Kyle Bukauskas

But we'll start with the coaching question that still remains in a few markets, Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, and L.A.

that still has the interim tag around DJ Smith for the time being.

Well, especially because, Elliot, two of the defensemen they traded for at the deadline, Shannon Stanley, they're UFAs.

Zach Metza does have another year, but, you know, not the worst case to have potentially another body on the right side and just bank on Kesselring having a much better year.

So, absolutely, that's something to consider there.

I mean...

you know, kind of where at least the ballpark for a guy like tuck, if you're going to keep them, what that's going to look like.

I'm really curious in the case of Benson, uh, where obviously it was a big time second half of the year, obviously a phenomenal playoffs.

Um,

And now, what that looks like, is it a slam dunk that they try to go term there?

Is there a possibility for a bridge?

That's one I don't have a very good read on at all in terms of what makes most sense, I guess, for A, the team, and also what the player may want to do.

And that was one of the first things that Kekalina did when he took over, right, was getting that Josh Stone contract locked up.

Okay, how about the Anaheim Ducks getting to the second round of the playoffs after an absence in the postseason that dated back to 2018?

How do you feel about them heading into the offseason?

it just seems like it is extremely tough to hold a line in an era of cap growth and certainty in that regard, not just a year out, but several years out.

And rightfully so.

I mean, the Canadians get a lot of credit for, well, look at all the...

numbers and where they're at for their young stars.

But a lot of those deals were signed, Elliot, when the cap was flat.