Two Man Forecheck

Episode 0249: Racism Rears Up Again; NHL‘s Marketing Problem; Mikyla Grant-Mentis; Northeastern Hockey; Dean Evason; The DeBrusk Saga; Colleen Murphy, Brady Tkachuk and More!

We are into December and things are heating up around hockey in many ways and fashions.  This week we start with another issue with racism against a 16 year old, Mark Connors in P.E.I.  We identify the NHL's marketing problem and we talk about Mikyla Grant-Mentis who has made the Forbes 30 under 30 list of sports figures.  Northeastern University hockey is successful, but not just for the men.  Dean Evason should be getting an extension, so we break down why.  Jake DeBrusk has asked to be traded out of Boston and we talk about why.  Colleen Murphy has re-signed with the Metropolitan Riveters, the first time in her career that she will be staying with the same team.  Finally, we talk about the ludicrous behavior of yet another member of the Lemieux family.  This time it's Brandon, biting Brady Tkachuk.  All this and the Arizona Coyotes moving (not) and Evander Kane going to the minors.  Lots to form opinions about so give a listen, tell us what you think and Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0248: Black Friday Standings; Marchand Hearing; Bergevin Fired; Canucks Changes; Trade Block; Kane Clears Waivers and More!

Welcome Back!  We hope everyone had a very good Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and that all are filled to the brim with food and hockey.  This episode we talk about the standings as of Black Friday.  As they say, come U.S. Thanksgiving, you know where you stand in the NHL.  There isn't much change.  We break down the Panthers and discuss Nasem Kadri (fourth in scoring).  Brad Marchand will have a hearing regarding a possible slew foot on O.E.L., but should he?  Marc Bergevin, GM of the Canadiens, was fired, but the timing appears to be off.  We shake the trees and show that maybe now was not the time to do it.  The Vancouver Canucks are ready and expecting changes to come, but what is the real reason for the calamity in the northwest?  We discuss six players that may be on the trade block.  Evander Kane has cleared waivers and it is rumored that the Sharks are willing to swallow half his salary to make him go away.  Who are the potential suitors and should Boston get involved?  Finally, Mikku Koivu was a fixture in the face-off circle for the Wild for 15 years.  His number will be retired in March and it is well deserved.  Happy start to the silly holiday season, and Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0247: NHL Standings Conundrum; Colliton Out; Vancouver Issues; Eichel Trade; Ovi Catching Up; Tweet of the Week and More!

After a two week hiatus, the Forecheck is back and in action!  We start with the conundrum that is the NHL standings.  Confusing and frustrating, we attempt to make sense of it.  Jeremy Colliton has been fired by the Blackhawks and replaced by Derek King.  We get into the issues regarding the Vancouver Canucks.  Jack Eichel has been traded and we disseminate whether he would be centering a line better than the top lines of the Bruins and Avs.  Ovi is the first player in the league this season to reach double digit goals, and that isn't all he's accomplished.  We get into the numbers.  We discuss what Mike calls the Tweet of the Week and pick our two teams (one from each conference) currently in the playoffs who will fall out.  All this and so much more in an extended version of the Two Man Forecheck!  Next week should see us back to a normal time length so...Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0246: The Eichel Saga; Aldrich/Skalde Fallout; Hot Seat GMs; Leafs All Time Game Winners; Danton Heinen; Marchand/B‘s Issues; Messier; Red Wings and More!

