Windy City Benders Podcast

The guys are back to break down a roller-coaster week of Blackhawks hockey. From hard-fought battles to shaky goaltending from Soderblom — plus another appearance from a feisty Connor Bedard — this week had a little bit of everything. They also dive into the Laurent Brossoit situation and debate whether there’s a realistic path to keeping him around longer than expected. To wrap things up, they revisit last week’s Quinn Hughes take, and Jarom puts Tanner on the spot: what would he do if the Hawks landed both the first and second overall picks in next summer’s draft?Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

Happy Thanksgiving from the WCBP Crew!The guys are back after a week that started off great, hit a speed bump, and somehow ended… not so bad. They break down all the games from the past week (skipping over Buffalo — we don’t talk about Buffalo) and dig into the many learning moments along the way.They also get into the poorly executed launch of the Black jersey, featuring Jarom absolutely losing his mind for a bit. Tanner drops his Farm Report, and they wrap things up by looking ahead to Quinn Hughes coming to Chicago.Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

With a short week of games the guys open up the show talking about NHL Free agency and if the league would ever adopt NBA/MLB style contract options or if it just isn’t in the nature of NHL players to want those clauses. They then shift to recapping the games against the New Jersey Devils and the Toronto Maple Leafs and finally wrap things up with the latest Tanners Farm Report.Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

What a week it was for Hawks hockey. The guys break down the 3-0 finish to the long road trip and discuss how the team is defying all expectations and just playing some fun hockey. They also talk the absolute heater Connor Bedard has been on over the last eight games, talk Spencer Knight and Bedards chances at making their respective national teams for the olympics, take a trip to Tanners Farm, and then wrap things up with a quick NHL Talk feature lots of Ovi and Ducks talk.Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast

The Hawks were brought back down to earth a little bit so the guys break down the highs and lows from last weeks games. Despite the record Tanner is still happy with how this team is playing. They also discuss Connor Bedards play and compare him to where Patrick Kane was at through 163 games into his career and why people need to give Bedsy more credit. They wrap things up with 3 stars of the week, October recap, and as always Tanners Farm Report! Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

A short week for the Hawks doesn’t mean a short episode for the boys. They discuss the Lucas Reichel trade to the Vancouver Canucks and why they wish him nothing but the best. Jarom goes on a Demidov rant after another dumb tweet connecting him to the Hawks. They guys breakdown the two games the Hawks did play, name their three stars, look ahead at the next week and wrap things up with the latest addition of Tanners Farm Report! Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast

The guys are back with another episode as the Hawks continue to play fun hockey. Before they get in to that they talk about an interesting take Jarom heard on the What Chaos Podcast about knowing hockey and wearing the correct letter on a jersey. They recap the last week of games and how its just so much fun watching this team again. They give their three stars of the week, the latest Tanner’s Farm Report, and then wrap things up with a little NHL Talk!Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

Hockey is officially back and after one week the guys agree on one thing, the Hawks are fun to watch. The guys talk the 1-2-1 start and why what we are seeing from the team is already a major step in the right direction. Game recaps, three stars of the week, and the latest Tanners Farm report all in this episode!Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

Opening Night is finally here! The guys wrap up the 2025 preview season talking a look at the the Chicago Blackhawks. They discuss the roster, see who is poised to do better, who can make an impact, which future stars sees time and so much more. They then wrap up the episode with Stanley Cup and individual award predictions. Intro: 0:00Initial Hawks Thoughts: 3:18Opening Night Roster: 10:39Whose points will improve: 24:01Tanners big on Dach: 33:57When will we see them?: 36:16Final Thoughts on The Hawks: 39:50Tanners Farm Report: 44:22Stanley Cup and Award Predictions: 48:02Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

The final season preview episode is here as the guys wrap things up with the Central Division (minus the Hawks)! Nashville Predators: 3:08Utah Mammoth:17:03St. Louis Blues: 27:53Minnesota Wild: 33:05Colorado Avalanche: 43:36Dallas Stars: 50:35Winnipeg Jets: 58:17Final Predictions: 1:05:15Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

