NHL Fans From Afar

…that is the question on many NHL players’ minds right now, when it comes to deciding whether to take up their spot on the Olympics rosters of their home countries (if selected of course).But what would a potential positive COVID result mean for the fans, for their NHL clubs, for their mental health, and for their bank balance?On this episode of NHL Fans From Afar, Clare & Jolon debate:Are players selfish if they want to go play in the Olympics?With more postponements and players entering COVID protocol across America & Canada, is it time for the NHL to bring back the taxi squad?Vancouver Canucks kick up the arse clearly worked… ! But how? Could they turn it around and still bag a playoff spot?Presented by Clare Freeman and Jolon Kemp Walker. Produced by ASFB Productions.Tweet us @NHLFansFromAfar

If you had to describe what you can and can't do someone in the NHL... I wonder how long it would take to get to saying... "oh yeah, you can't bite an opponent!" Anyway, this week that's exactly what happened and it's on our list of things to talk about. Montreal have fired their longstanding GM and we look at what's next for a team which were only a few games away from lifting the cup last season. Some big names have found themselves on the waiver wire and heading to the AHL including a two time Stanley Cup winning goaltender. Plus as both our hosts teams are currently on winning streaks, there was a bit of Dallas Stars and Maple Leaf chat for good measure too. Your hosts this week are Jolon Kemp Walker and Matt Day.

First period: Jack Eichel (finally) moves to Vegas Golden Knights and gets his surgery, but what next for his old NHL club - Buffalo Sabres?Second period: Covid-19 strikes again. Ottawa Senators get some ice time relief.Third period: Trouble with Seattle settling in? Meanwhile, LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks are surprisingly on the up.Presented by Clare Freeman and Craig Jones. Produced by ASFB Productions.

This episode, we pay huge respect to the player Kyle Beach, who has almost single-handedly challenged an entire institution to do better, and to be better in dealing with instances of sexual abuse reporting.This week a major investigation revealed there HAD been a systemic failure in how the Chicago Blackhawks handled Kyle’s abuse in 2010, and since it was published - many of the Stanley Cup winning management from that time have resigned and been challenged on how on earth they could have let down a young player so badly.During this NHL Fans From Afar, we look back at the past, the present and potential future impact this story is likely to have in the sport of ice hockey. Not just in Chicago - but in the players union, the league and in the business of life.We will add if you are upset or triggered by us talking about sexual abuse, please pause or skip this episode if need be. And of course - like Kyle - we will always encourage you to reach out for help if you’re affected by this subject. The Samaritans are brilliant - reach out to them via phone on 116123 or samaritans.org for support.Presented by Clare Freeman, Jolon Kemp Walker & Craig Jones. Produced by ASFB Productions.

Seattle Kraken make their debut, plenty of first-time NHL goals ticked off for rookies across the league and electric to hear fans back in the building!Episode title courtesy of Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl, commenting on Connor McDavid practicing his one-timers.Also, we all wanna drive a Zamboni now that Brady Tkachuk AND Cam Atkinson’s grandma did…Kudos to Patrik Laine for his pre-game fashion too. Ovechkin’s tinted visor is so old skool now.On this episode of NHL Fans From Afar - 1st period: Week One of the 2020/21 Season - what do we know so far? Shutouts, shootouts & milestones!2nd period: Evander Kane fakes vaccination card & is suspended, what’s his future like with the San Jose Sharks? Plus wider look at the impact unvaccinated players & positive tests are having on the league already.3rd period: Suspensions, weirdness & bizarre penalties. Including a head butt, a kick goal and bench minor for stopping the puck going to the crowd.OT: as teams relax pre-game dress code, Clare wants to see MORE personality.Support an NHL team and live outside of North America too? Come join us on twitter @nhlfansfromafar or email us nhlfansfromafar@gmail.com New NFFA episodes out fortnightly. Presented by Clare Freeman, Matt Day and Craig Jones. Produced by ASFB Productions.

Hey up, we’re back for a fourth season! And this time there’s four of us: Clare Freeman (Toronto Maple Leafs fan), Jolon Kemp Walker (Toronto Maple Leafs fan), Matt Day (Dallas Stars fan) & fresh in from Covering the Puck Pod, Craig Jones (Colorado Avalanches fan)!On this ep of NHL Fans From Afar -1st period: Off-season recap, if you’ve been on a desert island for the last few months, what do you need to know?2nd period: Who the F are the Seattle Kraken?3d period: Dipping our toe into the murky waters behind Robin Lehner’s tweets and Jack Eichel’s situation with Buffalo Sabres.Overtime: Craig asks why is there still no UK TV deal in place with just a week until the season starts?Support an NHL team and live outside of North America too? Come join us on twitter @nhlfansfromafar or email us nhlfansfromafar@gmail.com

Could the secret to winning the 2021 Stanley Cup be in having a good rear end? It's nothing new that great goaltending has always been key in keeping an NHL team's silverware hopes alive, but it seems that both New York Islanders and Vegas Golden Knights are keeping up their success with some impressive stats and scoring opportunities from their defensemen...We pick about the painful end of seasons for Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins. Plus, are all Canadians pinning their validity of the North Division on the Canadiens?!And two new coaches - one for Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers. Control wise, what should we expect of the upcoming off season?Presented by Clare Freeman and Jolon Kemp Walker. Produced by ASFB Productions.