With every team approaching 10 games completed, we are starting to see the cream rise to the top of their respective divisions.  There are a couple surprises but most are where they should be.  We start with the possible end in sight for the Eichel saga.  We also discuss the beginning of the fall out for the Aldrich and Skalde stories.  A brief touch on a couple GM's that may be on the hot seat and some teams that are racing for 32.  We thought it was just Arizona, but there may be one or two more.  The Maple Leafs history of players who have scored the most game winning goals includes 3 current roster players.  How is it possible with this talent to not have a deep playoff run in recent memory?  Danton Heinen is leading the Pens in scoring.  Brad Marchand has stated that he isn't playing his best at the moment, so we talk about this and the Bruins issues.  Mark Messier has a new book coming out and has taken part in an interview where he was asked about the guarantee he made.  Crosby is back however Oshie is now out week to week.  Finally, the Red Wings are winning and there is a video displaying why they are not the basement dwellers they have been the past couple seasons.  Happy Halloween everyone, this is our treat to you!  Enjoy the Show! 

Episode 0245: Kovi New GM; Shasby New Head Coach; Doughty Injured; USHL Fall Classic; NAHL Showcase; Brad 2 From 400; Kraken Retire 32; Eichel Grievance and More!

Now with 10 days of the 2021-22 season in the books, we take a look at what is going on around the league and the world.  Kavalchuk, who has not officially retired from hockey, has been named new GM of the Russian National Team.  We delve into this and the coaches that have been named as well.  Matt Shasby has been dubbed the new head coach of the University of Alaska at Anchorage ice hockey team, which will start up next season after much fundraising garnered enough money to bring it back.  Drew Doughty has been injured after a knee to knee hit with Jani Hakanpaa.  Is this another Samuelsson on Neely situation?  The USHL held their Fall Classic and the NAHL held their Showcase this past week.  There was a turnout, reportedly, of over 300 scouts at the Showcase which indicates that teams, professional and otherwise, are leaving no stone unturned for talent.  Brad Marchand is 2 assists away from 400.  The Kraken have already retired a number...32.  Eichel could file a grievance with the NHL and Bill Guerin could be in hot water from his time with the Pens.  So much to discuss so let us know what you think and Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0244: Opening Night; Sweeney Mess Ups; Matt Grzelcyk; McAvoy Extends; Brady Tkachuk Signs; Ovi Keeps Scoring; Allan Walsh on the Cap; Mike Robinson Ejected and More!

The new season has started and we are five days into the new marathon!  We talk about opening night and the first days of the new season.  Don Sweeney has made a hash of this and previous off seasons, highlighted by the Krejci fiasco.  Other players he missed out on are discussed here, but they include O.E.L., Vince Dunn and Christian Dvorak.  Is Matt Grzelcyk the best defenseman on the Bruins?  If he is, then why aren't they playing him as such.  McAvoy will avoid negotiating in the offseason as he has agreed to a new extension for the next 8 years.  Brady Tkachuk has agreed to a new deal with the Senators.  Ovi has tied Marcel Dionne for 5th all time for goals scored in the NHL.  Serious contender to top Gretzky?  TJ Oshie celebrates the first goal of Hendrix Lapierre's career by hoisting him up off the ice with one arm!  Why we love this game!  Allan Walsh has taken to Twitter to explain the horribleness that is the hard cap in hockey.  Mike Robinson of UNH (a goaltender) was tossed from a game for spearing a player on the ASU Sun Devils.  Alex Bishop gets to sit on the bench as backup net minder after Mrazek left with injury.  Bishop was the emergency back up for this game.  Enjoy the new season just underway, but don't forget to enjoy our podcast as well.  Until next week...

Episode 0243: NHL Power Rankings & Injury Bug; Price, Zibanejad, Eichel, Gibson; Ullmark vs. Swayman; B‘s Waivers; Lou Still Dealing; Etem to the Rescue and More!

