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Johnson: Hello and welcome back to Just Pucking Go With It the hockey podcast where we talk - you guessed it - all things hockey! I’m your host Carter Johnson.
West: And I’m your other host Davis West. And since today’s the first day of free agency today’s topic should be fairly obvious.
Johnson: Also you’ve very likely read the title for this episode.
West: Fair enough. So just before we begin I’d like to thank all of you for joining us here today.
Johnson: Seriously, thank you everyone. This podcast has really taken off this season and we’re thankful to everyone who’s helped that happen.
West: Okay, enough sappiness. Let’s get into it.
Johnson: So free agency officially begins today, and it’s looking to be one of the most interesting free seasons in a while. We’ve Lee, Horton, Mazur, Reynolds, and, of course, Hollander, all free agents.
West: And let’s just take a moment to reflect on what a big deal that is. I mean this time last year, no one would’ve thought Hollander of all people would’ve made it to free agency season before signing with Montreal.
Johnson: You’re absolutely right. But it’s safe to say Hollander has shocked us several times this year.
West: That he has.
Johnson: We haven’t really covered Hollander’s contract in detail on this podcast before for one simple reason: there wasn’t much to discuss.
West: Right. All the communication we heard, both from Hollander’s camp and the Montreal front office was that Hollander was going to resign.
Johnson: So now we need to get into why that didn’t happen.
West: Yeah. And from my understanding, it was actually mostly Montreal that was dragging their feet.
Johnson: If you follow hockey at all, you’ve got to understand how unbelievable that is. They have a once-in-a-generation talent on their roster and they’re dragging their feet on resigning him. You’ve gotta wonder why.
West: Now, to be clear, it’s not like they didn’t offer him. It’s just that the terms of the contract weren’t as favorable as his team would’ve liked to have seen - especially in the face of the Rozanov contract from his a few years prior.
Johnson: And even at the time, we knew that Hollander and Rozanov were friendly.
West: And shared an agent.
Johnson: That’s right.
West: So Hollander’s camp, regardless of whether or not all of them knew about the romantic involvement between Hollander and Rozanov, would have been using that as a precedent.
Johnson: Right.
West: Now, Montreal doesn’t have the cap space that Ottawa did when Rozanov signed, but they offered Hollander a moderate pay raise in their initial offer. The hang up for Hollander’s camp was the other terms of the deal, according to my sources. They were looking for a long-term deal, an 8-year contract, and wanted a no trade clause.
Johnson: And at the time we didn’t think that was too unusual.
West: No. It’s called a contract negotiation for a reason.
Johnson: Of course. But then all the sudden we hit January and there’d been no announcement.
West: And at this time the messaging is still very much that Hollander is looking to re-sign with Montreal.
Johnson: So what changed?
West: Well, that’s the question, isn’t it? And let’s be honest, the answer is pretty obvious, isn’t it?
Johnson: The FanMail seen ‘round the world.
West: Yeah. When that broke, the Hollander camp backed off. And so did Montreal. Negotiations came to a standstill. Hollander’s people had bigger fish to fry, and I think they wanted to see what the reaction in the locker room was going to be.
Johnson: And from everything we know, the reaction was very negative.
West: Yes. I think you can just see it in the way they played afterwards. That alone was enough to plant the seed of doubt.
Johnson: And we’ve since had that confirmed by multiple sources. Leaked messages, public social media posts or lack thereof, the refusal of the Montreal roster in general to be seen anywhere in public with Shane Hollander.
West: Just ridiculous. The guy led them to three cups.
Johnson: For me, though, I knew Hollander wasn’t going to re-sign when he and Rozanov announced the coaching staff for their Game Changers camps.
West: Yeah…
Johnson: Hayden Pike as the only player from Montreal…
West: Especially when you consider the camps are held in Montreal.
Johnson: And Boiziau coached the past years.
West: I mean, they’re not going to staff those camps with people who don’t support them.
Johnson: Notably, most of the Ottawa starters do make the list.
