Jessi Pierce: 0:00

Before we begin today's episode of Bardown Beauties, we want to first acknowledge the truly tragic news of Kobe Bryant's passing. Kobe, along with his 13 year old daughter, Gianna, and several others, perished in a helicopter accident in Calabasas, California, on Sunday. Kobe demanded the best of himself and the best of those around him, he changed the way the game of basketball is played, and beyond the talent he possessed on the court, he exemplified what it meant to face your challenges. Head on Our hearts go to his friends, family and all of those that knew him, along with the families of all the other deceased. Hello, everybody. We are back for Episode five Presented by sota stick dot com. I'm Jessie Pierce alongside Alexis Pearson and Fred Veinfurt A lot to talk about this week, despite it being a relatively hockey free week with the All Star break for the Minnesota Wild Here, Pet Micheletti will be joining us as our special guest to talk just that about wild hockey. But Alexis, how about you and I chat on them a little bit? Do you think? Do you think this bye week is ah maybe a good thing for our home team.



Jessi Pierce: 1:11

I think it's a good thing for everybody. I mean, the guy's obviously who get to go to the All Star Game. Love being a part of that, and it's a fun time for the ones involved. But for the guys that aren't involved in the All Star Game, you know, you either get a vacation, which is nice, because then you could relax. Or the ones who've been dealing with injuries or you just being a little bit banged up at this point the season. To be honest, everyone's banged up. You know, it's it's your over halfway through the season and and obviously everything hurts a little bit more, especially if you're not in the spot of the standings that you want to be, in which the Wild would be one of those teams who aren't performing as well as they would like to be. Or I should say they're not in the area of the standings that they're comfortable with right now, so it's a good mental break. It's a good physical break, and there's been years past where the Wild have needed desperately needed this break to get through some injuries. They've been luckier this year that they haven't had any drastic injuries to any key players yet. They've had a couple guys out for short periods of time, but last year there was guys out for like months. Ah, this year, they haven't had to deal with that. But I know the guys are looking forward to a bit of a break and to recoup and then come back for the remainder of the season, hopefully stronger. Ah, than the beginning of the season.



Jessi Pierce: 2:18

I mean, it's a grind. We talked about it in our last episode. It it is a grind and the break is nice for everybody involved and it's nice especially, but the wild know that they need to come back and get the points. It's not really a time for them to rest comfortably. I mean, they're positioned right now 11th in the West at 52 points and it's really, you know, make or break time when they come back. They managed to get points in three of four games before the break, which was great, looked a little uneasy there against Detroit, which is a atrocious team. I am sorry to, say Red Wings fans. That was a very hard game to watch, especially when the wild ended the first period. But Bruce had said it then, and I'm sure he'll be reiterated plenty that they cannot afford to lose very many games in the second half. Here,



Alexis Pearson: 3:01

yeah, and especially after that tough lose against the Panthers. You know, a few nights before the Red Wings, you're coming in against the team who you got to get two points. You have to get two points, And after that first period, I was feeling a little nervous. I think the guys were feeling a little bit nervous. The fans were feeling a little nervous and then they come out. They finished the game as they should have, getting the two points, beating the Red Wings going into the break and you know the other. The flipside of getting this break is that not only do you get the chance to rest, but there's the downside of you get that anxiety of. I just want to play. I want to get those points, especially for the teams that are fighting for those playoff spots that are on the outside looking in or right on the bubble. You want that opportunity to keep playing and keep climbing up the standing. So I think there's a little bit of anxiety there and breaks like this, and you only hope that, you know, the guys are able to put that to the side, take the chance to rest, cause truly there's nothing that they can do about it right now. And everyone's on a break. You know, not just one team or one or one person, so you have to look at it that way and hope that, OK, when you come back, you'll have your opportunity to continue to climb the standings. Try to take some high points from, you know before the break and carry that with you into, ah, Post break ah hockey,



Jessi Pierce: 4:08

right? And it says that the NHL kind of finally got it together. There were times and Seasons past where the Wild would be on a break and they would come back in against a team that had the 1st 2 are, you know, the second half as a break and they were planning. It seems that had been playing games all week, so it's nice to see that they're gonna come back? Um, they have the Boston Bruins. First. Charlie Coyle makes another return back to Minnesota. Um, so it'll be nice that they have an opponent that was also kind of on the same rest in the same break as them. Um, but like you said Alexis, it's It's gonna be crucial for them to come in strong. They're technically still a bubble team. I mean, they're not. They're out. But there's still on that bubble, which is a position very familiar for the Minnesota Wild. Would you rather see them kind of tank? I mean, everybody keeps talking about it, and you can't avoid that conversation. But do you want them to to just say, you know what? Let's build for the future, or would you rather see them make a push?



Alexis Pearson: 5:00

I This is such a hard question to answer, because I have one answer from a fan perspective, and I have an answer, as someone is a member of the media and kind of looking at it with a clear state of mind because as a fan, you're just delusional all the time, right? You're everything hurts and everything is is an exciting moment or a sad moments. And so it's hard to sometimes step away from that aspect of sports and say, OK, looking at this, logistically, looking at this in a clear state of mind, How do I feel about it? And what people often think is that rebuilding takes a year. That's not true. Rebuilding takes several years. Sometimes you'll get lucky and you'll see success within that first, you know, year of rebuilding. But ah, full rebuild If you're talking going from bottom of the standings, to, a Stanley Cup winning team, you're talking about years of work here to get the right trades, to get the right draft picks, to get the right guys from the farm team up into your ah into the NHL. So it's a long process, and there's a lot of pieces that need to get put down at the right time to make it all work. And there's still the chance that you try to rebuild and it doesn't work. There's no guarantee that just because you tank and you, you know, you get rid of all of your your players and you bring new guys. And get these draft picks, there's no guarantees that any of that is gonna is gonna produce wins or, ah, you know, game wins or series wins in the playoffs or a Stanley Cup victory? There's no guarantee. So it's a hard question because obviously you picture it as working and you're like, Well, yeah, okay, if we do this and we do that in two years, well, we could win the Stanley Cup, but you could do this and that, and you might not win the Stanley Cup for 15 more years. So it's, um, I think that with Kaprizov coming next year, there's that gleaming light at the end of the tunnel that people are looking forward to, that if we get through this season, whether we make the playoffs or not, we have a player coming who we know is gonna produce is like as long as he stays healthy, knock on wood I'm gonna knock on wood behind me here. As long as he stays healthy, he is going to get points for this team and he's gonna get points in a way that the Wild have not seen. Players get points before, so I think that there's some changes that could be made that would be beneficial to help set up for the fact that Kaprizov is coming next year



Jessi Pierce: 7:10

build around him. Yes, yes, I know. I think that's a great point. I mean, you had mentioned him. I don't think we've seen a player as dynamic as that since maybe Marion Gaborik is the only one that comes to mind. Um, that's the last time I remember just watching an elusive, electric skilled player, in every aspect. I know Minnesota Wild fans have their own against him, and that's respected, and I can I can see that point as well. My mom, for one, hates him. But that's neither here nor there because you can't ability and Kaprizov is a step above that. Even, I think, because in today's game it's just a different way of playing, and I think he does a phenomenal job, So I'd agree with you there. I think would be nice to build around that and in that sense, build for the future. I don't see it as the end of the world. If the Wild do not make the playoffs again this year, I know it's it's not as fun. I mean, as a writer, that ends my season just as early too, Um, so there's, you know, that's not as exciting the playoffs are. It's a great thing to be a part of, and it's it's okay to hang your shoulders and not making it. But it's also, you know, it's it's for it could be for the best. It gives them a better chance at a better draft pick, which Wild have not had the opportunity to draft high, Um,



Jessi Pierce: 8:18

because even when they finished, not that great. They've never been the worst team in the league, like there's been times, where they've obviously missed the playoffs. There's been times where they've made the playoffs, and but out in the first round. But they've never been they've never been. You know, the Detroit Red Wings of 2019 2020. You know where they're winning 12 games and that's it



