Thomas Drance

I probably don't have to destroy him on this sequence.

I can probably just ward him off.

I mean, how did you approach that sort of welcome to the NHL moment with a guy in that spot?

Now, Chris, I also want to before we get into talking unearned and just general hockey stuff around the league.

You know, you were Adam Foote's roommate in Nagano on the 1998 Canadian Olympic team.

Obviously, he's come under a lot of criticism in this market, including from this program.

I'm not going to shy away from that.

That said, we know he hasn't had a lot to work with.

How do you sort of, you know, evaluate what's happened in Vancouver and what role coaching has had in this team?

You know, having one of the worst seasons we've seen in this market ever, frankly.

Chris, as I recall, during the Olympics when we were working together, I remember bringing up Verhoff being sort of at the top consensus boards at the top of the draft.

And, you know, I was pushing back and saying, I think it's got to be McKenna.

And you had some pretty interesting Verhoff takes.

I'm just curious to ask you for, you know, especially now that his season wasn't as productive toward the end of it.

The team ultimately fell short.

of advancing and competing for, for the Natty there.

And yet, you know, he's a six foot four defender and you have a fair bit of experience as a large offensive defenseman yourself.

What's your perspective on him as a prospect?

Cause as I recall, you were very high on him earlier this year.

Chris, the Flyers qualified for the playoffs last year.