West: I think we see the writing on the wall here, Johnson.
Johnson: I think we do
West: Shane Hollander, playing for his hometown team.
Johnson: It’s almost assuredly going to be his first choice. Maybe his only. But do they have the cap space to take him?
West: Well, I think we can safely assume that he’ll be willing to take a hometown discount. I think Ottawa’s the only team in the league that can get Hollander for under 12 mil.
Johnson: I’d agree. If they’re smart, they already have an offer drawn up with those favorable terms Montreal didn’t give him at the beginning of the season, though. A long-term contract and a strict no-trade clause.
West: For sure.
Johnson: So what does this mean for the rest of the league? Two once-in-a-generation talents in the league in one generation was already astounding. But having them on the same team?
West: I think Ottawa can almost guarantee themselves a spot in the playoffs if they do sign Hollander. One of their only weaknesses in the later half of this season was their depth at center. Fix that and continue improving the team as a whole and I think we’ll be looking at an Ottawa team with cup potential.
Johnson: I agree.
West: Which is honestly just another reason for Hollander to sign there. He doesn’t need the money. They’re already paying his fiancé plenty.
Johnson: And you know he wants another cup.
West: Competitive guy like that? Yeah, I’d say so.
Johnson: So if we assume Hollander to Ottawa, do we think Mazur makes a play for Montreal?
West: Tough call there. Montreal will be scrambling, no doubt, but then they should’ve thought of that before letting their star center walk.
Johnson: Well, they’ll be looking for someone, that’s for sure. Maybe a trade?
West: Possible. Several factors would play into that. My intel says…
Boston Boiiiis
Saint: you guys seen that analysis on Hollander being a free agent on Pucking Go With It?
Smitt: yes
Car: yes and I’m fucking terrified
Saint: @marly is it true
Marly: I literally just texted Roz
Marly: all he texted back was the fucking smirk emoji
Posty: I think I’m going to cry
Car: oh yeah rip
Saint: moment of silence for our local goalie
Car: they should’ve come here
Posty: fr
Marly: fucking Jacobsson and Mathers I know those fuckers have to be part of why Roz left
Car: oh yeah
Smitt: the Ottawa guys are nice at least
Smitt: I did juniors with Dykstra
Posty: Hayes is chill too we’ve talked after games before
Marly: yeah I met them at the camp
Marly: nice guys
Car: if you told me five years ago that we’d all be so scared of Ottawa though I’d had thought you took one too many hits to the head
Saint: do we think they’ll play on the same line or will Hollander be second line like Pucking Go With It was saying
Car: I can’t decide which is worse
Posty: separate
Marly: separate
Smitt: Roz and Barrett and then Hollander and Haas
Smitt: fucking terrifying
Posty: no kidding
Car: rip Posty
Smitt: rip Posty
Marly: maybe we’ll get a new defenseman
Smitt: hey!
Marly: to replace Bates not you
Smitt: ok fair
Saint: dunno if we should’ve bitching about our teammates over text after that Montreal leak
Marly: dude no one cares enough to hack us
Car: ouch
Smitt: I was hoping Bates would chill out some once he got adjusted but nope
Car: no he was fr worse this season
Saint: Meyers said he was always yelling at his girlfriend over the phone when they shared a room
Posty: oh I didn’t know he had a girlfriend
Saint: well you wouldn’t with how often he picks up
Marly: Roz just texted me again
Marly: it’s that stupid gif of him winking
Car: we’re fucked
Marly: can we make a pact to check Montreal extra hard when we play them
Marly: for inflicting this on us
Car: deal
Saint: deal
Smitt: deal
Posty: not sure what I’ll be able to do but if I get the chance deal
Smitt: one of my buddies from when I played in Detroit just texted
Smitt: they’re also pissed over there
Smitt: and terrified
Car: as they should be
Posty: a friend of mine plays for Denver and they’re feeling the same
Saint: they’re not in the same division though
Saint: we play them FOUR TIMES
Marly: what are the chances Ottawa would take me too
Car: Marly I swear to fucking god I hope you’re joking
Saint: I’ll disown you if you leave
Smitt: not cool
Posty: doubt they have the money for you bro
Just four days later, the news breaks officially. Shane Hollander signs an eight year contract with Ottawa with an ironclad no movement clause. The contract also stipulates that the Centaurs allow the Irina foundation to have a booth at all home games and that they be allowed to hold their Ottawa camps at the training facility, free of charge so long as Hollander plays for the team. It’s a good contract, enticing to Hollander in all the ways that matter, really matter, even if the official yearly payout is maybe insultingly low for someone of his caliber.