Jessi Pierce: 8:34

12 games. I just can't believe that my God,



Alexis Pearson: 8:37

yeah, so you know, I don't want to see them tank because watching the team that you cover lose is not fun. Watching the team you cheer for is a fan. Lose is not fun, but at the same time, you look towards the future and you say Okay, what do they have to do? to to be good in the future because I'd rather have one really bad season and just rip the Band Aid, get it over with and start to move forward rather than have 10 seasons like that. And then, you know, at some point something flips around, so it's hard. It's painful. It's not a fun topic t cover because, you know, truthfully, no one wants anybody to tank and no team wants to tank. Um, but you look at and you say, Well, what are the benefits of, you know, maybe missing the playoffs or what are the benefits of getting a better draft pick here or being able to make a big trade or free up some cap space and sign? You know, a certain player that the team is maybe missing, but they've made moves to get younger here within the last year. Last year, they were the oldest team in the league, and the trades they made the trade deadline got the team a little bit younger. Um, obviously getting Kaprizov on the team is gonna lower the average age of the team as well next year. So they're doing some of the right things and it might not feel drastic because they're so spread out. As far as you know, when changes are coming. And you got a new GM in for this year. And so there's a lot of things happening. Um, and I think that if we just give it a little bit more time, we see how this season finishes. We could see, you know, we talked about it last episode. We could see a coaching change, you know, by the end of the year. Ah, coming into next year. So there's some things that might change here within the next 6 to 8 months. Um, that set up the wild for a better season next year. But ah, we'll see what happens in the next month as the trade light trade deadline approaches?



Jessi Pierce: 10:14

What if you know, I'm glad you mentioned the deadline, because that's definite.



Fred Veinfurt: 10:17

What if Kaprizov doesn't come? What if he doesn't come? like that's a thing everyone's been saying,



Alexis Pearson: 10:23

You're gonna get Wild fans with pitchforks in your front yard?



Fred Veinfurt: 10:25

I had to I had a head to step up. What if he doesn't come? What if Putin goes to him, says you're in Moscow, You're for the Russia Russia team and he doesn't come.



Jessi Pierce: 10:35

I mean devastation across



Alexis Pearson: 10:38

I'm gonna go into hibernation if that happens.



Jessi Pierce: 10:39

I mean, that's a very it's a valid today. They've been waiting and pining for him, and I mean, I will be, frankly, a little shocked. I think there's always the chance he's your Fred's, right? I mean, don't say this very often Fred, you're right. That's a good point. Uh, he might not. I mean, I'm not as concerned about I think it is. I think he think he joins the team next year. Um,



Alexis Pearson: 11:02

I think that it's important the wild get those pieces around him because I think if he sees that and sees, you know,



Jessi Pierce: 11:07

get him excited to be here



Alexis Pearson: 11:09

Give him, a reason to want to come play, you know, do your best to finish the season. You know, with some positives, whatever that means. Whether that's, you know, making some trades or getting into the playoffs or making a playoff run, you know if that's an opportunity for them. But finish with some positives, set the team up for some kind of success next year so that Kaprizov wants to complain here. So we're not twisting his arm behind his back and say, get your butt over there.



Jessi Pierce: 11:33

Us Minnesotans just want to be liked. Right, like, please, like us please be a part of us. Yeah. Um, you know, you mentioned trades and obviously the trade deadline coming up here at the end of the month already. Um, you gotta look at the pieces and you're gonna hate me, Alexis and I apologize.



Alexis Pearson: 11:48

Don't say it



Jessi Pierce: 11:49

Marcus Foligno.



Alexis Pearson: 11:50

No,



Jessi Pierce: 11:51

I love Marcus Foligno. Just not quite as much as you, but, like, I really enjoy him. Um, he's been so much fun to watch. He's a great leader in the in the locker room, a great person. He says what needs to be said, and he's really stepped up his play, too. However, that being said, that also makes him a very tradable piece. Unfortunately,



Alexis Pearson: 12:12

Too much darn you Marcus Foligno



Jessi Pierce: 12:14

Exactly. I mean, I think you gotta look at him. You gotta look at Jonas Brodin. You've gotta look at Jason Zucker as maybe your three most tradable assets. Um, you know, I think Mikko is another very small possibility. I think Bill Guerin could possibly approach him on waving that Ah, that No move cause But I think those three would be your biggest, biggest potential gets on the market. Um, of I mean, I I have a good idea where you might sit with this, Alexis, But where would you sit, You know, given those three, um, who would you place as number one your money on? On going? Possibly.



Alexis Pearson: 12:48

Ah, well, there's a couple different ways you can approach it. I think we could get the most for Jason Zucker. And I think that's been the case for the past years or so, you know, we came. The wild came, you know, within seconds of signing a deal with with him leaving the team. So, um, we we know that there's a possibility that he could be gone because there's teams have been interested in. Why wouldn't they be? Is a dynamic player. He's a fast skater. He you know, he's got a lot of energy. He's a guy that teams would want to have, you know, playing for them. And so I think the Wild could get the most for Jason Zucker. Um, I think a guy like Marcus Foligno, he the way he's been playing, and that's the thing is that he's played like this before. It's not like this is the first we've ever seen Marcus Foligno have like a streak here where he's playing well, but he's the kind of guy who he reminds me of, a slightly better version of Cal Clutterbuck in the sense that you know he's he's aggressive, he's gonna You're gonna annoy your the opponents. He's gonna get in their grill. But he can also put the park in the back of the net if you need him to. He's got that feistiness to him but also can score, Um, which in today's day and age, you don't see as much in players anymore because the game is much less violent and in all that than it used to be. So a lot of players don't have that side to them because they haven't needed to. You know, it's now. It's about speed and scoring and all of that where you know you don't have to have all of that, you know, 50 years ago. Now it's much more rare to see a guy like Marcus Foligno, I think at least, um so I think there's value in that, Um, and



Jessi Pierce: 14:17

He's a guy you want on your team in the playoffs. I think he is the exact type of player that almost every team could benefit from having when it comes down to the playoffs because he will grind it out, give you every and I mwan It's not to say on another team. He's a top, too. You know. Top six he's certainly a third and fourth line, appropriately here and elsewhere. Um, but he's that guy that I think you want on your side of the bench. When it comes to playoffs, especially,



Alexis Pearson: 14:43

well, he's and he's the perfect third or fourth liner. You know it's not. It's not like, Oh, we're stuck with him. We gotta throw him on the line. It's like you need him on that line. Because if you anybody who watches the wild and sees Marcus Foligno's line, get on the ice, you feel comfortable with you feel like you're in safe hands, you know that they're gonna get their job done and when they get off the ice, you know, there you feel comfortable that they did what they needed to do and he you know, it's sad because I just started my fan club, and if everything ends now, it'll all be for nothing. I got people tweeting at me. It's funny because, you know, I tweet about him like 85 times a day, but



Jessi Pierce: 15:18

that's it?



Alexis Pearson: 15:18

It's I low balled that one. Um, I have people tweet at me, saying exactly what you brought up, that he's now a viable trade at the trade deadline because of the way he's been playing. So I would be really sad to see him Brodin, Zucker. Anybody go? It's hard to see players get traded, but I think we could get the most for Zucker. Um, and I think that, uh, I'd be surprised if Brodin in left if he if he got traded. But again, you know, he's got a lot of value. He's a great skater. Um ah. Reliable defenseman, um, also can put the puck in the back of the net for, you know, from the blue line. So he has value to him as well. But I just think knowing how close we came to seeing Zucker be gone before, I would not be surprised if he's one of the guys that go, but he has speed and the wild don't have speed. So every time we have this conversation with people, I'm like, you know what? I like that we could probably get something for Jason Zucker. But to see that speed be gone, I I would have to hope that if they do get rid of him, they get someone in return who's just as, quick as him and then hopefully has other assets as well. That would be valuable to the team. But that would be, I think, the hardest part to see go is the speed.



