead of what you were already probably feeling tonight, if you're a Hurricanes fan, I don't know what does. I just don't. Because I mean that That message, it's a great message, period. But it really resonates with the hurricanes because What a what did we just discuss with Da uh David Glenn?
Nine-year playoff drought, followed by eight straight years of making the playoffs, eight straight years of winning at least a playoff series. But the conference finals, knocking on the door so many times, counting this year they had been three of the last four years, and they'd only won a game. Coming into this year in the conference finals, just the Florida Panthers had just dealt them so many disappointments. And After game one, looked like it Could it go that way again against Montreal? But...
Than the Kanes win four straight. And so that message of not giving up and going through hardship to get where you're at, it really rings true. for the hurricanes.
Now So that kind of I feel like the hockey world. A lot of them are looking at the Kanes as maybe the good guys in this matchup. I heard somebody on ESPN describing it that way early today on Pat McAfee. Whereas Vegas has almost, in a weird way, become a little bit of a villain of the hockey world. Not exactly sure why that is, but a lot of people do view them that way.
And they just swept Vegas. Or they just swept Colorado, I should say. And Colorado was the favorite to come out of the West. And meanwhile, Vegas 4-0'd them like it was nothing. And the Kanes have gone 12 and 1 in these playoffs to get where they currently sit.
So it is the two hottest teams in hockey right now. It's got all the makings of a very exciting series. Both of these teams play so fast. The Canes are a very fit team. Yesterday, they had their media availability.
Got to hear from a lot of the players. And Taylor Hall. Who Had some things to say. He was talking about the Kanes and what a fit team they are and why he thinks that is. We're a very fit team.
When I got here from Chicago last year, I wasn't in skating shape enough to play the way I wanted to here. It took me a couple weeks. There's a lot of skating in the way that we play.
Now it seems like second nature, but... Doesn't hurt that your coach is in shape like that. You know, that's just the kind of guy he is. He's a role model for us. You know, we kind of follow his lead.
It's literally what we talked about yesterday and so many times through this play I've run. Is Rod Brindamore has really instilled his DNA in this team over time? A lot of these players have been with Rod for a number of years now: Splash and Aho, Svetch. You know, Seth Jarvis has been here for a little while now, and he's kind of instilled that mentality, that blue-collar, tough DNA. in them, whether it's being fit, he works out with them in the gym, being fast, he's on the ice with them most practices.
You see that from there's a reason they call him Rod the Bod. You know, he leads by example. And you also have a situation where the Kanes have, again, what do we say, 12 and 1? Like they've been able to play their game. Pretty much the entire time.
They've been able to play the way they want to, despite getting down at different times or overtime situations, or losing pretty bad in game one against Montreal. They've stayed steady and they played the way they wanted to play. Jordan Stahl was on Sports Center. Last night, longtime Kane, and he kind of echoed some of the Kanes, you know, what it looks like when they're on their game. You know, we just have that belief that if we are on our game and playing the way we need to, we're going to have a great chance to win the game.
And, you know, that's always a good feeling, and the guys have been running with it so far. Yeah. They absolutely have been. They have.
So it's going to be a great game one tonight, I believe. I think it's going to be a great series. I think for the most part, maybe the first ten minutes of the game, a lot of the first period, I think you're going to see these teams feeling each other out a little bit. We saw Carolina be a little over-aggressive in game one against Montreal. Vegas is the type of team that could also punish them if that happens.
So I expect it to be back and forth. I expect there to be a lot of offense, hence why I'm taking over five and a half on the total tonight. But I think I'm taking Vegas to win Game One. I like Keynes in six. In this series, to hoist Their first Stanley Cup.
Since 06 in 20 years, But I think Vegas strikes first tonight. I hate to be in Echo Chamber here, but I. I also have Vegas winning this one. I mean, coming off the momentum that they had, beating the best team in the NHL. You got to have some momentum carry over.
And the rust isn't going to be there, I don't believe. For Vegas, because they only was only like four to six days. It wasn't 11. Like the Kanes had.
So I think they're going to come out swinging. The Kanes are going to look a little tired. Played some physical games against Montreal. Very physical games. But I also have the Kanes winning in six.
Thus the echo chamber has started. How original. How original, Morgan. By the way, I'm getting text messages from people because I am a Keynes fan. Hence the The beer mug back here that I secured.
But I'm getting some text messages from people. You know, kind of giving me some grief. And in terms of me picking Vegas to win, and also I took the Vegas money line. And so I'm being told I'm rooting against the Kanes. You're a realist.
You you understand that you're not going to win every game? I'm a realist. and my pockets would like to benefit from that. It is something that Josh Graham, the former host of this show, now of Westwood, won. uh sports that you can listen to week nights from 11 p.m.
to 3 a.m. He used to give me grief about betting f against My favorite teams. Or like Betting The under of a score that I'm gonna, of a game that I'm gonna be at.
