Eddie Olczyk, NHL on TNT Analyst

Alrighty, we continue. This is Zach Gelpshow, coast to coast on the Infinity Sports Network. The Edmonton Oilers try to stave off elimination tonight. If they fail to do so, well, then the Florida Panthers will hoist the Stanley Cup for the second year in a row in their home building. Let's go out to the guest line right now and welcome in the very talented Eddie Olczyk, who, of course, will be on the call tonight.

NHL on TNT and TNT's coverage of the Stanley Cup final has been absolutely sensational. Edzo, appreciate the time. Thanks so much for doing this. How have you been? I've been all right, Jack.

We're gaining our air miles here with this trip between South Florida and Edmonton, Alberta, but it's been It's been great theater. You know, for the most part, every game has been super competitive. You know, I know we've had a couple of of games, you know, get out of hand, so to speak, but uh it's been It's been great to be a part of and we're looking forward to Obviously, a huge game tonight in the Stanley Cup. Anytime the Stanley Cup's in the building, you know that we're on the verge of something pretty special. Regardless if it's tonight or game seven back in Edmonton on Friday, we're expecting a really good game, and I would expect a pushback from Edmonton.

They did get off to a good start. in-game five Zach back in Edmonton. But I just think that The quick turnaround, I touched on that early in the series, that I thought that could be a pivotal time where you played on a Thursday night down here. for game four in South Florida and then you traveled on that Friday and then you played It's six o'clock local time, so it was a quick turnaround for both teams and you know and Florida. Pretty much took control of the game.

I thought Edmondson just did not have their legs. I thought that the quick turnaround affected them just with their skating legs way more than Florida, and that's why the Panthers have a chance to win the Stanley Cup tonight at home. Do you think it's the right call tonight to go back to Skinner for the Oilers? Yeah, 100%. Picker came in, did what you wanted him to do in game four when they were down.

Uh they weren't down three, nothing because of the goaltender. I mean, Stuart Skinner didn't get much help and uh you know a lot of the uh the players, in particular Leon Dreiseidel, made mention this morning that You know, they they didn't do their job. You know, Stuart Skinner did. And, you know, they just, you know, it was one of those periods and I think it was a good move. By Chris Knobblock, the head coach of the Oilers, to take Skinner out and try to change the momentum.

And he did, and they won the game. you know, all of a sudden it's the best of three.

So, um, you know, Picker. I I didn't like a couple of the goals that he gave up. Yeah. In that game five loss, and you know, Skinner's had a good playoff, and you know, he's You know, if he's played in these type of games, remember last year being down three, nothing and Got him to a game seven and eventually lost right here in South Florida.

So I do agree with it. I mean, we talked about it. In our broadcast, myself, Kenny Albert, Brian Boucher, late in the game, five in Edmonton, and I think both Bush and I agreed that Skinner would get the call he does, and now he gets an opportunity.

So I think for Edmonton and Zach, they. I mean, they'd love to get the lead in the first period. You know, I mean, they've been chasing, and it's so tough to play in this league, let alone, you know, when you're falling behind. Even though you have the best player in the world right now in Conor McDavid, and some may argue the second best player in Leon Dreiseitel, it's just tough to chase the game.

So they're looking to be even or ahead after the first period. And if they do, they feel like they can give themselves a chance to get to a game seven on Friday. Talking to Eddie Oldcheck, you know, I was asked before this series, and full disclosure, I picked the Panthers, but people asked me if you were to make the case, what's different with this Oilers team this year compared to last year? The two reasons I gave a lot of people was I thought Skinner was playing at a better level, and also they had the home ice. What has surprised you more that the goalie has still been a conversation or that Edmonton wasn't able to protect home ice this go-around so far?

I mean, I would say both. I mean, I, you know, I think there is still a question mark. Even though Skinner looked like he had gone to another level, is this could he keep it up there at that level? I mean, you go back to round one. You know, against LA, I mean, if you're a fan of the LA Kings or the Toronto Maple Leafs right now, you're probably just shaking your head considering that both of those teams at different points in the playoffs.

Had the Edmonton Oilers vet being the LA Kings and the Toronto Maple Lees vet being the Florida Panthers. had them up to nothing. in their series that they were playing against them and they were up In game three, and they had both teams over a barrel and were not able to win that game three, and the tide just turned in both series.

So. Uh, you know, Pickard came in against LA and he did a hell of a job. And, you know, he won, what, six games in a row, and then he got hurt. And then Skinner comes in and you know, and he does what he needs to do.