Jessi Pierce: 16:28

Oh, absolutely. And I mean, I think you're you're right there. He's the number one choice. They're not choice per se, but he is. He's the one that's gonna yield yield the most, Um, and again, part of trading would be going back to original point of Do you kind of shake it all up again in that locker room and start from scratch again? Remember, this is not Bill Guerin's team. Yeah, he inherited this team, so he's gonna be, you know, he's been very patient. We talked about that last episode, but it'll be interesting to see I don't I know. Ah, I read Michael Russo's athletic piece. The other day, and Bill had told him he's taking phone calls and, you know, as any good GM should and at all times by by certain by all means. But, um, you know it. It means that it's that time of year where players probably aren't getting as much. Well, rest at night, as they. Ah, as the vultures kind start to circle and keep an eye out for guys that they could they could poach. Um, so what do you guys think? Do you think that you want to see the wild just kind of say, Ah, heck with it. Let's build for next year or do you want to see them make a push and and be that bubble team that we've kind of known And I'm gonna keep saying bubble team because I think even if they do find themselves in a playoff position, I don't know that you're going to see them go much further than we have in the past.



Alexis Pearson: 17:36

And they'll likely be a wild card spot. If they do make it I mean, I they have to win, you know, 20 of their remaining 30 games or whatever it is to get into the top three in the division. But, yeah,



Jessi Pierce: 17:45

exactly. And there's in. It's a tough division. It's a tough conference. It's going to be one of those ones. I mean, technically, you know St. Louis is with 68 points, Colorado 62. Those are the only two that are kind of starting to run away with it a little bit, but it's at any given night. Things can. Things can change so quickly, as everybody knows. So it'll be interesting to see how, ah, how they return from this break. It will be interesting to see what happens again. We love to hear your thoughts, shoot us a note and let us know. Do you want to see him rebuild them? Just start from scratch and, ah, build around Kaprizov? Or should they try to make it work with what we've got at us and let us know? And before we head to our break with guest Pat Micheletti, we want to give another big shout out to our supporters who went down and over to sota stick dot com to purchase their limited edition bardown beauties, logo, Ts and hoodies. Um, Bardown beauties had limited edition released courtesy of sota stick. Thanks so much for making our merchandising dreams come true. A big step stick tap to them for helping us With this first launch, there'll be plenty more so if you didn't grab your gear in this first run, we'll be sure to have another window open up on down the road. A reminder toss down that bardown beauties code at checkout to receive free shipping on all of your purchases at sota stick dot com. Now joining us Everyone's favorite Iron Ranger who hails from a very long hockey bloodline. You can hear him on, uh, KFAN's beyond the pond on fan line. Westwood One Sports With Jim Rich Covering St. Cloud.



Pat Micheletti: 19:22

Yeah,



Jessi Pierce: 19:22

What else? We got? Pat everything.



Pat Micheletti: 19:23

Iowa Wild.



Jessi Pierce: 19:24

Iowa wild.



Pat Micheletti: 19:25

Ah, fan line.



Jessi Pierce: 19:27

Yeah.



Pat Micheletti: 19:28

Did we mention that?



Jessi Pierce: 19:28

We mentioned that one.



Pat Micheletti: 19:29

I don't know. Wherever. Wherever. I don't care.



Jessi Pierce: 19:31

You're everywhere.



Pat Micheletti: 19:32

You know what? Um, Doesn't matter. We all love the game, right? Yes. So we all want to be part of it, and it's what we do,



Jessi Pierce: 19:40

right? In case you have figured out, I suppose I haven't officially said your name. Pat thanks. So much for joining us on. Bardown Beauties today.



Pat Micheletti: 19:49

It's great. I'm honored to be with you two today. Very honored



Jessi Pierce: 19:53

We are honored



Pat Micheletti: 19:53

because this is what episode? five. Took five to get. Thanks.



Alexis Pearson: 19:59

I tried to get you on one Pat, if it makes you feel any better.



Pat Micheletti: 20:01

I know well. I know you did. I appreciate it.



Jessi Pierce: 20:05

Yeah, of course. Well, we're here now.



Pat Micheletti: 20:07

Yes.



Jessi Pierce: 20:08

This is the first of many, I predict.



Pat Micheletti: 20:09

I hope so. I think so. Yeah. We'll see how I do today. Little nervous?



Alexis Pearson: 20:14

It's an audition?



Pat Micheletti: 20:15

Yeah.



Jessi Pierce: 20:16

You know, let's kick things off with wild hockey. You're familiar. You Ah, you know. What do you think of where the Wild are at? So far as we're on this break. Do you think the break came at a good time for the team?



Pat Micheletti: 20:28

Well, where are we at? With a wild, um, they're 12th place team in the West. I mean, we have to be realistic. Um, and here's what I will say, Um, one thing I've noticed from a year ago or even two years and watching this team forever. Aah! They've worked hard all year. They have, and there hasn't been a game where you say ah I'm bored. The effort wasn't there where there were times in the past that, you know, we could just see that the effort wasn't there. On certain nights, they've worked hard every night, every heart. Every win is a hard win, Even the game against Detroit. It one would look at it and say it should have been easier game. It was a hard game, and and they've had to win a lot of hard games. Um, five points out with this break coming up. But you have to climb four teams. Not impossible, as we all know. With the blues. Um, but they're not the blues, you know. They're they're different team than the blues were a year ago. So, you know, um, I think right now they know it's all about attitude and and not looking at the standings and not getting down and just trying to grind it out in one. You know, the old cliche, one game at a time, and and, um, and try to find some wins and get back, Get back in the mix.



Alexis Pearson: 21:49

We're about a month away from the trade deadline last year. This time, Paul Fenton really flip things around. And everybody do You think Billy Guerin is the kind of guy who would do something similar. He seemed to be patient thus far where there could have been points where he could have done something and waited. Do you think he's gonna make any big moves come end of February?



Pat Micheletti: 22:07

I think it would have to be the right deal. I I really I don't think we'll see as much movement, as some people have talked about. There's a lot of names that we could throw and and that's always tough because, you know, um, you know these players have families and and they're you know, um, they're part of the community and they're part of the team. It is a business we all know and trades happen. But if I were the GM, I wouldn't trade anybody unless I got a better return. That's hard to do. But you know, for where they are, I mean, because if you're looking at it, you know, let's let's throw some names That that would be potential guys that they could move, you know, Jonas Brodin, Jason Zucker, Matt Dumba Marcus Foligno. Um, you know while That's probably exactly right. You know Eriksson Ek, Luke Kunin. They're young guys. And so I think what the management will have to determine is if our are these guys gonna be part of what we're trying to build. And, um, that's what they're gonna have to answer in the next month. And and, you know, I think if if a great deal is there, they'll probably do it. But I don't I really don't think that we'll see much movement,



Jessi Pierce: 23:32

right? Alexis and I kind of had our own take at the beginning.



Pat Micheletti: 23:34

What are your takes. I really would



Jessi Pierce: 23:37

you know, I guess we struggle with Do the wild sink the ship per se. You know, do they clean house and try to start all over and say, You know what? This is just not our year. Or do they continue to make that fight and make that climb and be the bubble team that we've seen them be? What are your thoughts, would you prefer? Which would you prefer to go with?



