• GM's time to make mark is now (00:41)
• VGK Cup Champ offseason plan? (3:11)
• Golden Knights next season (7:47)

2023/24 Stanley Cup odds (11:28)

• Colorado Avalanche?
• Edmonton Oilers?

Tougher Toronto Maple Leafs? (14:20)

• Playoff template: heavier + bigger
• The Matthews plan? (30:15)

NHLPA future plans and seasons (22:36)

• Franchise values (24:29)
• Salary cap growth + escrow

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With the Golden Knights up 3-1 vs the Panthers the Stanley Cup will be in the building as the series shifts back to Vegas for Game 5

• Vegas just better (11:15)
• Tkachuk injury (1:40)
• Game 4 + 5 thoughts

Gary Bettman ovation (3:12)

• NO BOO'S for Bettman!
• If VGK Cup in Vegas?
• Reason for the team
• Bettman + NHL business (6:29)
• Enjoy the moment

The Vegas build + Bill Foley (13:35)

Final thoughts on Game 4 + Game 5 preview (15:50)

• What happens next?

.....

Our 2nd half of our pod includes our thoughts on some of the offseason topics around the NHL:

What's up with the Winnipeg Jets? (18:48)

• Changes coming?
• Blake Wheeler 
• Rebuild time? 

Final Thoughts - Silly Season (27:06)

• Shane Doan ARI to TOR
• Calgary Flames Head Coach

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Florida now trails 2-1 in the best-of-7 series as the Cardiac Cats stay alive coming back from a 2-1 deficit to win 3-2 in overtime!

Continuing to come up clutch for the cats: Matthew Tkachuk with a late tying goal, Carter Verhaeghe OT GWG and Sergei Bobrovsky who made 25-saves (5:00)

• How we got here/What happens next? (7:27)
• Officiating + calls in game 3?(15:49)
• Looking ahead to Game 4 (20:22)

* The late rally allowed the Panthers to claim their first-ever win in the Stanley Cup Final, doing so in the first such contest played at FLA Live Arena. It came exactly 27 years after the state of Florida hosted the Final for the first time (Game 3 of 1996 SCF was played at Miami Arena).

......

In the Silly Season Department (23:47) we share our thoughts on Damon Severson traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets by the New Jersey Devils on Friday after signing an eight-year, $50 million contract. As part of the trade the Devils received a 3rd-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

• What do we make of the money and term?
• What is the plan for the NJD summer?
• CBJ decisions and plan for playoffs?

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We start with SCF Game 2 where the Vegas Golden Knights matched a franchise playoff record with 7-goals and now have a 2-0 series lead vs the Panthers as the series shifts back to Florida for Game 3 Thursday.

• Cup Final mismatch (0:25)
• Can FLA make it a series?
• Tkachuk misconducts? (3:45)
• Vegas too deep for FLA (8:50)
• What happens next?
• Conn Smythe favs (12:19)
• VGK build + expansion draft (15:45)

Our other main topics of discussion include news around The Silly Season:

• Columbus Blue Jackets + Mike Babcock (20:20)
• Patrick Roy + NHL speculation (25:45)

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We start first with the Silly Season and big news from around the league:

Kyle Dubas + Pittsburgh Penguins (00:30)

• PIT Plan and future?
• Crosby, Malkin, Letang (3:00)

Brad Treliving + Toronto Maple Leafs (5:13)

• The Auston Matthews plan?
• Sign? Trade? Sign + trade?
• Marner + Nylander plan? (15:03)
• TOR outlook future plans?

THE STANLEY CUP FINAL IS HERE!!! (23:35)

Florida Panthers vs Vegas Golden Knights

• our preview and predications
• The VGK build (26:41)
• FLA Factors (28:56)

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Florida vs Toronto (00:17)

• What's realistic?
• Knowing how to win
• Best need to be best
• Panthers playoff depth

New Jersey vs Carolina (7:23)

• Devils game 2 adjustments
• Canes team mindset

Edmonton vs Vegas (12:17)

• 97 + 29 together 
• Other Oilers needed
• VGK depth + detail

Seattle vs Dallas (18:57)

• Another Button flash back 
• Stars 3 line depth

In addition to our playoff coverage, we also get into some of the eliminated teams and talk about future plans for teams who's season ended earlier then expected.

New York Rangers (23:54)

• What happens now? 
• Drury vs Gallant 
• The plan going forward?

Boston Bruins + Patrice Bergeron (28:41)

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With Button back from Europe and Kouls buzzing after Round 1 we start by looking back at the amazing hockey the last two weeks.

• Panthers upset the Bruins (1:22)
• Kraken take our Cup Champs (5:35)
• Winnipeg Jets + Bowness comments (7:57)

Following some of the biggest stories of the 1st round it's off to Round 2 as we preview the matchups and go over the final 8 team remaining in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

• Toronto vs Florida (10:09)
• Dallas vs Seattle (16:43)
• Edmonton vs Vegas (21:58)
• New Jersey vs Carolina (28:07)

Final Thoughts (31:32)

• 1st round + officiating
• Road team advantage

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One of the hottest topics after week one as it usually is officiating in the playoffs. Kouleas and Button get right into it discussing some of the controversy, calls and different ideas that could help improve things.

After our deep dive on some refs we talk about series matchups and different storylines after the 1st weekend of the playoffs!

Tampa Lightning vs Toronto Maple Leafs 

• Sheldon Keefe vs Jon Cooper (10:45)
• The Ryan O'Reilly FACTOR (14:13)

New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers

• Akira Schmid + young NJD still in it? (17:36)
• Game 3 thoughts + Game 4 preview

Edmonton Oilers vs LA Kings (20:37)

• Game 4 EDM season saver (22:04)
• Draisaitl + McDavid (24:24)

Confusing Winnipeg Jets (26:44)

• Needing more form Mark Scheifele

Final thoughts (29:39)

• Morgan Rielly
• Nathan MacKinnon
• In Rod we trust 

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Our 1st item of business banged up players how injuries can play a factor in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (00:35)

Boston Bruins vs Florida Panthers (3:05)

Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Islanders (5:37)

New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers (9:47)

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Tampa Bay Lightning (15:10)

Vegas Golden Knights vs Winnipeg Jets (18:45)

Colorado Avalanche vs Seattle Kraken (22:17)

Edmonton Oilers vs LA Kings (24:01)

Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars (26:13)

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New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers (00:47)

Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Islanders (5:14)

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Tampa Bay Lightning (10:30)

Boston Bruins vs Florida Panthers (15:33)

Edmonton Oilers vs LA Kings (18:38)

Vegas Golden Knights vs Winnipeg Jets (24:55)

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We start by talking about some of the special memorabilia, tickets and fun memories provided by the famous Kouleas basement!

In this episode we hit on all the big games, races and storylines as part of the Final week of the NHL Regular Season (5:40) 

• Playoff Pushes 
• Calgary Flames 
• What went wrong? 
• East Wild Cards 
• Oilers + Avs rising at right time! 
• Who wants to face Winnipeg? 
• Everyone playing for something!

2nd half big topic (17:06): Adjustments to the game! The special hockey we see now, thanks to rules and changes.

• The style of hockey and skill on display 
• Connor Bedard and next generation 
• Drafting by size and skill

Boston Bruins record setting season (25:21)

• What does it mean? 
• Comparable to greatness?
• Boston or the field? 

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Our 1st main topic the Edmonton Oilers and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 100-points (00:37). With the milestone the Oilers became the 1st team since 1995-96 and 14th in NHL history to have 3 or more players post a triple-digit point total in the same season!