So, like betting for not great things or not fun things to happen. Listen. If I think something's going to happen, I would like to benefit financially from that is all I'm saying. The pocket book knows no loyalty. Just to the Presidents.
That's it. That's it. Uh very quickly. And 336-777-1600. Am I a monster?
Tell me now, am I a monster for betting against the Kanes tonight? Because I think Vegas is going to take game one. Am I a monster for wanting to benefit financially from that? Also, give me your prediction for the game tonight. I'd like to hear it.
336-777-1600. It is a great sports week. We had some people coming through the halls outside of my studio here before the show. You know, talking about, like, is there a better week in sports than this? And I mean, you definitely could put this one up there.
I mean, I think the store to March Madness. is in the conversation. I think You know The first week of the football season is in the conversation. But this is up there. I mean, you got the Stanley Cup finals, and then the next night, the NBA finals, later in the week, the Super Regionals.
The NFL stuff that's happened. That's got Miles Garrett as a Ram now and A.J. Brown as a penny. Patriot? A lot happening.
It's a great week in sports. It's great for our business. But getting to the what we're going to see tomorrow night Game one of the NBA Finals, San Antonio between the Spurs and the Knicks. The question ultimately is Is that Are then like w what type of matchup? Are we expecting here for the Knicks against the Spurs?
Like, what's this about to look like? How well do the Knicks match up with San Antonio? How well do they match up with Wimby? 336, 777, 1600. What are your thoughts on that?
Because we saw. And yeah, Nicks have cat. Carl Anthony Towns. Who's as good of a big man in the league in terms of shooting and things like that, but he ain't no wimby. I don't know defensively if he can do anything with Wemby.
I mean Chet Holmgren For all the flack that he's been taking the last... You know, week or two for the way he looked in game one and game seven of that Western Conference final specifically, he's a really good basketball player, really good player. But he had absolutely evaporated going up against Wimby. I mean, Wimby, we're talking about him, you know, at least I am, and there are others that are too, him potentially being on the trajectory to chase LeBron and MJ, and he hasn't even won the title yet. He's only 22.
But if he breaks through and they keep this team together... It's going to be a conversation. It absolutely is. But the edge that the Knicks have An edge they have. It's not the edge because I think the Spurs have the ultimate edge, but it's an edge for the Knicks.
They're healthier, they're more rested.
So I don't know how much of a role that's going to play in this. You know, who do you put on Wimby? Is it gonna be Cat? I imagine this some of the time, but OGN and Obi, he might get in there too, switch it up a little bit. Jalen Bronson.
Is he going to look as good? you know, going up against this team? I don't know. These are all things we're going to discuss tomorrow when we make a prediction for Knicks and Spurs. If this goes sideways, that's on purpose.
All you do is talk to talk, you just bluff it. You're on the drive, the Triads Only Live Sports Talk Show. What's your prediction for tonight, Kane? Golden Knights, game one. The question we're asking, along with how do the Knicks match up?
with the Spurs. 336-777-1600. We will take your phone calls on that throughout the show. But I've got some bets. The bets have been pretty solid so far.
The summertime bets since we've started keeping a record. We're 17 and 15. We haven't even been 500 yet. We've been above the green the entire time. I am going to knock on wood.
Gotta make sure I do that, because just as soon as I make these picks Mike dip. But And Dalton's dollars a day, it's all Keynes and Vegas. Let's do it. Stack it up, stack it, stack, gotta stack it up. The money get the Money on the side note.
It's time to cash in. Welcome to Dalton's Dollars. Drop me the buggy! Show me the money. Breaking down the board and building the bankroll.
Alright.
So right out of the gate I'm looking at the money line.
Now, not more than 10 minutes ago, I made the prediction. I made the pick. I got Vegas actually tonight in game one.
However, I don't know if I'm going to mess with the spread on this. I think the Kanes are a one and a half point favorite. I think that's right. I don't want to mess with that. I'm just going to go very simple here: Vegas money line.
STROVE THE MINE! And I get pretty good. I pretty good. I get actually really good value with that. Ado.
Let me go back to what it actually was. Yeah, plus 120, or plus 128. I'll take that. If you want to get on the spread. The Kanes at one and a half point favorites are plus 164.
So even Vegas is like, yeah, not sure what to do with that. Minus 205 if you take Golden Knights as dogs. But we'll get with the money line on Vegas. What we're also going to get with over five and a half goals. Drop me the light!
Yeah, we're gonna do that. Vegas can score. Vegas can score. And I mean, just looking at some of these lines that they've had. You know, four, three, five, two.
That's the goals they had in the four games against Colorado. You know, had a game where they put up six. Against the docks. And five in that series, four, like they score, they score the puck. But so can the canes.
So I like this. I think this is going to be a very exciting game, a lot of offense. Give me over five and a half. Show me the Uh then I'm gonna get A prop bet. for Logan Stankoven.
Stank! to score at any time. SHOW ME DELIAN!
So the value on that Logan Stankoven. Anytime goal, it's really good value. Plus 250. Plus 250. Here's what I'm also gonna do in the spirit.
