ScuttlePuck NHL Hockey Podcast

Dale tells stories about Korea and regrets some of his predictions as we review each series and the storylines.  Will the Leafs bounce back from 3-1? What is going on with Connor Hellebuyck?    Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio Title Player - Sami Kapanen - Kapanen - 06-07 Flyers Scottie Upshall -> 11-12 Panthers Shawn Mattias -> 15-16 Leafs Hyman  News Playoff Summary  FLA 3 TBL 1    Mike - FLA (6)  Dale TBL (7) Florida carrying play - 3 FLA wins were tight games  Will Lightning go out this easy?  BOS 3 TOR 1  Mike TOR (7) Dale TOR (6) PP  Goals Bruins - 6  Leafs 1  5v5 Leafs have better stats - Shots 92-76, xGF 54%  Leafs were 2nd in Goals scored in reg season - 3.69/G   Leafs have to bounce back - don’t they? If not, is Keefe gone? What players?  CAR 3 NYI 1  Mike CAR (5)  Dale NYI (4)   Carolina better stats but every game very tight - all one goal games if take away empty net goals Hearing Brindamour in trouble if Hurricanes don’t have a big playoff NYR 3 WAS 0  Mike NYR (4)  Dale WSH (7)  Results not surprising but stats a bit surprising WAS outshooting, out chancing at 5v5  NYR - 2 SH Goals  Game 2 - 4 PP goals and 1 SH  VGK 2 DAL 1 Mike DAL (5) Dale DAL (5)  Dallas been much better stats-wise. Out scoring at 5v5 6-4 but down in series.  Should be able to come back EDM 2 LAK 1 Mike EDM (6) Dale EDM (7)  Edmonton have been better team but let foot off gas in game 2. Relying too heavily on Power Play  COL 2 WPG 1  Mike WPG (7) Dale WPG (6) Hellebuyck hasn’t been stellar - 15G in 3 games Avs taking it to them stats wise - unless Hellebuyck can turn it around, Jets will go out quickly  VAN 2 NAS 1  Mike VAN (6) Dale Van (4)  Very tight series - Canucks scraping by - can they survive wiithout Demko?  Guesss the 5th   Connections - Last episode - Joe Nieuwendyk, Mike Keane, Claude Lemieux Mark Recchi THIS WEEK - Dallas, Columbus, Minnesota, Washington  Arizona moving - Dale's thoughts Lindy Ruff - back to Buffalo Crazy Stat  DOPeS - nothing to report but should Rempe hit have been reviewed? 2 min for interference - van Reimsdyk injured  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JP9PSS_pjQ

Find out who will win this year's Stanley Cup by listening to this episode. With Dale in Korea, Mike goes solo and reviews both of our brackets. Also, the Coyotes finally give up the ghost and move to Utah.    Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio Title Player Wade Redden News Arizona moves to Utah $1.2B  To Ryan Smith - $200M to owners, for relocation Name - Stormin’ Mormons? Utah takes over all hockey ops and Meruelo maintains business operations in Arizona in attempt to get arena built and get an expansion franchise Meruelo has 5 years to get this done or his provision expires Impact of Marty Walsh to force NHL’s hand?  Playoffs Preview / Predictions Leafs vs Bruins Islanders vs Hurricanes Lightning vs Panthers Capitals vs Rangers Jets vs Avalanche Canucks vs Predators Stars vs Knights Oilers vs Kings  

CEO of one of our favourite websites eliteprospects.com Peter Sibner joins us to discuss the lead up to the playoffs and who to watch for.  It was a fun conversation and Peter gave us some great insights.    Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio Title Players Wayne Merrick and Pierre Mondou Feedback Arvids - What 2 Latvians to win cup in last 30 years.  Interview: Peter Sibner - Elite Prospects President ESMG, North America Guess the 5th Connections - Last week: Rick Nash, Corey Stillman, Justin Braun, Riley Stillman, This week: What connects Joe Nieuwendyk, Mike Keane, Claude Lemieux and Mark Recchi Playoff Races West is done - just a matter of whether Oilers play VGK or LAK Flyers fall out in tight race in East Hot/Not -  Atlantic - TBL 7-2-1 / FLA - Panthers limping in while Lightning ramping up - BOS/TBL will be tough Metro - NYR 8-2-0 / PHI - 2-5-3 Central - DAL 9-1-0 / WPG  4-5-1 -  Pacific - LAK 7-3-0 / CGY 2-8-0  - Flames are tough to figure.   Sharks - -136 goal diff    Worst in history   74-75 Capitals - -265 93-94 Sens - -196 92-93 Sharks -196 72-73 Isles - -177 75-76 Caps - 170  Will probably end up around -145  - 73-74 golden Seals area Crazy Stat DOPeS - Hartman 3 games for throwing stick on ice after OT loss. https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/player-safety/minnesota-wild-ryan-hartman-suspended-three-games Interesting in comparison with Guehle 1 gamer 