Pat Micheletti: 23:54

Well, I don't think you can clean. I just don't think it's possible to do that with the no move contracts, you know, now if they really wanted to Ah, and they went to the people. The players who have the no moves and said, Listen and say, Listen, you know, um were rebuilding and we want to give you an opportunity to win a cup or a chance to win a cup, you know? Do do Do they go to Mikko? Do they go to Ryan Suter? Do they go to Zach? Um, you know, even Zuccarello, uh, you know, not Spurgeon. Probably. They just signed him, you know, And But if they went to one of those guys are a couple of those guys. That's the only way that they would be able to, you know, move those. No move contracts. So and I don't think it's possible. Then you have to have a suitor for him, right? And then who's gonna want to take on? A no move. Um, the term of you know, I know Mikko's up. Staal's got another year. I think he has a limited no move. Jason as, ah limited. No move. So and and age. And guess what? Minnesota is not the only team in the league that wants to get younger, you know. Yeah, but there might be a team that, um, needs boy boy be nice to have Foligno on our third line. You know a checking role, right?



Jessi Pierce: 25:26

Especially heading into the playoffs



Pat Micheletti: 25:27

Even a fourth line when it comes to playoffs, because you you guys know that the playoffs are completely different. Animal. Look at the Blues last year. I mean, they just they didn't beat up teams, but they wore down teams every night and they played four lines. And there D are you know they're there, monster trees, right? And you couldn't get, couldn't get through him. And then Bennington was great. So, um, it's really hard. I think it's really hard to move to move guys.



Alexis Pearson: 26:00

Well, and last year, the Wild, we're the oldest team in the league until they made some of those changes that, you know, come the second half of the season. And I think you know the question of, you know, tank or fight has been going on for probably about a year. I would say it's been a big topic in Minnesota here, and I think last year when we made those moves, everyone was panicking. I was panicking. I'm like, Who did we bring in? Who did we get rid of? And now you look at it and we got the better half of the deal on all of those so far. Charlie signed a big contract in Boston. But you got Nino and Granny. You know, as far as points go, we got the better side of that deal. So do you think that's maybe, like, helped fans a little bit? Say, if big changes come now, do you think they'll handle it better than maybe everyone handled it last year.



Pat Micheletti: 26:41

The problem with with with the fans and, you know, with with all of us, right. Um, these guys Charlie Coyle was here for five years. Six years. Nino was.



Alexis Pearson: 26:53

They were fan favorites.



Pat Micheletti: 26:54

Granny was Yeah, good guys. You know, everyone. Everyone liked em. There they were. They were They were great to the fans. Always, um And so it's like losing, you know, your best friend, right? Because the fans connect to the players and automatically Victor Rask, like him or not. You know, he was the worst player ever, ever. Kevin Fiala was the worst, right? When he go, you know,



Alexis Pearson: 27:24

Ryan Donato was the only one who showed some promise when he came last year.



Pat Micheletti: 27:27

And guess what? Everyone jumped on him. Yeah, you know, boy he's gonna be He's gonna be this that the other thing. Um,



Jessi Pierce: 27:33

because did you? I mean, there was the immediate return that Carolina got in Nino, which were



Alexis Pearson: 27:39

That always happens to us though,



Pat Micheletti: 27:42

now, Look at Nino this year, you know, he's struggled look at Granny



Jessi Pierce: 27:45

Granny looks like he might be on the move again



Pat Micheletti: 27:47

You know. Listen, I, um I had to, you know, explain, in my view, why they did what they did. And, you know, I got just, you know, beaten on because of, you know,



Alexis Pearson: 28:03

Don't you love this job Pat.



Pat Micheletti: 28:05

Because But you know, the question with Granlund let's talk about Granlund. Were you going to pay him eight million? Okay. Was he eight million? I love Granny as a player. I really do. I think he did. You know, I thought he I think he's a centerman, but that's another topic for another day. But their problem was you know what? A lot of people thought well it could, could have waited and got more for him.



Alexis Pearson: 28:29

That's what I my opinion when it happened, originally Yeah.



Pat Micheletti: 28:33

I don't know that, you know? I mean,



Alexis Pearson: 28:35

and how long do you wait then, right? Yeah.



Pat Micheletti: 28:37

And you know, rumors all he could have got this. I don't know. You know, only Paul, Fenton knows. And Tom Kurvers and the staff right and so But when you look at it, you know Kevin Fiala's, 23 we've seen what he can do. No, he still has a long way to go and learning the game and all that stuff, but his talent is off the charts. Um, so I don't know, You know, it's It's ah, it's tough.



Jessi Pierce: 29:05

And I think, I mean, not to keep harping on those, but I think those changes needed to be made. I think you look at the team that was there and in place. And that team wasn't a contender. It was not a contending team. I think you needed to move in as much as it did Pain to see just great guys and good hockey players leave the organization when they've become such a part of it. That foundation needed to be taken apart



Pat Micheletti: 29:24

Well, that their opportunity was and you guys will recall this. Um I think they were 2nd 3rd 4th in the league. I can't recall. But Chuck Fletcher thought they could make a run, and they thought they needed a centerman to shut down Jonathan Toews and they made the deal with Arizona to get Martin Hanzal.



Alexis Pearson: 29:46

That was the worst trade the Wild have ever made.



Pat Micheletti: 29:48

Well, in retrospect, right? He's out of the league and he had the bad back.



Alexis Pearson: 29:54

Ask my dad about that. When he hears this part of the episode, he's gonna cry because he still is not over that.



Pat Micheletti: 30:01

But. But that team had a lot of chemistry, and then the deal was made right? And I can't recall the other piece that they'd gotten it from Arizona. But he



Alexis Pearson: 30:12

It was Ryan White wasn't it.



Pat Micheletti: 30:14

Thank you. So he jumped into the lineup. All of a sudden it was a different. It was just a different team, nothing against those two people. Um, but it didn't work. They started playing bad, and, um And then they played the blues, obviously. And and, uh, you know, uh, you know, in a series that they should have won that there. They were better than the blues, no question. And they didn't get great goaltending. The blues got great goaltending.



Jessi Pierce: 30:44

That's the difference



Pat Micheletti: 30:45

Series over, right? so



Jessi Pierce: 30:47

you know, I mean, and that's that's kind of the problem with the Wild too they might make the playoffs, but they peter out the first round. What do you think that needs to change in in this team and even in the culture of the organization or something in order to make it past the first round? Or, God forbid, you know, to the conference finals even. I mean, what is it that what are the missing pieces? And because I don't think it's just one. I think there are multiple things that need to happen in order for the wild to truly become. And I don't think, unfortunately, it's in the immediate future. I think it's something that we have to look long term on.



Pat Micheletti: 31:19

Well, I really think you have to be strong up the middle, and and I think you need a dynamic. You don't need a Connor McDavid, It be nice. You know, you don't need it would take, you know, but you need you need someone dynamic with speed through the middle and they if you look back, they've never had that. If you think back to when they first came in the league, you know? Ah, Wes Walz was was a great skater, you know? Ah, little dynamic, but he's more of, ah, defensive type guy, right? He wasn't gonna. They need a guy who can put up 70 80 points who can change the game. Who on a night When? When You're not. When you when You don't have it as a team, Um, that spark to get you, that the third goal or the tying goal or something. And they've lacked that.



Jessi Pierce: 32:12

That electric player?



Pat Micheletti: 32:13

Yeah.



Jessi Pierce: 32:14

I think Minnesota has not Marion Gaborik is the only player that comes to mind, right? That



Pat Micheletti: 32:18

now, now people will buy tickets next year. When he comes Kaprizov will be their best player and he will be a star. And, um and that's why I'm optimistic about the future. Because if if if if they're smart, and they could move some pieces around, um, this team is loaded right now with a lot of bottom six players, good players, but they're put their bottom six, right? You look at that third line. I'd keep that third line together for the next five years and have another team have to play against that and that line. Oh, that would be wonderful. But they got to improve their top six. Now. You could improve your top six in a hurry. Kaprizov and you get a good draft pick, and all of a sudden you're top six changes, Right? You got Fiala, you got You know, Zucker, if if he's still part of it, um uh, you know, and then to two other guys. Well, that's 4, 6 you know, and then you've got you've got a chance. You know what the defense that you have, Um and that's why it's kind of, you know, with with the top four defensemen that they have, right, they give themselves a chance to make the playoffs every year. They do, um and so but if they can improve up front boy, all of a sudden doesn't take that long.