See, this is where I was a little caught. Wasn't sure what to do. And In the spirit of thinking a lot of goals are going to be scored by both sides. Tonight. I think I'm going to add an additional pick here for an anytime Kane to score.
Go be delighted! Seth Jarvis. Seth Jarvis is going to get one tonight at plus 210 odds.
So that's the four. We got a four-pack tonight. Vegas money line. Over five and a half. For the total Logan Stankovan, anytime goal, Seth Jarvis, Jarvi party.
Actually, it's supposed to be Marty Party. I just kind of made that up. Seth Jarvis, he's going to have an anytime goal. As well, those are the picks. Read them and cry.
What do you think, Morgan? I'm getting some flack people texting me. Are you really taking Vegas for game? Yes. Mm-hmm.
Yeah. Yes. I'd agree. A little fresher on the skates, and they looked amazing. And so did the Kanes, but these seems really good.
Vegas looked next level against Colorado. Yeah. Sweeping Colorado. That's next level stuff. And not really close games either.
Some of those were blowouts. Corsenfam writes in on YouTube. Take Ajo for three points. That's my dad who knows nothing about Ajo scores three times. It's like, okay, all those times he hadn't scored up to this point.
That's what he was waiting on. That's what he's doing. Anyway. Uh before we get to sound check. I want to get to uh this report here.
That apparently the Golden State Warriors are quote. A live option. For one For him For the king. LeBron James. Just let that simmer for a second.
It would make sense. I mean, listen, these are the options. It's either you go back to the Lakers. It's been Golden State. It's been a return to Cleveland.
Outside of that. Is there really a fourth one that's been fairly consistent, or it's really been those three, right? You said the Miami Heat earlier today. I did. I don't think it's going to happen.
I don't either. It would be a very interesting position for LeBron playing with Bam and Tyler. I heard somebody throw the Knicks out there. But Yeah. I feel like that would have only made more sense had they not made the NBA Finals.
I agree. Then it's like, okay, we're one piece away. What can we do? But I don't think that one's going to happen. It's those three, the Lakers, Cavs, and the Warriors.
And the reason that Golden State would make sense As I see it, I mean, I don't know that the Lakers want LeBron back. And but It's not that they don't want him back. It just, I don't know how high of a priority that is because there was a report yesterday. That apparently Austin Reeves is a bigger offseason priority for the Lakers than LeBron. Agree.
I think it would be silly. for the Lakers to get out of the LeBron business. I mean, he was still one of the best. Obviously, he's not. And he's not the best player in the world anymore.
But he's the best older player in the world. I tell you that. Best 41-year-old in the world. Would you rather sign one guy for one year? Or Austin LeBron for one year, not just anybody, LeBron for one year.
Or Austin Reeves to a three to five year deal is how I'm seeing this. I I don't think they're necessarily wrong in doing that. And yeah, I mean, you would obviously look at Austin Reeves, more years, future.
So I get that one, but all it tells me again is like it's not. is high up on their priority list bringing back LeBron. And with all the talk during the season, I just don't know. I just don't know if it's if they bring him back. I don't know about that.
Now the other thing By the way, also sticking with the Lakers for one more second while it'd be s I mean, like, you can't bank on the health of Luca, as we can see. And the Lakers likely get swept in the first round if it's not for Lebron.
Now the thunder took care of that anyway, but th it's the thunder. That's all I'm saying here. But anyway.
Now On the Cleveland standpoint, What are you shaking your head about? He's not going to Cleveland.
Okay. Yeah. Well And the reason for what I'm about to say, that I don't necessarily know that he would go to Cleveland, although that's the one I want to see happen. If they're really going to sign James Harden to a multi-year deal, as Brian Windhorse is reporting, is likely to happen last week. I mean, LeBron's art and Wendy also reported that same day.
Very busy day for Wendy. That LeBron's not willing to take a pay cut to go to Cleveland.
So I mean, is there a way they could still work something out? Probably. But again, these are just more chips stacked against that option. And it leaves Golden State, it's actually maybe the most likely. When you look at the fact that, okay, is this why Steve Kerr decided to come back?
Is this why that happened for a couple more years? They knew they were going to pursue LeBron. And all I'm saying is. If you pair LeBron up with Steph, Dre Pods That's the curly-haired ginger. Jimmy Butler?
And you maybe draft Adimara out of Michigan? Get a good center? That That's a squad. I don't know if it's a win-a title squad. But I think people are discounting what would happen if LeBron and Steph got together.
I really do. I don't know how I feel about this one. I think that it would be an amazing show. And it would be must watch basketball. But as an organization I think it'd be better if the Warriors used that money to get someone younger for longer.
'Cause they're looking to not just coast through the next few years. They wanna take Steph while he's still He's not chef all the time, but he has his chef moments. I don't think they'd be coasting. I think they'd be a contender. But they wouldn't be the contender.