As the season winds down, players are hitting big milestones. Zack Hyman and Sam Reinhart hit 50G, Matthews hits 60G and McDavid tops 120 pts for 3rd straight year. We look at the playoff races and there is a new edition of Connections for listeners.    Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio Title Player Jerry Korab -> Zack Hyman Korab 83-84 Sabres Dave Andreychuk -> 05-06 Lightning Paul Ranger -> 13-14 Leafs Nazem Kadri -> 2015-16 Leafs Hyman News Wild pull goalie in OT again but lose Milestone watches McDavid - 95 Assists - going to hit 100 If he stays on pace will get to 110, 4 short of Mario’s best at 114  Gretzky’s record - 163! 3rd 120pt season in a row. 1st since Gretzky. He did it 13 times in a row - would have had 14 or 15 - thanks Gary Suter Jonathan Quick - most wins for US goalie - 392 - passed Ryan Miller Art Ross MacKinnon 127 Kucherov 126 McDavid 125 Rocket Richard Matthews - 60G  Reinhart and Hyman hit 50  MacKinnon and Pastrnak - 45  Rookies -  Bedard 21-35-56  in 59 GP Marco Rossi MIN - 20 G Tyson Foerster PHI - 19G  Goalies Going to hit 60GP  Saros 58 GP  Georgieve 57 GP Hellebuyck 54 GP Skinner 53 GP  Andrew Berkshire on Twitter about Zack Hyman hitting 50 https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/analyst-gets-absolutely-roasted-for-insanely-rich-take-on-hyman Guess the 5th Connections - Last week - Staal, Poddubny, Delvecchio, Fogolin - Solution: All From Thunder Bay  This Week - Cory Stillman, Justin Braun, Rick Nash, Riley Stillman  Playoff Picture Teams Clinched this week: Boston, Florida, Carolina, New York Rangers, Dallas, Vancouver Wild Card Races  Hot/Not Atlantic TBL 8-1-1 / DET  3-5-2 Metro CAR  8-1-1 / NYI 2-7-1 Central COL 8-1-1 / WPG 3-6-1  Pacific VGK,EDM 7-2-1 / ANA, SJS 1-8-1  Crazy Stat DOPeS  Guhle - 1 game from slashing from the bench - not a hard slash but a bit surprised they didn’t come down harder on him for this

The NHL GMs met this week and have provided some ideas for rule changes. Zach Hyman is getting close to 50 goals and Connor McDavid could well hit 100 Assists.  We also have a look at the playoff races.   Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio     Title Player Curtis Joseph - 454 Wins  Feedback  Trent Buhler - @oldtimetablehockey on Insta - Makes incredible diaoramas of hockey scenes News Chris Simon dies by suicide at 52 Marner injury -  Leafs messed this up - why not have it happen before deadline and leave him out until playoffs. High ankle sprain - trouble? Bettman statement on Chris Simon https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/bettman-responds-to-simons-tragic-passing-after-his-family-blame~2888770 Board of Governor’s Meetings LTIR - not on agenda but discussed, Daly asked Exec oommittee to come back if they believe change neededf Rule changes -  Can’t sit with leg over board for line change If goalie removed by concussion spotter, spare goalie gets warm up Coach challenge - can challenge any high stick - before had to be double minor or major Coach challenge - puck over glass - challenge if deflected - need to get right because if wrong go 2 men down Reviewed 3 on 3 but are content Zach Hyman at 48 goals  McDavid 14 Assists away from 100 with 15 games to go.  Been done 13 times, by 3 players.  Matthews 5 point game 57 G with 14 to play - prob not going to make 70, what do you think he will hit? Will teams “load manage” players heading to end of season? Guess the 5th Connections - Last week - Johnson, Gelinas, Tardif, Carson - all part of Gretzky trade Alex Delvecchio, Eric Staal, Walt Poddubny, Lee Fogolin Playoff races Washington on fire - could catch Philly - Tortorella healthy scratches Couurier?  Philly not likely to get caught by Isles or Devils.  St Louis, Minnesota chasing Nashville, Vegas , LA  Hot / Not Atlantic - TBL 7-2-1 / DET 3-7-0  Metroo - CAR 8-1-1 / PIT 3-6-1  Central - COL 9-1-0 / CHI 4-6-0  Pacific - EDM 7-1-2 / SJS 1-8-1  DOPeS - Tom Wilson attempts decaptiation - 6 games  https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/player-safety/washington-capitals-forward-tom-wilson-suspended-6-games-for-high-sticking Is it enough?   Kulikov 2 games check to head https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/player-safety/panthers-dmitry-kulikov-suspended-two-games-for-illegal-check-to-head 

Dale and Mike return from sun vacations to breakdown and discuss the big trade deadline deals and then look to the playoff races. Have the Oilers and Leafs done enough? Also, the DOPeS have been busy and we ask - did they create this mess?     Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio Banter -Vacations Title Player Charlie Huddy  News  Trade Deadline  Biggest Stories Vegas - Huge haul Tomas Hertl, 2025 3rd, 2027 3rd for David Edstrom, 2025 1st rnd pick  - SJS retains $1.3875 Noah Hanifin, - 3 way deal with CGY, PHI - Hanifin cap hit ends at $1.2375 -  Anthony Mantha  from WSH for 2024 2nd, 2026 4th  Conveniently Mark Stone $9.5MM on LTIR out - will he be back for playoffs? Friedge says SJS NOW fully rebuilding?????   Leafs quiet  -Joel Edmundson for 2024 3rd, 2025 5th  $875 retained Oilers - Adam Henrique, Sam Carrick from Ducks for 2024 1st, 2025 5th, 2025 4th - 3 way with TB to retain salary Troy Stecher from AZ for 2027 4th  Solid pick ups    Carolina  Kuznetsov from Washington for 2025 3rd - Kuz had been in minors  Guentzel from Pitt for Bunting, 3 AHL players, 2024 2nd, 2024 5th  Dubas getting picks to do a rebuild  Sabres / Avalanche - Byram for Middlestadt - was surprised Coyotes Arena - Coyotes to bid on land in North Phoenix - auction starts at 68.5 milliion.  Has to be the last chance. - Auction in 10 weeks Tortorella - gets ejected and initially won’t leave bench Fun full explanation here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqdGemIZbA8   2 games and $25,000 fine Crosby moving? - seems to be lots of speculation all of a sudden Wild Pull goalie in OT and win - if they lost, would lose OT point - did you know that?    Guess the 5th  Connections - previous -Gretzky, Ovechkin, Lemieux, Hull  Hot / Not  - Full Standings with Current playoff positions  Atlantic - FLA 8-2-0 / DET 3-7-0 Metro - NYR,CAR 6-3-1 / PIT 3-6-1  EAST Wildcard  Race  Central - NSH 8-0-2 / CHI 3-5-2  Pacific - EDM 7-2-1 / SJS 1-7-2 - Vegas 3-6-1  West Wildcard Point of year when bad teams get REALLY bad - but no one is tanking ANA 3-7-0 SJS 1-7-2 CHI 3-5-2 OTT 3-6-1  Crazy Stat DOPeS Matt Rempe 4 games - https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/player-safety/rangers-rempe-suspended-four-games-for-elbowing-devils-siegenthaler   Parker Kelly 2 games https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/player-safety/parker-kelly-of-ottawa-senators-suspended-two-games-by-player-safety   Pospisil 3 games - https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/player-safety/flames-martin-pospisil-suspended-three-games-for-boarding   Lots of dirty stuff going on - is league clamping down or are players playing on edge because of lack of consistencies

