25% Tariffs On The Trophy, McJesus To The Rescue & Da Chicago Bears
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You know what time it is, Fast Break Friday!
Whatever you’re going through, keep showing up. Think back to every time you thought you were done, that you wouldn’t make it—but here you are, still standing. Give yourself credit. You’re more resilient than you think. Every challenge has shaped you into who you are today. Keep pushing, keep grinding through this winter, and ask for help if you need it. Believe that you’ll get through. Opportunity is everywhere.
Four Nations Faceoff
McJesus to the rescue! This is still our game—GO CANADA GO! Credit to the Americans; that game was absolutely electric.
It doesn’t matter what your favorite sport is—watching athletes push through injuries to represent their country is a privilege. These guys could be on vacation, resting and rehabbing, but instead, they gave us one of the most thrilling tournaments ever. This will be the most-watched playoffs of all time.
Last Saturday was pure chaos, and somehow, last night’s game surpassed expectations. I haven’t watched much hockey since the Canucks’ 2011 Cup run, but man, the skill level today is next-level. The pace, the precision, the action—end-to-end, non-stop excitement.
Impact
Bettman and company hit a home run with this one. I can’t wait to see the viewership numbers because this game had the sports world buzzing.
The real heroes? Every single player who suited up. They didn’t just compete—they elevated the game. This tournament will boost ticket sales, drive bigger TV deals, and ultimately, secure higher salaries for players. The league just gained a wave of new fans, and that means more revenue for everyone.
I wondered how NHL owners and GMs would feel about their players grinding this hard midseason, risking injury. But after seeing how this elevated the league and individual stock of players, it’s hard to argue against it. Now, let’s just hope they can stay healthy for the stretch run.
Game Breakdown
As for the actual game breakdown, yes I know most of you know me as a football and basketball guy, but you might not know I played hockey until grade 7, we won the provincial championship and I retired on a high note, road off into the sunset at only 13, mainly because I knew I peaked but anyways, back to game:
Goalies
Binnington heard the noise. When it mattered most, he locked in. A couple of ridiculous overtime saves—31 in total. He straight-up won Canada that game. My MVP, no doubt.
Hellebuyck was a brick wall for the U.S. Multiple huge stops, especially on rebounds when guys got two, three whacks at it. Unreal performance.
Defensemen
Makar is an absolute superstar. Skates like a dream, unreal hands, so smooth on the breakout. He ignited rush after rush. On the game-winner, it was Makar who pinched to hold the blue line, wrapped it around to Marner, who set up McJesus for the dagger. He locks it up defensively, shut down multiple rushes, active hands knocking down passes. Stud.
Jaccob Slavin—shut-down machine. This guy broke up rushes, intercepted passes, blocked shots—he even saved a goal in the first. If you want to win championships, you need guys like him.
Forwards
Brady Tkachuk played like a man possessed. Winning puck battles, throwing his weight around—this guy was everywhere. He is an exciting power forward who got the crowd going all night, two games after dropping the mitts with Sam Bennett 2 seconds into the game he got the americans on the board by going hard to the net. You could see the passion he plays with every play and especially after he scored that goal
Speaking of Sam Bennett. This guy is just a winner. Another strong, powerful forward who sets the tone. The finish on the goal upstairs where momma keeps the cookies shows the skill he has to go along with it.
The horses carried us when it mattered most. McKinnon got the party started in the first, he’s been great all tournament.
McDavid couldn’t get much going early, credit to the Americans who seemed to be in his kitchen for most of the first two periods. What a finish to end the tournament though. Crosby played a physical game as well. There were rumours he wasn’t sure if he could play for this tournament, but the golden boy dug deep and led the troops.
What a tournament. This rivalry is gonna be epic going forward.
NFL Free Agent Spotlight: Trey Smith
As promised, every Fast Break Friday leading up to the draft, we’re breaking down a top NFL free agent. This week: ESPN’s #2 ranked free agent, guard Trey Smith.
Top 3 highest-paid guards in 2023:
Landon Dickerson (Eagles): $21M
Chris Lindstrom (Falcons): $20.5M
Robert Hunt (Panthers): $20M
Smith, just 26, was a 6th-round gem for the Chiefs in 2021. It’s not just Mahomes and Andy Reid working magic—Kansas City finds elite starters in the draft every year, which is how they stay dominant. The Chiefs chose not to use the franchise tag on Smith, making him a free agent next month.
Potential Landing Spots
All roads lead to Chicaaaaaago. New OC Ben Johnson is in town, and if you know football, you know nothing works without a solid O-line. The Bears have the cap space to pay Trey top dollar, and protecting Caleb Williams should be priority #1.
Caleb had a solid rookie season despite being sacked 68 times—third most in NFL history! Yet, he still put up 3,500 yards, 20 TDs, and only six fumbles. That’s insane for a rookie under constant pressure. Adding Trey Smith and a top tackle at pick #10 would transform this offense. It’s not a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Other rumored suitors? The Patriots, who have the cash and desperately need O-line help. Drake Maye had a solid rookie campaign, but that offense needs major work. With the #4 pick, they might go best player available or trade down to stack more picks.
Hall of Fame Shoutout: Zack Martin
Pour one out for my guy Zack Martin. Hall of Fame career in Dallas—9 All-Pros in 11 seasons. Some say he fell off this year, but he battled injuries all season.
Back in 2014, rumors swirled that Jerry Jones wanted to take Johnny Football at #16. Instead, he took Zack Martin. Best decision Jerry ever made. Johnny ended up in Cleveland, and nobody’s talking about his football career anymore.
Final Thoughts
That’s all for today. Get outside, get moving—rain or shine, no excuses. And if you want to make the most of your weekend, get up early. You don’t have to be out and about right away, but having those extra hours gives you more time to make moves.
Have a great weekend, and we’ll catch you next week!