Alexis Pearson: 33:41

Well, do you think maybe the at least, this is the way that I felt about it? But do you think maybe there's gonna be some hesitation by Guerin to make big changes? Knowing Kaprizov is coming and maybe saying Let's wait a year. See how he meshes with the team we have, you know, maybe they'll make little moves here and there come the trade deadline. But as far as those big name changes that people are kind of holding their breath on, do you think there's gonna be maybe some hesitation just knowing Kaprizov is coming? Or do you think that'll make him want to make big moves even more?



Pat Micheletti: 34:08

Um, patience is tough Um, but I know I think if there's an opportunity to do something, he's gonna do it.



Alexis Pearson: 34:17

Yeah,



Pat Micheletti: 34:18

I really



Alexis Pearson: 34:18

If the right offer's there



Pat Micheletti: 34:20

I really I really believe that, I mean, there's gonna be decisions that are gonna have to be made on players this summer. No question about it. What do you do with Mikko's contracts up? Does he still want to play? Um, do they want to sign him? Um, and you know, always talked about Eric Staal. He's going to the All Star game, right? He's got another year in his contract, but he's gonna be 36. And so, um, you know it. Listen, I what Eric Staal has done offensively in the years he's been here, has been, you know, it's been terrific, right? Just think if they got a dynamic center in here and now all that pressure is taken off of him he can be your second line center, right? And teams don't look at Minnesota and say, Stop. We shut down the Staal line We win. Yeah, that goes away, you know, because you've got two lines that come at you. Um, so it'll be interesting to see what what Billy does,



Jessi Pierce: 35:25

especially since he's a former player. I mean, he's got that competitive drive. You see it around him. I mean,



Alexis Pearson: 35:30

and he's won. So he knows



Pat Micheletti: 35:32

Olympics Stanley Cups, and Hall of fame. And you know, so I think, uh, from a management perspective, too, they're They're in really good shape. You know, Tom Kurvers is one of these sharpest minds. Um, and, you know, great to have him as an assistant GM. Then you bring in Mike Modano was played in the, you know, for so many years, you and Billy. So you got two Hall of Famers and you know, so that it all starts at the top. It does? Yeah. And so I think they're I think they're in really, really good shape. And you have patience, you know? Yeah, but but, you know, I mean,



Jessi Pierce: 36:11

20 years has been patient has it not



Pat Micheletti: 36:14

This isn't their team yet. Yeah, at all. You know, they have. Have they made a move. I don't think they've made a move yet right no. And so, um so I think, uh, I think it's been a really good, um, maybe good for Billy Just to see what he's got. Yeah, and Modano to see what they have. And, you know, they'll come together and and hopefully make the right moves.



Jessi Pierce: 36:39

And what do you think that means for Bruce as well knowing that This is his final.



Pat Micheletti: 36:43

That that's really interesting. We've see 9, 8 coaches.



Alexis Pearson: 36:47

8 If you include Peters,



Pat Micheletti: 36:49

I mean, yeah. Yeah, right. Yeah. I mean, it's crazy. You know, Gallant in Vegas. They



Alexis Pearson: 36:56

That blew my mind. Yeah.



Jessi Pierce: 36:58

Alexis is still recovering



Alexis Pearson: 36:59

Still. Yeah. They were, like, two points out of first place when he got fired. three Yeah,



Pat Micheletti: 37:04

I was talking to a college coach the other day, and I said, You know, you, uh, well, I won't name but whose name has been mentioned for a lot of jobs. And I said, What do you think? He says,



Jessi Pierce: 37:14

buddy up in Duluth, perhaps.



Pat Micheletti: 37:17

Would you go? Yeah. There's nine guys. 9 Really good coaches Eight. Really good coaches get canned, you know? And so Ah, there's a lot of pressure to win If you don't win, you know, it's easier to replace a coach right than 20 players.



Alexis Pearson: 37:35

Well, apparently, if you're winning, you could get replaced, too, because if Vegas that proved anything. I mean, what do you gotta do my goodness.



Pat Micheletti: 37:41

Isn't that the truth? Yeah. So who knows? Um, I don't know. Bruce is done I think a terrific job has. And I say this because they could have with 13 of 18 on the road to start the year and the and the record wasn't great. And they were don't and not to me. Going nine and nine would have been great. You know, that keeps you in the mix and not chasing.



Alexis Pearson: 38:08

You gotta be .500 on the road.



Pat Micheletti: 38:09

Yeah, and they were a little bit behind that, but and they were down and they got beat and and they could've gone really in the tank right then. And he kept them together. He kept saying, You guys can play. You're good, you know? And, uh, and they went on the, you know, little run. You know, it's fallen a little bit as of late, but But that being said to be able to keep the team together. And, um, I think he's done a great job



Alexis Pearson: 38:36

well in the past two year and 1/2 2 years, he's got a lot thrown at him as far as having to deal with different trades injured. I mean, think about some of the injuries the wild have had this year. They've been lucky knock on wood, but last year they had a lot of big injuries. I mean, that's not easy to handle as a coach, and you expect at this level of them to be able to handle anything, which, in a sense, yes, they should be able to, but doesn't mean it's easy to take care of those problems. And I thought, I've always said, You know, you can say what you want about Bruce. You can like him, dislike him, whatever. But he has handled everything that's been thrown at him in such a way that a lot of coaches wouldn't be able to



Pat Micheletti: 39:10

No. I mean, think about it, and we know last year I mean, there were times he had to play guys that that he didn't want to play, but he had to play them because management wanted them in the lineup for whatever reason. Either showcase em, or see what they could do or whatever. Now, as a coach, you wanna win every game. That's why you coach, right? You you don't coach to lose and in on he for him that I don't bite his tongue or just go along company line and do what he did it. And so, um, you don't be careful what you wish for you too be careful because you know, you might say. Oh, thank God he's gone. Or, you know, whatever the case may be the next coach, you don't know, you don't know, you know, And, uh, and Bruce is a great guy, and, you know,



Alexis Pearson: 40:01

the players respect him.



Pat Micheletti: 40:02

Players respect him, and and, uh, and I think the fans do too, you know,



Jessi Pierce: 40:08

and from the media. We love him every single day,



Pat Micheletti: 40:11

never disrespectful to, you at all



Jessi Pierce: 40:12

know, And he's



Pat Micheletti: 40:13

answers questions. And even in a time where Listen, we're not all happy if you are in a great mood, right? And but, you know, he still takes the time to talk to you, and, uh, you know, So I think that's that's important, too,



Jessi Pierce: 40:29

you know, And switching gears a little bit now to college hockey. You'd mentioned some college coaches. Yeah, Familiar. How are things that you're proud Gopher alum. Let's start there. How are things looking at Uh, Mariucci, I will always just call it Mariucci. I apologize. But how are things looking?