Auston Matthews passes 50 goals and on pace for 75. Are the Vancouver Canucks for real?  We assess it in our Team of the Week segment.     Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio Title Player Derek Sanderson - Connect to Jaromir Jagr News Matthews past 50! On pace for 75 - truly remarkable Jagr sweater retirement - came out for the warmup  Kekalainen fired - finally - 410-362-97 record in 869 11 years Jackets 18-28-10 this year - last in Metro, 29th in league Tilman Fertitta - owner of Houston Rockets is in talks to get an NHL franchise.   Are Jets in trouble?  Trade deadline looming -  Guess the 5th Connections - What do Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Brett Hull and Alexander Ovechkin have in common? Team of the Week - Vancouver Canucks -    82 PTS (1) .683 PTS % (4) GF% 59.44 (2)  SF% 49.15 (19th) xGF 51.04 (13th)  SH% 11.69 (1)  SV% 92.29 (7)  PDO 1.04  PP 22.8 (11)  PK 78.95 (19)  Points JT Miller 29 - 50 - 79 E Pettersson 29-45-74 Hughes 12-58-70 Boeser 33-27-60  Goalies Demko 44 GP .917  GSAA 17.3 (2)  DeSmith 17 GP .894 -4.6    Hot / Not Atlantic FLA, TOR 8-2-0 / MTL 3-6-1 - Florida pouring it on Metropolitan NYR 9-10 / NYI 3-4-3 Central - MIN 6-3-1 / ARI 0-9-1  Pacific - LAK 6-3-1 / 4-5-1  A lot of middling performances  Crazy Stat DOPes Rielly ended up with 5 games - Leafs appeal, Bettman upholds  

Dale is away but Mike has a great chat with Al Mitchell from Sports 1440 Radio in Edmonton. We discuss the state of the Oilers, and the Pacific division. Mike tested Al's draft knowledge in Guess the 5th.    Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio   Title Player Dan Maloney  News Oilers winning streak ends with loss to Vegas - good game, had a playoff feel Al Mitchell from Edmonton Sports 1440  Guess the 5th - Who are the 5 players drafted in 2015 with the most NHL Games Played? Hot / Not  Atlantic DET 7-2-1 / MTL 4-4-2 - worst team at .500  Metro CAR 7-3-0 / NJD, WSH, CBJ 3-6-1  Central DAL 7-2-1 / CHI 2-7-1 Pacific EDM 8-2-0 / SEA 3-6-1    DOPeS - Dillon Jets - 3 games -  Nikita Zadorov - 2 games for hit on Lucas Raymond  Rielly - 6 games? Seemed a lot like Perron

Dale and Mike are thrilled to speak with retired NHL linesman Vaughan Rody. He gave us some great stories and fascinating insights into the life of an NHL official. The All Star Game happened this weekend and it wasn't a complete fiasco, so that's a step forward for the league.    Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio Title Player Randy Burridge   News Trades: Lindholm to Vancouver Monahan to Winnipeg All Star Game - Skills was an improvement - was fun and interesting and they were actually trying 3 Hours? WAAAAY too long - no need for bands  Does the $1,000,000 prize make it more interesting for fans? PWHL game was fun - skill is impressive -  Draft feedback All Star Skills competition - Steve Mayer - been Chief Content Officer for 7 years and this was most input from player - doesn’t speak well of him imo 3 on 3 main event.... meh All Star Announcements - NHL Players in Olympics!! 4 nations faceoff - replaces all star next year World Junior Charges -  All players officially named -  Michael McLeod has 2 charges Dillon Dube Alex Formenton Cal Foote Carter Hart Vaughan Rody Interview - 20 years - 1228 regular season games / 19 playoff games https://nhlofficials.com/nhl-officials/current/vaughan-rody/ - Read the bio - had some serious injuries Connections:  Guess the 5th  Mike watched 1967 Habs vs Leafs on Youtube and was fascinated AT THE ALLSTAR BREAK -  Playoff picture East - by P% wildcard teams are TBL / PHI West - by P% wildcard teams are LAK / STL ATLANTIC - 1st Bos / Last Ottawa Predictions - Leafs / Canadiens  METRO  -  1st NYR / Last CBJ Predictions - Rangers / Flyers CENTRAL - 1st WPG (Pts%) / Last CHI Predictions - Avalanche / Blackhawks - very tight PACIFIC - 1st VAN / Last SJS Predictions - Oilers / Sharks Player Stats -  Kuvherov, MackInnon, Pastrnak, Miller Goalies - league average save % .899!! Swayman, Hellebuyck, Daccord, Demko, Ingram, Jarry Crazy Stat  DOPeS - Trouba 2 games for elbowing https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/player-safety/new-york-rangers-defenseman-jacob-trouba-suspended                  

