Two Man Forecheck

Episode 0208: NWHL Suspends Play; Mrs. Jones Issues Correction; Paul Maurice Post Game; Clifton Fight; Pens Struggles; Rangers Biggest Surprises; Dallas a Surprise? And More!

Lots to break down this week as we are about 10 games into the season.  The NWHL was supposed to have their Isobel Cup semifinal and final games televised on NBCSN suspended play the day before they were set to air.  Seth Jones' mom (@AmyJones_03) issued a correction on Twitter regarding Seth taking figure skating lessons...give her a follow, its worth the price of admission.  Paul Maurice defends Blake Wheeler to the press after a game, and its laced with some interesting language. Been taking lessons from Torts we think.  Connor Clifton got into a fight and it wasn't fun for Nicolas Aube-Kubel.  He play has made it easier for Cassidy to allow Grzelcyk to recuperate in Boston.  We discuss the Penguins struggles this season and if there is a fix.  We talk about the top line for the B's and introduce a new name for them (Thanks Mike!).  We break down the 5 biggest surprises for the New York Rangers and one is a player that we both liked from the start.  Trent Frederic dropped the gloves with Tom Wilson of the Caps and appeared to have won the fight.  He talked about it afterward and we have some fun with it.  Finally we discuss whether we have seen the real Dallas Stars yet and whether the Panthers are for real as well as talk about the many milestones on the horizon for the league.  An action packed episode to be sure so give us a listen and tell us how you feel.  Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0207: NWHL on Television, Rutherford Resigns, Ovechkin Tied For Seventh, Twitter Poll: Kevan Miller, Rask Elite?, Wahlstrom Gets His First and More!

By now most teams have played 8 or 9 games so we start to discuss particulars around the league.  Starting off though, we talk about the NWHL.  They will be televising the Isobel Cup, the women's championship on NBCSN the weekend of the 4th and 5th of February.  Jim Rutherford has announced his resignation from the Penguins.  He hasn't retired but is done with the franchise.  We also talk about deals that may have been made or not, and how that affected his decision.  Ovi has caught and tied Mike Gartner for seventh on the goal scoring list all time.  We break down the possibility of him catching Gretzky.  We floated a twitter poll regarding extending Kevan Miller and when.  As always, we discuss the goaltending in Boston, and this week it revolves around Rask and whether he is elite.  And finally we talk about Oliver Wahlstrom and his first NHL goal.  Lots to discuss and comment on so please let us know what you are thinking.  Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0206: PLD Traded, NBCSN Shutting Down, Josh Manson Injured Among Others, Montreal Surging, Pastrnak In/Bjork or Kase Out?, Bobby Ryan Flying and More!

Now a little over a week into the season and the Stars have finally played a game as well as the dust finally starting to settle around the league.  Pierre-Luc Dubois has been traded to the Winnipeg Jets for Laine and Roslovic.  We also discuss his interview with Ron McLean of Hockey Night in Canada where he doesn't appear to tell us much but says enough for us to break it down.  NBC is shutting down the sports network NBCSN reportedly at the end of the year.  What does this mean for the NHL as their contract expires?  Games should appear on USA Network but will it be enough to keep the NHL interested? Montreal is surging in the North Division and currently holds the top spot.  Who to get the credit...Claude Julien or Marc Bergevin?  The answer might surprise you.  A tweet was sent out indicating that when David Pastrnak returns, either Anders Bjork or Ondrej Kase will be gone.  We discuss who it will be and why.  Finally, we talk about a resurgent Bobby Ryan for the Red Wings.  He is a point per game guy this season with his one year, prove it to me contract.  Lots to digest here so give a listen, send us your comments and Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0205: O'Ree's Number Retired, Dubois Wants Out of Columbus, B's D Not Respected, 2015 Draft Gaffs, McQuaid Retires, 2021 Predictions, Forsberg Goal Video and More!