Colorado Avalanche (3:08)

• The Road in the West

Resting Players (7:22)

• Getting playoff ready

2nd half BIG TOPIC: Playoffs + Officiating (10:09)

• Officials in postseason
• Always something to complain about
• Not guessing/playoff penalties (15:50)
• What should we expect?

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The West Wild Card (00:36)

• WPG? CGY? NSH?
• Who makes it? (3:07)
• Seattle Kraken WC1? (5:42)
• Strength of schedule

Devils vs Rangers (9:09)

• Playoff matchup
• Underlaying numbers (11:22)
• Strategies + speed on wings (12:28)
• Coaching in the series (13:47)

Leon Draisaitl (13:37) reached the 50-goal mark for the third time in his career!

• 2nd for Hart + end of season Allstar

Erik Karlsson historic numbers (19:33)

• Norris + best D debate

Toronto vs Tampa (24:07)

• Playoff preview
• What's different? 
• Backend D in series (26:19)

Connor Bedard (29:27)

• 2-playoff games, 5 Goals, 3 Assists, 8 Pts!
• His greatness continues!

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• Great Leadership (3:40)
• Inside GM Meetings (5:01)
• 2005 rules + game change (9:14)
• Physicality + clean check fights (12:10)
• Crosby + Ovechkin era (13:30)
• Best on Best international hockey (17:30)
• Heading down under NHL Australia (20:04)
• Do we over analyze hockey? (22:55)
• Parity, hope + tanking (25:48)
• Handing out the 2022 Stanley Cup (28:02)

Our Sports Interaction (15:42) Features our inside look at the NHL this weekend with some big games on the schedule involving teams trying to lock up a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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• Doing enough to protect players?
• Who is most to blame?
• Consistency in discipline (2:07)
• NHLPA involvement? (5:48)
• Not up to the players (8:49)
• What about the victim? (13:06)
• Stiffer punishments(16:39) 
• Comparable in the playoffs? (18:19)

Our Sports Interaction (20:22) features our inside look at some great matchups in the NHL Tuesday! 

In our 2nd half of the pod we hit on a number of hockey topics that grab our attention with just over 2 weeks to go in the NHL Season:

• Golden Era + Amazing Skill (22:06)
• How many score 50-goals? (24:38)
• Canucks + Senators outlook (28:33)

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97 SCORES 60! (00:18)

• Mad at last season snubs?
• Taken for granted
• Hart every season (2:10)

The other guys + Hart finalists (4:13)

• Leon Draisaitl (5:30)

Scoring 70 goals, can 97 do it? (6:40)

• A Koul math lesson...
• A goal a game in next 10? (10:44)
• Elite company, Special numbers (12:29)

Sidney Crosby + Pittsburgh Penguins (13:58)

Calgary + Florida playoff chase(15:42)

Our Sports Interaction (19:10) features our inside look at the NHL on another busy Saturday!

In the 2nd half of the pod our focus is on the West standings (21:20) and what could happen in both the Central and Pacific Division races!

• Thoughts on Pacific goaltending? (22:30)
• How things look in the Central?
• Can Vegas win with Jonathan Quick? (27:32)

Final thoughts on the NHL schedule down the stretch (28:48)

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In the West: who wants it? (00:49)

• Winnipeg or Calgary or Nashville?
• Winnipeg Jets struggles (2:00)

The schedule + games that matter down the stretch (6:28)

• Edmonton Oilers + McDavid stats

The East Wild Cards?

Penguins Playoffs + Sidney Crosby (11:46)

• Pittsburgh problems?

Florida Panthers (15:09)

• FLA in the hunt?

Our Sports Interaction (17:07) features our inside look at the NHL Tuesday! 

The best RW in the NHL? (19:27)

• 1st + 2nd team votes
• End of Season Allstar

Mitch Marner Magic (21:38)

• Top RW + PK/Big minutes
• 16 in the Selke convo (24:23)?

Hart Trophy Finalists (27:46)

• The field after McDavid
• 97 unanimous winner

McDavid Goals + Points (31:09)

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The General Mangers Meetings (00:15)

• Adding reviews (1:18)
• Coach or League (3:52)
• Reviews + Challenge

Changing rules + consequences (7:09)

• Eye in the sky (8:16)

The Salary Cap + NHLPA (10:32)

• Martin Walsh dealings (12:29)

Extending 3 on 3 overtime (17:47)

Clean check fights (19:05)

Our Sports Interaction (23:15) features our inside look at a few big matchups in the NHL Saturday!

Pretenders? Rangers+ Penguins (25:02)

• A look at the Metro

Vegas Golden Knights (29:52)

• Healthy D = good record

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Our 1st main topic, the 1st team to lock up a spot in the postseason the mighty Boston Bruins (00:57).

• The records and how this team knows they don't matter 
• A veteran group that knows it's all about the playoffs 

From one major heavyweight sharpening the saw for playoffs we check in on two teams in the East we continue to wonder about: The New York Rangers + Tampa Bay Lightning? (5:10)

• 5 on 5 and the PP
• Are things missing?

Being at your best + Mike Keane's leadership (10:37)

• Play the players that help you win (11:58)

More on NYR/TBL playoff preparations (13:02)

Our Sports Interaction (16:42) features our inside look at a big matchup in the NHL Tuesday!

Where do we have the Edmonton Oilers in the West? (18:22)

• Paul Coffey: McDavid needs help?
• Oilers lines, D and concerns (22:55)

Mitch Marner the superstar! (25:06)

• The straw that stirs the drink
• Shorthanded ice time
• 16 a Hart finalist! (27:39)

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The Road in the West!

Colorado Avalanche (00:39)

LA Kings chances 

A Kraken matchup 

Winnipeg Jets (5:06)

Did they do enough? 

A team in the league 

Not going for it?

Calgary Flames (12:31)

Still alive! Not done yet? 

Going with Markstrom! 

Our Sports Interaction (16:32) features our inside look at an exciting NHL schedule Thursday night!

In the 2nd half of the pod we look at a few what ifs? (18:12)

What happens when some of these teams lose?

• New Jersey Devils (19:21)
• Outlook on teams (21:39)

Officiating in the playoffs, supervisors and dealing with controversy (22:45)

• Real Stanley Cup Cup contenders managing the ups and downs (26:02)
• A Button Bob Gainey playoff story time (31:03)

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Our 1st main topic comes from the weekend and tough times with Tampa. What's up with the Lightning? (00:48)

• The benching's and games vs Carolina
• TBL running out of gas? (2:43)
• Bolts D vs Maple Leafs (4:34)
• TBL vs TOR Home Ice (7:59)

Boston Bruins dominance continues (9:02)

Carolina, New Jersey pulling away (12:22)

Canes + Jesperi Kotkaniemi (14:01)

Our Sports Interaction (18:20) features our inside look at a few props and picks in the NHL Tuesday!

In the 2nd half of the pod (20:21) our look at the playoff races continue checking in on the chase for the East Wild Cards!

• The Ottawa Senators push (21:00)
• Big Jakob Chychrun add!!! (22:29)
• Ottawa Chychrun connection (26:26)

Pittsburgh and Florida thoughts (24:22)

And in our Final Thoughts (29:46) we close this edition talking about the LA Kings big move in the crease and trading Jonathan Quick.

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In this edition it's all about breaking down deal and team outlooks as we try and make sense of everything going on around the NHL.

Jakob Chychrun (34:00)

• not fans of the return
• What happened?
• The deal with Ottawa
• How things played out (2:31)
• Lunch bag letdown 
• Mismanaged trade (5:17)

Sens playoff push? (8:35)

Detroit vs Ottawa decisions

Bruins add Bertuzzi (11:50)

Are the Calgary Flames next? (15:02)

• Will they make moves?
• Do they need to add?

Our Sports Interaction (18:19) features our inside look at a couple big matchups in the NHL Saturday!

