Two Man Forecheck

Episode 0316: Caps Rebuild?; The Nuge; Lohrei, Hughes Sign; Quinnipiac Champs; Joel Eriksson Ek Out; Mr. TNT; B’s Record Chase; Sidney Crosby & More!

As we face the last week of the regular season, there are still a couple things up in the air...playoff spots, who will play, records to be broken, etc.  We dive into these topics and more as we start with what may be a tough time for Ovechkin as his Washington Capitals may be facing something he was promised would not happen...a rebuild.  There is another top tier player on the Oilers who isn't getting much hype...Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.  Mason Lohrei and Luke Hughes have signed deals (albeit different types) with the teams that drafted them.  Quinnipiac has won the NCAA college ice hockey championship...Congrats on a great season!  Joel Ericksson Ek is out week to week after blocking a shot.  What does that mean for the Wild?  TNT had the B's/Blues broadcast and it was hockey gold when Paul Bissonette interviewed Brad Marchand.  Does hockey need more of this personality?  Yes.  Is the record chase for the Bruins a good or bad thing?  We break it down.  Finally, Sidney Crosby is the 6th fastest in league history to 1500 points.  Congrats Sid!  Still packing the show so come on in and give a listen.  Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0315: Potential 1st Round Matchups; ’Hawks Tanking Right; Tkachuk for Hart?; Twitter Poll Results; Jack Adams Award; Keefe, Bunting, Matthews & More!

The end of the regular season is in sight and we start looking at potential first round matchups.  There are a couple that may be too close to call and the Central could look entirely different by our next show.  We talk about the Blackhawks and how they are tanking "right".  Matthew Tkachuk is dragging the Panthers into a potential playoff spot.  Does that garner him some Hart consideration?  We think so.  Three Twitter polls (two of our own) bear some discussion.  Should Binnington be bought out?  Who would you keep Eichel or Stone (thank you @GoldenKnights) and finally who should win the Jack Adams, which led to a discussion of how many coaches could garner consideration.  There was a tweet showing Michael Bunting ignoring Sheldon Keefe on the bench leading to a discussion about tuning out the coach leading to a discussion about Auston Matthews and where he could be in the future.  Below is the link leading to the picture of Tuukka Rask that we talk about during the show.  It can be unsettling for B's fans so have a laugh and Enjoy the Show!

https://twitter.com/_TyAnderson/status/1643330562201886720

 

Episode 0314: B’s & Mr. Marchand; PHF & Isobel Cup; Women’s Nat’l Team; Binnington Buyout?; Twitter Poll; Alaska Nanooks; Cost per Point; Tage Thompson; Player Poll; Vrana, Duclair and More!

With ten (or so) games remaining in the season, the playoffs are almost upon us.  We open with a brief comment on the B's and Brad Marchand.  The Isobel Cup final is today (the 26th) and we talk about the growth of women's hockey, including the Women's National Team Evaluation Week.  The IIHF Championship squad will be selected from this group.  Binnington has won a Stanley Cup, but should the Blues buy him out this off-season, or find some other way to move on from him after his on-ice behaviors of recent?  We delve into Twitter Poll results regarding a first round matchup with the Bruins and we talk about the Alaska Nanooks.  They just missed out on a spot in the NCAA tournament, but had a successful season to be sure.  We touch briefly on a fun stat...cost per point...and point out its flaws.  Tage Thompson has the opportunity to become the tallest player in the NHL to have a 50 goal/100 point season.  We delve into the player poll results, talk about Jakub Vrana's recent history in the NHL and Anthony Duclair and his foundation.  A deep show to be certain so listen and Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0313: Binnington Suspended; Bergy & Marchy Another Record; Carlson Returning; Harvard Hazing; Makar/Hughes; USPHL; Macklin Celebrini; Poll Results; Q Bans Fighting and More!

As we continue our march towards the playoffs, records continue to fall.  But first we start with Jordan Binnington getting suspended for two games.  Bergeron and Marchand have broken another Bruins record, most times the two have factored into a goal with 407.  John Carlson is returning, but should he at this point in the season?  Harvard University is dealing with accusations of hazing and other questionable behavior within its women's ice hockey team, and we dive into this story.  Makar and Hughes have both leapt onto the list of defensemen with 3 assist games before their 25th birthday.  The other names on the list read like the hall of fame roster.  The USPHL is starting their playoffs and can be watched on the free hockey tv site.  The "next big thing" after Conor Bedard could be a young man by the name of Macklin Celebrini.  We expose the results of our Twitter Poll regarding Trent Frederic reaching 20 goals in a season.  Finally, the Q has banned fighting.  They have yet to finalize details, and it appears to be somewhat politically motivated, but fighting could lead to suspensions.  Again, a deep show with lots to discuss.  Let us know what you think and Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0312: Fletcher Fired; GM Hot Seat; Canucks Situation; Vegas’ Quickie; B’s Fastest to 50; Hughes Fastest to 200; Jack Hughes; Allan Walsh & More!

Normally we wait to talk GMs, but the first domino has fallen.  Chuck Fletcher has been fired.  This leads us into a discussion regarding GMs on the hot seat.  While tossing names around, we delve into the situation in Vancouver and Patrik Allvin.  Jonathan Quick has settled in nicely in Las Vegas.  He is 3-0-0 in his first 3 games with a shutout and a .939 save percentage.  The B's are fastest to 50 wins in NHL history, having done it in 64 games.  Quinn Hughes is the fastest defenseman to 200 assists, 1 game shorter than Brian Leetch.  His projected stats would put him in company with Paul Coffey and Bobby Orr.  Jack Hughes had himself a special night on Sunday, factoring in on all 3 goals in a shutout of the 'Canes.  Finally, we touch on Allan Walsh and a tweet he sent out regarding Jan Sprynar.  Lots to enjoy here, so listen and tell us who you feel is on the hot seat and Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0311: Trade Deadline; ’Canes moves; B’s Fastest to 100; Twitter Poll Results; Trotz New GM; David Quinn Ejected; Ovi Gets Explanation; Hart Discussion, Playoff Odds & More!