And I think they want to be back at that level. And Steve Kirk came back for that. And I don't know if they want to turn to LeBron for one year for $45 million when they can get one to two role players. maybe even three, to really suit up that team while Jimmy Butler's not playing. Yeah, I don't know if that's as good of an option as getting LeBron in there.
I don't know about that.
Now, I am sort of a la hater. I can see. But I didn't detect that at all. Bitter Clippers fan over here. That's what it is.
He's not coming to the artitas anytime. I know that. And that makes me very sad. But. No matter who you are, you get LeBron and it's an upgrade, unless you're two teams, and that's the Thunder.
And San Antonio. I think you get LeBron and you're upgraded.
So no matter where he goes, it's going to be an upgrade. It's just a one-year upgrade, though. To be continued. But the Warriors would make a lot of sense. They would.
What?
So Three. You're on the air. Your afternoon just found its fast late. You are on the drive. What is your prediction?
For Hurricanes Golden Knights tonight, game one. In Rollywood, 336-777-1600 is the number to call. But right now We get to some of the good clips.
Some of the good sound bites out there.
Some football.
Some wimby. Let's do that right now in sound check. Uh Sound check. Hey, I'm just here so I won't get fine. Plug in, turn up, and catch what everyone's talking about.
So the first one Yesterday, this made me laugh. We've got this Andrew Berry clip, right?
Okay. So yesterday When the report first came out. It always makes me laugh, and 336-777-1600 is the number to call if you want in on Kane's Golden Knight or other matters. I don't care. Whatever you want to talk about.
Um. It always makes me laugh. Watching NFL GMs tap dance around reports, even though like Adam Schepter literally just said, Hey, this is what's about to happen. This is what's in the works. It's like, actually, it's not done yet, you know.
I once heard somebody once told me. That's literally the job. of GMs of And coaches and like high-ranking executives or high-ranking people in sports teams, or just businesses, I guess, in general. But we look at it more in the sports world. They're literally just paid to lie.
That's literally all they do, they're just paid to lie and not let us know exactly what's going on. But I mean, this report came out yesterday. And this was Andrew Berry. Talking about the Miles Garrett trade. Nothing is final at this point.
We are in discussions of a potential transaction, including him. I'll have a lot more to say about it once it is final, if it does become final. And I'll discuss the details at that point. But we are in negotiations. We're hopeful that we close something here in the next several hours.
But nothing's final right now. Yes, it was. It was absolutely finalized. Like, give me a break, dude. But no, that that uh that made me chuckle.
Yesterday. The next one here. is actually a clip. From Pat McAfee. Where After the Miles sticking with the Miles Garrett move.
Apparently Pat McAfee texted Aaron Donald. To see if he'd dust the helmet off, dust the cleats off, even though it hadn't been that long. And You know, Pat was saying he doesn't have that close of a relationship with Aaron. And so, this isn't something he would typically just text him randomly, but he wanted to know. And.
This is what Aaron Donald had to say.
So we reached out to Aaron Donald.
Okay, I reach out to Aaron Donald. And I would like to say, according to source, Says It for sure got me thinking.
Okay, it for sure got me thinking. I said, holy Can I say that?
Okay, that's what I respond with.
Okay, and then he responds with, 35, removed two years ago. Gotta see if that fire can light back up. All I'm saying is if Aaron Donald, he still looks great. He still looks like he could go out there and play. Anybody that's seen him knows that.
in person. If they added Aaron Donald in there with Miles Garrett, I'm not saying Aaron Donald would be what he was. Just like I'm not saying LeBron would be what he was if you added him to Golden State. But when you add things to something that's already great. It really helps.
And I think that would be the case here with air. I mean, just. I already think it's Super Bowler bust for the Rams with this move yesterday. Just forget about it if you add Aaron Donald to the freight. Just forget it.
Um Sticking with NFL Well technically this is college football now. Formerly NFL. Our guy Matt Ruhl. Former head coach of the Carolina Panthers. It did not go well in Matt Roll's tenure, as we know.
Some might argue that set the franchise back some years, but I mean, that was ultimately David Tepper's move. You know, out here quoting Jay-Z, talking about how it takes seven years at least to get things. It's just ridiculous stuff. Um But Since being at Nebraska. He's had a little time to reflect on things and Here he was on a podcast.
earlier in the week. Talking about what that experience in Carolina, specifically going into the year he got fired. taught him as a coach. It's going into that third year, you know. I was on the hot seat.
Chance had started, you know, even in my second year, hey, fire him, fire him. And it was those relationships that last year with Christian McCaffrey, with Ryan Burns. Going through probably one of the hardest personal times in my life. And the way that, you know, I still try to show up every day and lead. The way that I still try to protect the players.
I learned like life is all about connection. Life is all about relationships.
So when I came back to the college level, it was not sitting here telling everybody, Hey, I have everything figured out because I don't. It's saying, Hey, I want to go on this journey with you and I want to be a part of it with you. I think that those relationships and that. Having to lead through really hard times made me way tougher and made me more determined in this job.