Pat Micheletti: 40:47

You know, I see a lot of college hockey teams, and the one thing I've noticed is, um, the mean there's talent galore right there. There is, There's no doubt. And the Gophers, they're not short of talent. But, you know, you look at a team like Minnesota State, all right, You look at a team like Duluth. Um, these teams are older and more mature, and this is no excuse for Bemidji or Minnesota or Wisconsin or whoever. But the maturity factor now in college hockey is is so important. If you don't have older players, it's really difficult. And I always go back. I go back to this one. When I went to Minnesota, we had a great record recruiting class. One guy cost us a national championship and that's Phil Housley, from your hometown, because



Alexis Pearson: 41:40

South St. Paul Packer



Pat Micheletti: 41:41

because he signed with the Buffalo Sabres instead of coming to Minnesota. Same age, same class. And, you know, we had a great class. Corey Millen, Tony Kellen Bunch of Wally Chapman. We had a bunch of 1st 2nd round picks, Um, and me ninth round. But point being it, we came in and we weren't expected to be to carry the mail, right? We had Scott Bjugstad, Butsy Erickson, Steve Griffith, Tom Hirsch, Dave Jensen, all Olympians, Okay, And, ah, they were They were juniors and seniors seniors, okay? And we just had to play the part, play the role until it was our time. Now, especially Minnesota. You've got young guys, freshmen and sophomores who are expected to be your leading scores your leaders, when they're not mature enough yet. And it's and they're great players and they're gonna be great players, and they'll probably make it. But when you have, when you have a bunch of those, it's tough. I looked at Saint Cloud this year last year While you know Jimmy Schuldt, Ryan Poehling, Blake Lizotte. You know Jon Lizotte The list goes on upperclassmen, They were a great team. You know what what happened happened, but but you know they were there is good or better than any team in the country. And But they were older and more mature. And then



Alexis Pearson: 43:12

And they got lucky that some of the guys chose to come back for another year rather than go play in the NHL. You had Jimmy. Who could have left You had Robby. You had Pat. I mean, you had a big group of guys who wanted to keep playing. Yeah,



Pat Micheletti: 43:25

and and and that's why they were so good. But if you don't have that, it makes it. It makes it hard to win. I mean, you have school, you have, You know, you're living away from home here. All of those things come into play in it. It's really it's It's not easy. Um, so Minnesota, um, it, you know, obviously they have to win the Big 10 title to to go now to the NCAAs. In my opinion, they won't climb high enough. I don't know if they can do that. Hopefully, they'll be better here in the second half. But, you know, it's just Ah, I think Bob's a really good coach and he knows what he's doing. And he has a plan So with that, if he can just keep guys a little bit longer in their careers, I think they're gonna be real good.



Jessi Pierce: 44:15

And do you think? I mean, it's exciting for anybody who loves hockey, college hockey, especially to see the parity in college hockey now, all right, I mean, but do you think that also kind of hurts the Gophers It's no longer people, you know, Minnesota kids wanting to go play for the U necessarily. It's I want to go to St. Cloud. I want to go to UMD I mean. It's exciting, but it's also kind of bittersweet to see right.



Pat Micheletti: 44:35

Well, it's awesome to see, quite frankly, and we got five great programs and we have five great coaches here. We really do! And yeah, it's the parity is because all these teams have upgraded their facilities and they all have the same things. Now, you know, Minnesota might have a little pit more than Bemidji State per se, but But look at their their arenas beautiful up there. And Tom Serratore does a terrific job up there. Um, boy, I wish the WCHA was back, huh? Yeah. Uh, don't get me started, But what I was gonna know, But now that we did No, I think what we need to do in college hockey because we've seen Ah, the attendance go down. And not only at Mariucci, but at other places around the country. And, you know, we're not college basketball. We're not college football. And, um well, we are a regional sport, right? Can you imagine? Now, you know, with the five programs how good that they are ever. In my opinion, every building would be packed because everyone still hates the Gophers And and those teams think that they're good and they are, you know, the St. clouds the Mankatos. Minnesota State Excuse UMD, Back to back national championships. You know what pride every one of them has Pride. It's not like, you know, it's Gopher weekend. Right now. The Gophers, they're on their schedule or whatever or not on their schedule. And that's how they look at it. Before they used to mark oh The Gophers are coming to town. They don't do that anymore because they have. We're on the same level. We're better than they are and, quite frankly UMD's proven that past you know, decade right and St. Cloud has and Minnesota State has. And you know, no one wants to play Bemidji every, you know, every Friday and Saturday night because they come at ya and they, you know, they're They're they're a tough they're tough out, very tough out. And so, um, I just Yeah, it's it's it's too bad that we're not smarter about how we can do things, in my opinion. But that's just me.



Jessi Pierce: 46:53

I love your hot takes, though, you know, since you brought it up and, well, we can't. We'll just touch on it. What would you say? That maybe the big 10 for instance, has to do in order to re engage the fan base? I mean, I went to a game earlier this year. I got free tickets, courtesy of KFAN actually, um, and it was it was empty, and it was heartbreaking to see I was a girl that every Friday, Saturday I'm watching Gopher hockey, and because I was you know, it was it was hard to get a ticket back then, um, you know, and yes, we could say that would be nice for the WCHA to come back. Fact is, it's not, You know, we have to move on, but also all the same people that seem to complain about attendance are not out there buying tickets to go to the games either. Which always kind of frustrates me. Where I'll throw that back at them challenge folks that don't like the Big 10. Well, buy a ticket. Come support it. And I mean, you don't have another option. What would you say? Needs to change?



Pat Micheletti: 47:39

Well, this it's a It's a dicey one because it always involves money, right? And, um, you know that we know the Big 10 network supplies a lot of money to these schools. I wish that, you know, I really don't think I think they have to t. Look at it. Each sport differently. I really do. I don't think people would mind seeing a Michigan versus a North Dakota on the Big 10 network. You know, I don't think



Alexis Pearson: 48:08

I'd watch that.



Pat Micheletti: 48:09

Yeah, right. Right. North Dakota, this year. I don't think people would mind watching UMD versus Wisconsin or whatever. So I think the Big 10 network should really open it up to letting other teams be part of it. Yeah, you know, and get the coverage. Um, you know, if one big 10 team has to be on there fine, you know, But even even even that being said, I think I don't think there's a problem and and having, you know a WCHA team against ah ah, you know NCHC team, whatever. But I think that we all need to work together if we want it to be the best that it can be. Because college hockey, you guys know is terrific to watch. It is, It is. Ah, it's really a lot of fun. And and cause you got kids playing every Friday and Saturday only Nights they play, Um, and they work hard and they're talented and



Jessi Pierce: 49:07

it's that pride thing



Pat Micheletti: 49:08

it really, really is. And it's gotten. It's gotten, um, so much better in terms of depth. You know, all four lines can can play, so I I just I think it's a great game that we gotta kind of grab ahold of and fix it.



Jessi Pierce: 49:26

Who's your player to watch? You think for the rest of the season on any team across the board, you've seen a lot of Yeah, college wise.



Pat Micheletti: 49:31

I think Scott Perunovich is the best player in college hockey I. I don't even hesitate with that. Granted, he is from Hibbing. But But But But I'll tell you why too, um, I was He was a sophomore in high school and we interviewed John Mayasich the godfather of hockey, the best player to ever come out of here, in my opinion, all right, and and I love the guy. He's just terrific and he and he just out of the blue, said to me, He said, I gotta tell you something and this is on the air Just you know, I was asking questions and I stop and he says, There's a kid who's a sophomore and it's the best player I've ever seen Come out of the Iron Range. I'm like, what? You know



Jessi Pierce: 50:17

over you?



Pat Micheletti: 50:19

God I was like 100 but and he said Scott Perunovich and and I hadn't seen him. I know the family and you know, But I had never didn't get up ever get up to see him play and ah, I watched him play at UMD for the past two years now, his third year, and he just does things that are are incredible. Um, and he's a good kid, and I just I really I've seen a lot of players, but I just haven't seen anyone with the poise that that he possesses



Jessi Pierce: 50:50

Does UMD have a shot at? Yep. Going for another title then?



Pat Micheletti: 50:52

They do. Yeah. Without a doubt, they get swept last weekend by St. Cloud Excuse me. And, um um, St. Cloud was a desperate team. Yeah, they needed points. They got swept in Denver, played good, but they needed points. And and Scott Sandlin's teams, they just trend, they trend. And they've been trending up and they didn't play. Ah, bad series again. St. Cloud State Played good. And they got great goaltending what you need. Right? And Friday night, both of St. Cloud's goals go off the UMD sticks.



Alexis Pearson: 51:35

Minnesota wild?