Toronto Maple Leafs (20:20)

• Dubas many moves
• Believing in the group
• Gauntlet in the East (23:27)
• Layering the playoff cake
• Up to Leafs core 5 now 

New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils (27:31)

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We start this edition obviously talking trades and going over some of the deals already done.

The Timo Meier Trade (0:44)

• Shakir Mukhamadullin (1:29)
• SJS/NJD big additions!

Trading Draft picks (3:32)

• Value on picks?
• Have we over priced picks?

Tampa vs Toronto (6:20)

• Tanner Jeannot (7:57)
• Tampa at the Draft (9:03)

Overall thoughts on Trade market (9:58). Underlying details in deals.

Nashville Predators (13:41) David Poile passing the torch to new GM Barry Trotz.

Our Sports Interaction (18:00) features our inside look at a few props and pick in the NHL on Wednesday night!

Waiting on the Edmonton Oilers!!! (20:02)

• Ken Holland adding D?
• The price for D (22:50)
• Will Oilers get what they need? (25:00)
• West window is open (28:20)

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Our big topic number 1: trading Patrick Kane (00:14)

• Will he play for another team?
• What's the feel? (1:20)
• A difference maker!
• Perfect for Playoffs (3:00)

Thoughts on rumors + speculation (4:59)

• GMs trade partners (6:16)
• The process of a trade (8:49)
• Flow of Information (13:01)

Our Sports Interaction (16:30) features our inside look at a few NHL props and pick from Friday and Saturday!

In the 2nd half of the pod (19:08) we check in on another one of our top topics the Races and Standings Watch in the NHL!  

•East Wild Card spot 7 and 8 (21:17)

•Calgary Flames chasing playoffs (22:49)

•Colorado Avalanche after Central (23:38)

•The Playoff Push in the West (26:00)

And in our Final Thoughts:

Button (29:07) Anaheim Ducks trade assets John Klingberg and Kevin Shattenkirk.

Kool (30:31) Buffalo Sabres fans vs Toronto invasion this week.

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First we start with one of the biggest performances that was saved for last by Connor Hellebuyck (00:30)! Playing on back-to-back nights after a 4-2 loss at New Jersey Sunday, he stopped 50 shots to improve to 26-16-1 as the Winnipeg Jets beat the surging New York Rangers 4-1!

Wild Cards in the East (1:30)

• Pittsburgh 
• Washington
• NYIslanders
• Florida

NHL weekend snap shot of the season (4:38)

Issues with the Calgary Flames(5:16)

What did we learn from the West this weekend? (10:08)

• Edmonton Oilers blueline
• Teams/Races in the West(13:04)

Our Sports Interaction (15:18) features our inside look at a couple matchups in the NHL Tuesday night!

In the 2nd half of the pod we focus in on some big questions around the NHL Trade Deadline (17:10)

We also do a dive deep on Toronto's trade with St. Louis to acquire Ryan O'Reilly + Noel Acciari.

• Toronto vs Tampa and what big trade means? (18:04)
• Margin of losing and Penalty kill improvements (21:17)

Countdown to NHL Trade Deadline:

• What's next? (20:52)
• More on O'Reilly
• Patrick Kane
• Timo Meier  
• What's the feel?

Are the New York Rangers now better then the New Jersey Devils? (26:56)

And in our Final Thoughts (28:54) the clock is ticking for some GM's as Steve mentions Ken Holland and Craig mentions Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill as a darkhorse.

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We continue with our trading theme on this edition of the pod as Steve and Craig talk NHL Trades, names and teams in play as we approach March 3rd!

• Who's involved? (1:22)
• Team plans + needs? (2:25)
• Targets for teams? (5:48)
• Pressure on GMs (10:08)
• Make trades not excuses!

Our Sports Interaction (14:04) features our inside look at the NHL this weekend with some props and matchups on Friday and Saturday!

In our 2nd half of the pod we continue with our trade talks as we to talk about the exciting days to come (15:59).

• How will the deadline and deals play out?
• Timo Meier brings options (18:15)
• Patrick Kane fits anywhere! (22:55)
• Dallas Stars and Kane?
• Other names in play/sitting out (25:21)

And our Final Thought (27:50) we focus in on the Tampa Bay Lightning and the template.

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The countdown to the deadline continues!! Under 3-weeks away as we continue with our trade chatter starting in the big apple with the big deal last week! 

Our New York Rangers Tarasenko thoughts (00:38)

• Chris Drury acting now!
• Patrick Kane trade now?

Jakob Chychrun buzz (4:15)

• Still waiting!?
• Who is the team?
• LA Kings in the mix?

The Leafs List of needs (8:51)

• Names in play?
• What's needed/The path 

Erik Karlsson (11:56) + Oilers?

• Rumblings around EK65
• Would you do it? The cost?
• A game changer 

Out Sports Interaction (18:03) features our inside look at couple matchups and props on a great Tuesday night schedule in the NHL! 

With so many things up for grabs we look at the amazing races in the NHL! (21:11) In the 2nd half of the pod we deep dive into some of the most intriguing scenarios, possible matchups and team questions.

• Boston Bruins cautionary tale (23:11)
• Washington Capitals (24:45)
• Pittsburgh Penguins playoffs? (27:33)

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• Stressful time of the year for the GMs? (00:44)

Big questions for some teams will help set the trade table (2:00)

• Nashville + Minnesota examples

3rd trade partner needed for contenders? (3:36)

• Chicago, Montreal, Arizona, Seattle

Kane and Toews (6:56)

• What happens? Big decisions
• Where could they go? (8:36)
• Salary Cap implications 
• Taking money back (10:00)
• Teams in the mix (11:00)

Setting up the trade market (12:00)

• Did Bo deal set the price?
• Names in play 
• Chychurn, O'Reilly, Dumba? 
• Ivan Barbashev
• Look at all departments (14:58)

Our Sports Interaction (17:55) features our inside look at the NHL Saturday with a focus on the New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes and a bonus Super Bowl pick!

The big topic in the 2nd half of the pod the New York Islanders (20:05)

• Bo Horvat vs Vancouver Thursday
• Will the Islanders make the playoffs?

And in our Final Thoughts on Episode 114: Button shares some big ideas on the LA Kings goalie and getting some insurance (27:12). Kools checks in again on Canucks mismanagement of a good core (29:24).

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Do you believe in the refresher/break at NHL Allstar? (1:08)

Our 2023 NHL Allstar thoughts (2:37):

• What worked? What didn't?
• Other new + fun ideas
• It's cotton candy! enjoy it! (5:18)
• Family Factor (7:25)
• Crosby + Ovechkin (9:50)

Back to business with Bo Horvat (11:07)

• The trade + the extension!
• Lou's comments
• The structure + buyout option
• Horvat + Canucks (13:07)
• The Isles with Horvat (14:55)

Our Sports Interaction (17:35) features our inside look at the NHL Tuesday with a few props and games!

In our 2nd half we get into the next crucial part of the NHL Season (19:12).

• Under 4 weeks until the Trade Deadline!

Kyle Dubas + Maple Leafs (22:44)

• 6 for 6 in 1st round exits
• What will Dubas do?
• Have to beat Tampa
• It's about now! (24:25)

Ken Holland + Oilers (27:01)

• Door is open in the West!
• What are they waiting for?

The countdown to the deadline is on!!!!!

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With us over half way into the NHL season we start with start our 1st half of the pod talking about the 1st half topic of the hockey season with a number a big topics:

• Gambling hockey broadcasts (2:00).
• Has it gone to far with marketing on tv?
• Responsible advertising
• Building interest in the game
• Luxury tax and salary cap 
• Understanding the Salary Cap
• Salary Cap positive for NHL

Our Sports Interaction (15:25) features our inside look at the lone matchup in the NHL on Monday as the St. Louis Blues visit the Winnipeg Jets.

