Around the League Thread | Conference Final Edition | We Are All Kevin Bieksa

[Vector]

Who is Luke Gazdic?

This is a fantastic question.

 

[Nopefully]

I love how these Oiler fans shit all over our team, Canucks are an "absolute joke," yet the series went to 7 games and there were six one-goal games in that series. Not even mentioning our injuries and their relative health, this all is funny to me.

 

[arttk]

I love how these Oiler fans shit all over our team, Canucks are an "absolute joke," yet the series went to 7 games and there were six one-goal games in that series. Not even mentioning our injuries and their relative health, this all is funny to me.

they are also at their peak, they are pretty capped out and they will need to make cuts next year. nevermind it's super likely Drai will not extend and even if he wants to extends, they are going to have to figure out how to ice a team with McD and Drai making 14-15 each and Bouchard getting 9-10+. They are going to make the leafs core4 look cheap.

 

[EpochLink]

I love how these Oiler fans shit all over our team, Canucks are an "absolute joke," yet the series went to 7 games and there were six one-goal games in that series. Not even mentioning our injuries and their relative health, this all is funny to me.

Meeting an Oilers fan, or any fan in person is different than the ones on a forum. You better bring it before you talk shit.

Any Canucks fan living in metro Edmonton, hope yall are ok.

 

[thecupismine]

This - but I think his comments about the team itself would prove more problematic than the comments about Vancouver Twitter. To call them garbage, etc. and then go on a National Broadcast and try to appear professional is something that might catch him some flak internally at Sportsnet. In fairness, I think the same likely occurred with Bieksa and his comments about the Edmonton media - he may well have said what every current and former player was thinking, but in his role, there's a certain level of restraint expected when discussing guys that are for all intents and purposes "in your peer group", and torpedoing them on national television like Bieksa did might have ruffled some feathers.

But I think Gazdic's situation is a bit different, as while Bieksa was defending a player in Darnell Nurse, Gazdic clearly was bent out of shape at being called a homer and harboured a lot of ill will towards the Canucks' fanbase and their team in general, and went on the offensive against both - which ironically, just showed how much they're all living rent free in his head.

Dhaliwal put it well this morning - Twitter is a toxic place. Get thicker skin or get out of the business. Gazdic should probably heed that. I actually think he's a decent analyst and an articulate speaker, but much like my opinion about Harnaryan Singh, I can't abide him doing Oilers games, because he's so blatantly biased. Calling non-Oiler games? Totally fine. But if you're on a National broadcast and trying to present balanced perspectives, you can't have guys like Gazdic and Singh be carrying the Oiler flag against whomever they're playing. Kevin Bieksa is the textbook example of how to do this and be a pro.

Very well put.

 

[StreetHawk]

This - but I think his comments about the team itself would prove more problematic than the comments about Vancouver Twitter. To call them garbage, etc. and then go on a National Broadcast and try to appear professional is something that might catch him some flak internally at Sportsnet. In fairness, I think the same likely occurred with Bieksa and his comments about the Edmonton media - he may well have said what every current and former player was thinking, but in his role, there's a certain level of restraint expected when discussing guys that are for all intents and purposes "in your peer group", and torpedoing them on national television like Bieksa did might have ruffled some feathers.

But I think Gazdic's situation is a bit different, as while Bieksa was defending a player in Darnell Nurse, Gazdic clearly was bent out of shape at being called a homer and harboured a lot of ill will towards the Canucks' fanbase and their team in general, and went on the offensive against both - which ironically, just showed how much they're all living rent free in his head.

Dhaliwal put it well this morning - Twitter is a toxic place. Get thicker skin or get out of the business. Gazdic should probably heed that. I actually think he's a decent analyst and an articulate speaker, but much like my opinion about Harnaryan Singh, I can't abide him doing Oilers games, because he's so blatantly biased. Calling non-Oiler games? Totally fine. But if you're on a National broadcast and trying to present balanced perspectives, you can't have guys like Gazdic and Singh be carrying the Oiler flag against whomever they're playing. Kevin Bieksa is the textbook example of how to do this and be a pro.

Well put.... Again, Gadzic needs the job, like Tomlinson does. Bieksa doesn't, so if he goes off and gets let go, he will be fine. Gadzic, not so much. NJ isn't going to come calling for him with his 11 games as a Devil.

That is the problem when you go too Homer on the Regional broadcast. You can't turn it off when it becomes a National one. It's too ingrained in you at that point.

