Real Kyper & Bourne

Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Messier joins Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne to chat about the L.A. Kings' strengths with their centremen, the importance of getting a good start to a team's season, how depth in scoring gives an edge to a chase for a Stanley Cup, why the New York Rangers are a sleeper team to come out of the Eastern Conference, and his experience dealing with struggles when he was playing for the Edmonton Oilers. Then, Nick, Justin and Sam McKee wrap up the show by discussing the Pittsburgh Penguins initiating a neck guard mandate.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee start with some Halloween stories before looking ahead to tonight's Leafs game against the LA Kings. They discuss the dynamic of the first game back home after a long road trip, the Kings' depth down the middle, the Leafs' third-line centre hole, the longevity of Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty and evaluate the fourth line so far. They are joined by Kings team president and Hockey Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille (28:36), who discusses LA's start to the season, how the team went through their 'rebuild' phase without scraping the bottom of the standings and how they take the next steps in becoming a serious contender. The guys close with a chat on expectations for high-level prospects and if teams are better off developing players outside of their NHL roster.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee open the second hour by bringing on Sportsnet's Eric Francis following the Flames' 5-2 defeat at the hands of the Oilers in the Heritage Classic (3:34). Is the season on the brink in Calgary just a few weeks in? Plus, they debate the response from the Flames after Evander Kane's great night for the Oilers - do more teams need 'heavy' players to have the ability to send a different message? Plus, they chat about the Canucks playing hard for Rick Tocchet, whether or not the Sharks should continue stripping it down (or go in the opposite direction), Cale Makar taking a massive hit, the retirement of Jumbo Joe Thornton, and the safety of the game in the wake of Adam Johnson's tragic passing.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee recap the Leafs' weekend that saw the end of a road trip in which they went 3-1-1. Has the team done enough to convince the fans that they are markedly different from last year's version? They get into Ilya Samsonov's start against the Predators, and whether or not the goaltender has lost confidence amidst a hot start for teammate Joseph Woll. Plus, they chat about the play of the defence in front of both goaltenders, the play of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner on the road trip, and Sheldon Keefe's management of a variety of injured players.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee start the second hour with a conversation about outdoor games with the Heritage Classic between the Oilers and Flames coming up this weekend, the significance in the standings and if McDavid will/should play. They are joined by former NHL team president, GM and coach (and author!) Doug MacLean (6:47) for Off-the-Rails Friday, who shares his thoughts on the desperation in the weekend's edition of the Battle of Alberta, what will change under the decentralized draft and takes a look at some of the Canadian teams around the league that are struggling. Finally, how much patience new Sens owner Michael Andlauer will afford Steve Staios or Pierre Dorion, the return of Andrei Svechnikov and answer your texts!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee start with the Leafs' 4-1 win last night against the Dallas Stars, the importance of building momentum early in the season, what's known about Jake McCabe's likely significant injury, Morgan Rielly's stellar start and puck movement concerns on the top line. They are joined by former NHL goalie Mike McKenna (35:36), who dives deep on Joseph Woll, his time training the Leafs' emerging tendy, Woll's advanced maturity for his age and why Samsonov has struggled so much to start the season.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee start the second hour with more questions on Shane Pinto's suspension. They are joined by Stars TV analyst Daryl Reaugh (9:02), who gives his take on the Pinto story before sharing his thoughts on Dallas' 4-0-1 start to their season, what Max Domi can bring to the Leafs, the passing of the torch from Seguin/Benn to Robertson/Hintz and if Miro Heiskanen could pick up some Norris votes. Later, the guys discuss the lone game from last night where the Capitals beat the Devils 6-4, whether they want Alex Ovechkin to break Gretzky's goal record and Lindy Ruff calling his team soft.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee start with the big story from today with Shane Pinto receiving a 41-game suspension for activities related to sports wagering, if the league got it right and how his lack of contract complicates things. Then, onto the Leafs who head to Dallas to take on the Stars for their biggest test of the young season, Joseph Woll earning the start, when Ilya Samsonov will get another shot and stagnant puck movement on the top line. They are joined by Predators' forward and former Leaf Ryan O'Reilly (26:14), who discusses his upcoming return to Toronto on Saturday, his start in Nashville and reflects on his short stint last year with the Leafs. To close, the guys reflect on O'Reilly's unceremonious exit in the offseason, some encouraging play from Jake McCabe recently and evaluate the bottom six with Pontus Holmberg in for Fraser Minten. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne are joined by four-time Stanley Cup champ Darren McCarty (9:29), who breaks down the rest of the Atlantic Division’s start to the season, including his Detroit Red Wings – are they better than the Buffalo Sabres or Ottawa Senators? They take a look around the league, including the Canadian franchises – what’s the concern index for the Edmonton Oilers? Should the Calgary Flames consider a rebuild? Plus, news and notes, including Brett Pesce’s injury for the Hurricanes, Connor Bedard vs. Brad Marchand, and Bedard’s very long shifts to start the year.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee take a look at the Leafs’ 4-1 win over the Capitals, and ask the question: have the Leafs changed your mind on what they are through six games? They dive into another standout performance for Joseph Woll, chat about yet another successful review for the video staff, and get into the hot offensive start for William Nylander. Afterwards, Sportsnet’s Luke Fox (33:24) stops by to discuss the current road trip, Woll’s play, and how the new guys on the team have been performing so far.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.