Our 2nd half big topic (17:05)

• CBA + Long Term Injury Reserve
• LTIR Trade Deadline conspiracy's
• LTIR transparency + advantages
• Leafs example / cap gymnastics

And in our Final Thoughts (29:02) Kool on Vegas, Eichel + Cassidy callout and Button (30:47) on Matt Berlin the 25-year-old University of Alberta emergency backup goalie who played for Edmonton Saturday.

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The BIG topic in our 1st half of the pod:

The Vancouver Canucks (3:42)

• Rutherford's approach (5:20)
• How things played out (6:56)
• Now what in Vancouver? (8:37)
• Bo Horvat plans (10:47)

Our Sports Interaction (15:15) features our inside look at the NHL this week with a couple matchups to keep an eye on Tuesday and Wednesday! 

Johnny Gaudreau back in Calgary (17:05)

• How will things go?
• CBJ + Connor Bedard?
• Calgary + Gaudreau (22:10)

And in our Final Thoughts (26:47)

Button on the New Jersey Devils

Kool on the New York Islanders

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In our 1st half we go trophy tracking or really presenting! As we talk about Erik Karlsson (00:38) who continues to dominate and should win the Norris! And Connor McDavid (10:55) really being the only choice for the Hart!

• EK65 numbers + Norris convo (3:16)

We continue the conversation about league trophies and NHL major awards as Craig shares a story about the East watching the West and the West watching the East (6:46).

And to close out the 1st half of the pod we also talk about NHL superstars and teams promoting the game (13:22)

Our Sports Interaction (17:27) features our inside look at the NHL's 13 games Thursday as we focus in on two big matchups in Toronto and New York!

In the 2nd half of the pod (18:55) our big conversation focus is hockey entertainment and how the game is presented on tv.

• Is TNT already leading the way?
• Intermission shows
• Changes needed and what?

And in our Final Thoughts (30:10) it's all about Tampa Bay Lightning Captain Steven Stamkos, who joined the 500-goal club Wednesday with his 11th career hat trick!

* Stamkos became the 8th player in NHL history to score a hat trick and reach the 500-goal mark in the same game, joining Mats Sundin (Oct. 14, 2006 w/ TOR), Jaromir Jagr (Feb. 4, 2003 w/ WSH), Brett Hull (Dec. 22, 1996 w/ STL), Mark Messier (Nov. 6, 1995 w/ NYR), Mario Lemieux (Oct. 26, 1995 w/ PIT), Wayne Gretzky (Nov. 22, 1986 w/ EDM) and Jean Beliveau (Feb. 11, 1971 w/ MTL)

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In the 1st half of the pod it’s all about the Canucks drama.

• What is going on? (1:45)
• Problems with build/on D
• Bo Horvat future? (4:09)
• Why Miller before Bo? (6:30)
• What are the Canucks? (9:12)
• What happens next?

Our Sports Interaction (12:18) features our inside look at the NHL Wednesday night with a few prop plays and Kouls offers up an upset parlay! Sign up today at: sportsinteraction.com/koolbuttonpod

Our focus in the 2nd half the team at the very top of the NHL standings: the big bad Boston Bruins (13:34).

• Saturday's game vs Toronto (14:41)
• Reasons for the B's great season (17:35)
• Boston's build + depth (19:00)

And in our Final Thoughts: Button shares some thoughts on Tampa and the price to pay to win (24:20) and Kouleas shares (26:03) some very exciting news about the NHL and Siriusxm!

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Our focus in the 1st half a BIG question: what would happen if the Edmonton Oilers miss the playoffs? (00:21)

• Coaching/Management
• Blueline improvements (2:51)
• What are they waiting for? (4:55)
• Get help on the blueline!
• Coaching Strategies (7:41)
• McDavid/Draisaitl plan/future

Our Sports Interaction (14:14) features our inside look at a great NHL schedule Thursday with so many options! Kouleas look at the Calgary at St. Louis rematch and Button Tampa vs Vancouver.

Our 2nd half of the pod we play a fun game of Daydreamer or Believer hitting on a number of topics and teams.

• Seattle Kraken (16:52)
• 1st in Pac Vegas or LA? (17:51)
• New Jersey Devils (23:30)
• Washington Capitals (24:42)

And in our Final Thoughts (27:26) we say goodbye to episode 108 with a nod to Travis Konecny's season with Philadelphia and wonder if teams in the hunt like Calgary could target the Flyers forward for a trade.

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Two USA goals overturned (00:38). Jackson Blake in the 2nd period challenged for goaltender interference (3:42). The 2nd USA goal overturned 38 seconds into the 3rd, Rutger McGroarty called for goaltender interference.

Goalie interference + judgment calls (10:09).

How Canada beat USA (14:20) others besides Bedard and the big 43 save performance by Thomas Milic!

Sports Interaction (18:46) features our inside look at the NHL Thursday, Friday and Saturday!

In the 2nd half of our pod we again focus in on Connor Bedard and his NHL future:

• Bedard's best NHL fit? (20:12)
• Low Draft pick builds
• Tanking hard for Bedard
• Draft build examples (26:27)
• Button on Bedard (32:35)

And in our Final Thoughts:

Koul (33:51) teases the World Junior gold-medal game Thursday where Canada vs Czechia!

Button (36:18) continues to share his concerns for the Vancouver Canucks and wonders what happens next?

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The Connor Bedard show continues but we also talk about other draft eligible players at the tournament that are putting scouts on notice (2:53).

Our Bedard topics continue as we start to wonder what NHL market would be best for the top prize at this year's draft? What NHL team should get Bedard? (5:20). That leads us to the NHL Draft Lottery (11:00) teams in play for the 1st and other teams that have traded away bad draft picks.

Our Sports Interaction (15:13) features our inside look at the Winter Classic and the NHL at the start of this week!

We start the 2nd half of the pod talking some Carolina Hurricanes (17:00). A solid team and Cup fav who earned their 11th straight win Sunday!

Antti Raanta is looking good for the Canes but we wonder if he is being showcased for a trade? And a team that could use him the sleepless in Seattle Kraken (22:42). Could there be a goalie trade between Seattle and Carolina?

Other other main topic in our 2nd half is the Great 8 Alex Ovechkin (25:08) who scored his 30th career hat trick on the last day of 2022 and became just the sixth player in NHL history to do so, joining Wayne Gretzky (50), Mario Lemieux (40), Mike Bossy (39), Brett Hull (33) and Phil Esposito (32).

And in our Final Thoughts talk about 2nd half story lines and present you with a few BOLD predictions (33:03)

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From one amazing Connor to another we talk about the best player in the world right now and his team as we share some McDavid + Edmonton Oilers thoughts (5:30).

Also as part of our 1st half of the pod we look at the evolution of the game when it comes to responding to plays with a fight (9:30). Old school vs new school mentality (14:37). The changing game(18:21).

Our Sports Interaction (21:53) features our inside look a few games in the NHL this weekend!

In the 2nd half of the pod we take a look at playoff races already heating up in the NHL and start with interesting teams in the East:

• Florida Panthers (23:32)
• Sabres + ATL (27:19)
• Capitals + MET (29:48)

The West playoff picture (32:41)

• Seattle Kraken
• Oilers + Flames
• Preds, Vegas

And in our Final Thoughts (36:17) Kool highlights the great play from Tampa's Brayden Point and Button shares his Colorado concerns heading into the New Year!