So, as much as we like to rag on Matt Rule around here, because that was a disastrous tenure. On the human level, you do learn through failures. At least you should, or you're supposed to. That's what they're there for, to teach you things. And.
You know. There was definitely some things he could have taken out of that experience. With Carolina, it sounds like he has done some of that. Getting to the NBA, Victor Webman Yama, we're getting some of the NBA Finals media availability, and Wimby. Who has a great relationship with Pop, Greg Popovich, who's had some health battles, but he stayed right there around the team in the building as he's recovering.
Uh here Wimby was on Sing Pop. after winning the Western Conference Finals.
So very first question, yes, of course I saw Pop right away when we landed. Um The emotion was really something I haven't felt in a while. I don't even know. Since when, and coming back down from this is a challenge, and it's not done yet. We still need to.
really come back down to earth and realize that we haven't done the hardest yet. The job isn't done at all. Kobe energy. Job's not finished. Same energy that Rod Brendemore had when he said he wasn't really all that excited when the Kanes won the East.
At 22 years old, again, hearing this type of stuff from Wimby. Like most people will be Thrilled and excited. And I'm not saying he's not excited, but they would just feel like it was a big accomplishment getting to the finals at that age. Job's not done. And that is scary for the rest of the NBA, and that's scary for the New York Knicks.
Last clip I had. NBC, Maria Taylor, did a great job. As soon. As the AJ Brown trade happened, Eagles to the Patriots, they were already on it, already had an interview lined up, a sit-down interview. And one of the narratives that came out of the Eagles, you know, here lately, one of the ones surrounding Jalen Hurts, was his relationship with A.J.
Brown. Jalen Hurts said it was fine. Here was AJ Brown on his relationship with Jalen Hurts. Nice close says he wants work. I'll be at smart.
It's like there's no bad blood. Um There's actually still a lot of love I love. I love Endeavour I wanted to. succeed and accomplish all the things that you want to accomplish. Bye.
I didn't truly understand why our friendship became the public of uh the center of everybody's uh attention when it came to football because You know, looking back on it, you know, we haven't been as close as we were. Couple years now, but that didn't stop anything. You know, we still competed, we still pushed each other, we still led the team. Oh. It was just kind of strange, you know, people just got so fixated on the relationship and wanted to talk about maybe from the history of this place, but that wasn't what this was.
Yeah, I don't know. It really doesn't matter anymore. But You know, that's something that a lot of people wanted to talk about in the last year or so that he was in Philly. And now New England. Mm.
They've been awful quiet. People have not been talking about them as a contender in any way. With that They have given Drake May all he needs. To get back to the Super Bowl.
Now, the AFC's tough. The AFC's tough. But They are right back in the mix. If they were ever out of it in the first place. That's been Sound Check.
So I'm seeing where the average get-in price for game one of the Stanley Cup tonight. And Raleigh. is actually more expensive. than game one of Spurs Knicks in San Antonio. Yeah.
$807.
Now, this is via game time ticket data. $807 is the average price for game one tonight. And game one. Spurs Knicks in San Antonio, seven hundred and eighty three dollars.
So It's a fun fact, thought I'd pass that along. Raise up. Raise up. talking sports the way you do, just louder with a mic. You're on the drive, the triad's only live sports talk show.
Back at it on the drive, right here on WSJS, David Glenn. Of the NC Sports Network gonna join us. In just under 30 minutes. Gonna preview Kane's Golden Knights with him. What concerns he may have?
Like, what are some of the things, problems Vegas could pose that could be an issue for Carolina? All things we'll talk about with DG next hour. But getting back to the NFL. And to the shield Russell Wilson has called it a career. Broncos Country, let's ride.
So Cringe So current. Just hit it again. Hit it again. Broncos Country, let's ride.
Because the best one. is like the full version. Where he's literally saying that in different ways over and over, almost like he's practicing saying something in the mirror. Let's brought it. He's just terrible d he's so cr I I mean He seems like a stand-up guy.
He seems very classy. God love him for Marrying Sierra. Very, very Very good family there. My man is cringe with that Broncos Country stuff. Hit it again, just one more time.
I gotta hear it. Broncos Country, let's ride.
So, anyway, that guy is gonna be joining the CBS booth. And this is the same conversation that we had when Tom Brady inked his deal with Fox to get in the booth. I wonder how Russ is going to be as an analyst. Like what his Because He doesn't show much of his personality like On the football field. He definitely shows it a little bit more off it.
Aye. And he does have a little bit of personality. He just doesn't come out very much. But if you see him like in interviews away from football, you kind of see it. I don't know.
What do you think he's going to be as an analyst? He's super smart. He's very smart. He's so smart. And I feel like he's going to bring what Romo did those first few years, where you could break it down.
Um And just provide insight in a level we hadn't seen before. And of course, Brady brought that too last year with the drops on the screen. But I'm very excited for what Russell's going to be able to do. Hopefully, we don't hear this too much. Broncos Country, let's ride.