I mean, in the NFL, Long, Strahan, and Bradshaw (even Jimmy) have love for their former clubs in Raiders, Giants, Steelers, Cowboys, but they know as National broadcasters that they need to be more neutral and drop the "we" when talking about them.

 

[ManVanFan]

I don't know what thread this should be in but......

https://x.com/i/web/status/1798007060426354763

LMFAO!

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Ottawa is probably going to lose a whole generation of fans once the team finishes bottom 5 again and B. Tkachuk is eventually traded.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

I think Elliote Friedman - in his appearance today on Donnie and Dhali - did a pretty nice job of articulating his thoughts on the Gazdic matter. Acknowledging that he understands that Gazdic is new to this, hasn't developed that thick skin yet, and was responding emotionally to some toxic things (and confirming some of the things being sent to him privately went way over the line) being sent his way and defending his teammate and colleague in that way, while also acknowledging it's a learning experience for him, that he will grow and develop from this, and learn to have a bit of a thicker skin - which to me says the rest of them were kind of like "hey, this comes with the territory, tune it out".

I think that neatly encapsulates about what I expected - and I would be shocked if someone in Sportsnet's PR department hadn't already sat him down to say the same thing.

 

[StreetHawk]

Ottawa is probably going to lose a whole generation of fans once the team finishes bottom 5 again and B. Tkachuk is eventually traded.

My goodness... Poor Sanderson, Chabot, Zub....

 

[ManVanFan]

Ottawa is probably going to lose a whole generation of fans once the team finishes bottom 5 again and B. Tkachuk is eventually traded.

The talent that team has and the coaching staff that had proven to not be able to help talent player with each other. So Ottawa. haha

 

[ManVanFan]

Devils open to trading No. 10 pick in 2024 NHL Draft, looking for goalie

I'd say the Schneider for Horvat trade worked out once. Why not again.

Konsta Helenius​

Carter Yakemchuk​

Beckett Sennecke​

I'd take any of those 3 at 10oa

 

[EpochLink]

I think Elliote Friedman - in his appearance today on Donnie and Dhali - did a pretty nice job of articulating his thoughts on the Gazdic matter. Acknowledging that he understands that Gazdic is new to this, hasn't developed that thick skin yet, and was responding emotionally to some toxic things (and confirming some of the things being sent to him privately went way over the line) being sent his way and defending his teammate and colleague in that way, while also acknowledging it's a learning experience for him, that he will grow and develop from this, and learn to have a bit of a thicker skin - which to me says the rest of them were kind of like "hey, this comes with the territory, tune it out".

I think that neatly encapsulates about what I expected - and I would be shocked if someone in Sportsnet's PR department hadn't already sat him down to say the same thing.

I already said my thoughts on Gadzic on the Canucks Reddit forums. Yeah, what I said there I can’t repeat here because well, something something something

 

[vancityluongo]

Any Canucks fan living in metro Edmonton, hope yall are ok.

thriving haha

local economy is buzzing (which is what i'm personally cheering for lol - florida in 7 please), bars are all open late and i get to watch no emotional attachment hockey with my buddies while smirking whenever the oilers lose. much less stressful than watching canucks hockey at home tbh

every oilers fan i interacted with during our series in person was also... fine? my buddy got lots of compliments on a bure jersey, general comments about how it's better the nucks than the flames, a couple people congratulating the turnaround this season, "wish we had a player like jt miller", etc.

twitter and this board are obviously a different story, but generally the "hate" is pretty limited, tbh.

speaking of oilers interactions - the gazdic stuff isn't really registering here, but this video sure is:

 

[tradervik]

Twitter is a toxic waste dump, even more so after Elmo took over. There is no point in reacting to the crazies and Gazdic should just stay away if he can’t handle the stupidity.

I’ll take this opportunity to state that despite having no love for the Oilers or their fans, I will not be cheering against them in the finals. I will definitely be cheering for any result that puts more daggers into the clown-suited corpse known as PDO.

PS: the gatekeepers can get stuffed.

 

[StreetHawk]

Twitter is a toxic waste dump, even more so after Elmo took over. There is no point in reacting to the crazies and Gazdic should just stay away if he can’t handle the stupidity.

I’ll take this opportunity to state that despite having no love for the Oilers or their fans, I will not be cheering against them in the finals. I will definitely be cheering for any result that puts more daggers into the clown-suited corpse known as PDO.

PS: the gatekeepers can get stuffed.

Zero rooting interest. So, neither rooting for not against Edm. Don't really care who wins.

Just don't want to see a bunch of whining about calls. Just call the games as they should be called.