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• Start of tournament (00:28)
• Canada skill plays (1:00)
• Canada upset by Czechia (2:15)
• Canada area to improve (4:49)
• Tournament play + overall (6:33)

Also in the 1st half of the pod we discuss head hits in hockey (10:49), a conversation many are having after Canada’s Zach Dean received a five-minute match penalty and a game misconduct for a hit to the head.

• IIHF head contact rules vs NHL
• Will this come to NHL?
• Evolution of hits
• Speed bumps
• Result vs actions

Our Sports Interaction (20:16) feature our inside look at the NHL Wednesday and Thursday!

In the 2nd half of the pod we check in on some of the biggest 2nd half NHL storylines to follow (22:01).

• Tampa, Colorado, Boston
• Florida Panthers (28:00)
• Team needs at deadline time (29:32)
• Exciting NHL Trade Deadline (32:17)

And in our Final Thoughts (36:52) we once again look at the numbers this season and wonder what the final tally's could be for the best hockey player in world 97 Connor McDavid!!! 

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Some of our main topics in the 1st half of pod include what took place and didn't at the recent NHL BOG meetings and some of the recent league news. The Schedule and thoughts about more games (4:30). The playoff format, the cap and more discussed!

Also in the 1st half we get into two teams from the offseason still trying figure it out: the Florida Panthers and Calgary Flames (12:29).

Our Sports Interaction (18:08) features our inside look at the NHL Festivus eve the final night before the holiday break Friday!

In the half of the pod we start by airing our grievances!

• Button: NHL nets off + goalies (20:55)
• Kool: The NHL Rules refresher (22:19)

 Feats of of strength

• Kool: Crosby + McDavid (33:19)
• Button: Erik Karlsson (35:00)

And in our Final Thoughts (36:33) we think of teams that are in the most trouble and potentially have a great present under the June Draft tree!

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The Headliner: Connor Bedard (4:15)

• Bedard career outlook/comparable (7:49)
• Bedard's skills + magic (10:30)
• The deep 2023 NHL Draft on display
• Tanking hard for Bedard: ANA, CHI, ARI
• International hockey +best players(15:33)

Our Sports Interaction (18:59) features our inside look at the NHL Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday!

The honesty from Cale Makar (20:26) as he convinced an NHL Official to rescind a penalty against the other team.

• Lady Byng + Makar greatness (23:17)

The Boston Bruins Stanley Cup favs? (27:43) We talk more Bs and look at reason for the success this season and putting good players in good situations.

A question from twitter (34:30) with both contract situations: Would you take Auston Matthews or Tage Thompson?

And in our Final Thoughts we check in on the The New Jersey Devils and hope for the best with a tough stretch coming up (39:10).

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• Doing the math passing Howe + Gretzky (1:01)
• A great era of hockey Crosby + Ovechkin(4:29)
• Unbreakable records (7:44)
• When did we start to love Ovi? (12:00)

Our Sports Interaction (14:59) features our inside look at the NHL Wednesday Calgary vs Vancouver/Ottawa vs Montreal and Thursday a look at Ovechkin's next chance to pass Howe.

In the 2nd half of the pod we take a look at the NHL BOG meetings this week (16:34) and talk about how the game of hockey changed when the NHL hired Gary Bettman on Dec. 11, 1992.

• a deeper dive into the economics of the league and where the game and franchise values are at thanks to the Commissioner and the last 30 years (27:37).

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With the big edition of the pod a little Seinfeld talk off the top ahead of some great hockey talk!

• 5-new playoff teams (2:30)
• Capitals + Lavi adjustments(3:43)
• Avalanche surviving injuries' (6:44)
• Penguins + Crosby (12:15)

Our Sports Interaction (17:15) features our inside look at the start of the week in the NHL!

We start the 2nd half of the pod(19:21) talking about one of the weekend headlines from Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter on penalties in Toronto.

Our 2nd main topic in our 2nd half a team we have talked a lot about this season the Vancouver Canucks as the dramatic season continues (24:28).

• Bo Horvat plans?
• Brock Boeser
• Pettersson future (28:27)

And in our Final Thoughts we continue to wonder about Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane (35:45). What will happen? How will things playout? Will they stay or will they go?

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From 99’s Greatness we transition into some great things going on right now with Jason Robertson, Mitch Marner and of course Connor McDavid (4:56). The Gretzky effect and skills on display!

We continue with McDavid’s Magic with another big week and weekend (6:51) and also talk about the Hart and how the conversation only begins after 97.

• Standing alone and the next Connor (10:50)
• Recent Robertson McDavid comparison (12:10)

Our Sports Interaction (15:35) features our inside look at busy NHL schedule starting the week! 

We start the 2nd half of the pod talking some old school hockey from the weekend (19:00) and leaders getting involved! Brady Tkachuk vs Jacob Trouba (19:46)

Brady Tkachuk story from US National Development program and about physical hockey (22:05).

Being tough and tough hockey (25:44) and what it takes to play today's game. Skill development and the evolution of the game/modern hockey.

Connor Bedard (33:00) Steve Yzerman comparisons and what to expect with a Button scouting report.

And in our Final Thoughts we once again talk about the Seattle Kraken Shane Wright plan (36:03) with him recalled and the upcoming World Junior camp and tournament!

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Our main topic in the 1st half of the pod is Coach's Challenge: Goaltender Interference (4:30) and the standards around it this season.

• Are things changing?
• Impeding the goaltender
• Conclusive evidence
• The Rule Book (9:54)

Our Sports Interaction (18:45) features our inside look at some great matchups in the NHL over the next few day and this weekend!

We start the 2nd half of the pod talking about Matthew Tkachuk's warm welcome back to Calgary and lack of boos (20:06). Other returns that didn't go the same and what do we make of it?

We also dive deep in the Arizona Coyotes plan (30:50). The Team, the roster build and the Tempe City Council approving the Yotes' arena plan to move ahead to a May 16 voter referendum.

And in our Final Thoughts we talk about winning the summer and how GM Kyle Dubas goalie plan for the Maple Leafs is working out (38:54).

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We try to figure out a couple teams that have impressed early on under the radar, the Detroit Red Wings and the Seattle Kraken.

• The Ron Francis plan (1:31)
• The Yzerman plan(5:15)
• Vet presence + Chiarot (8:28)

What are the Calgary Flames? (15:31) 

Our Sports Interaction (21:20) features our inside look at the start of the week in the NHL.

In the 2nd half of the pod we continue on the theme of other teams that have surprised early on:

• WPG Jets + Bowness (24:02)
• FLA Panthers + Maurice (26:42)
• Coaching NHLers (29:37)

And our Final Thoughts(34:20) includes more thoughts on coaching, the NHL weekend that was and Button shares another Ken Hitchcock story!

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With American Thanksgiving upon us we shift our focus to the bigger picture and look around the league at the quarter mark:

• Koul vs Button NJD Sustainability (3:03)
• Kool vs Button on the Devils!
• Other early surprises (10:08)
• Erik Karlsson (12:03)
• Auston Matthews (15:36)

Our Sports Interaction (18:09) features our inside look at the NHL on Black Friday, this weekend and a bonus College Football pick made by Craig!

In the 2nd half of the pod we check in on State of the League topics (19:58). Where are game is at? Do we like everything and our rules? GM Meetings redo's and the great offside challenge debate (24:09).

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The Boston Bruins. Vegas Golden Knights and streaking New Jersey Devils (3:22).

Also part of our 1st half we look at some top moments, players and storylines at this point of the season (11:05). Sidney Crosby, Erik Karlsson, Jamie Benn, Rick Bowness. What happens with Patrick Kane? (16:10)

The Connor McDavid show continues (17:26).

Our Sports Interaction (21:15) features our inside look at the NHL at the start of the week!

In the 2nd half of the pod we continue to celebrate some of the great stories around the league and have to talk about Alex Goligoski 1,000 celebration and emotion Saturday (24:09).