Preview season makes its way to the Western Conference as the guys make a stop in the Pacific Division. There is a lot at play this year in this division and the guys do their best to break it down!San Jose Sharks: 2:28Seattle Kraken: 10:45Anaheim Ducks: 19:30Vancouver Canucks: 29:13Calgary Flames: 36:18Edmonton Oilers: 45:26LA Kings: 59:43Vegas Golden Knights: 1:07:14Final Predictions: 1:17:18Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

Preview season continues as the guys make their way to the Metro division in the East. They don’t agree on much but one they do agree on is this division stinks. Philadelphia Flyers: 3:06Pittsburg Penguins: 12:45New York Islanders: 22:31New York Rangers: 30:19Columbus Blue Jackets: 40:58New Jersey Devils: 50:46Carolina Hurricanes: 59:37Washington Capitals: 1:05:44Final Predictions: 1:13:11Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

The 2025/26 NHL season is just around the corner which means its time for divisional previews! The guys kick things off with the division of the 2 time defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers, Atlantic Division! Is this the best division in hockey? Boston Bruins: 2:09Buffalo Sabres: 13:56Detroit Red Wings: 26:37Montreal Canadians: 38:27Ottawa Senators: 50:08Florida Panthers: 59:12Tampa Bay Lightning: 1:11:11Toronto Maple Leafs: 1:17:10Final Predictions: 1:24:29Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

The Guys are back with a big episode. They open up the show talking about the Frank Nazar contract extension and how good this contract is going to look in the next season or two. Then they are joined by Author Kirk McKnight who wrote books The Voices of Baseball and The Voices of Hockey. We deep dive into his passion for the game of hockey and what made him take an interest in the broadcasting side of the sport. We discuss the amazing broadcasters he interviewed for his book including Blackhawks Legend Pat Foley and current Hawks play by play man Rick Ball. He told the guys some of his favorite memories from the book and some of the stories that couldn’t get put in. They also discuss Patrick Kane and how happy he was that showtime came to his favorite team the Detroit Red Wings.Check out the audio book a the links belowApple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/the-voices-of-hockey-broadcasters-reflect-on/id1814320327Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ebERgFjVQoGFSwYWB5E6P?si=87487aa765f549f8Audible coming soon!Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTannerX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

Hockey news is few and far between so the guys welcome Nolly back to the show as he takes on Tanner in a game of WCBP Jeopardy! Let us know what you think because we think this is something we can do much more of! Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTanner @BroliethegoalieX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

After a week off the guys are back for a quick episode to catch up on some Hawks new and a huge swing and miss from ChatGPT for season predictions.Arvid Soderblom gets his next contract and the guys wonder how this will effect the game plan with this goalie group and who could be on their way out. Ben Pope gives his early roster projects and the guys breakdown where they agree and disagree and even discuss more names that could see time this season in Chicago. Connor Bedard gets the invite to Team Canada evaluation camp, can Bedsy make his way to the Olympics this February? The Blackhawks announce their promo schedule (we are grasping for any Hawks news at this point)Finally, Jarom ask ChatGPT to make predictions for the upcoming season and a more detailed look at the Chicago Blackhawks and lets just say, AI doesn’t know puck.Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTanner @BroliethegoalieX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

In a time of summer when news is light the guys still manage to put together a decent episode were they discuss Soderbloms spot with the team, minor signings, Foligno our captain, Blackhawk game grades, and Mount Rushmore of Stanley Cup Era Role Players. (0:00) Intro(3:27) Arvid Soderblom gets his arbitration hearing scheduled and the guys discuss what the ruling could be and if there is a chance they get a deal done before hand and avoid that nastiness. (5:06) The guys discuss Louis Crevier and goaltender Stanislav Berezhnoy to two year deals. The latter leads to a discussion of the Hawks goaltending depth and that there could be some hard calls to be made down the line which is always a good thing. (12:12) Nick Foligno played host to some of the younger Hawks in Sudbury and while the photos make him seem like a proud father, the guys talk about how important Foligno is to this team and developing the new culture in the Blackhawks locker room.(18:07) Connor Bedard and Spencer Knight get named pretty high on a few NHL list. Tanner and Jarom argue if Spencer Knight was ripped off or if he was placed exactly where he belongs among goalies under 25 years old.(23:22) The Hawks released the latest episode of Every Shift and because it revolved around the draft and development camp it only makes sense the guys take the time to complain about the draft process.(27:21) The NHL Schedule is here so Jarom picked out a few Hawks games that seemed important and then the guys graded them on how must watch TV those games are. Tanner reads the list of NHL.com must see games and lets say there was a lot of disagreements from the guys on those. (46:55) The guys wrap up the show picking their Mount Rushmore for Stanley Cup Era Role playersHosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTanner @BroliethegoalieX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