Neither - call it all and have a penalty fest unless they are all legit calls and NOT by the letter of the rulebook. Don't need every tug called.
Nor, let them play. If the Ref doesn't want to make a call, then the Ref should not be working the game. Simple as that. Do your job. If there is a call to be made, make it.

 

[racerjoe]

thriving haha

local economy is buzzing (which is what i'm personally cheering for lol - florida in 7 please), bars are all open late and i get to watch no emotional attachment hockey with my buddies while smirking whenever the oilers lose. much less stressful than watching canucks hockey at home tbh

every oilers fan i interacted with during our series in person was also... fine? my buddy got lots of compliments on a bure jersey, general comments about how it's better the nucks than the flames, a couple people congratulating the turnaround this season, "wish we had a player like jt miller", etc.

twitter and this board are obviously a different story, but generally the "hate" is pretty limited, tbh.

speaking of oilers interactions - the gazdic stuff isn't really registering here, but this video sure is:

He sure does drink shitty beer....

 

[kcunac]

Luke Gadzic talks like Trudeau. The latter had the bloodlines to make it work.

Just immature and unprofessional. Could have easily just said what he meant, that the trolls were horrible and he was happy but he had to add that their team sucks. Childish really. Can’t believe our National Broadcast can’t do better

 

[Breakers]

literally the only thing he is know'n for is turning into a helicopter after getting decimated by Buff

thats it! his only NHL highlight

 

[JT Milker]

thriving haha

local economy is buzzing (which is what i'm personally cheering for lol - florida in 7 please), bars are all open late and i get to watch no emotional attachment hockey with my buddies while smirking whenever the oilers lose. much less stressful than watching canucks hockey at home tbh

every oilers fan i interacted with during our series in person was also... fine? my buddy got lots of compliments on a bure jersey, general comments about how it's better the nucks than the flames, a couple people congratulating the turnaround this season, "wish we had a player like jt miller", etc.

twitter and this board are obviously a different story, but generally the "hate" is pretty limited, tbh.

speaking of oilers interactions - the gazdic stuff isn't really registering here, but this video sure is:

What the f*** is this

 

[StreetHawk]

Luke Gadzic talks like Trudeau. The latter had the bloodlines to make it work.

Just immature and unprofessional. Could have easily just said what he meant, that the trolls were horrible and he was happy but he had to add that their team sucks. Childish really. Can’t believe our National Broadcast can’t do better

Money.... These are not high paying jobs. Unlike those for NFL/NBA (nationally).

Reason why it's guys with well under 8 figures in career earnings doing it. Wayne and Messier are like into their 60's now and doing tv. Were not in their late 40's and 50's.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

What the f*** is this

A really freaking awkward video.

I mean - surely McDavid has people who can go get booze for him and the boys.

But also surely - people should be able to read the room and not get right up in his business when he's clearly trying to get out in a hurry. I mean damn.

 

[Bonham]

A really freaking awkward video.

I mean - surely McDavid has people who can go get booze for him and the boys.

But also surely - people should be able to read the room and not get right up in his business when he's clearly trying to get out in a hurry. I mean damn.

Exhibit A of why a lot of players want to avoid Canada.

Couldn't imagine living like that.

 

[StreetHawk]

A really freaking awkward video.

I mean - surely McDavid has people who can go get booze for him and the boys.

But also surely - people should be able to read the room and not get right up in his business when he's clearly trying to get out in a hurry. I mean damn.

That clearly doesn't help CAD markets, as this is one of the things players consider when deciding on teams in free agency. Do I want to be bothered in public when I step out, either just by myself or even with my family? I have to endure this, vs in Sunrise, where almost no one knows who I am?

People need to read the room.

 

[EpochLink]

Luke Gadzic talks like Trudeau. The latter had the bloodlines to make it work.

Just immature and unprofessional. Could have easily just said what he meant, that the trolls were horrible and he was happy but he had to add that their team sucks. Childish really. Can’t believe our National Broadcast can’t do better

If Gadzic called the fanbase and online trolls trash, sure whatever. But if he called the organization trash, meaning Jim Rutherford who has decades of NHL experience and Rick Tocchet, who has friends within the NHL ranks, that's just bad judgment.

You don't think Jim Rutherford and Rick Tocchet are gonna take this as an insult? If I'm Edmonton, I'd distance myself from clowns like Luke Gadzic and Ryan Whitney, they don't represent the Oilers. Gretkzy, Weight, Messier, Kurri, Fuhr, Simpson, those are Oilers reps you should be asking the creds for, not blowhards like Gadzic and Whitney. Both of those idiots were just there to collect checks.