Other topics in the 2nd half:

• Toews to Colorado?
• What happens with Horvat?(28:46)
• What are the Washington Capitals? (30:44)
• Jakob Chychrun (34:33)

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The Offside Challenge problem!? (4:03)

• Waiting on goals/ruining others
• A Stanley Cup GWG problem?
• How the rule and rules are formed(10:00)
• How eye in the sky can help(15:02)

Our Sports Interaction (20:42) features out inside look at the NHL Thursday, Friday and Saturday!

US Thanksgiving the cliché NHL watermark for Playoffs (22:35). We look at what it takes mathematically to make the playoffs and teams already in or out.

• Boston, Vegas, New Jersey
• Pittsburgh + Washington (28:30)

And in our Final Thoughts: Kouls on the Hockey Hall of Fame Red Carpet and seeing the Vancouver Canucks management (33:23). Button talks about some of the speeches and highlights around HHOF Weekend (38:41)

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The deja vu soap opera continuing to play out in Vancouver (1:16). After another disappointing weekend, will the Canucks finally make changes? What needs to happen?

We continue with our 1-month in theme in our 1st half and also talk division leaders (7:28). Our thoughts on Boston, Vegas, New Jersey and Winnipeg.

Our Sports Interaction (12:10) features our inside look at the NHL this week!

In the 2nd half of the pod we're all over the 2022 Hockey Hall of Fame Induction weekend (14:04)!

• Borje Salming emotions for The King, his legacy, Swedish hockey growth + pride (16:55).

• The Sedin Twins, Daniel + Henrik and one of the greatest draft moves pulled off by Brian Burke (21:14). 

• Roberto Luongo (24:39)
• Daniel Alfredsson (27:51)
• Riikka Sallinen (30:53)
• Herb Carnegie (31:24)

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-Manager + Coach 

-Time for change?

-Who’s in charge? (3:44)

Slumping St. Louis Blues (8:24)

-What Doug might do? (11:32)

-Who’s available?

The NHL Trade Deadline (14:18)

-Is the date to late?

Our Sports Interaction (18:26) features our inside look at the NHL with some big games over the next few days!

Buffalo vs Vegas (20:23)

-Jack Eichel returns 

-Win, win trades 

-Sabres on the rise (22:58)

Slafkovsky suspension not right! (26:12)

-NHLPA needs to step up (28:55)

-No good penalties (32:32)

-We need to just think (35:20)

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• New Jersey Devils (00:25)
• Jesper Bratt (3:32)
• NJD Blueline (5:22)
• Detroit Red Wings (8:00)
• St. Louis Blues (12:44)

Sports Interaction (19:23) features our inside look at the NHL this week! 

• Pittsburgh Penguins (21:37)
• Pens changes? (25:12)
• New York Rangers (31:04)
• Toronto Maple Leafs (36:26)
• A Hughes brother trade? (37:39)
• Final Thoughts Family connections (43:24)

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On the other side of the standings the Sabres have us talking Buffalo proud again (14:09). They continue to impress early on, a great young group of players and what a week for Tage Thompson!

Our Sports Interaction (20:00) features our inside look at the NHL this week and into the weekend!

We start the 2nd half of the pod talking about what took place in Toronto's win over Philadelphia Thursday. Auston Matthews smile, engagement in scrums and superstars involvement in the stuff after the whistle (21:44).

Connor McDavid continues to do great things (32:31) and we continue to talk about them! Could this end up being one of his best seasons? Will he score 50 in 50?

And in our Final Thoughts we continue the Edmonton Oilers love talking Evander Kane, a bargain deal paying off big time (39:26).

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We start in Dallas with Button's weekend trip where he was part of the Stars celebrations for Bob Gainey and Derian Hatcher. Some special memories for Craig part of the 1999 Stanley Cup Championship team!

•The current Dallas Stars(3:35)

Messy Maple Leafs (7:03)

• Is it time to panic?
• Are they not as good?
• Problems with the D! 
• What's the plan?
• Who's going to fix it?
• Shanny + Dubas 
• The coach?
• Time for change?

Our Sports Interaction (24:35) features our inside look at the NHL this week! 

In the 2nd half of the pod we talk about a few teams we might have got wrong on both sides of the puck 

•The rising New Jersey Devils (26:21)

•St. Louis singing the blues (31:27)

For our Final Thoughts (37:07) Craig goes back to Dallas for some story time on the different ways you can improve your team. And Koul hits on his fav topic McDavid as we discuss his greatness! 

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From some good memories we head over to the West Coast (9:41), where some bad ones are taking place as we dive deep into what's wrong with the Vancouver Canucks? What did we make of Patrik Allvin's support for coach Bruce Boudreau? Will a coaching change even help? Why did no one fix the D? And at this point could the Canucks think about tanking (17:00)hard for Connor Bedard?

Our Sports Interaction features (20:20) our inside look at the NHL Thursday, Friday and Saturday! 

In the 2nd half of the pod we talk some coaching, Barry Trotz, get into the schedule and have high praise for the Bruins!

Anaheim Ducks (21:59)

• Pat Verbeek + Dallas Eakins 
• GM coming after the coach
• Ducks promising with young talent

Barry Trotz (25:14) and his comments on coaching original 6 team. What does it mean and what does Barry want?

NHL scheduling (28:33) and how can we make it better? Competitive balance and spreading the good teams around.

And in our Final Thoughts (35:41) on ep 88 only fitting we talk some David Pastrnak and about the surprising Boston Bruins!

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Another big topic part of the 1st half of the pod, our concerns for the Vancouver Canucks (7:30). What do we make of the bad start? What happens next? What is the plan for Jim Rutherford and his staff?

Our Sports Interaction (21:06) features our inside look at the NHL this week! Button looks at the schedule over the next few days: Canes at Canucks, Pens at Flames and Isles vs Rangers. Kouleas gets into some futures: McDavid + The Rocket, Canes to win the East + Avs vs NYR Tuesday!

And in the 2nd half of the pod we go over some of the early NHL storylines (23:06) both good and bad this season:

• Nashville Predators(23:58)
• Buffalo Sabres (26:07)
• Crosby vs McDavid (34:00)
• Final Thoughts (38:15)

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• Top 6 / bottom 6 (5:00)
• Offensive zone coverage (7:20)
• The 1-3-1 (9:07)
• Cap going up + implications (14:45) 

Our Thursday Sports Interaction (19:06) features our inside look at the NHL this week with a couple of outlooks for the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks.

In the 2nd half of the pod we focus in on a few teams with early season stories both good, bad and ugly:

• Dallas Stars (21:03)
• Minnesota Wild (25:14)
• Vancouver Canucks (31:21)
• Carolina + Calgary (35:12)

And in our final thought (37:43) we talk about the Shane Wright plan development with the Seattle Kraken and how things should or will play out this season.

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In the 1st half of the pod we look at some early NHL results and key storylines:

• Sidney Crosby and the Penguins (5:00)
• Vegas Golden Knights (9:09)
• Washington Capitals (13:20)
• New Jersey Devils (16:31)

Our Sports Interaction (17:30) features our inside look at the #NHL this week!

In the our 2nd half of the pod we continue with early reaction to the first week of the NHL season:

• overreaction to a starts (19:33)
• Teams with tough start and 0-2 (23:33)
• Leafs down same path with Murray (28:00)

Final thoughts: Red Wings Rising! And the Steve Yzerman model to building teams (35:00)

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Edmonton at Vancouver: Connor McDavid started the 2022-23 campaign surpassing the 700-point mark after a four-point outing, recording the first hat trick of the season and leading his club to a 3-goal comeback win! 

