Two Man Forecheck

Episode 0148: Housely in Arizona, DeBoer Out in SJ, Montgomery Out in Dallas, Where Will Hall Land?, Tocchet For the Adams, Blashill on Slow Burn, Lindblom Diagnosis, Twitter Poll and So Much More!

This week the Forecheckers appear to be focusing on the coaches around the league.  There have been 3 coaches relieved of duties and this week we touch on both Peter DeBoer of San Jose and Jim Montgomery of the Dallas Stars.  We open with a brief discussion on Phil Housely and his Coyotes defense.  We break things up by talking about the potential trade of Taylor Hall and where he is likely to land, with a lenthy discussion around Ottawa being a potential landing zone for the winger.  We give some much needed love to Rick Tocchet for the Jack Adams and talk about why Jeff Blashill (Red Wings) isn’t on a hot seat.  We wish much good fortune and a speedy recovery to Oskar Lindblom of the Flyers after being diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma and close the show with last week’s Twitter Poll results.  Here is the link for this week’s poll: 

 

https://twitter.com/pucksage/status/1206267462708277256

 

Give us a listen, send us your feedback and…Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0147: The Crazy Standings, John Hynes Fired, Carlson Best D-Man, Halak Reaches 500, Twitter Poll Results, Goldobin Sent Down, Pontus Aberg Back in NHL and More!

First week of December and we have seen yet another coaching change.  The Devils have relieved John Hynes of coaching duties and named assistant head coach Alain Nasreddine interim head coach.  But was this the right move for the team?  We discuss.  The open revolves around the standings and the flying Arizona Coyotes.  We also talk about head coaches that are still in their positions and should they be changed out.  John Carlson has matched a feat only accomplished by 3 other defensemen, two of which went on to receive the Norris that season.  Is he the best defenseman in the league?  Should he get a Norris this season?  Let us know.  Jaroslav Halak played in his 500th game this past week, earning a shutout in the process.  Is he the best backup in the league?  Could he be a starter anywhere else?  We believe so, but what is your opinion?  We break down the Twitter poll from last week and break down whether Nikolay Goldobin is worthy of being in the NHL.  Finally, we mention Pontus Aberg’s return to the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Lots to discuss and feast on, let us know what you think and…Enjoy the Show

The New Twitter Poll:  https://twitter.com/pucksage/status/1203740533727907840

 

Episode 0146: Bill Peters, B's Playing Down to Competition, Coyle & Wagner Extensions, Mailbag, Hall Trade Rumors, Brad 600, Twitter Poll and More!

Thanksgiving in America has come and gone, but hockey presses on.  This week we have seen a blight on the hockey landscape with the resignation of Bill Peters as head coach of the Calgary Flames.  His alleged actions in the past have left both of us at the Two Man Forecheck at a loss for words that can be spoken during the podcast but we push forward and try to express our opinions.  The Bruins have been playing down to their competition as of late, who is to blame for the lack of motivation on the team?  Charlie Coyle and Chris Wagner, two homegrown Massachusetts boys have been given extensions and both seem reasonable.  We dive into the Forecheck mailbag and answer a couple questions regarding Heinen’s return and Taylor Hall’s trade rumors, the latter of which we break down where he should really go.  Brad Marchand hit the 600 point plateau and blew past it, where does he fit on the all time Bruins list?  We discuss last week’s Twitter poll about which team you would rebuild at this time, the Rangers being your choice, but do we agree?  Finally, we wish to extend our deepest condolences to the Fleury family for the loss of Marc Andre’s father this week on Wednesday.  There is much to think about and express an opinion on this week, so let us know how you feel, vote in the current Twitter Poll (below is the link), and Enjoy the Show!

 

https://twitter.com/pucksage/status/1201199524661932032

Episode 0145: Babcock Out, The Wild...Tweak or Tear Down, McAvoy Offensive Woes, What's Up With the Press, Bortuzzo Hit, Dallas a Surprise, Head Coach Firings, Twitter Poll and More!