We welcome back Jeff from Meat and Potatoes: A Flyers Podcast (formerly Broadstreet Bully Podcast) to give us the update on the Flyers season and the Cutter Gauthier situation. The Oilers run the table in January and extend their winning streak to 16 games.    Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio Title Player - Blaine Stoughton -  News Is Oiler streak extended to 16. One away from Penguins record of 17 from 92-93.  World Junior 2018 Team - 5 players are to surrender to police  London Police will have a press conference on Feb 5.  Friedman stressed how they were told to be very careful as anyone linking the players publicly before charges laid would likely be sued Utah - Ryan Smith requests NHL open expansion process Arizona supposed to have plan by end of January - coincidence?  Borje - not great TV but fun to see the story Zach Parise signs with Avalanche after being off all year so far Connections - Congrats to Cody Trafford for the first correct guess on Last Week's contest This week: What do Valtteri Filppula, Pavel Datsyuk, Jonathan Toews, and Mats Naslund have in common? INTERVIEW - JEFF FROM MEAT AND POTATOES: A FLYERS PODCAST  Jeff does a guest version of Guess the 5th What’s the Call?  Last week discussed Oilers got 2 min penalty and Kraken 5 min and Oilers received 3 min PP.  Table 15, Rule 19. Example 19.  Table has 32 examples of who serves what in different penalty situations.  Proposed Rule changes - no more coincidental penalties? Why not get rid of the rule?  These charts from Moneypuck.com are pretty cool. https://moneypuck.com/standings.htm DOPeS - Brendan Gallagher hit - 5 games https://www.nhl.com/video/topic/player-safety/gallagher-suspended-five-games-6345655846112 -  William Lockwood - 3 games for hit on Fleury - https://scoutingtherefs.com/2024/01/43464/panthers-lockwood-suspended-for-goaltender-interference-on-wilds-fleury/ Listened to Agent Provocateur episode about a DOPeS Hearing. - kept calling them Department of Player Suspensions. Called it a Kangaroo court.

The Oilers have extended their winning streak to 13 games with wins over Toronto, Calgary and Seattle.   Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio   Title Player Dean McAmmond - Connect to Patrick Roy Feedback - thanks to those who entered guesses in Hockey Connections -  NEWS Oilers win streak - 13 games - will it continue? Cbj,chi,Nash How much credit to Knoblauch, Coffey? Isles fire Lambert, hire Patrick Roy Pinto signs for $775,000, 1 yr Rutherford signs 3 yr extension Matthews with hattrick in win over Calgary - on pace for 71. Leafs needed that win, big performance. After blowing leads in 4 straight, they came back from down 2-0. First look at trade deadline March 8 - Athletic / Daily Faceoff / TSN Elias Lindholm - CGY - seems to be consensus top player available - 2nd line C - UFA Trevor Zegras - ANA - unbelievable with hype around him . 2 more years at $5.75. Varying opinions on whether will be moved. Surgery on ankle and should be ready to play at deadline Chris Tanev - CGY - solid d - UFA at end of year PWHL Update -  GUESS THE FIFTH   CONNECTIONS - WInner Last Week - Nora - Brodeur, Roy, Barrasso, Fuhr - all had 45+ assists THIS WEEK: What do Tony Esposito, Peter Sastny, Ed Belfour and Artemi Panarin have in common? Weekly Topic What’s the best city to play in? via www.gavingroup.ca - hockey wealth specialists Top 5 Bottom 5 (Ascending from worst) Notes: 6 Canadian cities in top 10 safety 6 Canadian cities in bottom 8 for climate  Taxes - based on $5,000,000 salary  California/NY Teams - $2.5MM Escrow calulator - enter salary and season  Crazy Stat -  Hot / Not Atlantic DET 7-2-1 / OTT 3-6-1 - Leafs in 3rd by P% but TBL Closing Metro CAR 8-1-1 / NYI 2-6-2 - Rangers 3-6-1 Central WPG 9-1-0 / CHI 3-7-0 Pacific EDM 10-0-0 / ANA, SJS 2-7-1 -LAK 2-5-3 - falling back after good start - McLellan on hot seat  DOPeS - Gourde 2 games https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/player-safety/seattle-kraken-yanni-gourde-suspended-two-games

In a wild week in hockey, William Nylander signed an 8 year, $11.5MM contract keeping him in Toronto for the long term. The Oilers continue their hot streak breaking a team record with a 10 game winning streak. What is the best line in the NHL right now? Ever?     Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio Title Player Russ Courtnall - 447 Assists Feedback - Arvids from Latvia  Pat from Detroit  News  Nylander signs for $11.5/season - 13.7% of cap Comparables - McDavid 16.7% (when signed) Auston Matthews - 15.87%  Nathan MacKinnon - 15.27% Big Extensions coming - how does Nylander affect-  Sam Reinhart ($6.5MM)- UFA at end of season Elias Petterson ($7.35MM)- RFA at end of season Leon Draisaitl - ($8.5) 1 more year - can sign July 1    2. Cutter Gauthier traded for Jamie Drysdale  What happened? - - was all in to be drafted by Flyers july 2022 - Totorella already coach -March 2023, Fletcher fired, Briere hired - after season ended (basically same time) Gauthier wanted to finish season with Flyers - shortly after, said he didn’t want to be a Flyer   3. Borje series- episodes 1 & 2 review   4. PWHL - Minnesota leads the league 3-0 - seem to be the team to beat Montreal - 2-1 Ottawa 1-0  5. Rumours - Markstrom to Carolina? pure speculation but makes sense - .910 SV%  Calgary have some good players and sounds like they will be sellers Lindholm - UFA Hanifin - UFA Tanev -UFA All Star Sweaters - ugh 6. #81 Linesman - brutal - Ryan Daisy - lined game between Edmonton and Montreal  7. Double digit points streaks - 14 for McDavid - ties Lemieux. Next is Lafleur 15. Gretzky -31   Guess the 5th   Listener Quiz?    Best Line in Hockey Now?  Ever?  via moneypuck.com Goals For GF / 60  GF% Production Line 1947-52 - Detroit - Ted Lindsay, Gordie Howe, Sid Abel - 2 Cups, 3 Art Ross, 1-2-3 in scoring in 1949-50 Nitro line 1967-75 Boston - Phil Esposito, Wayne Cashman, Ken Hodge - 2 Cups, 1-2-4 in scoring in 73-74 (Bobby Orr was 20 Punch Line - 1942-48 Montreal - Elmer Lach, Toe Blake, Maurice Richard - 2 cups, 1-2-3 in scoring in 1944-45 Crazy Stat Hot / Not Atlantic FLA 9-1-0 / MTL 3-5-2 Metro CAR 7-1-2 / CBJ 2-4-4 Central WPG, COL 8-1-1 / CHI, MIN 2-7-1  Pacific EDM 10-0/ SJS 1-9-0  - SEA 9-0-1    DOPeS - heard people saying Cousins leapt into boards to embellish on Zucker hit. Watched again. No chance. 3 games was way too little. Borderline Hunter hitting Turgeon for 20 games. NHL “while Zucker insists this wasn’t retribution”. Why say that - there is no chance it wasn’t.    