Finally...Hockey is back!  After the first couple games of the year we have seen some trends emerge.  The one constant is the Two Man Forecheck.  This week we talk about Willie O'Ree's number being retired in Boston.  Clearly much deserved.  Pierre-Luc Dubois wants out of Columbus, as reported by his head coach, John Tortorella.  Where will he be heading and when?  The Bruins goaltenders have been dealing with being run into by the opposing team, a clear disrespect for the B's defense.  Would this happen if they had kept Chara?  What about the rest of the D core?  Kevan Miller has been the physical stalwart of the group.  Ty Anderson of 98.5 writes about the 2015 draft and how it will haunt the Bruins and continues to do so.  Adam McQuaid has officially announced his retirement from hockey.  Drafted by the Blue Jackets, he played his last game for them after spending the bulk of his career with the Bruins.  We break down some predictions from the staff at The Athletic and finish up with a video from Filip Forsberg.  The link is below.  So enjoy the hockey, tell us how you feel about the return, and Enjoy the Show!

https://streamable.com/98z6xy

 

Episode 0204: Backes on Waivers?; Perry, Dunn, Strome, Vatanen and Barzal Sign; Crawford Retires; Our Playoff Picks; B's Youth Exceeding Expectations and More!

The new NHL season is just a short 3 days away.  With that we clear up some of the stories we missed over the holiday period.  To start with, David Backes may be placed on waivers by the Ducks.  It would be the second time in the last couple years and is most likely a cap move.  Corey Perry (Montreal), Vince Dunn (St. Louis), Dylan Strome (Chicago), Sami Vatanen (New Jersey) and Mathew Barzal (Islanders) have all signed contracts.  There are others but clearly the big name is Barzal.  A team friendly deal to be sure, he signed for 3 years at 21 million.  Perry will be a boost to Julien's Canadiens team as well.  Corey Crawford has decided to hang up the skates after 10 years with Chicago.  After signing with the Devils, he decided that he didn't have any more to give to the game of hockey.  We delve into the new season with vigor and make our picks for the 4 teams from each division to make the playoffs.  While most teams overlap our lists, there are a few surprises.  Finally, there are some young players making hay at Bruins training camp.  We break down the players and discuss how the defense will look in the new season.  All that and a frank conversation regarding the Chicago Blackhawks. Give us a listen, tell us what you think, dive into the new season and Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0203: Sens Making Moves; Dach, Toews and Nylander Out For 'Hawks; Dubois Re-signs; Dumba Could Move; Chara With Caps; B's Training Camp Roster and More!

We are ten days away from the start of another NHL season.  The Senators are still making moves having acquired Cedric Paquette and Braydon Coburn from the Lightning as well as a second round pick in 2022.  Outside of losing Anthony Duclair, what has Pierre Dorian done wrong?  We say not much.  The Blackhawks are hurting, literally, as they have lost Kirby Dach for the season, Jonathan Toews for an unknown amount of time and Alex Nylander for a decent amount of time.  Dach and Nylander are known injuries while Toews is unannounced and there is no timeline for a return.  Pierre-Luc Dubois has re-signed with the Blue Jackets for 2 years and 10 million dollars, but it was rumored he was to be traded.  What team could afford the strong, young forward?  Matt Dumba could be moved as well, and with the potential issues in Boston on the blue line, should they be interested?  Who else would kick the tires?  Chara has signed with the Capitals for 1 year.  The B's were not going to play him regularly so he chose to move on.  With all the other missed opportunities, what is to be made of Don Sweeney with the B's?  We break down the training camp roster for the B's.  Happy New Year everyone!  Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0202: NHL Schedule And Divisions, Kucherov Out, Neely Speaks, World Juniors, Stepan Traded, Miller Re-signs, Getzlaf Retire a Duck? And More!