• Toronto at Montreal (4:52). Maple Leafs D issues and looking at options like Brent Burns.

• Tampa Bay Lightning blue line (13:13)

• Our thoughts on the Pittsburgh Penguins on paper and what we expect(16:30).

With games back in the schedule out Sports Interaction (19:15) features our inside look at few bets in the NHL schedule Thursday, Friday and Saturday! 

In the 2nd half of the pod (20:52) we talk about a couple young guns from the 2022 NHL Draft starting the season: Juraj Slafkovský and Montreal, Shane Wright and Seattle. What should both teams do with these young guns? What is best for Wright this season?

How do things play out with the Chicago Blackhawks?(34:36) What happens with Kane and Toews or what should happen? How do the fans react to the complete rebuild?

Final Thoughts (39:43) early season injuries DeBrusk and Laine, Gaudreau and the Columbus Blue Jackets!

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• The silliest of silly seasons (1:38)
• Calgary Flames offseason (2:10)
• What competitors want (5:26)
• Our playoff format (10:21)
• Coyotes selling hope (12:16)

Our Sports Interaction (16:07) features our inside look at some NHL futures this season! Who wins the East/West, The Rocket, The Calder, Jack Adams + The Cup Final?

In the 2nd half of the pod (18:00) we get into the competitive balance of the NHL right now and what we make of the teams at the bottom.

• Philadelphia + Chicago (23:38)
• Worst spot in standings (27:18)
• The Bottom 6/Group of 7(30:16)

Final Thoughts (34:12)

• Vegas Golden Knights
• Carolina Hurricanes
• Tampa Bay Lightning
• NHL Europe

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In this edition we recap free agency and look at some of the key hockey headlines as we head into the summer.

We start with the big free agent frenzy news with the Columbus Blue Jackets adding Johnny Gaudreau (2:16). Why did Johnny hockey go with CBJ? And was it a game of musical chairs involving the Islanders, Flyers and Devils? Why did he leave Calgary?

Nazem Kadri still on the market (12:17), what does it mean? Where does he go? Where does he want to play?

Our Sports Interaction (16:13) features our inside look at Stanley Cup future odds and possible matchup in the 2023 Cup Final.

In our 2nd half, we continue with some of the big headlines and continue with Kadri talk and wonder if he goes back to Colorado (18:16).

With the Gaudreau decision what kind of plan will the Calgary Flames have for Matthew Tkachuk? Could he be traded?(21:39).

And speaking of trades what happens with the Winnipeg Jets, Pierre Luc Dupois and a possible deal with Montreal? (24:55)

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (33:48) we thank you for listening and can't wait for next season and episode 83!!!

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Our NHL Draft Recap (00:25) starts with Montreal doing it right hosting another classic hockey event with lots of drama! Dach + Slafkovsky(2:00)

Seattle Kraken + Shane Wright! (3:11)

More on this year's draft class and how they will handle next season (5:55). Who could play in the NHL from the 2022 draft?

Free Agent Frenzy (8:45)

• Colorado and Kadri?
• Calgary and Gaudreau?

Our Sports Interaction (15:04) features our inside look at landing spots and odds for both Kadri and Gaudreau.

The Silly Season continued...

• Blackhawks dumpster fire (17:31)
• Malkin, Evander Kane, Giroux? (22:47)
• Campbell, Kuemper, Murray (25:52)
• The goalie carousel continued
• What will the Maple Leafs do in net?

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (33:54) Guerin vs Talbot agent and the dram in the NHL right now!!

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Fitting that during GM/Shark week in the NHL the San Jose Sharks hire Mike Grier, making him the first black GM in league history!

• Grier and the work ahead (:50)
• Tough decisions/big contracts (2:30)
• Sharks next coach (5:23)

The NHL Draft (7:51)

The Montreal Canadiens 1st overall: What are they thinking? What will they do? 

What type of draft will we get? (10:50)

The New Jersey Devils 2nd overall and expected to be active at the Draft (15:37).

Our Sports Interaction (18:53) features another look at the 1st round of the NHL Draft and Craig's list when talking about the top selections.

Free Agent Frenzy (21:07)

• Nazem Kadri
• Johnny Gaudreau

The Toronto Maple Leafs outlook and do we see any big plans for Kyle Dubas? (27:15)

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (35:45) Kool and Button are very excited for the upcoming NHL Draft in Montreal this week!!!

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No holidays for NHL gm's with a few busy days over the last few days a main theme part of our 79th edition of the pod! With so much activity and silliness coming our way, we get into the hockey headlines and get you set for the busy week ahead of the NHL Draft!

• TBL McDonagh traded to Preds (00:37)
• BriseBois/Philippe Myers contract (4:08)
• The Coaching Carousel (6:36)
• Montgomery with Bruins
• Lalonde with Red Wings
• Bowness hired as Jets coach (7:30)
• UFAs Gaudreau + Kadri (11:06)

Our Sports Interaction (12:54) feature another look at 2023 Stanley Cup future and picks/odds we see value in and like right now!

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (14:54):

• Button on RFAs big names + big plans
• Kool very excited for GM shark week!

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The Goalie Carousel (1:59)

Darcy Kuemper 

Free Agent Frenzy (7:29)

Nazem Kadri 

Filip Forsberg

Johnny Gaudreau 

Our Sports Interaction (14:56) features our inside look at 1st round of the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal next Thursday!

In the 2nd half of the pod we get into the depth of a championship roster and the importance of role players in the playoffs (16:30).

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (23:26) Button wants everyone to know that “if winning was easy everyone would do it” and Kouleas still wants Alex Mogilny to get his call to the hall.

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• How they were built (:57)
• The speed game (2:47)
• More on Avs win/build(6:07)
• Game 6 breakdown(8:36)
• Who stays? Who goes? (11:36)
• Josh Manson (21:20)
• Darcy Kuemper (25:16)

Our Sports Interaction (28:46) features our inside look at the early odds for the 2023 Stanley Cup.

In the 2nd half of the pod (31:07) we talk more about the other side of the Cup Final and what the future might look like for the Tampa Bay Lightning. What could happen with Ondrej Palat? What will their roster look like next season and what tough decision do they have?

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (41:47) we're getting very excited for the silly season now that the NHL summer is officially here!!!

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• too many men controversy (:14)
• officiating standards (4:36)
• Jon Cooper presser (10:33)
• Avs 3-1 series control (14:46)
• Nazem Kadri returns (16:48)

Our Sports Interaction (24:38) features our inside look at Game 5 of the SCF Friday TBL at COL!

In the 2nd half of the pod we get into the 2022 NHL Awards (26:40). Talk about the winners, voting and any controversy this season?

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (33:21)

Craig at the Memorial Cup talks about future NHL stars and Kool congratulates Paul Maurice the new head coach of the Florida Panthers!

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What happened in Game 2s 7-0 beat down for the Colorado Avalanche over the Tampa Bay Lightning? We try to explain and figure what could happen next:

• Avs dominate (1:45)
• Tampa troubles (5:00)
• What now for Bolts? (8:13)
• Vasilevskiy not pulled (14:18)
• Strategies going forward (19:37)

Our Sports Interaction for Monday(22:48) features our inside look at game 3 of the SCF in Tampa!  

In the 2nd half of the pod we look at some NHL news bits and bites:

The Coaching Carousel: 

• Dallas + DeBoer (24:46)
• Winnipeg + Trotz (27:15)

Craig’s List, Shane Wright and any debate over the 1st overall and top picks at the NHL Draft(32:00). What could Montreal do with the 1st overall pick in Montreal?

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (37:47) we talk about the major NHL Awards and what might take place.