The trade deadline has come and gone, and while the last day was anticlimactic, the week leading up to it was exciting to behold.  We discuss everything deadline with some surprises and teams that were duds at the end.  We look at the 'Canes deals and whether they moved the needle.  The Bruins are the fastest team to 100 points in NHL history, yet another milestone, but fans now may be turning their attentions to the playoffs.  We divulge the results of our recent Twitter Poll.  Barry Trotz, Stanley Cup winning head coach, will be taking over as GM of the Predators after the draft this season as David Poile is set to retire.  Poile has set up Trotz to succeed, but Barry has stated that everyone needs to slow down.  David Quinn was ejected from a game, the second time since DeBoer was thrown out back in 2018 and since Cooper was tossed a year ago.  Ovi got an explanation from McLellan regarding the trade of Orlov to the Bruins.  We deep dive into a Hart discussion and the playoff odds before wrapping up the show.  Give a listen, send us your thoughts and Enjoy the Show! 

Episode 0310: Linus Scores; Gavrikov, Chychrun; B’s D Pairs; Dadanov, Barbashev Moving; Gibson, Lyubushkin Records; Anthony Duclair Foundation; Devin Kaplan, Locmelis, Merkulov and More!

We are five days away from the trade deadline and there haven't been any superstar type moves as of yet.  Starting with the excitement of the day, Ullmark scored (a first for a Bruins goaltender), and we discuss the new players for the B's.  Mike and Chris also talk about the potential D pairs going into the playoffs with the acquisition of Dmitry Orlov.  John Gibson had three 50 save games in one calendar month, something not done since 55-56.  Ilya Lyubushkin scored an unassisted short-handed overtime goal, the first time since 1937.  Dans Locmelis and Georgii Merkulov are both exceeding expectations in their respective leagues.  We talk about Anthony Duclair and his newly founded Anthony Duclair Foundation.  We discuss prospect Devin Kaplan of the BU Terriers (Flyers prospect) as well as a dive into what the Vegas Knights need to do to improve at the deadline.  Lots to digest so get comfy, give a listen and Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0309: Matt Extended; O’Reilly Traded; The Ottawa Senators; Stanley Cup Odds; ’Canes’ Potential; Paul Jerrard, Ovechkin & Barzal; Twitter Poll Results and More!

With two weeks to go til the trade deadline, all the gossip is on who will get moved.  We delve into other topics as well as dip our toes into the trade talk. 

Olli Matt signed a two year extension with the Red Wings, which could be more important than it first sounds.  Ryan O'Reilly was dealt to the Leafs, but is this the way they should have spent their draft capital?  We take a hard look at the Ottawa Senators and bandy about on who should stay and who should be shown the door.  Carolina always looks impressive, but thanks to Sam Fels, we have an article showing that there might be less teeth in the 'Canes than we might want to believe.  Paul Jerrard unfortunately has passed away at the age of 57, and Alex Ovechkin is on a leave due to his father's passing.  To both families we extend our deepest condolences.  Matt Barzal was injured against the Bruins, yet another setback for the Islanders.  Moneypuck.com has come out with playoff odds and some we question.  We close the show with some Twitter Poll Results.  Lots here to dig in to so give a listen and Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0308: NHL Trade Rumors; Chychrun; Tarasenko Moving; Grzelcyk a 3rd Pair D; Max Domi; NHL Power Rankings; Horvat & the Isles; Brett Harrison; the BeanPot and More!

One week after the All Star Weekend we have some teams playing their first games, with plenty of rust to go around.  The trade deadline now looms 3 weeks away and we start out with a couple rumors mostly focused around Jacob Chychrun.  We also talk about the Rangers trade for Tarasenko.  We dive into a deep discussion regarding a statement from sports radio in Boston that Matt Grzelcyk is a third pairing defenseman.  Fair warning, we delve into some stats here.  Max Domi came to the defense of Patrick Kane and received 17 penalty minutes for his actions, but were they warranted or necessary?  The Athletic has released (thanks Sean Gentille and Dom Luszczyszyn) its latest power rankings along with team needs, which we dissect.  Bo Horvat and the Isles have agreed to an 8 year extension.  Brett Harrison has had yet another multi-point night.  The Beanpot finals for the men and women will take place Monday and Tuesday this week.  Enjoy the Show!

Episode 0307: All Star Weekend; Horvat to Isles; Capitals ”D” Issues; Potential B’s Pickups; Bucci Tweet; Marchand HOF?; Bettman & TV Ratings and More!

With the all star weekend in the books, we turn our attention to the trade deadline.  The Isles have kicked us off, acquiring Bo Horvat from the Canucks.  But will they keep him?  The Washington Capitals appear to have some defense issues, as none of them are signed beyond this season with the exception of John Carlson.  We then delve further into a discussion of players (wingers) that the Bruins could pick up on medium contracts.  Buccigross tweeted out that the NHL needs 100 Marchands and not goals above expected, which leads to a frank discussion of his possibly getting into the hall of fame based on a Peter Tenkrat tweet.  The main portion of the show revolves around Gary Bettman and his 30 years as commissioner of the NHL as well as the TV ratings, which are in decline.  A slightly longer episode to be sure, but well worth the listen, so let us know what you think and Enjoy the Show!