Two Man Forecheck

Episode 0171: The Importance of Sport, Compliance Buyouts and Our Two Picks, 16 vs. 24 Playoff Format, A Bold Prediction, Draft Day and Lottery Changes, Ales Hemsky Retires and More!

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it is the NHL Playoffs.  The main idea is that hockey will come back with a 24 team playoff format, effectively ending the regular season.  We start with a brief diatribe around the importance of sport to the masses, but then get on with the business of talking hockey.  We talk about the possibility of compliance buyouts and we give two examples each of players we feel should be bought out.  We get into the logistics of a 16 versus 24 team playoff format.  Amazingly, we agree that the 24 team format is better for the league and fans.  There is a story out there by David Staples of the Edmonton Journal predicting that the Blackhawks will beat the Oilers in the playoffs this season.  A good read, the link is below.  Finally, we venture into a discussion (which becomes a Mike rant) on moving the draft from June to April, changing the format of who drafts where and the possibility of getting rid of the draft lottery or significantly changing how it is conducted.  Also, Ales Hemsky, former Oilers draft pick in 2001 has officially retired from the NHL.  We wish him the best of luck and success in his future endeavors.  Lots of content on only a few stories, so please let us know what you think as hockey gets closer to returning.  Enjoy the Show!

https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/chicago-blackhawks-will-upset-the-edmonton-oilers-in-first-round-of-nhl-playoffs-stats-analyst-predicts/

 

Episode 0170: AHL Cancels Season, Botterill Report Card, Nick Ritchie Chemistry Issues, David Backes, Torey Krug PP QB, Radko Gudas' Thoughts, Cody Glass and More!

Another week in May has come and gone and still no live hockey, but we press on.  The AHL, however, will not and have cancelled their season.  We break down Jason Botterill's time in Buffalo and grade him on his 3 year anniversary with his time running the team.  Here's a hint:  Chris gives him a C-, Mike a D+.  We talk about Nick Ritchie and his time with the Boston Bruins.  He talks about his difficulty gelling with the team and forming some kind of chemistry.  David Backes has moved on to Anaheim, and this pause may be just what he needs to get back on track.  Torey Krug is the best power play quarterback in the league, but what of others such as Brent Burns and Kris Letang?  Radko Gudas has stated that he believes the NHL should shut down, that the league should worry more about the safety of the players, while discussing his contract status in the same interview.  Finally, Cody Glass sent his mother a warm Mother's Day wish that will bring a tear to your eye.  Another show in the books, listen, give us your thoughts and Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0169: NWHL Draft, Tyler Wall Signs Entry Level, Rangers Goaltending Depth, Leipsic Released, Reconfiguring the 2020 Draft, Sexton Retires, Re-open the Trade Market and More!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers who are listening!  Hockey will return!

We start this week with the NWHL Draft.  Something took place here that you don't see on the men's side too often.  Many of the players taken by the top two teams in the league were drafted from their own geographic areas.  The Boston Pride drafted a B.U. player, Sammy Davis, with the number one overall pick and took most of their players from the Northeast.  The Minnesota Whitecaps drafted their top two picks from the University of Minnesota.  The New York Rangers signed Tyler Wall, a 2016 pick from U. Mass Lowell, to an entry level contract.  With this signing, it also led us to discuss the depth the Rangers have at the goaltender position.  Brendan Leipsic was released by the Capitals after some scathing comments made on a private instagram chat were released.  Should he be punished?  Was it right for someone else to bring these comments to light?  This also affected his younger brother, who was dropped from his college team in Manitoba.  Dominic Tiano stated recently on Twitter his plan for the 2020 draft, and we discuss it here.  Ben Sexton, a Bruin draft pick in 2009, has retired from hockey at 28 years of age due to concussions he has suffered throughout his career.  We wish Ben the best of luck in his future endeavors and a speedy recovery from his malady.  We also look at an Athletic article by Sean McIndoe in which he makes a case for re-opening the trade market. Lots to think about as we anticipate the re-start of the NHL season, so let us know what you think and we'll be sure to talk about it here.  Give us a listen and...Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0168: NHL Restart, Calder Candidates Revisited, Lindblom Recovering, 'Hawks Fire McDonough, Bourque Praises Krug, Super 16 D-Men, Potential NWHL Expansion Spot, Halak Extended and More!

