Two Man Forecheck

Episode 0151: B's Issues, Burke/Larkin Comments, Tortorella Gold, NHL Surprises, Scandella Dealt, Sharks 2 Problems, 3 Things We'd Like to See

The Holidays are over but the hockey continues.  This week we delve deep into the Bruins issues this season including the unbalanced lines and lack of scoring depth.  Should they have some kind of shake up and what is the fallout from Marchand's All Star snub.  Brian Burke has something to say to Dylan Larkin after the latter has stated that fans should not vote for him because he would rather have the time off from the All Star break.  John Tortorella has had some famous rants in the past, and he made one recently that most fans should agree with.  Jake Guentzel is hurt and may not return at all this season.  Marco Scandella has been traded to the Canadiens but that isn't the only move made by the Habs as they have also signed Ilya Kovalchuk.  We talk about Draisaitl's hit/elbow on Torey Krug.  We also give our surprises for the first half of the season and three things we would both like to see happen in the future.  Lots of content to listen to and comment on, so give us a listen, let us know what you think and Enjoy the Show!  Happy New Year all!

Episode 0150: Halak 50 Shutouts, B's and 'Hawks Injury Bugs, Brent Seabrook, Top 100 List, Top 5 Under the Radar, Beauvillier Tweeting and More!

The Holidays are in full swing and so are we at the Two Man Forecheck.  Today we talk about…

Jaroslav Halak now has 50 shutouts in his career, third most among active goaltenders.

The injury bug has hit the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks pretty hard.  Brent Seabrook in particular is looking at a long recovery period after surgeries are expected on both hips and his shoulder.

We break down the top 100 players of the decade list from ESPN and Greg Wyshynski.  Here is the link:  https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/28325227/the-top-100-nhl-players-decade

We also break down the top 5 Under The Radar players as written by Adam Gretz.  Again, here is the link:  https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2019/12/20/nhl-philadelphia-flyers-ivan-provorov-teuvo-teravainen-great-nhl-performances/

Finally we have a little fun with Anthony Beauvillier tweeting Anna Kendrick and predict the winner of the Winter Classic. 

Thank you for another great year and we will be back in 2020.  Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0149: Ron Francis, Kevan Miller Done?, Kovalchuk Out in L.A., Rakell to Boston?, Hall to Arizona, McAvoy Not Scoring, B's Coaching Change? and So Much More!

The Christmas holiday is right around the corner but the hockey season continues on (with a brief break around the holiday).  This week the Forecheckers discuss Ron Francis, GM of the new Seattle franchise, and his role in the physical abuse scandal that saw Bill Peters resign as head coach of the Flames.  We talk about the active games leaders and Chara’s place in it with Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.  Kovalchuk has been waived and terminated in L.A., but is there a place for him in the NHL?  With Hall traded, which we also break down, should the Bruins focus on Rickard Rakell?  Charlie McAvoy has still not scored this season, should there be concern, and what of the Bruins d-man Kevan Miller…is he done?  Should the Bruins also consider a coaching change considering the current show of form with the team?  You’d be surprised.  Give us a listen, definitely tell us what you think and…Enjoy the Show! 

 

Happy Holidays to everyone from the 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!