But I'm sure we'll get a Mr. Unlimited at some point. Oh no, I done forgot. Mr. Unlimited.
I then forgot about that. Um You know what would be really good is if they'd get Jameis in the booth. I was thinking whenever he finishes up playing. I don't know. He might have a few some more years left in him as a backup or something, but Jameis has got to be in the booth.
Or a podcast or something. I mean, we thought Cam should be in the booth, but I think he's better off as a podcaster. That's That's his bag. But get ready. And it's already happening on ESPN today.
Very much like we have the debate: is Eli Manning a Hall of Famer? Is that supposed to have, you know? Philip Rivers Get ready. It's going to be starting to That conversation is going to start being had about Russell Wilson. And rightfully so.
Because He did win a Super Bowl. with Seattle in the twenty fourteen season. In his 10 years with Seattle, 104, 53-1 record, 292 touchdowns, 87 picks. Part of that Legion of Boom dynasty, even though he was on the offensive side, but that was his team.
So you might look at that and be like, oh, yeah, he's going to be a Hall of Famer regardless of what happens the rest of his career. At least you might say that at that time. He went to Denver and we all remember that. Denver became an immediate Super Bowl contender, or at least they were perceived as an immediate Super Bowl contender. And it just was a flop.
It did not go well at all. two years in Denver, a season with the Steelers, a season with the Giants.
So four seasons in total, you're looking at seventeen and twenty seven record, sixty one touchdowns, twenty seven interceptions.
Now, where I stand 336-777-1600, that's the number to call. If you have thoughts, is Russell Wilson a Hall of Famer? Do you think he is? I'll tell you, I believe he is. I don't think he's going to be a first ballot Hall of Famer by any means.
But I do think he's going to get in the hall. I do think he's going to get a gold jacket. But they were having the conversation on Get Up this morning on ESPN. And Peter Schrager was breaking it down, and here was a. Here was a quote.
from him earlier today saying Quote I don't know if he'll make it. I know these voters. I know how it works. He was a ten-time RSC here. Yeah.
Yeah. Peter Schrake was just saying he doesn't know if he's going to make it. And of course, the Eli Manning conversation, all of that. 10 Pro Bowls. You would think he's a Hall of Famer.
Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, they have more than 10 Pro Bowl appearances. They're in the Hall of Fame. Neither Joe Montana nor Dan Marino has 10.
So. I don't know. It's going to be a conversation. It already is, as in Dave and Clements would like to get in on this. Dave, go right ahead.
What's up, WD? And this is coming from an NC State fan. Yeah. I haven't turned on a player. M more other than LeBron, more than I've turned on Russell Wilson.
When he used to come on Monday Night Football and they give their introduction where they're from. Russell would always say a pack of Badgers. He would represent Wisconsin, and NC State. And you know what, Russell, you can go ahead and claim Wisconsin because you know like the stuff at the end of the career, I will say, I went to a commencement speech when my little brother graduated from NC State, and he gave the commencement speech. And he must have said the word God fifty times.
In a 10-minute period and beat me over the head with it, like enough. And there are also reports of him doing like lunges, jumping jacks on the team playing, like going from one destination to the other. Like, that just to me is like too much. He's too over the top with stuff, and that's ultimately why I turned on him. Dave, I'm up against it.
Thanks so much for the call. I get it. That's why this is going to be a conversation. Ready? Yes.
Punch up the audio for me now. Drop in. Sports Talk gets over. Drive now. Welcome to the drive.
Back at it on the drive, right here on WSJS as we get ready. For Kanes, Golden Knights, the Stanley Cup final tonight in Raleigh. Lord Stanley's already in the building. The commissioner's already in the building. And now David Glenn is with us of the NC Sports Network.
DG, how are we doing? I am doing great, Will. It is an exciting time for sports fans in the great state of North Carolina, no doubt about it.
Now, you've been covering sports in this state for a long time. Where exactly were you at in your career in 06 when the Kanes last went to the Stanley Cup?
So I was hosting a daily sports radio show in the triangle. That was just a couple of years prior to us going statewide. Where we were, you know, heard in 300-plus cities and towns.
So it was a great time to be triangle-specific because. The Carolina Hurricanes won their only Stanley Cup 20 years ago. And that was less than a decade, remember? Before they started, well, they relocated here and started playing near where you are right now in Triad because the arena wasn't ready in Raleigh yet.
So we've seen the worst and the best. And even in our time, knowing each other, I mean, holy cow, eight straight playoff trips for the Kanes. But that came right after nine straight playoff misses for the same franchise.
So, man, we have seen both ends of the stick for sure. And it's thrilling to see them with another chance to raise the cup.
So, covering that 06 run, and now this one. 20 years, I was joking, like, what better way to celebrate the 06 title 20 years than to go and try and do it again? What feels different about maybe this run for the Kanes as opposed to 20 years ago, if anything? I think there's more respect for the Kanes organization, given that they won 20 years ago, given that their current head coach, who of course was the playing captain for the Hurricanes 20 years ago, Rod Brindemore is one of the most universally respected hockey men, period. And I mean among coaches, players, former players, media, all of the above.