Everyone has survived the holiday known as Christmas and now has to get through New Year, but hockey will always be hockey, and its back.  New season starts January 13th and we talk about the divisions and the schedule.  Kucherov is going to most likely miss the entire season after surgery.  Cam Neely has held a press conference in which he discussed the state of the Bruins and the availability of Zdeno Chara as well as the possibility of fans in the stands.  We talk about the World Juniors and the goaltending of the Austrian team as well as wax poetic on The one-sidedness of the games at the tournament.  Derek Stepan has a new team, the Ottawa Senators, as he has been traded by the Coyotes in what appears to be a salary move, getting a second round pick in return.  Ryan Miller has re-signed with the Ducks for $1m.  Could the Capitals have used him on their roster?  Finally, will Ryan Getzlaf retire a Duck?  The question was posited by Ciara Durant on Pucks of a Feather.  We discuss.  We at the Two Man Forecheck hope that all of you had a wonderful holiday and continue to enjoy whatever festivities you have planned.  We will be back next year...week...both, so Enjoy the Show! 

Episode 0201: Steen Retires, Lundqvist Steps Back, Duclair Signs With Florida, NHL May Have a Season, World Juniors, Braden Schneider, Christmas Movies and More!

Christmas is just five days away and the NHL may have given hockey fans the best gift of all...a new season!  We also have the World Juniors to look forward to so hockey is back.  We start of with the retirement of Alex Steen.  Back issues have played a part in the retirement.  We wish him success in all his future endeavors.  Henrik Lundqvist will not play this season as he has a heart condition which requires treatment but is not considered life threatening.  We send well wishes and prayers to him and his family for a speedy and full recovery.  Anthony Duclair has signed a one year contract with the Florida Panthers.  The NHL and the Players Association have a tentative deal to start a new season on the 13th of January.  The World Junior Championships are starting on the 22nd of this month.  We close with a frank discussion of Christmas movies and we each discuss three that we watched.  So Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays whichever you prefer.  We hope all are safe and happy.  Enjoy the show!!

Episode 0200: Adam Fantilli Top 5 Pick in 2023, Luca Fantilli, Team USA Roster Finalized, NHL Selling Ads on Helmets/Unis, Lockout Possibilities, 200 Episodes of Memories and More!

Here it is!  Episode 200!  That's right.  Two hundred shows of Mike and Chris waxing poetic about everything hockey!  We start the show with the Team USA World Junior Roster being finalized.  One name left off is John Beecher, Boston Bruins first round pick.  The collection of players should be of no surprise to anyone as they come from some of the hockey hotbeds around the country.  We move on to ways the NHL could increase revenue...by selling ads on helmets and uniforms.  Also, it has been reported that the NHL could be exploring a lockout if the players won't give more.  Adam Fantilli is a 15 year old who is currently playing in the USHL.  He joined so that he could play with his brother, Luca Fantilli.  He is expected to be a top 5 pick in the 2023 NHL draft. Finally we take a trip down memory lane through 199 episodes of the Two Man Forecheck.  Its a fun ride, with some sad parts, but mostly mirth and mayhem abound!  So sit back with your favorite beverage and give us a listen.  Let us know what you think and Enjoy the Show!  Here's to 200 more!

Episode 0199: NHL Starting vs. Waiting til 2021, Seattle Moving Ahead, Calgary Money Issues, Brett Peterson New Asst. GM, McAvoy Upset Over Krug Loss, Samberg Injured and More!

Here in December we are still talking about when will the new season start.  There are some that are also reporting (Pierre LeBrun for one) that the owners want to wait until next fall to start.  Money and length of season are at issue here as well as players being paid.  Seattle is moving ahead with plans to start as planned.  Calgary is looking at money issues in the next couple years as both Giordano and Gaudreau have contracts that are close to ending.  Brett Peterson, Northborough Mass native has been named the new Assistant GM for the Florida Panthers.  He is the first black assistant GM in league history.  Charlie McAvoy is still upset that Torey Krug is no longer with the Bruins.  Dylan Samberg was involved in a motor vehicle accident.  While his injuries are not severe, there are four other pedestrians with life threatening injuries.  Finally, the Canucks attempted to move Loui Eriksson with no luck.  His contract and lack of production may have had something to do with the lack of movement.  Lots to digest so give us a listen, let us know what you think and Enjoy the Show!