The USA won the World Juniors, defeating the hometown Swedes.  Connor Bedard is out with a broken jaw and the Winnipeg Jets are in first place in league. They are our Team of the Week.    Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio Title Player  Milan Michalek News Winnipeg in 1st in league in PTS, but Rangers in 1st Pts % Bedard injury - didn’t seem bad - should be back - of course Smith had to fight smh https://youtube.com/shorts/avN4I1c4lKU?si=enKFpyF5RDUD025C broken jaw - on IR Borje Series Friedman reporting Nylander deal close - over $10MM - what do you think? World Junior - USA vs Sweden final - fast, excellent hockey   USA wins gold 6-2 Czechia over Finland - 8-5 - Fins were up 5-2. Chechia tied with 2 min left, then lead goal with 1:14.  Oilers - Zach Hyman with 3rd hattrick of season 25 on season continue to roll but fans are a bit too comfortable. After going 14-3 in last 17, still only 22nd in league in Pts % Talking like they could win all 11 games in Jan - really? Norris talk for Bouchard - really?  Is he even better than Ekholm?  Leafs - talk seems negative, but 19-10-7 despite injuries.  PWHL - will you pick a favourite team?  Toronto pays back NY with a win - new rule comes into play as game winner was shorthanded Have to think Montreal is favourite with Poulin and Desbiens All games on Sportsnet, TSN or CBC. Also on Youtube. Americans can watch on different regional networks. All Star Game - first 32 players announced TOR - Matthews CHI- Bedard EDM - McDavid LAK - Cam Talbot! WSH - Tom Wilson Guess the 5th Team of the Week Winnipeg Jets -  First and foremost - change to third uniforms - red pants 5v5 stats SF% 52.6 (6)  GF% 62.7 (1)  xGF% 51.7 (11) SH% 9/14 SV% 93.99 (1) All Sit  SF% 51.5 (11) GF% 58.06 (3) xGF% 50.83 (15) SH% 10.7 (10) SV% 91.78 (1)  Top Scorers Scheiffele  12-26-38 Morrissey 6-24-30 Ehlers 13-16-29 Kyle Connor still out for a while Goaltending - Hellebuyck - ,921 SV%  GSAA 14.9 (1)  Brossoit - .920 GSAA 5 Summary Goaltending, BUT given Brossoit’s numbers, playing to system has to be huge GF% a bit high based on performance so will cool off some, but as long as goalies keep it up, will be fine Crazy Stat Hot / Not  Atlantic FLA 8-2-0 / OTT 3-7-0  Metro CAR 6-1-3/ CBJ  3-3-4  Central WPG 8-0-2 / CHI 2-7-1  Pacific SEA 8-0-2 / SJS 0-10-0 (wow) Joey Daccord playing great VGK - 3-7-0 - slumping DOPeS -  Hartman fine - high sticks Perfetti - mic’d up and admitted it - gets a parking ticket Can’t use mic’d up content in discipline  Botteril and Mayers argument  Zucker - 3 games https://www.nhl.com/news/arizona-coyotes-jason-zucker-suspended-three-games

Happy 2024 to everyone. Canada gets upset by Czechia in the quarter final of the World Junior Championship. The PWHL gets started to a capacity crowd and the Winter Classic turns out great.    Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio Title Player Dick Redmond - >  Feedback -David Huyben, Nora   request questions / ideas for new segments News Winter Classic - SEA 3 v VGK 0 - any thoughts?  World Junior -  Quarter finals -  CAN 2 v CZE 3 FIN 4 v SLO 3 LAT v USA SUI v SWE Anything or anyone stand out for you?  Letang - 6 assists in a game - ties with several others 5 assists in a period Malkin - 2nd Russian goal scorer all time - passed Fedorov PWHL kicked off NY 4 - TOR 0.  6 months to prep so things rushed - no logos, no team names and no timeline on names Leafs - Samsonov on waivers - headed to Marlies if he clears New Year’s Resolutions for: - something that you want to see them do better or stick to  NHL -  Maple Leafs -  Oilers - Guess the 5th Rules Suggestions - Pierre LeBrun  https://theathletic.com/5173482/2024/01/02/nhl-rule-changes-2024/ Nothing really new - your thoughts? full 2 minute power play O-Zone Draw when on PP at start of period Longer 3 on 3 Easier to carry 3 goalies Baseball - like multi game series - suggests 2-3-2 playoff format too 3-2-1-0 points  Atlantic CURRENT 3-2-1   Metro CURRENT 3-2-1   CENTRAL CURRENT 3-2-1   PACIFIC CURRENT 3-2-1 Bos 50 68   NYR 51 71   COL 49 71   VAN 49 71 Fla 46 66   CAR 44 60   WPG 48 68   VGK 49 65 Tor 41 51   PHI 43 56   DAL 48 63   LAK 45 63 Tampa 41 56   NYI 43 56   NSH 41 55   SEA 39 50 Det 38 51   WSH 40 51   ARI 40 55   EDM 37 52 Mtl 35 42   NJD 40 55   STL 37 52   CGY 35 47 Buf 34 47   PIT 40 55   MIN 36 47   ANA 26 35 Ott 28 39   CBJ 32 41   CHI 24 32   SJS 21 28 FEWER GAMES!!!!!!!!! Crazy Stat Hot / Not Atlantic - BOS 5-2-3 / DET, OTT 3-7-0 -  Metro - PIT 7-2-1 / WSH, CBJ 4-3-3  -  Central - WPG 7-1-2 / CHI 2-7-1 -  Pacific - VAN, SEA 7-1-2 / SJS 1-8-1  -   DOPeS  - nothing to report    

