Two Man Forecheck

Episode 0186: Conference Semis Revisited, Bruins Recap, Playoff Surprises, Conference Final Predictions, Kiviranta Shines, Year of the 'Tender and More!

The Semifinals have ended and all but one series went the full seven games.  We start with a breakdown of all the Semis and delve a little deeper into the ousting of the Boston Bruins.  After some free form surprises and general information sharing we dig into the Conference Finals and we also make our predictions for how things will turn out.  We talk about coaches and players who shined and wax poetic about the emergence of Joel Kiviranta for the Dallas Stars.  Finally, we talk about the year of the goaltender and how important the position has been during these playoffs.  Lots of content to listen to and comment on so please share your opinions, thoughts and predictions with us.  Finally, enjoy the conference finals and...Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0185: B's Are Terrible, Halak At Fault?, Kapanen To Pens, Conn Smythe Predictions At This Moment, Fire Jeremy Colliton? And Much More!

We are well into the second round of the playoffs and the cream is starting to rise to the top.  As we start out with this week's show, the Bruins are not playing their best hockey by any measurement.  Breaking it down further we delve into the blame game being played when it comes to the net minder, Jaroslav Halak.  Is it his fault?  We say no.  We touch on the trade completed between the Pens and Leafs bringing Kapanen back to the team that drafted him, but was it the right move?  Again, we say no.  With so many other issues on the team, acquiring a goal scorer was not the first thing that should have been done.  At this point in the playoffs it would seem acceptable to talk about the Conn Smythe and we do, listing our top candidates for the award.  Mostly we agree but there are some other names that creep up.  Finally, we quickly discuss a Fansided post that indicates the Blackhawks should fire Jeremy Colliton.  Our take is that this is not the time to replace one with another and we talk about why.  So give us a listen and tell us who the Conn Smythe should go to or if Colliton should be replaced.  But most of all...Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0184: Fleury Backstabbed in Vegas, First Round Reactions, Second Round Predictions, Reirden & Tallon Out, Vladar Starting, Milbury's Comments $ Avery Wants In and More!

The tradtional first round of the playoffs has come to an end and the second round has started without missing a beat.  We talk about our first round reactions and surprises as well as give a couple predictions regarding the remainder of the playoffs but first we talk about Marc Andre-Fleury and how he feels about his situation in Vegas.  In all fairness, Fleury has not stated that he has an issue with this, it appears to be driven by his agent, Allan Walsh.  We talk about possible landing spots if he is out of Vegas in the future.  Todd Reirden was relieved of duties while the show was being recorded and we talk about Dale Tallon not being offered a new deal as GM of the Panthers.  Dan Vladar could possibly get a start in the second round for the Bruins against Tampa Bay.  Mike Milbury is out as a commentator for NBC due to his comment a few days ago.  We talk about this and his other comments prior.  Finally, Sean Avery has decided to throw his name into the ring to replace Milbury in the "booth" for the remainder of the playoffs.  All this and so much more is here for your listening entertainment so let us know what you think and Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0183: Rask Opts Out, Pitt Fires Coaches, Kuemper Frustrates Avs, Canucks For Real, McDavid Wants Defense, Tallon Out in Fla., Everett Fitzhugh the Voice of the Kraken and Much More!

We are into the standard first round of the playoffs and there have been some surprises and some announcements.  Rask opts out of the playoffs for the Bruins, leaving Halak to patrol the blue paint.  What does this mean for his legacy?  We discuss.  Pittsburgh has fired their assistant coaches but Sullivan appears to have survived the culling.  Dale Tallon is out as GM of the Panthers.  According to the team it was a mutual agreement.  A Denver Post story by Mark Kiszla appears to be insulting to Darcy Kuemper and the Coyotes.  We lambast Mark for his lack of professionalism and discuss why they are frustrating the Avs.  Quinn Hughes and the rest of the youngsters in Vancouver appear to be for real and look like they could eliminate the defending champions.  Dan Hamhuis has called it a career after 16 seasons in the NHL.  Claude Julien has returned home from the hospital and could return for the next round as the Canadiens have not given in to any belief that they shouldn't win against the Flyers.  Finally, the Seattle Kraken have found their voice...Everett Fitzhugh, 31 currently in Cincinnati, will be the first black commentator (in-game) in NHL history!  A lot of content to listen to and comment on so give us your feedback and Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0182: Elimination Friday, B's Players Unfit, Seth Jones Best D-Man, Biggest Surprises and Disappointment, Coyotes Move On Habs Win and much More!

With the playoff qualifiers just about over (three games left today), we discuss the biggest surprises and biggest disappointment coming out of the opening rounds.  The two number 12 seeds both progressed to the traditional first round of the playoffs.  The Arizona Coyotes eliminated the Nashville Predators.  What does this mean for the Preds going forward?  Is the Crosby/Malkin era over in Pittsburgh? So many questions which we do our best to answer so give a listen and be sure to share your opinions with us.  Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0181: B's Notes, Real Issue Re-signing Krug, Laine & Scheifele Injured, Rangers Notes, Habs OT Win, Chayka Out in Arizona, 'Hawks Win and More!