When that man was traded here 25 roughly years ago, but decided to stay, decided to raise a family here, decided to be an assistant coach for a little bit, and then, of course, the head coach eight years ago. And now they've been there eight straight years in the postseason with four trips to the Eastern Conference Finals, and now this one to the Stanley Cup Championship Series. That brings a lot of street cred. And in 2006, we were just the little non-traditional market. And there were still headlines about how the South doesn't really know hockey or understand hockey or deserve hockey.
Not from me. I'm a transplanted Yankee. I was all about this from the start. But there's a different respect factor, largely because of Rod, also because of the owner during the same year, eight-year stretch, Tom Dundon. And I think the Kanes talent base is more respected now.
Remember in 06, Cam Ward was this young and to a degree, somewhat unknown superstar goaltender. Um, there's another goaltender who's playing like a superstar on this year's team in Frederick Anderson. But he's 36 years old, he's been on these stages for 15 years. If you count, you know, his time with his native Denmark, that national team.
So that's one pretty big contrast, but I'll say this: the two highest scoring teams in franchise history. We're number two, the team that won the Cup in 06, and number one, the team we're watching playing right now. David Glenn of the NC Sports Network with us here on WSJS, ahead of game one of the Stanley Cup final tonight.
So going in, so Vegas, they just did something really impressive in sweeping the Colorado avalanche. Like, I mean, that was the favorite to come out of the West, and they just swept through him.
So, you could argue this is the two hottest teams in hockey right now, both sides. What are some of the factors you're looking at in this series between Carolina and Vegas? I'll be fascinating to see whether Both goalies can keep up what they're doing. Because remember, going into last round, the two hottest goalies in this year's NHL playoffs were Freddie Anderson of the Kanes, but also Jakob Dobish. of Montreal.
And the Kanes didn't let that scare them. Freddie kept playing at an elite level. Dobish was very good for Montreal, but the Kanes just so overwhelmed the Canadians that no goalie was going to stop that freight train. Carter Hart is a former starter for the Philadelphia Flyers. And he's a young guy.
Freddie Anderson has represented Denmark in the Olympics. He's played on that national team. He's been with the Canes for a long time. He's been in the NHL for 13 seasons. I think he's been in the playoffs for the majority of those 13 seasons.
So nothing's gonna rattle him. What's the first thing his teammates say? His no-panic demeanor. What's the first thing Rod Brendemore says about Freddie Anderson? His calm, even when things are going sideways.
Carter Hart has played incredibly well between the pipes for Vegas. But I think Freddie Anderson's a safer bet. If something just goes sideways, a weird bounce, a bad goal. Freddie Anderson has a lifelong track record of working through that adversity. Carter Hart's a guy that was out of the NHL for a little while because of dealing with off-the-ice issues related to a youth team Canada team years ago.
He was reinstated. He wasn't even the Vegas Golden Knights starting goalkeeper about less than two months ago. Obviously, they had their coaching change. John Tordorello was his coach in Philly for a while. He's plugged in as the starter.
So that's one thing that deserves a lot of scrutiny because it's two elite goaltenders, but man, they're coming from very different backgrounds. Sticking with the goaltending piece of this for the Kanes just for a minute, how nice is it to see? The Kanes be able to stick with Freddie Anderson the whole way here. Because there have been a lot of times in playoffs past where there was a question of who's going to be in net tonight. We didn't really know.
And it's been Freddie the whole way, rightfully so, being the best in these playoffs. How nice is that to see? It's huge. I think it's enormous because, you know, one of those Eastern Conference final trips under Rod Brindemore was Peter Morazic. who was kind of a volatile guy and unpredictable, talented, but Certainly not the even-keeled, steady guy that Freddie is.
So I think he just gives everybody a sense of confidence. And what's so crazy about this story, Will, is that this was maybe the roughest regular season of Freddie Anderson's entire decade plus. NHL career. It was certainly the most volatile of his Kane's time. Brandon Bussey was the starter for much of the season.
And for a long time, it looked like Bussey would be the Kanes playoff starter. Sure enough, a little bit late in the regular season, Bussy didn't play as well. Frederick Anderson came on and played his best late.
So that made it an easier decision. But even with that decision, I don't know how you can predict. 12 wins and only one loss. You know, his save percentage is something like 94% right now. His goals against average is one point something small per game.
I mean, he's just off the charts. Part of that's the Kane's defensive system. They protect their goalies really well. But sometimes when you face fewer shots, You know, it becomes a little more of a mental game as a goalie. And maybe that's where Freddy is at his best.
He's not bothered. By long spells where the canes are dominating possession and he doesn't see many pucks. Whereas the Kanes, of course, lead the NHL in just bombarding the other goalie with shots. And making him do a lot more work at that end than Freddie is doing at his end of the ice. David Glenn of the NC Sports Network with us here on WSJS.