Pat Micheletti: 51:37

And you know, so that happens. But I think I think, um, Scott does a terrific job at Duluth and he's got a poised team and they know what they're doing. And that's the thing They may have lost, too, and they've got North Dakota coming this weekend, but I just think that they're a team that could be back in Detroit.



Jessi Pierce: 51:57

We'll end it with one more hot take. Who's a Stanley Cup champ this year,



Pat Micheletti: 52:01

huh! Wow, that that's a tough one. It really is.



Alexis Pearson: 52:06

I hate being asked that question. Cuz I'm like oh God, do I go with, like, the obvious answer. Do I give, like, a super hot take?



Pat Micheletti: 52:12

I was really high in Boston, but I'm not so sure,



Alexis Pearson: 52:17

They've kind of fallen off the wagon a little bit.



Pat Micheletti: 52:19

I'm not sure about Rask. Yeah, um, I like I like Tampa a lot. They say



Jessi Pierce: 52:24

Every year I like Tampa a lot.



Pat Micheletti: 52:25

Yeah, I mean, and, um,



Alexis Pearson: 52:27

Torts took em down last year, my favorite coach



Pat Micheletti: 52:30

Could be a wake up call, you know, and, uh and they've got a terrific goaltender in the West. Who do they play in the West? That that would be. That's a tough one.



Alexis Pearson: 52:41

I feel like it's always more of a toss up in the west than it is the East. The east always seems to be decided halfway through the season,



Pat Micheletti: 52:46

you know, probably three or four teams from the east right? That, you know, in the west, there's eight. Yeah, that make the playoffs. That could go on because the style you know, you get out, you run a hot goaltender in a series and you get confidence and, you know, you just were gonna win. We're gonna win. We're gonna win. Look at the blues. Last year,



Alexis Pearson: 53:07

the preds a couple years ago made that big round. They were eighth seed or whatever. Yeah.



Pat Micheletti: 53:11

I mean, you now Winnipeg



Jessi Pierce: 53:12

Do you like Arizona with what they've got working now. I mean, I think



Pat Micheletti: 53:15

I talked to someone in Arizona, and they're gonna make a deal at the at the deadline for sure. Um um, at least they're going to try awfully hard to grab a defenseman. And they think they're one defenseman short and and not necessarily a dynamic defenseman A stay at home defenseman, you know? Ah, they need another. Another D man. Um, what scares me? They're a little bit is, you know, can they trust Kuemper? Yeah, you know, or, you know, Raanta gets hurt and he every time he plays, he gets hurt and so they may go. It wouldn't shock me. Um, if they go after another goaltender too can they with Taylor Hall there. All the chips are in. You know, all the chips are in because if not and if there it would put it this way. If they fall in the next month and are out of it, they'll trade Taylor Hall because



Alexis Pearson: 54:08

one for one.



Pat Micheletti: 54:09

No, I mean, they would right. Yes, Um, they have to try to



Alexis Pearson: 54:14

Gonna be a while. Then before



Pat Micheletti: 54:15

they gotta, they got to try to sign him. But I think that I think they've got a chance. I really do. Um, you know, I think Phil Kessel can still play, obviously. And, uh so I like I like their team.



Jessi Pierce: 54:28

Wonderful. Well, Pat, thank you again So much.



Pat Micheletti: 54:32

Great to be on



Jessi Pierce: 54:33

You listen to this episode then right. Absolutely plenty more episodes.



Pat Micheletti: 54:41

Fred, you Did a great job,



Jessi Pierce: 54:42

Fred again. Pat Micheletti joining us. You could listen to him on KFAN's beyond the pond Saturday mornings and on wild fan line following the wild home games. Thanks again, Pat.



Pat Micheletti: 54:53

Thank you.



Jessi Pierce: 55:00

And we're back for our final segment of Bardown Beauties presented by sota stick In lieu of our state of hockey spotlight, we want to try a little something different new approach on and we opened it up to your guys Questions. We love hearing from everybody. Probably my favorite thing because most of you are really nice too, so really appreciate.



Alexis Pearson: 55:16

So far.



Jessi Pierce: 55:17

So far, yes, are only five EPs into this.



Alexis Pearson: 55:19

I don't think anyone's bullied us, yet



Jessi Pierce: 55:20

No. Not quite. That's not a challenge, by the way. Um, but so we're gonna have this mail bag every week as long as we get questions. So obviously feel free to slide into our DMs appropriately So, um, or shoot us an email as well. Um, so to kick things off, we have a tweet here from hockey. Mom underscore Alvin out in Colorado. She wants to know what our dream interview would be like. Hockey, related, alive or deceased. And why Alexis? Let's ah, let's hear your take.



Alexis Pearson: 55:47

I always have, like, a weird one for this, and I don't know if I've talked about on the podcast before, but I've definitely talked about it before. Um, I just want to be involved in a John Tortorella press conference that's like, That's like my



Jessi Pierce: 55:58

says, the person that's never been in a John Tortorella press conference. I don't know if you wanna wish that.



Alexis Pearson: 56:02

I want to be bullied by John Tortorella. Like, if I don't if I go my whole career, and John Tortorella never yells at me like shut my cellphone off. Or like? Like bullies. Or Like, tells me he doesn't want to answer my question. I have not lived yet, so I There's so many cool hockey players I would love to interview alive, dead whatever, but a John Tortorella press conference, I want to be involved in one someday.



Jessi Pierce: 56:25

You know, maybe



Alexis Pearson: 56:26

I just I'm crossing my fingers and toes



Jessi Pierce: 56:28

there. Just make sure you turn your phone off or leave it on. If you



Alexis Pearson: 56:31

No I want him to bully me, I'm gonna leave it on loud. Yeah,



Jessi Pierce: 56:34

um, for me, I would say I'm very fortunate because like I said for my job, I get to go in the visitors room and the wild room. So I've been able to interview Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Um, Auston Matthews. All of those big names that we have now, I've also been able to, you know, that one was for you Alexis.



Alexis Pearson: 56:49

Thank you.



Jessi Pierce: 56:50

And then I've been lucky to interview even members of the 1980 Olympics the 1972 team. But I would say then Herb Brooks I mean him being deceased. That's one that I have, obviously, will never be able to have the chance to interact with and meet. And I just would love to pick his brain and really hear, you know? How did you think? So progressively and changing the way the game is played today. I mean, we played the style. They would talk to Rob McClanahan at Hockey Day Minnesota, and he talked about how he was not a dump and Chase coach, and they had switch on their game. But it's funny. He learned that from Herb because that's the way Herb had played. And again he changed the whole dynamic. So Herb Brooks for me, hands down. That would be an absolute dream.



Alexis Pearson: 57:27

That would be a good one.



Jessi Pierce: 57:28

Um, another one from Beau Maurcwick on Twitter here. What are some resource is that we use every day for writing on my side and Alexis for announcing on your side. And, um, what makes those resource is so valuable,



Alexis Pearson: 57:40

I would say, for me it's just listening to other announcers because I tried to style. I try to find announcers that I really admire and then, you know, take pieces of their work and incorporate that into the way that that I announce. So, like, for example, like Paul Allen's energy, like I try to take that and use that hyper A? Yeah, um, you know, different things like that. Or, you know, certain announcers on NBC on nbcsn, Fox Sports North. Just watching the way that certain announcers break down the game or the way that they approach how they announce different things like that. I think that's the most valuable resource. Honestly, because it's just seeing the best in the business. Do what they do. And then I try to use that to my advantage and and hopefully be, ah, as good as them someday. Probably not as good as them, but close. Yeah, my own version of them.



Jessi Pierce: 58:26

Yeah. I mean, for me, I'm a hockey junkie. I read every single thing that I could get my hands on. Um, every morning. That's kind of my routine. I wake up in the morning, get ready, have some, You know, listen to some hockey podcasts. Not necessarily Bardown beauties all the time. Other ones, I promise.