Bruce Cassidy gets his knickers in a twist after a tumultuous game 5 between Boston Bruins and the New York "Saints", sorry - he meant Islanders...It looks like Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights are going to go the full hog in their series... Could Tampa Bay Lightning shutdown Carolina Hurricanes in game 5 or 6? And say what.... Montreal Canadiens SWEEP Winnipeg Jets and take a 7 game winning streak in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs....Contains conversions about boa constrictors and continued misery for Toronto Maple Leafs' fans. We're still bitter, sorry.NHL Fans From Afar is presented by Clare Freeman and Jolon Kemp Walker. Produced by ASFB Productions.

0 - 44: General stuff not about Toronto Maple Leafs - Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1/Round 2, NHL Draft Lottery/Draw, Team GB Hockey in IIHF World Championships44 - end: Toronto Maple Leafs bitch fest. Is GM Kyle Dubas to blame or this is on the players?Presented by Clare Freeman, Jolon Kemp Walker & Matt Day. Produced by ASFB Productions.

Colorado, Winnipeg & Boston are through to round 2 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs...Washington, St Louis Blues & Edmonton are out...With Minnesota, Florida Nashville & NYI making impressive comebacks...Plus there was THAT game between Toronto and Montreal where John Tavares was injured and left the ice on a stretcher...Jolon and Clare pick apart the week that just was, as well as cast an eye over Team GB Ice Hockey's progress in the IIHF World Championships. (Can you see Spiky the IIHF Mascot's resemblance to Sonic the Hedgehog too?!) Presented by Clare Freeman and Jolon Kemp Walker. Produced by ASFB Productions.

Mark Scheifele takes his kids to work…quite literally. He really did take a couple of goats to the rink for practice…In the meantime, the rest of the grown ups are already deep in the mud of round one in the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. There’s some big match ups too - it’s crazy to think that Washington Capitals OR Boston Bruins won’t progress to round two! New York Islanders are already giving Pittsburgh Penguins a run for their money, and surprise wild card Minnesota Wild beat Las Vegas Golden Knights in game one? More than half of games played so far have finished in overtime…As Clare gets set for her first vaccine the same night that Toronto Maple Leafs enter the playoffs, she admits she’s not sure which she’s dreading more…Plus as Latvia prepares to host Team GB Ice Hockey team and friends from this Friday, Jolon continues to reminisce about his trip to the IIHF World Championships in 2019.Presented by Clare Freeman and Jolon Kemp Walker. Produced by ASFB Productions. 

Dallas Stars fan Matt isn’t a happy bunny but hey congratulations Nashville Predators...#awksSo the Stanley Cup Playoff berths have been set… Woo. But when will round one start?!It was a busy week - head coaches John Tortorella and Rick Tocchet as well as NYR's GM AND their president all said bye bye...Connor McDavid bagged 100 points AND there was a mass brawl in New York.Plus, where next for Jack Eichel, and what connects Toronto Maple Leaf GM Kyle Dubas with Manchester City’s manager Pep Guardiola?Presented by Clare Freeman, Jolon Kemp Walker and Matt Day. Produced by ASFB Productions.

On the menu today: Breaking news - We react to the headlines that Washington Capitals’ Tom Wilson has been fined AGAIN. But will it really make a difference? Jolon compares the $5k fine as “just another parking ticket”…It’s the final dash to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for Nashville Predators vs Dallas Stars and St Louis Blues vs Arizona Coyotes. Plus, why are the Winnipeg Jets tanking? There’s heartbreak for New York Rangers who gift New York Islanders their playoff berth AND the pleasure of a shutout.Connor McDavid is in the playoffs! Hurrah! Edmonton Oilers fans are finally feeling optimistic. We’ve respect for Ryan Miller who hangs up his skates as a goalie playing 18 seasons in the NHL.Carolina Hurricanes contracts on hold until all backroom staff are secure too, or so says their head coach Rod Brind’Amour.Plus a few thoughts on the cancellation of the Women’s World Hockey Championships, as Hilary Knight says the last minute move was yet "another reminder that women's hockey continues to be treated as an afterthought."Presented by Clare Freeman and Jolon Kemp Walker. Produced by ASFB Productions.Pic - Tom Wilson flexing in the penalty box, during ‘that’ game against New York Rangers.