The guys are back after a week off and we are officially in the dog days of summer with very little news going on in the world of hockey. (0:00) Intro(1:12) Anton Frondell is officially a Chicago Blackhawk as he has signed his entry level deal. The guys discuss why going back to Sweden and playing in the SHL is the better move for him. They also get very excited at some of the praise he has gotten from former Blackhawks Johnny Oduya and Marcus Kruger who make a big time player comparison. (15:00) People continue to take shots at the Hawks and their rebuild plan and praise the Sharks who seem to be following the same plan as the Hawks. Tanner and Jarom take a deep dive look comparing the two organization and then go even deeper looking at Hawks prospects and compare them to other players and their development. (44:15) The Hawks are on the big stage again as they will play the defending defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers. (45:45) The guys discuss the new CBA and some of the changes that will go into effect starting the 2026/2027 NHL Season. Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTanner @BroliethegoalieX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

What should be silly season hasn’t been off to a silly start as the draft went as expected and free agency was a dud for everyone but three teams. (0:00) Intro(4:39) The guys recap last weekends draft and how the new crop of Blackhawks prospects have a great balance of skill and size. Frondell was the man at number three and has already said and done the right things in his short time with the organization. Plus Tanner loves the Mason West pick and the high potential he has. (37:02) July 1st should be an exciting and silly time but this free agent class was an absolute dud, from the cap going up and teams re-signing their players there was no fire works for majority of the league. (48:37) The guys wrap up the show discussing the Hawks off season and why the fan base needs to manage their expectations and trust the process with the teams rebuild.Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTanner @BroliethegoalieX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast 

Happy NHL Draft Week to all that celebrate it, the guys are back with their final draft preview before the picks are made this Friday. (0:00) Before they get into draft talk they open up discussing how great it is to see Jonathan Toews back in the NHL as it was announced that he will be signing with the Winnipeg Jets. Keeping up with Cup Era heroes, the guys congratulate Duncan Keith on being named to the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame Class.(13:13) Draft Talk kicks off with a refresher of where the Hawks 10 picks will be made and what are some of the key needs that Kyle Davidson and company need to address with these picks. (21:30) Jarom then ask if after pick 3 does Tanner want to see the the Hawks go best player available or should it all be about what the team needs?(24:45) Tanner Brings up the idea that it is very likely they will start to package some of these picks to move up in the first round. With that idea the guys look at who could the Hawks possibly work with to move up and what else they would need to include with draft picks to make this happen. Could a deal with the Islanders to help them get Schaefer and Hagens be a possibility?(36:24) Jarom wants to know if there is any players on Tanners do not draft list or if he feels like with this draft class it is open season and anyone is worth picking. Jarom plays devils advocate  that the Hawks need to look at this years picks as the last top five pick they will have because god willing they take major steps forward next year. Tanner strikes that thinking down quick. (41:20) If the move for third overall is to trade it, what would make it worth it for the guys, Peterka? Knies? Rossi? Robertson? (45:50) Bold Takes from the guys for the upcoming draft and not necessarily involving the Hawks. (46:58) The guys recap their second draft ranking and then give their final draft rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft for players who could go at number 3 overall. (55:05) To wrap the show up the guys talk about their expectations for the upcoming off season and how those expectations have already been set by the Hawks extending Ryan Donato and trading for Burakovsky. The big names might be off the board for the Hawks but there are a few more spots that need to be addressed so the guys give their summer wish list. Hosts:Jarom @ZachJaromTanner @BroliethegoalieX: @WCBPodcastInstagram: @WCBPodcastFacebook: WCBPodcast..#nhl #hockey #blackhawks #icehockey #chicagoblackhawks #podcast