Two Man Forecheck

Episode 0053: A.S. Skills Competition, Jim Benning & the Canucks, Jason Demers/Rick Tocchet, Louis Domingue, N.Y.R. Dealing?, Listener Comments, B's Prospect Notes, The New P/O/D Segment and Add One!

Hello all and welcome to a new year of the Two Man Forecheck!  We start out with a discussion of the All Star Skills Competition, which saw a number of new winners and a couple of new competitions.  Which did we like? Who surprised us?  Listen and find out.  We then move to a frank conversation about Jim Benning and the Vancouver Canucks.  Is it his fault that the Canucks are in the position they are in?  Based on the article we quote, it is, but we feel differently.  Are the New York Rangers going to be sellers at the deadline?  We found a story that says they absolutely should be selling.  We delve into some listener comments from the last show regarding trading Krug or McQuaid, as well as some Bruins prospect updates.  The Forecheckers have started a new segment, the P/O/D segment.  Stands for Player/Organization/Division.  For this week the target is the New Jersey Devils.  And of course we close the show with Add One!  Join us for the start of another exciting year and let us know how we are doing or what we can talk about.  Enjoy the second half of the season.

Episode 0052: THE ANNIVERSARY SHOW, Krug and McQuaid On The Move, Buyers and Sellers, Spooner and Mr. January and Add One!

Here it is, our one year anniversary!  What a trip its been so far!  For today's show the Forecheckers discussed the possibility (or lack thereof) of the Boston Bruins moving Torey Krug, Adam McQuaid or both.  And for good measure, could they possibly move Ryan Spooner?  Mike and Chris offer differing opinions.  We then stretch out the discussion to include who should be buying and who should be selling their wares.  Spoiler alert:  Arizona appears on one of these lists.  The conversation turns back to Boston and their very own Mr. January...Patrice Bergeron.  His January statistics far exceed any other month of the hockey season.  This topic also expands to team leadership and other possible players that are leaders on their respective teams...whether they sport a letter on their jersey or not.  Then, as most episodes go, we close with another ringing episode of Add One!!  Can you figure out the theme before Chris did?  

Its been a year, and we would like to thank those that have listened right along with us!  And for those that haven't, jump on in, give us a listen.  And let us know what you would like to hear, or let us know how we are doing.  This show is as much for you the listeners as it is for us.  So we celebrate one year and look forward to many more!  Thanks for listening!

Episode 0051: Hurricanes New Majority Owner, Surprise Statistics, The Duclair Trade & Its Effect on Chicago and Arizona and the TMF Poll Question!

Hello all!  One more week til our one year anniversary episode, but first the Forecheckers start out this week with a deep discussion of the new majority owner of the Carolina Hurricanes and his wishes for the fan base of the franchise.  His (apparent) somewhat hands off approach to the talent will give him the opportunity to give time to improving the experience for Hurricanes fans, along with his commitment to the Raleigh area.  We then delve into a discussion about the surprise statistical rise and fall of the top players in the NHL.  How many listeners out there predicted that Nathan MacKinnon would be third in scoring at this point in the season?  That the likes of Ovechkin, Crosby and Malkin would be outside the top ten?  Chris and Mike talk long and loquacious regarding the Anthony Duclair trade and its impact on both the Blackhawks and Coyotes.  What does Richard Panik bring to the Arizona franchise?  Finally, the Two Man Forecheck Poll Question regarding the growth of the NHL had three choices...and the winner was Rebuilding Rivalries.  Those who know the Forecheckers know that this is the concensus choice of both, but 75%...obviously the fans want to see more of their archrivals.  Next week is big...one year!  Any questions, comments, suggestions for topics or guests...don't hesitate to let us know.  As the Great One said..."100 percent of the shots not taken don't go in".  100% of the comments, etc. not made don't get talked about...unless we get lucky!  Until next week...

Episode 0050: The Anti-Injury Report, Dion Phaneuf...A Senator Next Year, Are the Penguins "Fixable", Re-evaluating the Eastern Conference, Duchene Deal Winner and Add One!