As we continue without any live Hockey on the horizon, we at the Two Man Forecheck continue to find the stories that can be talked about.  This week we open with a frank discussion on the NHL Restart and the Return to Play committee that has been created.  We also revisit the Calder Candidates this season and debate who should and should not receive consideration.  Oskar Lindblom was diagnosed with bone cancer back in December, but he is almost done with his treatments and could see a return to the ice soon.  We wish him all the best and hope for a speedy return.  The Blackhawks have fired their president, John McDonough, for no other reason than it appears the owner is trying to send a message, but what message is he really sending?  Ray Bourque has gone on record as saying that Torey Krug is one of the best defensemen in the NHL, so we discussed it.  NHL.com has put out a super 16 list of defensemen, and we break down the list and decide that some of the players are in the wrong spots.  We talk about another potential expansion city for the NWHL, a point raised to us by Douglas Bildhauer on Facebook.  And finally, the hockey gods have smiled on Boston as Jaro Halak has signed a one year extension to play for the Black and Gold.  Lots of content to digest and comment on so give us a listen, send us your feedback and...Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0167: NWHL Expands to Toronto, An NHL Restart Soon, Redrafting the 2003 NHL Draft, Bruins Locker Room Time Machine and so much More!

Another week and we come close to naming that which shall not be named.  The NWHL has added a sixth team, expanding over the border into Toronto, Canada.  We talk about a possible NHL restart, thanks to a story from Larry Brooks of the NY Daily News.  We close the show by talking about a Zoom conference known as the Boston Bruins Locker Room Time Machine, where the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins get back together to talk about the team and just generally have a fun time with each other, and we the viewing public reap the benefits.  All of this is exciting, but we spend the bulk of the show doing something that has been 2 plus years in the making (and longer for Mike and Chris)...we finally redraft the 2003 NHL Draft.  Arguably the best draft class ever, we put the players where they would be or should be now, and there aren't many crossover picks between our two lists.  Have a listen, check out our picks and let us know where we are right or wrong, who you would pick and where.  So tell us what you think and Enjoy the Show!

Chris' List:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zEiN67UjNATNfcS60pB33gd31SVbGsqy/view?usp=sharing

Mike's List:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JzAKg1fcCa3kbUe_r784vZWLOxp6PoGohYhM4kjTJyc/edit

Episode 0166: Blues Signings, Korpisalo Extended, Versteeg & Markov Retire, Byfuglien a Free Agent, Twitter Polls, Movie Reviews and so much More!

For the fourth straight week we are corona free.  We talk about the week the St. Louis Blues had, extending Mackenzie MacEachern, Sammy Blais and Marco Scandella.  This leads us to talk about what may happen with Alex Pietrangelo.  Could he go somewhere else?  And what would all that mean for Torey Krug?  Kris Versteeg, a Bruin draft pick in 2004, has retired at the age of 33.  He never played for the Bruins, but has won two Stanley Cup rings with Chicago.  Also calling it a career is Andrei Markov, 36 of the Montreal Canadiens.  He seems to be more famous for the players he has been paired with over his career.  Dustin Byfuglien and the Jets have mutually agreed to terminate his contract, making him a free agent.  Where could he land next year (he can't sign anywhere this season).  We break down our 3 on 3 poll and discuss the Golden Knights poll.  All this plus some movie reviews as well.  Listen, comment and Enjoy the Show!!...and wash your hands.

Episode 0165: The Beanpot, Colby Cave, Our 3 on 3 Tournament, Torey Krug Speaks Out, Mike's New Playoff Format, Jenni Hiirikoski Greatest Women's Player and More!

Happy Easter to Everyone!  Here we are, week 3 and no mention of…well, don’t want to spoil it here.  We start out cold with a brief discussion about the Beanpot Tournament which broadened out to creating other tournaments in the Northeast.  The hardest topic to discuss is the passing of a person, and with a great deal of sadness we discuss the passing of Colby Cave.  At 25 he was taken far too young.  We extend our prayers and deepest condolences to his wife, Emily and his family.  He will be missed!  Mike and I finally get out 3 on 3 Tourney completed, and we invite you to vote for the winner.  The link to the Twitter poll is below.  Chris’ 2 teams are:  1. Point, Nylander and Pionk and 2. Marchand, J.T. Miller and Doughty.  Mike’s two teams:  1. K. Hayes, B. Nelson and A. Fox and 2. R. Smith, Point and Slavin.  Don’t forget to vote.  We talk about Torey Krug, who decided to speak out about finishing the season among other topics and we close out the show with the greatest women’s player in the word (according to Andrew Podnieks), Jenni Hiirikoski.  Listen, participate and…Enjoy the Show!

https://twitter.com/pucksage/status/1249395856698232833

 

Episode 0164: College Free Agent Signings, Ryan Shea Opts Out, Hobey Baker and Richter Finalists, Sabres Collapse, Jones Skating, Miller "Zoombombed", 31 Team Playoff? and More!

