The PuckPedia Hockey Show

Episode 30 of The PuckPedia Hockey Show is an NHL Trade Deadline Special. Keith Kavanaugh and Hart Levine welcome on ESPN’s Emily Kaplan to break down the ins and outs of the Trade Deadline. Emily will be on TSN and ESPN Friday for Trade Deadline coverage. We asked her what Friday will look like for her and how chaotic her life will be leading up to the deadline (3:00). Then they set up a draft game where they go through 6 categories and give insight on the Deadline. The categories are: Most Likely Big Name to Move, Stealth Impact Add, Team to Regret Doing Nothing, Arizona Coyotes Stingy Team Award, Most Creative Cap Gymnastics Move, and Team to Sell Most Players. They snap it around all episode talking about the big names out there: Robert Thomas, Nazem Kadri, and Vincent Trocheck. They also get into some teams like the Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres who are primed to make big moves given their standing in the roster. They also talk about teams who will be sellers like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, and Vancouver Canucks, and just how much they will sell. And maybe some surprise trades that always happen at the Deadline like Adam Fox or Jason Robertson. Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For Episode 12 of PuckPedia Cap Central, Hart Levine and Keith Kavanaugh quickly recap the Olympic hockey tournament where USA captured the gold medal over Canada (1:00). They dive into the trade that happened the other day where the Pittsburgh Penguins sent Brett Kulak to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Sam Girard and a 2nd round draft pick (5:00). Pittsburgh now owns 16 draft picks in the first 3 rounds of the next 3 drafts. Colorado on the other hand now has over $10M in projected cap space before the Trade Deadline. Then they talk about the Oilers cap situation, as Hart predicted just how it would play out (14:00). The Oilers sent Matthew Savoie to the minors, activated Adam Henrique from LTIR, then accrued just enough cap space to call Savoie back up to Edmonton without missing an NHL game. The Oilers now only have $10K in current cap space. They also talked about the unfortunate Kevin Fiala injury, who is out for the season after getting injured for Switzerland in the Olympics (20:45). The Kings could place Fiala on LTIR, but they would have no cap advantage to doing that as they have $13M in current salary cap space. Hart discusses what moves LA could make to optimize their salary cap and potentially weaponize their cap space. They wrap up the show talking about how they envision the Trade Deadline playing out over the next week or so, and if we will see some big names like Robert Thomas, Nazem Kadri, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Patrik Laine on the move (27:00). As always, reply on X or get in the YouTube chat to submit your questions and have them read live on the show! Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Episode 29 of The PuckPedia Hockey Show we welcome recurring guest, founder of the Will Sports Group, NHLPA certified agent Ian Pulver. We begin the episode recapping the Olympics (2:30), where the United States won the Gold Medal in a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over Canada thanks to the game-winning goal from Jack Hughes and stellar play from Connor Hellebuyck. Ian lends some great perspective on the condensed schedule given the Olympic break and how that might affect the teams and players as they enter the stretch run towards the playoffs (6:30). Then we talk about the NHL Trade Deadline coming up on March 6th, and how he generally approaches this time of year as an agent (9:00), and how he communicates everything with his clients. Given the new media world we live in, we discuss how he handles when the top NHL insiders break news, sometimes before that information gets to the players. With his prior work as an NHLPA counsel, we also discuss the current situation in the MLB as a potential lockout looms given no salary cap is in place (17:00). Ian provided great insight into why he believes the salary cap won’t provide the MLB the parity they think it will. We wrap up the episode talking about a couple of Ian’s clients. Tyler Seguin was having a strong year for the Dallas Stars before he got a torn ACL that potentially ended his season (22:00). We talk about how he handles the low moments like these for his clients. Then we discuss an exciting rookie he represents, Beckett Sennecke of the Anaheim Ducks (26:00). We touch on his breakout year and how the right environment has enabled him to succeed this season. Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Episode 28 of The PuckPedia Hockey Show we welcome two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Hart and Norris Trophy Award winner, six-time NHL All-Star, Stanley Cup Champion and Hockey Hall of Famer Chris Pronger.We start off the episode talking about Chris’s background (2:30) and how he didn’t go the conventional path, playing high school for a couple of years, and planning to go the NCAA route before going to the OHL with Peterborough.Then he was drafted 2nd overall in the NHL to the Hartford Whalers (7:00). He played a couple seasons there before being traded for Brendan Shanahan to the St. Louis Blues. His first couple of years were a struggle, but Wayne Gretzky was able to take the heat off Chris. He was named captain in his third season.He talks about a serious situation