Happy New Year Everybody!  Welcome to Episode 50...two weeks away from our first anniversary!  We break in the new year with the anti-injury report.  Some players are starting to come back healthy and the Forecheckers discuss which will have the biggest impact.  Will Dion Phaneuf be a Senator much longer?  Where will he play his 1000th game?  Chris believes it will be with the Senators, but Mike has other ideas.  We discuss some trade deadline potential moves and rumors, especially surrounding Anthony DuClair.  The two time Stanley Cup Champions are currently out of the playoffs.  The Foredheckers believe this will continue, but are the Pittsburgh Penguins "fixable"?  Both guys don't believe it can happen this year, and possibly not for another year or two after this one.  We re-evaluate the Eastern Conference playoff race, and include some percentages to support the arguments.  Who has won the Duchene deal?  Mike believes that Colorado was the big winner, but Chris believes that Kyle Turris will be a much bigger player on Nashville with the recent injury to Filip Forsberg.  We finish the week with our favorite segment...A very special Winter Classic themed Add One!  Oh yeah, and a slight mention about Thornton and his beard.  All on this week's edition of the Two Man Forecheck!  Drop us a comment, leave us some questions.  Reach out and let us know what you want to hear, but most of all, enjoy the show!

Episode 0049: Quick Year Recap, Five Predictions for the NHL, Most Costly Injuries, Quick Expansion Update, Barry Trotz, Boston's Top Line and Add One!

Hello listeners and welcome to another edition of the Two Man Forecheck.  The Forecheckers start out this episode with a quick recap of the year from the playoffs through the draft and the expansion Golden Knights success.  From here we continue on to our 5 predictions for the remainder of the season up to free agency and the draft (although none of our predictions carry out that far).  We discuss the most costly injuries, or more precisely, which injury is most costly to their respective team.  Is it Mark Scheifele or Corey Crawford?  Do you have an opinion on this?  If so, please share, we would love to hear other possibilities that we may not have considered.  Mike gives his opinion on Seattle as we discuss a quick expansion update and Barry Trotz has moved into fifth all time for coaching wins, passing Lindsay Ruff.  Congratulations to you, Barry!  Also, we wish a speedy recovery to Chris Kreider.  We briefly touch on the goaltending woes of the Ottawa Senators before moving onto our favorite segment...Add One!  Finally we hash out how important it may be that the top line for the Boston Bruins has not been performing.  Chris isn't as concerned as Mike is, but please give us your opinion on this.  And as always, if you have any ideas for topics or questions for us to discuss, please drop us a comment here or an email at ThoseTwo@TwoManForecheck.com.  Enjoy the hockey and have a Very Happy and Successful New Year!

Episode 0048: The Islanders New Home, John Tavares, Our Biggest Surprises, GM's On The Hot Seat, Current All-Star Voting, Our 5 Gifts To The NHL

The Forecheckers continue to battle through illnesses to bring you the latest episode, packed with items such as the new home for the New York Islanders and how this affects their premier player, John Tavares.  From this nice early present to the NHL we discuss our biggest surprises.  Surprise!  Mike and Chris don't agree.  We transition to a frank discussion regarding General Managers that may be feeling the heat...one in particular, Marc Bergevin.  There don't seem to be any surprises when it comes to the All-Star voting so far.  Unless you consider Chris' surprise at learning that the voting is a popularity contest.  Finally we close out the show with our 5 gifts from us to the NHL.  So give the show a listen, full of surprises just in time for the Christmas hoilday!  Then drop us a surprise comment or question.  Happy Holidays to all of your families from the Two Man Forecheck family! 

Episode 0047: Injuries Pile Up, Penguins Win 3...A Good Thing?, The Mailbag, Ottawa's Owner and GM Sound Off, Trade Talk and Add One!

Just in time for the final week before Christmas, The Forecheckers come at you with another jam packed episode.  Speaking of jam packed, the injured lists around the NHL are filling up like children's gift lists.  We talk about the possible reasons why the current rash has taken place.  One thing on Jim Rutherford and the Pittsburgh Penguins' wish list is another Stanley Cup, but would this be a good thing for the NHL?  Mike offers his three-prong answer while Chris just says "no", but who's right?  Listen and decide for yourself, maybe even drop a comment or question like Dallas Johnson.  Dallas, we thank you for the question, and hopefully we answered it to your liking.  Keep those questions coming.  Last week we talked about expansion and relocation, and it continues this week as Eugene Melnyk, in a round about way, threw his own team into the mix.  That and Kyle Turris blames him for his move to Nashville.  We close out with some trade talk around the league, but mainly focused on James Neal, and finally we have the Zarley Zalapski inspired Add One!  Come on in and warm up with some great hockey conversation!!  Welcome to the Two Man Forecheck.