Another week without hockey...unless you are listening to us here at the Two Man Forecheck.  This week we talk about the wave of college entry level and free agent signings taking place, and one player who chose not to sign with the team that drafted him.  Ryan Shea has chosen not to sign with Chicago, making him a free agent.  No reason given for the choice, so we talk about it and potential landing spots for the young man.  Hobey Baker is down to three finalists, one forward, one defenseman and a goaltender.  We talk about who has the best chance to win the award.  Also, the Mike Richter award has its five finalists, and this year's group is about the tightest in terms of skill level that we've seen in awhile.  We break down the Sabres collapse and what they need to turn it around.  Seth Jones is skating again, and the source is probably a good one.  We discuss the story of K'Andre Miller, Rangers prospect who was conducting a video chat on zoom when someone "individual" decided it was a good time to throw some racial slurs around.  Finally, we  digest the possibility of a 31 team playoff in the NHL, something that P.K. Subban is apparently in favor of taking place!  All this and so much more!  give us a listen and send us your comments.  Stay safe, stay healthy, wash your hands and...Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0163: Rask Could Retire, Bedard Granted Exceptional Status, Hobey Baker Finalists, Undrafted Free Agent Signings, Jack Ahcan Signs With B's, 2020 Picks Reviewed Last Year and More!

Another exciting episode, Covid free for your protection.  We talk a lot about youth and we spend time looking forward.  Tuukka Rask has implied that he may not play after his current contract expires.  What does that mean for the Bruins going forward?  The signing of Jeremy Swayman looms larger than first thought.  We touch on the 10 Hobey Baker Award Finalists (of which Swayman is one) and talk about local talent.  Connor Bedard, a 14 year old in BC Hockey, has been granted Exceptional Status and will be allowed to play in the WHL next season as a 15 year old.  This has only happened 6 times and most of the players are recognizable names in the NHL.  Could he be next?  We talk about the undrafted free agent signings of the past and the top 5 franchises in terms of games played by these signings.  In the wake of the recent signings by the Bruins and other franchises, it is possible that this new batch could have an impact in the near future.  Jack Ahcan has signed with the Bruins out of St. Cloud State in Minnesota.  Another defenseman, he is smaller in stature than Nick Wolff, at 5'8" but has potential big talent.  Finally, we review Future Considerations (large thank you to them) 2019 review of this year's potential draft picks.  No mention of Coronavirus, just hockey talk...listen, pass it along, send us thoughts and comments and...Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0162: And I Feel Fine!, Lou Will Match Barzal Offer Sheets, Questions Regarding NHL Season, Cap Won't Go Down, B's Signings, Scouting To Be Done Mid April, Youth Camps Cancelled and More!

Another week without hockey, but we are still here talking about it!  Lou Lamoriello has tweeted out that he will match any offer sheets that are tendered for Matthew Barzal.  The Bruins have signed two college players to their entry level contracts...Nick Wolff of Minnesota Duluth and Jeremy Swayman of UMaine.  Unforturtunately US Hockey has cancelled some upcoming camps and tryouts however camps scheduled for the end of June and early July are still tentatively going to happen.  We spend a lot of the show discussing questions surrounding the current NHL season and the future of the league going forward.  Finally, we bring your attention to an article from Greg Wyshynski regarding how to get your hockey fix when there is no hockey to watch.  The link is below.  Also, in non-hockey news, R.E.M. is back on the charts but not with a new song.  "Its the End of the Word As We Know it...And I Feel Fine" is at number 65.  Enjoy at your leisure!  We keep on going and hope that everyone is healthy and safe.  Give us a listen, share your opinions with us and...Enjoy the Show!  We Feel Fine

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/28923607/your-hockey-week-week-there-no-hockey