where he suffered a cardiac arrest during the 1998 playoffs when he took a slapshot to the chest (12:00), but somehow returned to play 48 hours later. Then we dive into his 1999-00 season when he won both the Hart and the Norris trophies. He was the first defenseman to win the Hart Trophy since Bobby Orr in 1971-72.Then we talk about his first crack at the Stanley Cup in 2006 with the Edmonton Oilers (18:30), losing in 7 games to the Carolina Hurricanes, and how heartbreaking that was. Then Chris finally breaks through in 2007 winning the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks (20:00). We talk about that team and how they were able to accomplish this feat.Then we get into the end of his career, and how the NHL looked into his contract with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2009 for salary cap circumvention (22:30). He signed a 7-year deal that would have taken him to age 42.Then we talk about this year’s Olympic team and how Team Canada looks through the group stage as they prepare for the medal round (27:30). Chris loves the “checking line” of Sidney Crosby, Mitch Marner, and Mark Stone. We also talk about how Jon Cooper is able to load up the top line of Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mark Stone.He goes through his experiences in his four Olympic experiences and how Canada will need to prepare to win Gold. We also talk about Team USA (37:00), what they have done so far and how the fight the Tkachuk brothers bring can lead this team to Gold.We wrap up the episode talking about Chris’s book EARNED (40:00), which comes out on April 14, and how if you pre-order it now you receive a lot of bonus features such as a podcast interview with Chris, Jon Hamm, and Joe Buck. Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Episode 27 of The PuckPedia Hockey Show we welcome on former Edmonton Oilers beat writer for The Athletic Daniel Nugent-Bowman.We start off the episode talking about Daniel’s background (2:30) and how he got his start covering sports. He spent time covering the OHL and the Saskatoon Blades. He was there for the 2013 Memorial Cup that featured Nathan MacKinnon, Seth Jones, and Jonathan Drouin to name a few (5:00).He also covered the 2014 World Juniors that had Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, which worked well to his Oilers coverage in the future. He started at The Athletic in 2018 and covered the Oilers through January of this year.He talks about how he got into hockey, and how it was his favorite sport growing up right outside of Toronto (7:00).Then we talk about the 2020 season and what it was like to cover hockey during the COVID bubble (9:00). Then we get into the Oilers Stanley Cup runs the last two seasons and what it was like to cover those seasons (13:00).DNB had to be the first person to ask McDavid a question in the media scrum following their Game 7 loss in the first season. Then we take a deep dive into the current state of the Edmonton Oilers and what they’ll have to do to make a third straight Stanley Cup run (20:45).We also look at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics (26:00), and preview the top teams in the tournament (USA and Canada), but also some guys on the Oilers who were close to making their respective teams but did not (Evan Bouchard, Zach Hyman, and Mattias Ekholm).Then we wrap up the episode talking about what’s next for DNB’s career and where he sees himself in the future (35:00). Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For Episode 11 of PuckPedia Cap Central, Hart Levine and Keith Kavanaugh dive into the blockbuster trade that happened yesterday. First they talk about the current roster freeze, and how certain teams might approach these rules to accrue cap space. Then they dive into the big Artemi Panarin trade. He was traded to the Los Angeles Kings from the New York Rangers in exchange for Liam Greentree and a conditional 2026 3rd round pick. Panarin then signed a 2-year, $22M ($11M AAV) contract extension with the Kings that kicks in starting next season. Panarin is over a point-per-game this season yet again. We discuss why the return on the trade may seem light and just how much leverage Panarin had over this entire situation. We look at the Kings salary cap picture to see what other moves they might end up making. Then we talk about the New Jersey Devils. Despite sinking in the standings they acquired Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional 4th round pick. Bjugstad is signed through next season at $1.75M AAV. Then they wrap up the show with user-submitted questions.As always, reply on X or get in the YouTube chat to submit your questions and have them read live on the show! Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Episode 26 of The PuckPedia Hockey Show we welcome on former Los Angeles Kings Assistant GM and current Sportsnet analyst Mike Futa.We start off the episode talking about Mike’s background (3:00), starting by playing hockey and then working his way up through the OHL as an Assistant Coach then a General Manager, before transitioning to the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings.He worked in the Kings front office for over a decade, with the team winning 2 Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014. He talks about the relationships along the way that helped navigate his path in hockey (13:00). Then we dive into his work with the Los Angeles Kings and how he and GM Dean Lombardi and the staff were able to build a sustainable Stanley Cup contender (23:00).Futes tells a great story about how once it was determined the Lightning were going to draft Stamkos 1st overall in the 2008 NHL Draft (25:00), he called Stamkos to see who he would personally take 2nd.Then we dive in on the process of drafting players, but once they’re drafted how important it is to develop these players (31:00). Mike goes on about how much Dean Lombardi invested in development for the Kings and how that played a key factor in their success. But also how many late-round picks the Kings hit on that ended up paying dividends for them.Then we talk about what’s happening around the NHL right now (44:00). Barry Trotz stepped down as GM of the Nashville Predators, and Mike could tell the job was taking a toll on Barry when he saw him at the Hall of Fame in November. Then we talk about the awesome Stadium Series outdoor game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins.We also touch on the Toronto Maple Leafs and what exactly has gone wrong in Mike’s opinion (49:00). Then we wrap up the episode talking about his favorite part being on the media side for Sportsnet.  Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For Episode 10 of PuckPedia Cap Central, Hart Levine and Keith Kavanaugh dive into the big trades and extensions that happened this week.The New York Islanders made 2 deals, 1 with each of their tri-state rivals. First the Islanders traded their 2026 3rd round pick to the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Carson Soucy (7:00). It’s only the 4th time these teams have executed a trade together in franchise history.Then the Islanders traded Maxim Tsyplakov to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Ondrej Palat, a 2026 3rd round pick, and a 2027 6th round pick (2:00). This trade is viewed as a cap dump by the Devils which is why the draft picks were added to the package.Then they dive into a couple of contract extensions that happened this week. Sam Malinski was extended by the Colorado Avalanche (10:00) to a 4-year, $19M contract ($4.75M AAV). The Detroit Red Wings extended Ben Chiarot (14:00) to a 3-year, $11.55M contract ($3.85M AAV).Then we wrap up the episode going over the details of the Olympic Roster Freeze that will be in effect starting February 4, and a new feature on PuckPedia for the Trade Deadline (17:00).As always, reply on X or get in the YouTube chat to submit your questions and have them read live on the show! Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Episode 25 of The PuckPedia Hockey Show we welcome on multi-platform Montreal Canadiens reporter and NHL insider Eric Engels. We start off the episode talking about Eric’s background, how he had to work multiple freelance jobs for years before landing his full-time gig at Sportsnet (3:00).Eric provides really good insight into how hard work and passion is only half the battle (9:00), and what else it takes to get to land a “dream job.”Eric is on his 18th season covering the Canadiens so we take a look down memory lane at some of his favorite moments on the Canadiens beat (19:00). There was one moment that really stuck out to him, aside from the playoff runs, COVID bubble, PK Subban for Shea Weber trade, and more.It was when the Canadiens went through multiple 8 game losing streaks in a season, and how the story to break one of the losing streaks wasn’t the players who scored. It was how Carey Price (23:00), who took the blame for the losses, pitched a shutout and was seemingly not the player the media wanted to talk to following the game. Eric received a nice message following his article from Price directly letting him know how much it meant to him.Then we talk about the current Montreal Canadiens team (29:00), how they are led by captain Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov. The offense is not the problem with this team, their goaltending and defensive structure has been the areas of their game needing improvement.We talk about what the plan might be as we approach the Trade Deadline at the beginning of March (34:00). We wrap up the episode with Eric telling us how he thinks this season will end for the Canadiens (46:00). Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For Episode 9 of PuckPedia Cap Central, Steve Werier and Keith Kavanaugh dive into the big trades and extensions that happened this week. The Calgary Flames traded Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Zach Whitecloud, a 1st round pick, a conditional 2nd round pick, and an unsigned prospect. Calgary retained 50% salary in that deal. The Vancouver Canucks traded Kiefer Sherwood for the San Jose Sharks in exchange for 2 2nd round picks and a prospect. The Buffalo Sabres extended Josh Doan to a 7-year, $48.65M contract ($6.95 AAV). Doan was an RFA at the end of the season. He was traded to Buffalo this off-season in the JJ Peterka deal. Chris Drury and the New York Rangers released a letter letting fans know they were going to retool their team. Steve had an interesting take on that before we dove into the futures of Panarin, Trocheck, Lafreniere, Schneider, and more. We also talked about the playoff salary cap this year, a new article of the CBA, and how teams might approach managing that. Then we wrapped up with Steve’s World where he talked about his thoughts for how he thinks the agency world might evolve in the future with the emergence of social media and building players’ brands. Then he touches on the Kraken as they’ve been rumored to have been shopping former first round pick Shane Wright.As always, reply on X or get in the YouTube chat to submit your questions and have them read live on the show! Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Episode 24 of The PuckPedia Hockey Show we welcome on Director of Analytics & Insights for Sportlogiq Mike Kelly.We start off the episode talking about Mike’s background (3:00), and how he started in more of a broadcasting role and path before shifting gears with tech company Sportlogiq. We talk about how Sportlogiq data is being presented on broadcasts, not just at the national level (TNT, Sportsnet, NHL Network) but also on regional broadcasts (MSG and FanDuel Sports Network).We discuss how the data is just one piece of the larger pie that includes scouting, coaching, development, performance sciences to name a few (6:00). Then we talk about how Mike’s role evolved at Sportlogiq to add more media to explain Sportlogiq’s proprietary data to the hockey audience.Mike mentions how shots on goal are not one of the top metrics he looks at when evaluating how a game played out (10:00). Then we talk about how NHL teams use the Sportlogiq data and platform, and how they each leverage that information differently (12:00).Then we talk about the difference between the private and public expected goals models, as this is the most mainstream metric to come out of the analytical wave (16:00).Then we talk about some of the things that are catching Mike’s eyes this season (22:30). Connor McDavid’s speed is one thing, the NHL EDGE data gives him 92 speed bursts of 22+ MPH and 2nd place was Roope Hintz with 29.Then we talk about New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin and how he has the most “Goalie Steals” this season, which is when a goalie has more Goals Saved Above Expected than the actual Goal Differential of the game (27:00).We also dive into San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini, and what makes him such a special player (30:00). Then we wrap up the episode talking about if Mike thinks any team can compete with the Colorado Avalanche to win the Stanley Cup (33:00).  Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For Episode 8 of PuckPedia Cap Central, Hart Levine and Keith Kavanaugh dive into the big signings that happened over the last week. First they talk about the Philip Broberg extension with the St. Louis Blues, he signed a 6-year, $48M contract ($8M AAV). Then they talk about the Alexandre Texier extension with the Montreal Canadiens, he signed a 2-year, $5M contract ($2.5M AAV). Then Hart goes on a rant about the Salary Cap Floor, and why he thinks deals like the Chicago Blackhawks acquiring Ryan Ellis and his $6.25M contract to get to the floor isn’t the most efficient way to get to the floor. Then they dive into 2 teams salary cap situations, the Edmonton Oilers and the New Jersey Devils. Both teams are up against the cap and had to do some gymnastics recently to activate healthy players from LTIR. The Oilers added Adam Henrique to LTIR before activating Jake Walman and Tristan Jarry. The Devils added Stefan Noesen and Zack MacEwen to LTIR before activating Johnathan Kovacevic and Evgenii Dadonov. They finish the episode answering user-submitted questions.As always, reply on X or get in the YouTube chat to submit your questions and have them read live on the show! Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Episode 23 of The PuckPedia Hockey Show we welcome Tyler Madarasz from Sirius XM’s NHL Network Radio. Tyler gives us a brief dive into his background and how he got into this role and working in hockey (3:00). We talk about the progression he has made throughout his time there.He tells us a great Wayne Gretzky story about how he had to give me a call to get him on their show, and how Wayne called back after the show thanking them for the time (8:00).Then we dive into the Olympic rosters, and where we thought Team Canada and Team USA could have made tweaks to the rosters announced (11:00). Besides the popular takes of Jason Robertson, Adam Fox, and Sam Bennett being the big snubs, we dove into some other players who had a case to make these teams (16:00). We talk about how we think the teams will finish and if any of the other nations could challenge these two favorites for a gold medal in Milan.Then we talk about the current state of the NHL, and what surprises we’ve seen so far (22:00). The Eastern Conference standings are still really close, with a team like the Detroit Red Wings leading their division, and surprise teams like the New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, and Buffalo Sabres holding onto Wild Card spots.In the West, the top 3 in the Central Division (Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, and Minnesota Wild) are having remarkable years, and teams like the Seattle Kraken and San Jose Sharks are surprising others by holding onto playoff spots (27:00).Teams like the Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, and Washington Capitals currently find themselves on the outside looking into the playoff picture.We wrap up with advice Tyler has for anyone wanting to get into the hockey industry (33:00). Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media! X: @PuckPedia  IG: @PuckPedia  Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet Responsibly Theme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Episode 22 of The PuckPedia Hockey Show we welcome musician and former TSN contributor Lester McLean. Lester writes the theme song for the PuckPedia Hockey Show so we wanted to start the episode talking about his inspiration behind the theme you hear each episode (2:30).Then we get into Lester’s background, talking about how he grew up such a fan of the game of hockey but also had interest in the musical side of things (5:00). Then he talks about his lucky break meeting James Duthie from TSN and beginning to write music for some of the hockey work James did, and how his songs became viral on the TSN airwaves (7:30).Then we dive into Breaking Down Barriers, a show about positive social change and impact around sports, specifically hockey and the involvement Lester had on that show (11:30).Then we get into Lester’s hockey fandom, where he grew up as a Toronto Maple Leafs fan before switching fandoms later in life to the Montreal Canadiens (17:30). We talk about some of their superstar players: Lane Hutson, Cole Caufield, and Nick Suzuki, as well as their defense core and some of their goaltending issues this season. They’re currently in a playoff spot and would play the Detroit Red Wings in the first round if the season ended today (21:30).We touch on the Maple Leafs a little bit as well and how Auston Matthews and William Nylander’s seasons have gone so far (26:00). Then we wrap up the episode with Lester’s Stanley Cup picks and any advice he has for aspiring musicians who want to get in the hockey space (30:00).  Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Episode 21 of The PuckPedia Hockey Show we welcome founder of The Pro Hockey Group and recurring guest Jason Bukala.We wanted to bring Bukes on to preview the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minnesota, the annual best-on-best hockey tournament featuring the best under-20 hockey players in the world (2:30). Jason’s scouting reports are on PuckPedia’s website if you want to read up on some of the players in this tournament (4:30).We start by previewing Team Canada, who are the odds-on favorites to win the tournament this year (6:30). Gavin McKenna and Michael Misa are the elite forwards up front, with Zayne Parekh and Keaton Verhoeff on the back end, and Carter George in net (14:00).Then we preview Team USA, the two-time defending World Juniors champions (19:00). Some of USA’s top players like Gabe Perreault, Ryan Leonard, and Zeev Buium have aged out, but they still have some high-end talent. James Hagens is the best player up front for the Americans, alongside Teddy Stiga who scored the Golden Goal for USA last year, and Ryker Lee who had a viral goal in the NCAA this season. Lane Huston’s brother Cole will be one of the top defensemen for the USA this tournament (25:00).Then we quickly talk about Sweden and some of their star power including: Ivar Stenberg, Anton Frondell, and Victor Eklund (31:00). We also touch on Finland, who sometimes is able to challenge the big 3 countries (33:30). Then we wrap up the episode talking about the players to watch out for this tournament (36:00).  Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For Episode 6 of PuckPedia Cap Central, Hart Levine and Keith Kavanaugh dive into the 2 massive trades in the NHL. Quinn Hughes was traded on Friday to the Minnesota Wild from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Zeev Buium, Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren, and a 2026 1st Round Pick (4:45). This trade sent shockwaves around the NHL.Keith & Hart break it down from a salary cap perspective, what this means for a potential Quinn Hughes extension in Minnesota, and what is next for Vancouver as they navigate a rebuild or retool (9:00). They also discuss the article written on ESPN from Greg Wyshynski and Rachel Kryshak and just how close the New Jersey Devils were to getting the 3rd Hughes brother to New Jersey (12:00).Then they also discuss the big goaltending trade that also broke on Friday, as Tristan Jarry was traded to the Edmonton Oilers from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak, and a 2029 2nd Round Pick (19:00). It was a money-in, money-out deal due to Edmonton’s salary cap situation.It was a nice piece of business by Kyle Dubas, who placed Jarry on waivers 11 months ago where teams could have had him for free. He now gets 2 expiring contracts and a 2nd round pick to add to his war chest of assets (22:00). Edmonton is hopeful Jarry is the missing piece to their Stanley Cup contention window.They dive into the roster freeze quickly and wrap-up the episode with a user question regarding how the salary cap accrual process works (25:30).As always, reply on X or get in the YouTube chat to submit your questions and have them read live on the show! Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Episode 20 of The PuckPedia Hockey Show we welcome the host of the NHL on ESPN and Sportscenter Arda Öcal.We start off talking about his childhood and how his father raised him to grow up a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, living close by to the old Maple Leaf Gardens (3:30). Then we started talking about how he wanted to get into broadcasting, and he idolized Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean growing up (4:45).Then he took a normal day job for a few years while doing the broadcasting gigs on the side, until he eventually went all-in with Rogers TV where he was able to get his hands on a bunch of different areas of broadcasting (5:30). We talk about how Arda got his first big break in the industry by stepping outside of hockey and trying his hand on a few different sports, including combat sports (11:00).He started at the Score doing MMA and WWE post-shows in Canada (14:00). Then in 2016 he landed an opportunity at MSG Networks hosting a post-post hockey show with Anson “Ace” Carter, while also subbing in on some Devils and Rangers broadcasts and the MSG 150 (16:30).He also started doing part-time assignments with ESPN in everything except hockey, including esports and League of Legends, and MMA. That led to a full-time job with ESPN after 3 years of part-time work, and really ramped up once ESPN got the media rights to the NHL in 2020 (20:00).He raised his hand and was given a role as one of the studio hosts, and he loves working with the crew. Mark Messier, PK Subban, Steve Levy, TJ Oshie, John Tortorella to name a few (22:00). He praises their work ethic and how dedicated they are to getting better. We also talk about the Pat McAfee effect at ESPN and how his path has inspired a new generation of fans and sports media (25:00).Then we talk about the Quinn Hughes trade and how Arda was on the air when the trade broke, and he had to pivot to talk about it during the Blackhawks vs. Blues game with Emily Kaplan (32:00). Then we wrap up the episode with some career advice from Arda and how important it is to have mentors and champions in your corner (40:00). Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Episode 19 of The PuckPedia Hockey Show we welcome on hockey media legend Jeff Marek, currently of The Sheet at The Nation Network / Daily Faceoff, and The Hockey Lifers with Bruce Boudreau on Monumental Sports Network.Jeff brings us in a ton of different directions, much like his career. We start the show talking about how violence in hockey might be making a comeback (4:45). Jeff brings us down memory lane on the origin of the Gordie Howe Hat Trick (8:00).Then Jeff tells us about his background, how at the age of 8 he would go to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto and take notes on all of the exhibits there (9:30). Also how he spent much of his time at the old Maple Leaf Gardens. Then we get a little heavy as Jeff tells us at the age of 16 his mom passed away from brain cancer, and it was hockey who saved him from going down a deep drugs and alcohol spiral in 1987, one of the best years for hockey (13:30).Then Jeff dives into his Hockey Night in Canada career with CBC and Sirius XM (18:00), as well as his move over to Sportsnet. Jeff then tells us his tricks for how to tell a story in the hockey world, which leads into a previous PuckPedia episode where the Florida Panthers almost offer sheeted Nikita Kucherov, and also a possible Leon Draisaitl-Kucherov swap with the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers (22:00).Then we discuss the fun debate where Quinn Hughes referred to Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald as “Fitzy” and what that all means, and if brothers Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes have any impact on that (25:15). We touch on a recent interview Lou Lamoriello recently did on the Steve Dangle Podcast Network, which got Jeff to ponder how good these stories would be from General Managers once they retire on things that didn’t happen (28:00).Then we talk about Jeff’s move to The Nation Network, and how his producer Amil Delic from Sportsnet’s 32 Thoughts, who is now Jeff’s boss, played a key role (32:00). He talks about how he enjoys some of the younger shows (Morning Cuppa Hockey and What Chaos!) and how his veteran presence adds some value. Jeff talks about his On The Road series over the summer and why he was able to get such good stories out of the players and executives (36:00).Then we wrap up the episode talking about the Olympic ice rink dimension issue in Milan, and how that got Jeff thinking about how each NHL team could have different dimensions similar to MLB with Fenway Park and the Green Monster, or the New York Yankees with their short right field porch (40:30).   Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For Episode 5 of PuckPedia Cap Central, Hart Levine and Keith Kavanaugh dive into the 2 contract extensions just recently signed. Ryan McDonagh signed an extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning for 3-years x $4.1M AAV. Then the Montreal Canadiens announced a 5-year x $6M AAV extension with Mike Matheson.Then they talk about the recent injury to Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin and do a deep dive on how Dallas can fully optimize their salary cap if they place him on Season Ending Long-Term Injured Reserve. They also talk about the Vancouver Canucks and some questions around the trade protection for Conor Garland and Quinn Hughes, as well as potential retention in a hypothetical Thatcher Demko trade.Then they wrap up with a couple of fan-submitted questions. The first has to do with why a team wouldn’t place an injured player on LTIR if they know he will be out for at least a month. Then the second question has to do with 35+ contracts and who is on the hook for bonuses if that player were to be traded.As always, reply on X or get in the YouTube chat to submit your questions and have them read live on the show! Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!X: @PuckPedia IG: @PuckPedia Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet ResponsiblyTheme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.