Some geekery over the individual NHL trophy awards - Clare couldn’t give two hoots about following who’s in the running or not, Jolon tries to convince her why they can be interesting! From the Calder, to the Norris, to the Vezina - the NHL Fans From Afar team look through the list of former winners, where they got their names from and who’s in with a shot this season. And yes, there really is an award for being the most gentlemanly…We recap on where the land lies for Stanley Cup Playoff berths, with continued races in several of the divisions for those 4th spots.Plus, what does the Turner Sports and EPSN deals mean for us watching NHL outside North America? Will the ESPN+ app go global? Or will it mean we have to pay more money for more separate subscriptions in the long term…?Presented by Clare Freeman, Jolon Kemp Walker and Matt Day. Produced by ASFB Productions.

Who's in and who's out? Playoff predictions are back...and we look closer at the super tight races for fourth place the West and Central divisions.Will Arizona Coyotes tip St Louis Blues? Will Nashville Predators take out a battered and bruised Dallas Stars team?Over in the East, the seedings are all to play for between Washington Capitals, New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. But who will take the fourth spot - Boston Bruins or New York Rangers?And in the North, could this weekend's three game series between Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames be a key decider in whether the Habs can hold on to fourth in the division a little longer? Also, a new man crush has been forever carved in NHL history, as San Jose Sharks' Patrick Marleau takes the crown for the most number of NHL games played from Gordie Howe.And could there be a drafting nightmare as the OHL cancels its season?Presented by Clare Freeman and Jolon Kemp Walker. Produced by ASFB Productions.Pic credit: Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images

Lost in a sea of fruit bowl analogies, Clare and Jolon pick apart who's in and out of a playoff spot at present, express concern for Jack Campbell's crotch, look ahead to the upcoming Trade Deadline, and debate whether the NHL was right to suspend referee Tim Peel for 'that' on mic penalty call.Plus, ever named your pet after an ice hockey player? Jolon needs help naming his new puppy with a connection to the Toronto Maple Leafs...but needs to find a clever one so his fiance can't catch him out! And Clare has some pretty cool blue and white news of her own...Presented by Clare Freeman and Jolon Kemp Walker. Produced by ASFB Productions.

Ahhh it's the most wonderful time of the year.... playoffs are coming and covid is going, we're gald you are heeeerrre! Dallas Stars fan and NFFA regular Matt Day joins Jolon to talk about the upcoming NHL Trade Deadline. They look at who is buying, selling or sticking with their rosters ahead of the deadline on April 12th. Also how will Covid and the Kraken effect this years deadline. The boys take a wander through the Goalie market and try to find out what's wrong with the Flyers. And take a second to remember just what watching live sports was like as today is the day 3 years ago Matt went to his first ever live Dallas game. All this and much more!

Is it a case of Tom Wilson being Tom Wilson, or was his reputation punished rather than the hit? Did the league react because of the backlash on Twitter?Either way, Boston Bruins responded with a 5-1 win after Brandon Carlo exited the game. Eventually the Washington Capitals' winger was suspended for seven games. It’s hard for Toronto Maple Leafs’ fans Clare and Jolon to deny even they had a smidge of sympathy for Brad Marchand… But it did leave us wondering, what actually happens during a ’Player Safety Hearing’?New York Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes continue to storm ahead, whilst Buffalo Sabres seem unable to dig themselves out of a deep dark hole.Plus, coaching switches for Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens, a change of direction for GB’s NHL potential Liam Kirk and some reflections on the women’s role within hockey - both in the game and on air…Presented by Clare Freeman and Jolon Kemp Walker. Produced by ASFB Productions.

Which teams, players or coaches have raised your eyebrows - for good or bad - in the last few months?The league is still going (just), but what’s surprised you most about the NHL 2021 season so far?The NHL Fans From Afar team discuss surprises at Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes.Matt has a valid moan about the terrible upcoming schedule for Dallas Stars...So far, they're the team who've played this least number of games this season.What's St Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington's beef?And speaking of Kanes, a bit of family fortunes...some surprising relations revealed that perhaps you didn't (or maybe did) know.Presented by Clare Freeman, Jolon Kemp Walker and Matt Day. Produced by ASFB Productions.

After THAT game in Lake Tahoe, was the NHL Outdoors series a thing of beauty or just another NHL embarrassment?Does the 1,000 games player marker do it for you? That’s after Sidney Crosby chalked up his name in the record books.From whales to ‘turd burgers’... Should retro jerseys be a think of the past or remembered with fondness for years to come?!Plus we’re joined by someone far more knowledgeable and sensible than us - Craig from Covering The Puck Podcast who’s of the Colorado Avalanches persuasion.Apology in advance: Clare’s got her wooden spoon out and Jolon goes on one about back up back ups.Presented by Clare Freeman and Jolon Kemp Walker. Produced by ASFB Productions.Picture credit: Getty