It's the Merry Christmas episode!  The World Junior Championship is up soon and we have a quick look at the key players. Also, we take a look at the standings in the NHL as we head into the Christmas break.    Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio Title Player - Daniel Alfredsson - > Drew Bannister - born in Belleville, grew up in Sudbury, coach of St. Louis Blues Daniel Alfredsson -> Erik Karlsson 2010-13 -> Drew Bannister 09-10 Binghamton Senators Celebrini - BU Tom Willander ->  Feedback - Ben in NY - stickers on way   News:   World Junior tourney -  Mack Celebrini - will he get suspended for hit from behind?   Canada looking to 3-peat Bruins release Poitras to play - last minute - watch for him to be big factor   Team USA probably the favourite    Top Prospects to watch 1. Mack Celebrini -Canada 2. Will Smith - USA  3. Cutter Gauthier - USA 4. Gabe Perreault - USA 5. Konsta Helenius - Finland The Athletic’s top 10 - 6 are Americans DJ Smith out in Ottawa - Jacques Martin interim great junior coach, maybe not NHL Oilers going streakin’ win 8, lose 3, win 2 Zach Hyman - Tied for 4th in NHL with 19 G Leafs - pounded 9-3 by Sabres - Samsonov a problem What’s solution? Luongo - ring of honour - what’s your take on retiring numbers Ducks unis - garbage Guess the 5th At the Christmas Break Summary Crazy StatDOPeS - Bettman affirms 6 gamer for Perron  Friedman - players are pissed that refs are telling them to police themselves, but the suspensions are for guys policing themselves -   

John Tavares hits 1000 points vs the Islanders. After 30 games, what teams are overachieving and which are underachieving? We do a bit of a statistical evaluation to predict the rest of the season.  Team of the Week is the Tampa Bay Lightning.    Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio   Title Player: Harry Watson - connect to John Tavares News: 1. Tavares gets 1000th pt vs Islanders Leafs continue to go to OT - 27 GP - 15-6-6 / 13 OT games - 7-6    2nd in division despite injuries Matthews at 23 G - on pace for 70G 2. Kyle Connor out 6-8 weeks - no suspension for Strome? https://youtu.be/TPZow5phhEA?feature=shared 3. 2 investigations into Wild front office AGM Chris O’Hearn fired or “agreed to part ways” Was Guerin’s right hand man Something is afoot but everyone is very quiet 4. Rob Ray takes puck to face between the benches - https://youtu.be/E3z40vmKm5s?feature=shared 5. Oilers finally lose a game - need help for Skinner Outshot Lighting 57-24 and lost 7-4  Lost 5-1 to Panthers 6. All Star Game - back to skills 8 skills - 12 players compete for $1MM prize Guess the 5th Who is for real and who is not? Method - xGF% - GF% - per Naturalstattrick.com at 5v5 Top 5 Pretenders Vancouver - 48.7-61.2 Winnipeg - 49.6 - 59.4 Detroit - 46.8-55.8 Boston - 50.1-56.9 Arizona - 47.2-51.8 Top 5 Underachievers - xGF%-GF% - Oilers - 58.0 - 47.4 New Jersey 53.3-46.09 Calgary - 51.9 - 45.5 Carolina - 55.7-50.4 Seattle - 51.3-47.1 ** San Jose and Anaheim have large difference but xGF is still well below 50% so wouldn’t expect much improvement Team of the Week Tampa Bay - xGF% 48.98 - 44.78 Should expect some improvement, but not good enough SF% 48.37 (21) GF% 44.78% (29) xGF% 48.97 (19)  SV% 90.24 (26) SH% 8.45 (15) Vasilevskiy .902 after injury - expect that to improve Kucherov - 50pts, 1st in league Depth? Hagel-Point-Kucherov - most TOI - dominant stats 62% GF Anyone plays with Kucherov - stats are over 50% Without, almost everyone below. BucPower - turnovers like crazy - via  Statmuse.com TBL are 9th in league in GVA with 250 League leaders- CHI, MTL, EDM, NSH, TOR Kucherov leads league with 41.  (Draisaitl next with 37) D Pairs Hedman / Perbix - 231:58 - xGF 41% GF% 52 Cernak / Sergachaev - 218:15 - xGF 47.9% GF% 42 Raddysh / Sergachaev - 217:36 xGF 55.6 GF 20% Of all regular 6 D, Hedman is only one with +50% GF Summary - I think depth is the story. Kucherov is pushing the river but supporting cast is weak Need Vasilievskiy to save them Hot / Not Atlantic - TOR 5-1-4 / OTT 3-7-0  - 4 teams with 5 wins Metro - NYI 6-1-3 / CBJ 4-5-1 - (NJD 7-3-0 ) Centroal - NSH 7-3-0 / CHI 3-6-1 - Pacific - EDM 8-2-0 / ANA 1-9-0  - (Van 7-3-0, SJS 6-3-1) Crazy Stat DOPeS - Perron 6 games suspension for cross checking Zub NHLPA Appealing  - will they go to an arbitrator? Gudbranson 1 Game -https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/player-safety/erik-gudbranson-suspended-one-game-for-actions-in-blue-jackets-game Should hit by cousens on Gudbranson have been a suspension? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfShpOFYqZs Pastrnak kicked out of game vs Rangers for similar hit

