Matt Barnaby

<p>Host Rob Zimmerman welcomes former New York Rangers forward <strong>Matt Barnaby</strong>. Matt started things off talking about his infamous fight with Garth Snow back in 1996 when he was with the Sabres and Snow was with the Flyers, and talked about fighting in the NHL and it's place in the game. Matt also talked about some of the tough guys he had to face during his career, his agitating style of play during his NHL career, and some of the things he tried to do as a player to help his team win games. Matt also recalled the time he had to drop the gloves with his good friend and former Sabres teammate Rob Ray.</p><p>Later Matt reflected on growing up playing hockey in Canada and what it was like going from playing in high school to junior hockey in Canada. When he felt his game as an agitator began to show itself and he realized his best chance to continue his hockey career was to carve his niche as player that could get under the skin of his opponent and how that toughness helped bring him space on the ice.</p><p>Matt talked about speed of the college game and how immense the talent is in the NHL, as well as the size and speed of the players in the NHL. The expectations of early round NHL players compared to other professional leagues, and how he feels Rangers #1 overall pick Alexis Lafrenière could fare in the years ahead. Matt also talked about some of the challenges European players have to face compared to players from North America.</p><p>Matt discussed the current Rangers team and their head coach Dan Quinn, and the expectations of the team heading into the season. Matt also talked about the slow start for Mika Zibanejad, and the differences in the NHL this year with the effect Covid has had on the schedule this season. Matt also weighed in a bit on the crosstown Islanders and what he thinks the team can do this season and in the coming years- as well as who he sees making some noise in the NHL playoffs this season. Matt spoke about his time playing in Buffalo for the Sabres, and the differences betw