Hockey is back!!  The playoff qualifiers have begun and we are seeing some interesting hockey.  The Bruins have issues with Rask not able to go on Saturday for practice.  Kase is back with the team but will not play until at least Wednesday.  We talk about a Kirk Luedeke story indicating that the term of the contract, not the money, is the issue at hand in re-signing Torey Krug.  Anders Bjork signs a 3 year extension.  The Winnipeg Jets not only lost their opening game, but may have lost Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele for a time to injury.  The Rangers skated with the Hurricanes but ultimately lost their first game.  The Canadiens won the first overtime game of the re-start, proving that being better on paper is not a guarantee on the ice.  Jonathan Drouin was being lambasted on Twitter after the game for his performance.  The Blackhawks Kubalik is the first rookie in NHL history to get five points in their first playoff game in a win against the Oilers.  Finally, we discuss the ongoing story in Arizona where John Chayka, the General Manager has left the team.  All this and so much more to digest, so give us a listen, tell us what you think and...Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0180: Seattle Announces a Name, NHLAward Nominees, Stories From the 24 Finalists and More!

We are one week away from a return to hockey!  Let's celebrate this for a moment.  We do it with a show discussing stories from the twenty-four teams that are in the Stanley Cup tournament.  We start the show with a frank discussion about the new name for the Seattle franchise...the Kraken.  We break up the show talking about the NHL Award nominees and finish with more stories circling the tournament.  Give us a listen and share your opinions with us and Enjoy the show!

Episode 0179: Training Camp Notes, Ghost Still Has a Role, Pasta and Kase Not In Camp, Jack Adams Finalists, Rask Sees Timeshare in Boston, Chayka Talks Experience, Boeser Not Happy and More!

Two weeks from today starts NHL games again.  We can't wait but for now we talk about it and salivate.  The show starts with training camp notes and players for each team that are considered "unable to participate".  We also re-visit Stamkos' injury and the fact that he has returned.  We segue into Shayne Gostisbehere, who has had surgeries this season as potentially still playing a role for the Flyers this season.  We also touch on Pastrnak and Kase not being in Bruins camp.  Reluctantly we delve into the Jack Adams award finalists, Bruce Cassidy, John Tortorella and Alain Vigneault.  We discuss who should be left out and other candidates that should get consideration.  Tuukka has stated that he can see a timeshare in the Boston net once the NHL restarts.  We break down why this is a good idea and also the potential for next season and beyond if Rask does retire.  John Chayka has expounded on the playoff experience on his squad in Arizona, with four players and the head coach having Stanley Cup winning experience and finally we re-visit last week's story about Brock Boeser being bandied about in trades.  He isn't happy with all the trade talk and he should be as his team is heading in the right direction.  So give us a listen while you wait for the games, tell us what's on your mind and...Enjoy the show!!

Episode 0178: Boeser on the Block, Stamkos Injured, Coyotes and O.E.L. Getting Healthy, Landing Spots for Byfuglien, Stanley Cup Odds, Lindy Ruff is Back and More!

Weeks away from the start of the post-season, we continue to push on.  This show starts with a recap of the key dates for the upcoming post season and off season for 2020.  The top story is the possibility of Vancouver moving Brock Boeser.  We delve into possible landing spots, who has the capital to pull off the move, and what the return should be for his services.  We talk about Steven Stamkos getting injured during a pre-season workout.  The dreaded L.B.I. (lower body injury) has been a problem for Stammer for some time throughout his career.  How much longer will he play?  We discuss.  The Coyotes are getting healthy at the right time, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson is feeling 100%, so how far can Arizona go in the playoffs?  A great discussion ensues.  We found an article describing three landing spots for Dustin Byfuglien, and one of them is not a franchise.  We talk about the Stanley Cup odds and give our feelings on their accuracy.  Finally, Lindy Ruff is back behind the bench as boss.  How will he fare with the New Jersey Devils?  Lots of content so give us a listen and tell us what you think.  Enjoy the Show!!

Episode 0177: Hub Cities Undecided, CBA Discussions and the Current Climate, If Eichel Leaves Buffalo, Sabres Organizational Needs, Kotkaniemi Returning, Wild About the Expansion Draft and More!

As we close in on the start of the next level for the NHL, the Two Man Forecheck continues to talk hockey without pauses.  This week we start with the Hub Cities and where they might be located.  It would now appear that they will both be in Canada and there appears to be a level of certainty now that could spell Edmonton and Toronto.  The Athletic has an article dispensing information regarding the current framework for the NHL's CBA agreement.  There were some surprising nuances in the document regarding 35+ contracts and players with NMC/NTC in their contracts.  So we dive into the deep end and break down what it all means.  Jimmy Murphy has written an interesting article regarding if Eichel leaves Buffalo it will start a bidding war, but we go deeper and talk about the troubling issues with the franchise itself.  Jesperi Kotkaniemi is returning to the Canadiens, which should help the team, but in what way and will Julien use him at all?  Finally, we talk about the Wild and their skittishness with the expansion draft.  Having lost Tuch the last time around, who are they willing to expose when Seattle comes calling?  All this and much more so grab a beverage, give us a listen, tell us what you think and...Enjoy the Show!