So It's the ultimate team game, but I think for Edmonton, I mean, you know, every team is banged up. There is no doubt. You got guys banged up on Florida. You got guys that are banged up on on Edmonton. I mean Nozak Hyman really, really, really is shown in this series.

Ryan Newton Hopkins, I give the guy a lot of credit. I mean, he's finding a way to play. Thought he had a very good game for. But he is banged up as well. And when you do go to dry sidel McDavid on the same line, Zach.

Yeah. You're really going top heavy because you don't have Hyman anymore and Nugent Hopkins is, you know, he's lucky if he's 50% if he's that. It's a interesting dilemma when they when uh Chris Knobloch, uh the coach of the Oilers decides to load up or he keeps them apart and you know, all it takes is that one shift to uh kind of change the tide and and what have you. But I I think for Edmondson, the the homeites to me, I did it didn't matter to me. I you know, I think Florida is, you know, I mean, they're on a roll.

They got what, ten road wins now, I believe, in these playoffs. They could win on Mars, let's be real, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I I didn't to me, it really didn't matter. Um, and then as far as the goaltending asp aspect of it, if you're doing a You know, the check marks there.

I mean, I don't think there's any doubt going to this final. I mean, Sergei Bobrovsky would get that check mark, but give Skinner credit. He's bounced back when needed over the course of the last couple of years. He's battle tested and battle ready. And we'll see if he can put a performance on tonight in game six.

I'm not giving you a biz take here and talking about the no state income tax, but I thought it should have been illegal that the Panthers Edzo were able to acquire Brad Marshan because that team is the best team in hockey. I don't care what the standings said right at the deadline. And to get a player like Marshan was just stupid good. Six goals in these Stanley Cup playoffs. I think most people would have thought that Bennett would have won the con smite that the Panthers would have won.

Is it starting to feel as if this is going to be Marshand's to lose if the Panthers end up hoisting the Stanley Cup tonight? Yeah, I mean, I th I think I think um I know there's a lot there, but I I'll comment on the Marshan MVP. I I think if he has a monster game Tonight are in game seven. Um He might have an outside chance.

So I think Sam Bennett is, I mean, I know he's the wagering favorite. I know that. You know, if he gets another goal here in game six or game seven and ends up with sixteen or seventeen goals, I think it would be really hard not to. Have him be the consummate trophy for the MVP of the playoffs. It's not the final.

Which I believe at some point here I would like to see. And I know the NBA has a little bit different than the NHL, but I'd like to see a finals MVP. Zach, and you want to call it the Wayne Gretzky Award? I'm all for it. You know what?

I might even bring that up during the broadcast tonight for the hell of it. You know what? Make sure that you say that you were talking with Zach Gelbow. You say that on the broadcast, all right? I will try to get that in.

And then you have your playoff MVP because it could be two different players, and it could be. The same player. Um, for me, right now it's Sam Bennett, but if Marshand happens to have, you know, a couple of large games, uh, then I think. you know, no pun intended, all bets are off on who ends up being the MVP, but I think if Florida wins it, I think it's going to be Bennett. And if Edmonton somehow comes back and finds a way, it's going to be one of two guys.

And, you know, Leon Dreisidel's already got two OTGWGs overtime game-winning goals in the Stanley Cup final. And if you think Edmondson's going to get back in, it is a pretty good chance that McDavid and Dreisidal are going to be right in the middle of it for the Oilers. You know, it's an interesting idea that you brought up because last year, right, McDavid won the ConSmythe. And if they would have had a finals just MVP, it probably would have gone to Bobrovsky. Right.

So I think that maybe you see that two years in a row, maybe Edzo could get some momentum behind that change.

Well, I will try. I mean, usually when I put my ideas in a suggestion box, I think the bottom of the box is open and mine never really ever get to see the day of light. But I think it'd be interesting. You know, look at it. I mean, it's almost that argument, too, in a regular season, Zach.

We've talked about this. Over the last handful of years, it's okay.

Well, you have the Norris Trophy given to the best defenseman. And a lot of it is points and offensive driven, but you know, a lot of awards are. I mean, it's, you know, I mean, you can make the argument for, you know, MVP of the National Football League. But I think, you know, I'd like to see us expand. I'd like to, you know, the best defensive defensively.

Now, it could end up being the same guy. I'm okay with that. But I think that for the playoffs, for sure, I'd love to. I'd love to see another award and I mean who better to have a you know award named after him when it comes to you know, Stanley Cup final play and and uh you know the legendary Wayne Gretzky, um, you know, my teammate here at TNT.