Mike Babcock is the first head coach to be fired, who's got next?  Is it entirely his fault?  Should Kyle Dubas share in the blame?  The Minnesota Wild couldn't win against the Bruins, are they fixable or should they be torn down and built back up?  Charlie McAvoy has no goals 23 games into the season.  Are we expecting too much of him or is he just underperforming?  The Predators are nowhere near a playoff spot at this time.  What is wrong with Nashville?  Should they consider a coaching change or personnel changes?  The goaltending has not been up to snuff so far this season.  Robert Bortuzzo hit Viktor Arvidsson and was given an in-game penalty but should he get a call from the Office of Player Safety?  Dallas is 13-1-1 in their last 15 games and may be the hottest team in the league that no one is paying attention to at this time.  Could they be one of the most balanced teams in the NHL?  Is Ottawa worth building up as they are currently constituted?  Plenty to discuss this week so give us a listen and share your opinions with us, but as always...Enjoy the Show!

 

Twitter Poll This Week:

https://twitter.com/pucksage/status/1198675544289796103

 

 

 

Episode 0144: The Injury Bug, Craig Anderson, Pacific Division Comparison, Pens Talking Trade, T.J. Oshie for HOF, Twitter Poll, The No. 72 and More!

Another week and more hijinks from the Two Man Forecheck.  The injury bug has hit the NHL hard at this point in the season, with many big names on the shelf.  Craig Anderson is the best bad team goaltender in the league, no question, but his worth goes deeper when you look at his career, as we did.  The Pacific Division is nowhere near what we expected, with the Oilers, 'Yotes and Canucks at the top so we compared the division to where it was at this time last season.  The Pens appear to be positioning themselves to trade one of their back up goaltenders to the Maple Leafs, but are they making the right move?  T.J. Oshie is a great shootout performer, but is it enough to get him over the hump and into the hall of fame?  We break down last week's twitter poll, talk about Bobby Lou's number retirement and finally mention the deal that gave Bobrovsky the 72 off Frank Vatrano's back.  All this and a new Twitter Poll...here is the link:

https://twitter.com/pucksage/status/1196110918113005569

So listen, vote, give us some feedback and...Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0143: Makar vs. Crosby, The Islanders D, Buy or Sell, B's Outplayed, Which B's Are HOFers, Roman Josi Contract, Twitter Poll and More!

Another week in the NHL and things have leveled off a bit.  John Cooper should still be the first coach to fall, but none have been released as of this date.  Cale Makar is more important to the Avs than Sidney Crosby is to the Pens...discuss, we'll wait.  We brought about a few buy or sell discussion points, including whether the Bolts are still the team to beat, will the Isles finish second in their division and will the Coyotes trade a goaltender at or before the deadline.  Some interesting opinions here.  We digress into head coaches that should or could be fired soon.  Joe Haggerty, a writer here in the Boston area responds to a writer that asks if it is time to give Tuukka a few games off in lieu of Halak, and Mike agrees with Hags (this is big!).  We talk about the Islanders Defense and how good it may be, as well as a few prospect mentions and a discussion about current players on the Bruins that could be hall of famers.  We talk about Roman Josi's new deal starting next season and break down last week's Twitter Poll.  Here is this week's Twitter Poll link:

 

https://twitter.com/pucksage/status/1193580894096891904

 

Give us a listen, tell us what you think and…Enjoy the Show!

 

 

Episode 0142: Tampa's Woes, Sabourin & Backes Injuries, Ducks Injury Issues, Domingue Trade, Devils Troubles, Byfuglien Update and More!

