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Wait help I found a lot more plus this link: https://www.instagram.com/p/CIxCr6InvIv/?igsh=MTUzcnZ2OXBnNzdoYw==

THIS IS NOT AI GENERATED

I'm kind of nervous to post this because this kind of thing is now so often immediately dismissed as AI.

I listened to interviews with Gavin McKenna & Ivar Stenberg yesterday. They both came across really well. Very mature, thoughtful answers. They're both eager to play in the NHL next year.

So far, the Sharks have taken/are taking Reid, Carels, Verhoeff & Stenberg out to dinner. This doesn't mean too much; in fact, it's sometimes a little misdirection to throw off the other teams about your intentions. But it's still of note.

One interesting tidbit: Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects saw a little handshake between Mike Grier & Mack's agent Pat Brisson. So... it's possible they've already ironed out Mack's contract extension.

It got me wondering what Will might do. It could actually be in his best interest to wait one year before he signs. If he has the kind of season I'm expecting, with super high production, he could get himself a nice paycheck. Waiting could hurt him though, if he gets injured or isn't as productive, or some of the other forwards really start to shine.

My gut says he'll sign shortly after Mack signs. Mack's contract will set the tone for the other young players. (They won't be able to ask for more than he does, for obvious reasons.) The length of time Mack commits to will also be interesting. I'm thinking he does 5 years, but he can sign for up to 8.

It will be a big number, but how big? Crosby famously takes less money than he's worth, so his team has more cap space to keep other high-level players around. I can absolutely see Mack taking this approach. (Side note: Bedard is expected to re-sign with the Blackhawks soon, and I'm really curious which way that'll go.)

also what cat said on her podcast when they were tipsy and trying to figure out how the podcasting thing works (i think it was also around will's birthday week), they were definitely sneaking out to a private room to do god whatever knows what and got caught, and tried to laugh it off as "just snooping." sure, boys!!!!!

will and mack likes to gatekeep the stuff that they do. the dinner books, the book club, the carbonne reservation, the espresso martinis, meeting up in sweden during world's, the stickgate!!!! and even the halifax one... we only ever find out through third-party slips. outside of very evident pr posts and tagged ig posts/joint tiktoks, they are incredibly private.

and honestly, it's the healthiest thing they could do. the nhl and san jose try to sensationalize their chemistry, friendship, or in brodie's words "whatever they consider themselves to be", and while they are good sports about it, they maintain a strict boundary around their personal lives and relationship.

for two guys navigating a very high pressure sport, they have managed to create a genuine sanctuary with one another. they found a safe space in each other where they can grow, have fun, navigate life, and elevate each other both on and off the ice, entirely on their own terms. LOVE THAT FOR THEM HONESTLY

prediction: if they train together this offseason, we won't be hearing it from them. i will be very surprised if they do post each other. we'll likely find out only via a random sighting or a trainer's ig story. let's see if they will make each other's summer dumps lmao

Yes to all of the above! They’re definitely each other’s keepers in every sense of the word. My theory for me though, is that we’d know a lot more about their shenanigans if Mack hadn’t essentially placed a “not up for discussion” clause on whatever it is they have. Because yes, Will Smith is a gatekeeper. This is a man who refuses to reveal the spice blend he uses on his steak. But at least we know the spice blend exists. Will strikes me as someone who enjoys showing off the things he values and letting people admire them from a safe distance, while never actually revealing the specifics. Mack’s a little different. He seems to see their bond as almost sacred, specifically because he’s very well aware of how unusually close and intimate it is.

I always think about that moment on Spittin’ Chiclets when they were asked whether they watched movies on the road. They mentioned their hotel TV was still sitting on the home screen, and Biz joked, “So you guys are just on your phones?” Then he asked if they watched other hockey games. Will had this suspiciously conspiratorial look on his face, like he was about to disagree and accidentally reveal that they spend their time doing literally anything else (the possibilities range from harmless bro wrestling to 50 shades of whatever they consider themselves to be). But before he could chime in, Mack immediately cut in with “Yeah, sometimes we put on a game” and Will visibly reeled it back in. That interaction lives rent free in my head because it perfectly captures their dynamic. Left to his own devices, Will would enjoy deliberately drip feeding interesting tidbits to the masses. Whereas Mack would slam the emergency brakes.

Mack would, in fact, rather perish in a desert than give the public a single crumb of information about what he and Will get up to, or *gasp* what they are to each other. He wears every emotion on his face and feels everything at full volume. I genuinely think he knows that if he opened that lid even a little bit, the whole thing would blow off and he’d end up saying things he’d much rather take to the grave with him. That’s not to say Will loves him any less. I think he adores him. The difference is that Will seems to enjoy people noticing their bond. He likes the admiration, the awe, the collective “wow those two are really something.” There’s a satisfaction in having something special and knowing other people can see it too.

oh don’t worry… i don’t play abt bottom!will

I’m going to lose my mind 🤣 just imagining Will teasing little puppy Macklin 😋😋“You did an amazing job!”“No, I don’t want that!”“Come here! Come here, Mack…”

I fell in love with the fire long ago