So, uh we'll we'll see. You know, maybe I'll cross uh I'll I'll put that on somebody's desk and see if I get anybody. And look at I I know I mean, I would imagine and I'm sure That it's been probably chatted about a few hundred times, but really never got any legs. But I think it'd be great for the game. I think it'd be a lot of positivity, obviously, if you can hang it on the greatest player's name if indeed that's the path the NHL eventually gets to at some point.

Eddie, I'll check out. I'll end you on McDavid, right? Recently, we've seen great players in sports and that quest to win a championship. Aaron Judd just lost in the World Series last year. Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson have had some heartbreaking playoff defeats.

We all know he's the best player on the planet, but if he loses back-to-back years in the Stanley Cup final, what do you think the conversation is around McDavid?

Well, I mean, he's still the best player in the world. And, you know, people are going to, you know, when you're hearing conversations of, you know, top 10 all time already and all these kind of things. I mean, look at a lot of, I mean, look how long it took Raymond Bork to. You know, win a Stanley Cup eventually. It was a 21, 22 years.

He left Boston, ended up in Colorado, and won a Stanley Cup. I I understand. Um, where where people will, you know, question You do got to win. I mean, you do. And I think it's just a matter of time for Connor McDavid.

I mean, they've, you know, they're here, and obviously a very large reason why is because of himself. But that's just, like you said, there are great players that have played in many sports and have never gotten the opportunity to get to the top of the mountain. And obviously, can't get any closer than last year. And then here he is, you know, in the Oilers now back and playing the same team. And here they're in a must-win situation in game six.

So at some point, he's going to win now, whether it's in Edmonton or not moving forward. I mean, who knows? His contract's up after next year. You know, will he stay in Edmonton? Will he eventually leave?

I mean, that's for another conversation, but. I get it, but he's still, you know, right now, there's no doubt he is the best player in the world. And we'll see how it all plays out, you know, going into and post-game six. And we'll see if we have a game seven back in Edmonton on Friday. You brought it up, and Liam McHugh was on with us last week, and he said something similar about his future.

And I never really thought just because of Crosby and Ovechkin and how great they are and how they've always stayed, McDavid leaving Edmonton, but there's one year left on the contract. What do you think the percentages are that he's going to sign a long-term extension there again? Yeah, I would not even want to try to speculate. I mean, you know, until he signed. This conversation was with Austin Matthews, you know, a couple of years ago when he was, which is really hard to believe that he was an unrestricted free agent at 26.

I still can't believe that he even hit unrestricted free agency at 26. But again, that's for another conversation. I mean, look, it'd be really interesting. Like, if you just assume. Because Leon Dreisidel signed his, you know, his eight-year extension last year, I believe, and you know, and he's going to be there for, you know, you would assume the duration of that.

You know, you you would assume that McDavid would do the same thing. But Until somebody signs on a dotted line and the salary cap is going up.

So if you're Connor McDavid, and I'm just thinking about the contractual part of this, Zach, is... If he thinks or his team feels like, okay, the salary cap is going up in a max contract in the NHL with a hard salary cap, he's probably going to get in that nineteen ish range, which is the max. of the salary cap 19 to 20 million. He sits there and goes, Okay, well. three or four years from now, that might be the cap, you know, might be 25 million for the highest paid player.

So, you know, why sign an eight-year deal that 20 million a year where maybe I can sign a four-year deal. For 20 million, and then once I get to that fifth year, and if he likes it there, then he can go and make 25 million. I think it's just, you know, I mean, the guy doesn't have to bet on himself because it doesn't matter what happens. If he stays in Edmonton, he's going to get the max. I mean, we know that.

He will be the only player that gets the max, at least right now, the way the cap is going up and whatever, to be in that $19 to $20 million range.

So it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out. And I know everybody's eyes will be on Edmonton. Starting after July 1st, because that's when they can sign him, and we'll see. He holds the cards.

Well, everyone's up. If he wants to play it out, Zach, he will. If he doesn't, you know, I would assume he would sign. Very tricky. The only thing I will say is I believe and I kind of alluded to it.

I believe is if he does sign, I think it'll be a shorter term deal. than a max deal as far as term. Money wise, he's going to get the max, like I said, nineteen, twenty million. That's already I mean, that's a done deal. It's like, okay, this is as much as we can give you.

This is what you're going to get. But I would look to The amount of years that it ends up being for, and then we can have another conversation after that.

Well, everyone's eyes are going to be on the Panthers and the Oilers tonight in game six, and they'll be watching on the NHL on TNT. That, of course, Zeddy Olcek will be on the call. Edzo, really appreciate the time. Thank you.

Okay, Zachary Well.