Alexis Pearson: 58:41

Just has us on repeat,



Jessi Pierce: 58:42

just creepy. But, you know, and then I read and read and read. Whatever I can just do not only say current and up to date, make sure I know what the hell I'm talking about. Going into practices or game days. Um, but just in general, I have an interest. I mean, that's the whole reason I got into this. I love I. I gobble it up. So that's really about it. And like Alexis, I mean, I watch hockey and kind of have it around me at all times. I do like to take a break, so that's not all I do. I promise. My husband can attest to the times when he wants to watch a game, and I don't



Alexis Pearson: 59:13

I don't have a husband to attest to anything



Jessi Pierce: 59:16

but Yeah, and actually, Fred Beau's got a question for you, too. So let's get you in on this mail bag. Um, you know, what do you use your on the, uh, photog side as well? What resources are you using? To handle that and even producing this amazing, amazing podcast.



Fred Veinfurt: 59:33

Well, I mean, for my perspective, it's It's a different worry that I have. I always need to make sure that the podcast is ready for any situation that we're gonna run into. So when we were investing equipment, it was what can do everything. So, like the equipment. This is kind of technical nerd stuff, but it's like the road pocast board. It has the ability Bluetooth and all that stuff and then making sure that the ladies have the microphones that they need that can be taken record on the computer, but also put into the board. But as far as photo stuff, Um, I've got a canon 6D see this is all nerd technical jargon who donated the joint like a home like oh my gosh someone's writing all this stuff down.



Alexis Pearson: 1:0:09

I care.



Fred Veinfurt: 1:0:10

No, you don't.



Jessi Pierce: 1:0:12

Just just do your work Fred. Get our podcast out on time.



Alexis Pearson: 1:0:16

Yeah, is my mic too hot, Fred can you turn me down a little.



Fred Veinfurt: 1:0:19

Sorry. You're sorry. Bye.



Jessi Pierce: 1:0:22

Didn't think of that. Didn't see that coming. We have another question. This one specifically for Alexis from our favorite senior Beaut listener out in the West metro. Alexis, he wants to know. So your twitter handle is not Alexis Pearson, which might not have Ah, what I think might throw people off a little bit. And I'm gonna butcher how to say this. So I don't want to Mirjana.



Alexis Pearson: 1:0:41

Mirjana.



Jessi Pierce: 1:0:42

Mirjana got it. He wants to know. Where does that stem from? And what's the What's the story behind that? Is that your middle name?



Alexis Pearson: 1:0:47

It is my middle name. Ah. Hated it when I was a kid because I was like, Nobody has that name. It's so weird. Why do I have that name?



Jessi Pierce: 1:0:53

Just not, a Marie or an Anne.



Alexis Pearson: 1:0:54

Yeah. I was like, Why? Why me? And then as I got older, I was like, You know what? It's kind of cool and like, unique. And I like that. It's my grandma's name. Um, she's from Macedonia, which is in Yugoslavia or what was Yugoslavia. I think it changed recently. Um, and she was born in World War Two. So I saw the email that he said He said, Does that mean peace? And it does mir means peace in her language. And it was a popular name in world during World War Two when babies were born because people wanted peace. So I actually didn't know that until probably about five years ago, though, that that's what my name meant. Um, so, yeah, I like it now, Um and ah, people butcher it all the time, so don't feel bad about it. Um, and, uh, yeah. So that is what my middle name means.



Jessi Pierce: 1:1:33

No, I love it. That's so great. And Actually. There's another one. There's ah, gentleman out there named Jim. Jim Pearson.



Alexis Pearson: 1:1:38

Never heard of him.



Jessi Pierce: 1:1:39

Never. I, uh I'm gonna take sure that we include a Jim Pearson question every week from here, on out, because Jim needs more airtime. And I, uh I love it. Maybe even do a call in once in a while because he's got some some good stuff.



Alexis Pearson: 1:1:52

Don't give him the power



Jessi Pierce: 1:1:53

I am. Nope. This is my call out to you. Um, any time he wants to know the what? What led us to covering hockey overall sports? Um, Alexis.



Alexis Pearson: 1:2:02

Jim is what led me covering hockey. Um I mean, yeah, I grew up watching sports, and hockey was the sport. I clung to. And I didn't want a boring job when I was older and I was like, You know what? Covering sports seems like a way to avoid having a boring job. And ah, hockey was my favorite. So that was the one I stuck with. And I've covered lots of other sports. Um, throughout my very short career so far. But hockey is far and away my favorite, I could talk hockey all day.



Jessi Pierce: 1:2:27

Yeah, I mean, for me, it was a way to connect with my mom. I think she was a huge, huge hockey fan and, ah, it was kind of something that we could we could talk about. And I was like, Same with you. We can and get paid for this exciting. I've dabbled in a lot of other sports. During college, I covered football, swimming, track and field baseball lacrosse. I covered lacrosse out in Syracuse, New York, for a bit. But hockey, it's just such a part of who we are. As Minnesotans, I think, um, and the players are hands down the nicest people I have ever interacted.



Alexis Pearson: 1:2:58

They're so great.



Jessi Pierce: 1:2:59

I've been very lucky. Maybe that I haven't had any any bad interactions or even the maybe one or two, that you could say Were not ideal. Were really not that bad. I mean, I had one guy who maybe jumped on me for a little bit and then came up in apologized afterward. I was like, Oh, dude, no, don't worry, I get it. You lost the game and you were mad, and that's totally fine. But thank you for apology. I mean, it's not necessary. So it's just kind of that. And it's it's our sport and it just makes me It's always made me feel at home. Even when I was out in Syracuse covering lacrosse, which is huge, that's their hockey Out there in in Syracuse is is lacrosse lacrosse lacrosse. And that was wonderful and I loved covering it. But I also found myself gravitating toward the Utica Comets, which are AHL team out there. Um, and actually, that was fun. That was when, uh, John Cooper was out there and it was kind of cool to see him elevate. But I find myself gravitating toward hockey because I just I love it. So that's



Alexis Pearson: 1:3:48

it Doesn't feel like work. That's what I always say. Like when people are like, you know, do you like what you do? Do you have fun like, What's your favorite cause? Like both you and I do so many different things. So people are always like, you know, what's your favorite thing that you get to do, and I'm like, Honestly, I love all of it, like it doesn't feel like work like we go to wild games that we get paid just to sit and watch hockey and talk about hockey.



Jessi Pierce: 1:4:05

Which there some days it's not enough that I get paid,



Alexis Pearson: 1:4:09

and some days it's painful. When the game doesn't go well and the players are unhappy, that's never fun. But it is just like it. I'm like I get to do this for work like That's so cool. And, um, yeah, I hope everyone feels that way about their job that we do because I think we're pretty lucky to get to do what we do. And, uh,



Jessi Pierce: 1:4:25

and it's the sport I know the most about exactly, totally honest. I can learn other sports that I can. No kind of the ins and outs but Hockey is the one I'm most comfortable with, which is, if you're comfortable doing your job, it makes it a little easier too



Alexis Pearson: 1:4:37

Yeah, when you know what you're talking about That helps yeah.



Jessi Pierce: 1:4:40

Great questions keep sending them in. We love to hear him. You can email us Bardown Beauties Pod at gmail dot com that could be found in our Twitter. Also again, or Twitter DMs are open instagram as well, along with Facebook so we'd love to hear it Love to include each week but again, Thank you all for tuning in. Shout out to sota sticka for all of their help and love. And hopefully we'll see your gear to If you guys ordered some of that sota stick gear send us those pictures will be sure to retweet them and do that. Fred. Thanks. Thanks for hitting up that board. Not muting us and uh Alexis. Thank you to you, too. And shoutout to Paul Fletcher as well for letting us use today's room with Little Pac Man will get a s. Oh, thanks again. Tune in next week. Um, stay beautiful.