Episode 0046: Dirty Joe Thornton and Others, Rivalries in the NHL, The Sale of Carolina, The Expansion in Seattle, Americans on the Bruins and Add One!

With one of the Forecheckers down due to illness, the podcast got a late start this week, but is as exciting as ever.  We start out with a discussion on the dirtiness (is that a word) of Joe Thornton.  He's been suspended before, but was his hit on T.J. Oshie dirty?  And what of other "dirty" players in the NHL?  Are there ways of reducing the number of dirty hits and tactics in the NHL?  Hint...don't eliminate fighting.  We then transition to the sale of the Carolina Hurricanes.  One of the stipulations is that they stay in Carolina, but is that feasible?  We chew the fat on this and other sites where there could be potential expansion.  Seattle appears to be the frontrunner, but are there better options?  Houston, San Antonio, Quebec City?  And with a franchise fee north of 600 million dollars, how can a new franchise make this work.  To lighten the discussion, we finish with the Bruins, with 10 of their 18 skaters being from the United States.  How USA Hockey has improved over the last ten or so years...and finally...ADD ONE!  Come on in, sit down, give us a listen!  Then give us some feedback!  Questions and comments are always answered and appreciated!

Episode 0045: The Latest NHL Trade, Fixing the Red Wings, All Star Captains, Ovechkin Keepin' On, Evander Kane, NHL Expansion and the Houston Franchise, The Future Salary Cap and 7 Bruins Defensemen

 The Forecheckers discuss the latest trade in the NHL, one that most believe to be a win for both teams, but do we think this is the case?  We transition to the Detroit Red Wings and their current situation.  Could either of the players involved in the trade help here.  Chris and Mike discuss possible solutions to the problem.  From here we delve deep into the pool of All Star Captains.  Who are the usual suspects?  Could some well deserving players get the fat end of the goalie stick?  And is it possible that we could see a goaltender as a captain?  How is it that the Great * just keeps going?  Weren't the pundits and talking heads predicting that Ovechkin couldn't possibly keep up this pace and not break down.  Yet here he is, on pace for another stellar season.  We bring other power forwards into the conversation for comparison and discover that Jason Botteril has no idea what to do with Evander Kane.  Except maybe drive the price up.  We include break out sessions for the business side of things such as expansion, relocation and the possibility of Houston being the locale.  We close with some frank discussion of salary cap and the Boston Bruins throwing seven defensemen on the ice.  Dive in to all the action this week and leave us a question or comment!

Episode 0044: Biggest Surprises at the Quarter Pole, Iginla and the Spengler Cup, A Big Trade in the WHL, Boston Prospects and Add One!

Hello everyone!  We've reached the quarter pole around the league and there are quite a few surprises that, we would guess, not many people predicted.  The Forecheckers talk about their 3 biggest surprises thus far this season.  It also appears that Jarome Iginla may be playing in the Spengler Cup, an ice hockey tournament held in Davos, Switzerland and believed to be the oldest ice hockey tournament in the world.  Could he possibly use this tournament as a stepping stone back into the NHL for the final two months of the season?  We discuss.  There was also a fairly large trade in the WHL involving 7 players and a couple draft picks.  Two of those players are NHL prospects.  Could there have been pressure from the big clubs to get their respective properties more experience?  We talk about two Bruins prospects, Jack Studnicka and Trent Frederic, and their respective teammates that are draft eligible at the upcoming 2018 entry draft.  Finally, as always, we finish with another fun round of Add One and quickly touch on a minor league tradition called the "Teddy Bear Toss" which has taken place at various arenas since 1993.  One place you won't find it is in the NHL.  But you can find us all over the internet, so stop by and give us a listen!  And if the mood strikes...send a question or comment.  Enjoy the Hockey!