To most of the hockey world’s shock, or at least most of the people in the hockey world who have brains, Montreal does not offer Hollander the eleventh hour contract that would usually be custom in situations like this. In fact, it comes out a few days later that they withdrew their latest offer shortly before the playoffs began and never made another. Montreal had let Shane fucking Hollander walk. And he’d walked straight into the arms of a strong divisional rival.
Twitter blows up shortly after the announcement is made, all the players from other teams publicly expressing their fear.
Shane Hollander @shanehollander ☑️:
🔁HOCKEY TODAY @hockeytoday ☑️: Shane Hollander has signed an eight-year multimillion dollar contract with the Ottawa Centaurs. Full details at the link in our bio.
Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: My fiancé, the second-best hockey player in the league, has signed with the hottest and best team in the league 🗣️🗣️🗣️
Cliff Marlow @cliffmarlowhockey ☑️: Just saw the Hollander news. This explains why Roz has been sending me nothing but smirking emojis for the past five days.
↪️ Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: 😏
Ryan Carmichael @carmichaelofficial ☑️: Every groupchat I’m in is blowing up right now. All I can say is this is my worst fear honestly but congrats @ilyarozanov and @shanehollander
↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: 😏
Ben Taylor @bentaylorwinnipeg ☑️: Double sleep paralysis demons for my fellow goalies unlocked
Zane Boodram @boodmangrills ☑️: Welcome to the family @shanehollander! So excited to play with you (and possibly share the A?) this season!
↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: So excited for the next BBQ! We will bully Shane into having some of your pepper sauce!
Luca Haas @lucahaasdraws: To get the chance to play with not one but TWO of my hockey idols is a dream come true.
↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: Awww Haasy. This is cute but I know I am your one true idol.
Evan Dykstra @bigdykstra ☑️: Welcome to Ottawa, Hollander!
Hayden Pike @haydenpike35 ☑️: Going to miss playing with you @shanehollander! Best of luck in Ottawa, brother!
↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: With my husband gone I guess this means you are Montreal’s best player. Not anything to be proud of considering the competition.
↪️↪️Hayden Pike @haydenpike35 ☑️: What’s that supposed to mean?
↪️↪️↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: That you are least shitty player on shitty team. Is obvious.
Will Post @post_bostonhockey ☑️: Happy for them, terrified for me and my team.
Wyatt Hayes @hazy ☑️: Excited to play with you, Shane, and looking forward to seeing you at camp again this summer!
Ottawa Centaurs @ottawacentaursofficial ☑️: Welcome home @shanehollander! It’s so good to have you!
↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: You did not post nice comments like this when I signed and I am better player
↪️↪️ Buy Drover Cider! @hdroverottawa: Yes, we literally did.
↪️↪️↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: lies. @troybarretthockeyplayer your boyfriend is bullying me
↪️↪️↪️↪️ Believe Survivors @troybarretthockeyplayer ☑️: No he isn’t and don’t bring me into this.
Believe Survivors @troybarretthockeyplayer ☑️: Welcome to the team, @shanehollander!
↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: You will not be the only gay man on the team now!!
↪️↪️Believe Survivors @troybarretthockeyplayer ☑️: Did you not count???
↪️↪️↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: I am too fun for you. You and Shane are boring gays specifically. Like @scotthunter
↪️↪️↪️↪️Scott Hunter @scotthunter ☑️: Please stop bringing me into this. I genuinely think you must’ve Stockholm Syndrome-d Hollander.