A few more things for you on the way out. This is. A 12-1 run that we've seen from the Kanes to get to this point. Like, they've looked like the better team. All but one time, really, one period.
You know, if you look at that four to one period in game one against Montreal. If they're able to finish this with that 12 and 1 run and they win the cup. Is this an all-time hockey team? Would you go that far? Wow.
You know, that's saying something. Obviously, they did have the second best record in the regular season. And if they win the Stanley Cup, you have to put those two things together. I'm enough of a student of the history of hockey that I don't think it's going to go down no matter what happens. As one of the greatest teams ever.
Those are usually saved for dynasties, right? Not only a team that wins it once, but maybe goes back to back. Or there are examples of, you know, in my childhood, the New York Islanders won four straight Stanley Cups while keeping the nucleus of their team mostly together.
So the numbers would suggest it's not easy to finish second overall and then win the cup. If you're not a hockey fan, I know you know, Will, but the number, if you win the president's trophy, meaning best record in the regular season in the sport of hockey. You don't win the Stanley Cup. It's just that it happened. You know, the curse followed the Colorado Avalanche this year.
Best record in the regular season by a pretty significant margin. They looked great for even part of the playoffs, and then now they're home playing golf while Vegas moves on. It's just a weird little fact in hockey.
So. Yes, finishing second in the regular season and then winning the cup has got to deserve a lot of credit, at least in the 21st century, because we haven't seen the most dominant regular season teams convert in the postseason very often. What's your prediction for tonight? Game one. I like the Kanes, but it's nerve-wracking because I can tell you that.
If there were a draft of players. From these two teams, as much as you and I respect what Freddie's done in net, what Sebastian Ajo is capable of, Andrei Svechtikov, Nikolai Ehlers, the first two picks. by an objective observer. would be Jack Eichel of Vegas and Mitch Martner of Vegas. They're $10 million per year plus guys.
They're among the highest paid in the NHL, and they deliver the goods. And Vegas is also a deeper team and a more talented team than Ottawa or Philly or Montreal, the three teams that the Kanes just dominated. I do think the Kanes are slightly better than Vegas, and I think the goaltending battle is going to prove a lot in this series, but you You know, I'm both I'll be at the game as a media member tonight. I make no bones about the fact that I'm a Kaniak as well, who's a season ticket holder. I'm way, way more nervous given what Vegas has to offer.
And and their hot streak over this past month. Under John Tordorello, their plugged in late coach, they're just as hot as the Kanes, basically. And that's why it's the Kaniac in me is really, really biting my fingernails, even though I believe the Kanes are just a little bit better overall. David Glenn, check out his stuff at the NC Sports Network, Kanes Golden Knights Game 1 tonight. DG, we appreciate the time as always, and we'll do it again next week.
Thank you, my friend. Keep up the good work. There he goes. David Glenn of the NC Sports Network. Wanted to pass this along?
So that Michigan and Yukon Have a title game rematch scheduled now. This is very exciting. November 6th. Gonna be uh The Hall of Fame series is what this is. In Boston, going to be going down, I guess, at what TD Garden, I assume they're going to play this at?
Yeah. This is great, man. I love these non-conference games, and it feels like we're getting even better ones every single year and more of them because I would like to think the. You know, the powers that be realize this is terrific for college basketball. Yeah, I mean Michigan Duke.
Michigan Yukon, the Players Era tournament that Michigan dominated last year expanded, I think, to a sixteen team. I think they have two sixteen team brackets. And they're not just like Michigan, Yukon, Duke, and then like Arizona State. They're all heavy hitters. I am so excited that college basketball is looking at this and the ADs and commissioners are wanting to do this for the sport.
Because not only does it bring more eyes to the sport, S iron sharpens iron. It makes the Narch Madness that much more impactful for these teams when they know what they're going into. Yeah, and to your point, like Duke, Michigan had a higher rating than Duke Carolina did the first matchup. Like four points. 4.3 million viewers for Duke, Michigan, 3.5 for Duke Carolina.
Then you had Duke, Arkansas on Thanksgiving. That was the most at 6.8 million. 6.5 million was Carolina and Michigan State also on Thanksgiving. But you get a lot of those NFL viewers. Shout out to the Shield.
Gotta gotta get that gotta sneak it in anywhere I can. Oh my god. Which is why a lot of that leaked over to those games. But Duke of Michigan, I mean, there was a ton of hype for that game. And I dare say there's going to be a ton of hype for Michigan.
Michigan, Yukon, because these are going to be two of the best teams in the country again. Bring it on, Dano. Michigan. Get into a lot of your favorites here. Michigan, the Patriots.
We haven't talked about little Caesars. That'd be the trifecta. Hey, I'm getting some soon. Jeez. I am hungry.
I usually get a snack before the show, but I just didn't have time today. I was too busy getting questions ready for David Glenn and stuff like that.