Dave Hill, comedian, musician and the author of The Awesome Game joins us to talk about playing hockey all over the world, hockey sweaters and all sorts of fun stuff. Also, the Oilers winning streak continues and what's going on with the Carolina Hurricanes?   Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio Title Player Jean Beliveau - 442 Power Play Points News Edmonton - 6 wins in a row, 2 pts behind CGY for 4th with 2 games in hand McDavid up to 8th in pts, only behind Kucherov in PPG Prior to Woodcroft firing:  OIlers  - 2nd in CF% / FF% 6th SF% 1st xGF% 28th GF% 31st SH% and SV% PP 13 GP 11 G PK 13GP 15GA All situations SV% 32nd - 86%  SH% 7.88  31st After Woodcroft firing:  6th or 7th in all stats -CF, FF< GF< SF  SH% - 8th SV% 24th PP 13 G PK 4 All Situations SV% 19th 89% SH% 2nd 13.15%   Interview - Dave Hill - author, comedian, musician, hockey player and man of action Author of The Awesome Game  Board of Governors   a. Olympics - Bettman being Bettman, trying to put it on players by saying housing of families a major issue -  b. Coyotes - per LeBrun “either the Coyotes finally produce a concrete, shovel-in-the-ground arena plan by the end of January or else the team could get relocated. “  c. Draft to be at Vegas Sphere d. IN-season tourney - “We like our regular season,” said Bettman. “For us it doesn’t address anything that we think we need. To the extent we’re going to do an in-season tournament, it’ll be an international best-on-best.” Confirmed 4 team World Cup - how are they not getting more heat for this? e.Corey Perry - “ they deemed a “workplace matter” involving Perry before cutting ties with him. The NHL didn’t do any independent diligence beyond that. “We were comfortable with the investigation that the club did,” said Bettman. Hot / Not ATLANTIC TOR 7-1-2 / TBL, MTL, BUF 3-5-2   - TBL iin 5th, well behind Wings / Sabres in last  METRO NYI 7-1-2 / PIT 3-4-3  - CAR 6th in division  CENTRAL NSH,WPG 7–3-0 / STL 4-6-0 - AZ holding onto 4th PACIFIC  LAK 8-1-1 / ANA 1-9-0 -  Kings set record with 11 straight road wins to start season Crazy Stat DOPeS - 3 parking tickets

Corey Perry's conrtract was terminated for reasons unknown, but it's not what everyone was saying on Twitter. The Minnesota Wild fire Dean Evason and we discuss if it was fair. Also, are the Leafs trying to go to OT?     Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio Title Player Rick Vaive - 441 Goals  Connect to Mitch Marner -  Vaive - 90-91 Sabres Mike Foligno -> Son Nick played with Marner 2021 Leafs NEWS -  Corey Perry Dean Evason  2nd coach fired - Wild 7-10-4 TEAM OF THE WEEK - Minnesota Weird results - all underlying stats are good - 5v5 GF 51.65% All situations Injuries to Spurgeon, Gaudreau,  Summary - seems unfair - getting killed on special teams  performance Friedman said, something had to be done, but why?  Goalies not bailing them out No way to improve with $14.7MM in dead cap space World Cup idea - 4 teams - wtf!  All Star game added a day-  - returning to draft on Feb 1  - NHL Alumni Man of the Year - 1967 Leafs -PWHL 3 on 3 showcase - Skills Feb 2 -Game on Feb 3 Jarry scores a goal Sens vs Panthers - Ref calls “Every other player on ice gets 10 minute misconduct” Classic  https://youtu.be/Bnoiv2oxEMU?feature=shared Leafs - 12 W. 8 in OT or SO. 3 OTL 22 GP, 16 gone to OT Typically, 25% of games go to OT. 73% Leafs games - what the hell?  Oilers - McDavid 13 points in 4 games - now at 8-21-29 now tied for 10th in points, 10 behind Kucherov On Nov 23rd, he was 64th in the league with 16pts Knoblach 6-3 and some hope is returning to Edmonton Guess the 5th  HOT N NOT  ATLANTIC - TOR 6-2-2, DET 6-2-2/ BUF, MTL 3-6-1 METRO NYR 8-2-0 / NJD, CBJ 4-6-0 - NJD in 7th!  CENTRAL COL 7–1-2/ CHI 2–80  -ARIZONA - 4th place - convenient PACIFIC LAK 7-2-1 / ANA 2-8-0  - Of note, VGK 4-3-3, EDM 7-3  What’s the call? Florida Panthers - Evan Rodrigues goal called back in shootout https://youtu.be/-NWzByqQ270?feature=shared Rule 24.2 The puck must be kept in motion towards the opponent’s goal line and once it is shot, the play shall be considered complete. No goal can be scored on a rebound of any kind (an exception being the puck off the goal post or crossbar, then the goalkeeper and then directly into the goal), and any time the puck crosses the goal line or comes to a complete stop, the shot shall be considered complete. The lacrosse-like move whereby the puck is picked up on the blade of the stick and “whipped” into the net shall be permitted provided the puck is not raised above the height of the shoulders at any time and when released, is not carried higher than the crossbar. See also 80.1. The spin-o-rama type move where the player completes a 360° turn as he approaches the goal, shall not be permitted. Should a player perform such a move during the shot, the shot shall be stopped by the Referee and no goal will be the result. Only a player designated as a goalkeeper or alternate goalkeeper may defend against a penalty shot The goalkeeper must remain in his crease until the player taking a penalty shot has touched the puck. If at the time a penalty shot is awarded, the goalkeeper of the penalized team has been removed from the ice to substitute another player, the goalkeeper shall be permitted to return to the ice before the shot is taken. The team against whom the penalty shot has been assessed may replace their goalkeeper to defend against the shot, however, the substitute goalkeeper is required to remain in the game until the next stoppage of play. DOPeS  Brendan Smith - 2 Games  / Konecny $5k https://scoutingtherefs.com/2023/12/42522/devils-smith-suspended-flyers-konecny-fined-for-altercation/ Ryan Hartman - 2 Games tripping https://scoutingtherefs.com/2023/11/42434/wilds-hartman-suspended-two-games-for-tripping/