↪️↪️↪️↪️↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: Is not true! Shane loves me no Stockholm
↪️↪️↪️↪️↪️↪️Scott Hunter @scotthunter ☑️: I still don’t know why
Scott Hunter @scotthunter ☑️: Congratulations to one of the best players I know! Ottawa is lucky to have you, man.
↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: Yes we are. Now please stop calling my financé to talk about “logistics”. He spends enough time doing this for our own charity.
↪️↪️Scott Hunter @scotthunter ☑️: We talked for twenty minutes. I think you’ll survive.
↪️↪️↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: Your fossil ways will corrupt him and soon he won’t be my beloved Shane. Just a bag of bones.
↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: This reminds me we need to get a photo with Troy and Shane at my wedding so we have photo of all out players in the league
↪️↪️Scott Hunter @scotthunter ☑️: That’s actually not a bad idea
↪️↪️↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: I know that’s why it was my idea and not yours
Carter Vaughan @vaughany ☑️: Congrats, even though I kinda wish you’d picked New York…
↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: nooooo we have the hottest queerest team in the league. Everyone wants to play here and not in New York, home of slow old hockey players.
↪️↪️Carter Vaughan @vaughany ☑️: We just beat you in the playoffs
↪️↪️↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: lies
Mike Brophy @mikebrophynj ☑️: I remember the insane Hollander-Rozanov chemistry from 2017 All-Stars. Not looking forward to being on the other side of it.
↪️Jeff Atkin @atkin92 ☑️: I remember it and I was on the other side of it. Terrified of it being a constant threat.
↪️↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: See you in Denver 😉😘
Nick Chouinard @chouinard ☑️: Bienvenue dans l’équipe, Hollander! J'apprécierais d'avoir un autre francophone.
↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: 😎
Maximilian Holmberg @maxholmberg46 ☑️: Welcome, Hollander! Excited for you to manage our captain for us!
↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: Bergy take this down. I do not need to be managed.
↪️↪️ Buy Drover Cider! @hdroverottawa: Yes, you do.
↪️↪️Zane Boodram @boodmangrills ☑️: yes you do
↪️↪️Evan Dykstra @bigdykstra ☑️: yes you do
↪️↪️Tanner Dillion @dillypickleshockey ☑️: yes you do
↪️↪️Liam Boyle @boyle_liam ☑️: You do
↪️↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: I am being bullied
Tanner Dillion @dillypickleshockey ☑️: Welcome to the team, Hollander! Looking forward to playing with you, man!
↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: Not as much as me!
Liam Boyle @boyle_liam ☑️: Welcome Hollander!
Louis LaPointe @pointelapointe ☑️: Bienvenue, Hollander!
Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: Attention all queer hockey players you are invited to my wedding! DM me for details.
↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: I have too many DMs already. I wish we could have you all but most of you do not seem to be hockey players.
Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: New announcement! All gay hockey players you are invited to my wedding if you already have my phone number or we have talked before at All-Stars or Awards. Please text me for details, wedding is next week.
↪️Ilya Rozanov @ilyarozanov ☑️: If you do not have my phone number contact my agent.
Boston Boiiiis
Car: Yo did you guys get an invite to the wedding
Saint: no
Posty: no
Marly: yeah
Smitt: what wedding?
Car: Roz’s wedding bro wtf
Smitt: oh, no
Smitt: but I never played with him
Posty: me either
Marly: did you Ryan
Car: yeah
Car: deserved honestly I put up with how many years of rooming with his bitchy ass
Saint: well wtf why did I get left out
Marly: just an idea maybe because you regularly threatened to murder Hollander if you ever saw him outside a game
Car: and wanted to slash his tires
Marly: and you keyed his car
Saint: I thought I was defending Roz! I wasn’t being serious
Car: if it makes you feel better the invite was literally just a text saying the day and address and “come if you want”
Marly: and that it’s in Ottawa…