Two days until the start of the NHL season!  We start with the top 16 teams on NHL.com's power rankings.  The injury bug hits L.A. as Byfield has fractured his ankle and will be out indefinitely.  Carey Price has entered the Player Assistance program.  We break down Ullmark vs. Swayman in the Bruins crease.  BREAKING NEWS...Mika Zibanejad has inked an 8 year extension worth 8.5 million per year.  We briefly update the Eichel saga and talk about John Gibson being on the trade block.  The Bruins have placed two veterans on waivers...John Moore and Chris Wagner.  Lou Lamoriello is still dealing and trying to improve the New York Islanders.  Finally, Emerson Etem, owner and head coach of the Long Beach Shredders comes to the rescue of the Ontario Jr. Reign as their bus broke down on the way to the rink.  Humanity in action and trumping sports.  Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0242: Season Predictions; Deniskin Suspended; Kristin Welsh; Lehner Hits Twitter; NCAA Preseason Rankings; the Red Wings; Twitter Poll and More!

We are closing in on the start of a new season, with preseason games in full swing.  With that in mind, we give our predictions for the top 3 teams in each division, the bottom 3 in the league, the President's Trophy and the Rocket Richard Trophy.  Andrei Deniskin was suspended by the UHL for his racist behavior during a game between his team, HC Kremenchuk, and HC Donbass.  His gesture and comments were directed at a young, black hockey player, Jalen Smereck.  Sadly, this is not the worst of the situation.  We had a very difficult time holding our tongues and not lashing out at this atrocious behavior.  Kristin Welsh is to be congratulated as she has become the first woman linesman in the OHL.  Robin Lehner, never one to keep his opinions to himself, has taken to Twitter in defense of Jack Eichel and the ongoing situation.  The NCAA has released its preseason rankings and there are many M-state schools in the top 10 and beyond.  We break down the Red Wings and what to expect.  Finally we discuss our Twitter Poll asking about Chara and Parise.  Who will have more of an impact for the Islanders.  Lots of discussion to be had here, so give a listen and comment.  Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0241: AZ Kachina is Back; Johnathan Toews Returns; E. Kane Allegations; Bednar Hot Seat; Price Out; Eichel Drama; Froden Impresses; Drouin, Ho-Sang, Sanford and More!

Less than 3 weeks from the first puck drop of the new season!  This week we talk about the return of the Kachina Coyote for Arizona and the acquisition of Travis Boyd.  Jonathan Toews is back with the 'Hawks and is taking it one day at a time.  Jared Bednar is on the self-imposed hot seat with Colorado.  We delve into the Tampa Bay roster and talk about Carey Price missing the rest of training camp as he has failed his physical with a knee injury.  He is one of five players who failed their physicals.  Eichel has failed his physical (surprise!) and has been stripped of his captaincy.  Jesper Froden has impressed at the rookie tournament and at Bruins development camp.  Jonathan Drouin has opened up about his time away from hockey and the response from Josh Anderson was re-tweeted by Allan Walsh.  Josh Ho-Sang is hoping to stick with the Maple Leafs and Zach Sanford has been dealt to the Senators for Logan Brown.  Lots of topics on display so give a listen, tell us what you think and Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0240: Kane Speaks Out; Zach Smith Retires; Bozak to the Blues; Chara to Islanders; Eichel to Report; Hertl to B‘s?; Kraken Mailbag; Team Canada Lineups and More!

We are 23 days to the start of the new season!  Less than a month til live hockey is back.  Today we start with Kane speaking out on the Aldrich investigation. Zach Smith, who played with the Ottawa Senators has retired.  We wish him well in his future endeavors.  Tyler Bozak has signed a one year deal with the Blues.  Could the Bruins have had him for the same money?  Zdeno Chara is going back to where it all began...the New York Islanders.  Again, a one year deal.  Eichel will report to training camp for his physical.  He will most likely fail, but then he will avoid being suspended and the team can place him on LTIR.  As the Bruins missed out on Dvorak and Bozak among others, an article last Sunday (the 12th), by Joe Haggerty indicates that Sharks center Tomas Hertl could be the second line center the B's need.  Mike offers a different name for that role.  Geoff Baker answers some mailbag questions about the Kraken for the Seattle Times.  We break down the projected lineup for the Canadian National team.  All this and more as we close in on the beginning of a new season!  Enjoy the Show!