Is John Cooper to blame for the Lightning issues?  Should he be fired?  We discuss why he should.  What coaches could replace him?  Scott Sabourin and David Backes hit each other last night and both left the game with injuries.  Do the Anaheim Ducks pay attention to injury history when acquiring players?  At times it doesn't seem like it, and the team is decimated at the moment.  We talk about the resurgence of Vancouver and break down the New Jersey Devils after they have added Louis Domingue.  Could this mean there is an injury or possible deal for Schneider?  The Twitter Poll results show that most people feel that Torey Krug deserves a raise, but no one will give him over 8 million dollars, while 16 percent of the voters feel like he should stay at the pay rate he is currently receiving.  We talk about other 8 million dollar defensemen and where Krug fits in.  Finally we have a Dustin Byfuglien update from Bob McKenzie.  All this and so much more!  Let us know what you think, and...Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0141: NHL Standings, Sabres For Real?, Calgary Flaming Out?, 10 Game Awards, Krug's Value, Pastrnak To 50, B's Secondary Scoring, Women's NHL and More!

 The NHL standings are getting as muddled as the U.S. Tax Code at this point, right up there with trying to understand them.  How are the Oilers in the top spot in their division?  Are the Buffalo Sabres for real at this point in the season?  We discuss.  As always, Chris somehow interjects goaltending into the conversation.  We break down an article on The Hockey News by Sam McCaig giving out awards at the 10 game mark of the season.  Most are expected, but we discuss the Jack Adams award...Dave Tippett from Edmonton.  Are there more deserving candidates out there?  Torey Krug has been a fixture on the B's defense for a number of years now and Mike explains why Torey should be given a larger contract than the Bruins may be willing to offer.  Also, can Pastrnak reach 50 goals this season.  He has started off right, and has the talent, but past history may be against him. And are the Bruins finally getting the benefit of secondary scoring.  The top line has the bulk of the team's points at this juncture, but there have been signs of life from those not named Marchand, Pastrnak and Bergeron.  Finally, we break down the possibility and feasibility of a women's NHL.  Could such a league survive and flourish if supported by the National Hockey League?  What do you think?  There's a lot to consider here, and so much more to comment on, so give us a listen, drop us a line and...Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0140: The State of Goaltenders, Mike's 3 Surprises (And 1 Disappointment), The Leafs D, Seattle AHL Affiliate, Drew Doughty, Neal Pionk, Over/Under and More!

The goaltending this season has been an interesting topic as more teams appear to be splitting starts rather than going with a dedicated 1 and 2.  Mike has three surprises and one disappointment already this season, and one of them is a defenseman!  The Toronto Maple Leafs defense may be worse than last year, if that is possible.  Morgan Rielly has not revisited last year's form and they appeared to struggle even though they beat the Bruins in overtime.  Drew Doughty has been a bad boy while visiting the Calgary Flames.  He scored the game winner and made a rude gesture while reportedly telling the crowd to perform a lude act.  He really doesn't like that city it would appear.  Paul Maurice is more than happy with his new acquisition, Neal Pionk, stating that he reminds Paul of Josh Morrissey.  This is nice praise indeed from the head coach.  This leads into a discussion of the state of the Jets.  We close with another rousing rendition of over/under...Awards edition.  Let us know what you think, drop us a line and...Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0139: Early Season Surprises, Buffalo & Oilers For Real?, Neal's Goals or Dougie's +\- Bigger Shock, Lauko & Steen First Goals and More!

There are a few things that surprise the Forecheckers about the beginning of this season.  Carolina and Edmonton jumping out to 5 wins in a row, Buffalo on top in the east just to name a couple.  James Neal leading the league in goals with 7 and Dougie Hamilton leading the league in plusminus are two surprises but which one is more shocking to you?  Esa Lindell leads the league in short handed time on ice at over 5 minutes per game.  This could be telling for the Stars sluggish start as they have been in the box quite a bit.  Jakub Lauko and Oskar Steen have scored their first professional goals for the Providence Bruins.  Along with the stellar goaltending they have seen in the first 3 games bodes well for the baby B's.  All this and so much more!!  Give us your feedback and enjoy the show!!