We were thrilled to welcome Travis Howe, son of Mark and Laith Murad to the show to tell us about NHL Breakaway NFT digital collectibles. We learned all about NFTs and got some great stories about growing up in the Howe family. Also, there were some major upsets on the weekend and we discussed those and all the other action.    Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio   Title Player  Ian Turnbull  Feedback News 1.Crazy Saturday - Coyotes beat Vegas, San Jose beat Vancouver, Rangers score 7 against Bruins to win 7-4 2.Corey Perry away for “forseeable future” - Kyle Davidson “It’s been a team decision so far to keep him out” Pat Morris “Corey Perry has stepped away from the Chicago Blackhawks to attend to personal matters.” 3. World Cup - discussion on 32 thoughts - possibly 4 teams?  Complete joke.  4. CBJ - Laine healthy scratch -  5. Lucic arrested - pleaded not guilty.  6. Klingberg on LTIR  - convenient for Leafs 7. Oilers beat Washington 5-0 with big guys leading the way - have they turned a corner? 8. Fleury wears Native American designed mask after being told not to 9.Winter Classic Sweaters leaked Guess the 5th NHL Breakaway interview - Travis Howe and Laith Murad Link for 100 free drops https://brkwy.io/3MRh7SM Hot / Not     Atlantic FLA 7-3-0 / MTL 4-6-0   (4 teams 5-3-2)  Wings in 3rd     Metro NYR 8-1-1 / CBJ 2-6-2  PHI in second!      Central WPG 8-2-0 / MIN 2-6-2     Pacific LAK 8-1-1 / ANA 3-7-0  Crazy Stat DOPeS - lots of $5k fines  

After a couple of weeks away, the boys are back and should really be back to a regular schedule going forward. Honest. Jay Woodcroft got fired by the Edmonton Oilers and Kris Knoblach has replaced him. Was it fair and who is running the Oilers these days?  William Nylander went home to Sweden for the Global Series and starred for the Leafs.     Listen Here:  iTunes  Google Play  Stitcher  Direct MP3   iHeart Radio   Title Player Serge Savard - connect to William Nylander Feedback - Doug from Amsterdam sent stickers - comments on Scouting the Refs. News Woodcroft fired by Oilers - Kris Knoblach in as replacement Despite win over Seattle, Woodcroft was done after loss to San Jose - seemed to know it Knoblach - coached McDavid in Erie, was coaching Hartford Wolf Pack in AHL 2-1 in first 3 games League Leading Scorers - 3 Canucks JT Miller, Pettersson and Hughes all have 28 pts   Leafs Nylander 7th with 25 - contract year - can Leafs afford him? Calder Trophy Race Bedard 9-5-14 Cooley 2-10-12 Jack McBain and O’Brien both get Gordie Howe hat trick in Arizona win over Chicago Last time 2 players had GH hat trick was 1988 - Jets over Flames - Andrew McBain, Jack’s dad was one.   Global Series Red Wings 4 vs Senators  5 Leafs 3 vs Red Wings 2 Senators 2 vs Wild 1 Leafs vs Wild   Hot n Not ATL - BOS 7-1-2 / MTL 2-7-1 MET - NYR 9-0-1 / CBJ 1-7-2 - Jarmo? CEN - DAL 7-3-0 / MIN 2-6-2 (CHI, NSH struggling) PAC - LAK 7-1-2 / SJS 3-7-0   Guess the 5th   NBA In-Season tournament - NBA Cup - what do you think? https://www.nba.com/news/in-season-tournament-101   Nov 3 - Dec 9 Group Play and Knockout Rounds Group Play - Nov 3 - Nov 28  - teams divided into 6, 5 team groups. Play a round robin against all teams in group. Regular season games. Played on “Tournament Nights” where all games on schedule count for the tournament Knockout - top 8 teams - top 2 in each group plus 2 wildcards Single game elimination - Quarters, Semis - Championship All games count towards regular season except Championship NHL - Gordie Howe Cup ? - replace All Star game.    What’s the Call? New Jersey Goal against New York Rangers - whistle clearly blown before puck goes in but it is called a goal. https://scoutingtherefs.com/2023/11/42316/devils-hughes-scores-after-whistle-on-continuous-play-vs-rangers/ The ruling was made under Rule 37.3: Puck entering the net as the culmination of a continuous play where the result of the play was unaffected by any whistle blown by the Referee upon his losing sight of the puck Goal Review Procedure - the clocks Situation Room observes goal, not observed by on-ice - contact ref, if goal should have counted, reset clocks to time of goal. If not, no change to clocks. Team A scores, undetected and Team B scores after - if legal goal, Team A goal counts, Team B goal doesn’t, reset clocks to time of Team A goal - If determined that Team A goal was illegal - kicked in, high stick etc, no goal counted for Team A nor Team B, clock reset to time of Team A goal CRAZY STAT DOPeS - Mangiapane 1 game suspension https://scoutingtherefs.com/2023/11/41899/calgarys-mangiapane-suspended-one-game-for-cross-check/ Stats - 6 suspensions so far - 3 of them 4 games, 2, 2 games, 1, 1 game 5 fines - all $5,000 This time last year, 8 suspensions 1, 3 game, 6, 2 game, 1, 1 game 13 fines UPCOMING -