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Tampa Bay Lightning at Colorado Avalanche breakdowns, key storylines lines and other big topics after 1 game:

• Bo Byram Avs Wild Card (3:51)
• Brayden Point return (10:00)
• Darcy Kuemper back in net (13:25)

Our Sports Interaction (21:20) features our inside look at Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final TBL at COL!

In the 2nd half of the pod we hit on a few hockey headlines and news from around the league:

• Tortorella + Flyers (23:33)
• Cassidy + Golden Knights (30:31)
• Dadonov for Weber explained (33:50)

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (39:11) Button on the Memorial Cup and and Kool on the NHL back in a great place!

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Why did the Lightning advance? (5:18)

Keys to the NYR vs TBL series (7:06)

Lessons the New York Rangers will take from this season and future plans for the blueshirts (13:35).

Our Sports Interaction (16:47) features our first look at the Stanley Cup Final and predictions on what could happen between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche!

Our breakdowns and analysis continues in our 2nd half of the pod as we get more into the Cup Final and keys for both Colorado and Tampa (20:09). Stamkos vs MacKinnon, Hedman vs Makar, injuries to 2nd line C, the goalies and the depth on both sides just some of the exciting storylines both Steve and Craig hit on ahead of the start of the SCF Wednesday!

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fan Final Thoughts (40:20) we take an early look at the exciting silly season ahead as part of the NHL offseason!

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TBL vs NYR Storylines: 

• New York Rangers injuries (1:01)
• Brayden Point + Tampa lines (3:12)
• 5 on 5 will be a major factor (4:20)
• NYR hopes with Shesterkin (7:43)

Our Sports Interaction (15:23) features an inside look at the next two pivotal games 5 and 6 in the East Final!

With Colorado Avalanche (17:43) waiting for an East opponent, we wonder how the time off, altitude, time off and time zone could play a factor at the start of the Stanley Cup Final. And we also discuss how the layoff could be huge for the Avs with injuries to Kuemper and Kadri.

We also talk some Edmonton Oilers (25:21) with their silly season officially underway with lots of questions and roster decisions to be made. 

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (34:24) it's all about the coaching carousel with so many vacancies and names available we try and connect some dots!

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We start things off in the East Final as Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov factored in on three unanswered Lightning goals, including an assist on Ondrej Palat’s game winner with 42 seconds left in regulation as the Bolts make it a 2-1 series vs the New York Rangers.

• Corey Perry + TBL depth (3:30)
• what we make of series now (4:50)

We shift our focus to the West Final (6:46) with the Colorado Avalanche sights set on advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the 3rd time in franchise history vs the Edmonton Oilers. And we also get into the big topic from the series over the weekend, Evander Kane's suspension for his hit on Nazem Kadri (10:20).

Our Sports Interaction for the start of the week (17:55) in features our inside look at Game 4s on the Conference Finals Monday and Tuesday.

More on Colorado (20:30) maturing and the depth throughout the roster looking to take the next big step.

And in our in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts segment (29:10) we hit a a number of topics including:

• Jared Bednar growing as a coach
• Carey Price's future in hockey

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Eastern Conference Final (:30) - Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Rangers: With chants of “Igor’s better” echoing throughout MSG, Igor Shesterkin and the “Kid Line” of Filip Chytil, Alexis Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko helped the Rangers grab a 1-0 series lead in the ECF after a 6-2 win Wednesday.

• The pace in game 1 (4:18)
• Shesterkin style/sense (10:00)

Our Sports Interaction (12:27) features our inside look at both game 2s in the Conference Finals!

Western Conference Final (14:55) - Edmonton Oilers vs Colorado Avalanche: After THE second-highest scoring game in Conference Finals history (tied), the Avs and Oilers play Game 2 of the West Final at Ball Arena Thursday!

We talk some more goaltending, confidence in the playoffs and the special play from Igor Shesterkin(27:40).

We also hit on some NHL News and Notes and talk about the headline out of Montreal this week with Martin St. Louis staying behind the Habs bench (30:57).

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (34:37) Button gets into the NHL coaching carousel over the next month and Kool talks about the Philadelphia Flyers vacancy and the perfect John Tortorella fit!

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We start the pod by going back to how we got here as Steve and Craig breakdown Saturday’s Game 6 at MSG (2:44).

In our Game 7 preview we hit on a number of key storylines (4:20):

• start of the game
• Igor vs Antti
• low scoring affair
• game 7 experience
• big players in big games

Our Sports Interaction features (15:33) our inside look and picks for the topic discussed in the first half of the pod: NYR at Canes Game 7 !!!

A quick look at the series that wrapped up since our last pod and a few thoughts when looking at the teams futures (18:00)

• Colorado vs St. Louis
• Calgary vs Edmonton

Looking ahead to Round 3: Colorado Avalanche vs Edmonton Oilers (25:30). The matchup with so much! and so much to talk about!

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (38:19) we continue to get excited about Avs vs Oilers and make sure you hug an NHL official next time you see one after an the IIHF World Hockey Championship Final in Finland.

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What a game, what a finish and we break it all down: The Blues down 3-0 rally to tie the game 3-3 with 4:46 remaining before Nathan MacKinnon end-to-end highlight-reel hat trick goal

Did hat trick stoppage help Blues? (2:25)

What took place on the Robert Thomas 4-4 tying goal (5:45) and Tyler Bozak’s overtime winner to set up Game 6 Friday in St. Louis!

Also include in the first half of the pod a little master class and fun with hockey history (12:45) throughout… 

Our Sports Interaction (17:05) features our inside look at two pivotal game 5s Thursday and Friday’s game 6 between the Avs and Blues.

In the 2nd half of the pod Button describes what it’s like being in attendance at The Battle of Alberta (19:20). From the scene setter we talk about and breakdown the special series between Edmonton and Calgary. What adjustments will the Flames make? Can the Oilers close it out?

Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Rangers (31:42) will the winner of game 5 pull off the series win? What do we make of the Canes home vs away record? And what do expect from the rest of this series? 

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (39:39) John Tortorella in Philly and Barry Trotz in Winnipeg? 

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The Battle of Alberta (5:00) 2-1 for Edmonton vs Calgary. Are the Flames getting a Connor McDavid-ed? Are the Flames in the fight? What does Darryl Sutter do?

St. Louis Blues vs Colorado Avalanche (16:45). What do we make of what took place with Jordan Binnington and Kadri? What do we make of Craig Berube's comments?

Our Sports Interaction (21:09) on this episode features our inside look at Monday and Tuesday Game 4s!

Tampa Bay Lightning vs the Florida Panthers (23:13). In the Sunshine Showdown can the comeback cats pull off the historic series win down 3-0 vs the Bolts?

Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 series lead on the New York Rangers (35:00). Where does the series go after the Rangers found a big game 3 win at home?

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (41:08) a few notes on some of the other news around the NHL and signings.

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Our Sports Interaction(16:58) features our inside look at Game 2s in the 2nd round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday and Friday!

Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Rangers (17:00). The story after Game 1 where the Canes rallied scoring in the final three minutes of regulation and then winning in OT thanks to Ian Cole's second career playoff goal.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers (23:17). Tampa Bay has held a 2-0 series lead nine times, claiming each series in no more than six games.

Colorado Avalanche vs St. Louis Blues (33:48). Colorado is 15-4 when winning the first two contests in a best-of-seven series and looked dominate in game 1! And we love the Avs depth including their 9 D.

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (41:16) we talk Mario Lemieux with our 66th episode in the books!

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We start by looking back at the amazing 1st round, first up the New York Rangers 3-1 series comeback to eliminate the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Tampa teaches Toronto another lesson (4:40).

Edmonton Oilers vs LA Kings in Game 7 (12:16).

Our Sports Interaction features our inside look at the start of the 2nd round Tuesday and Wednesday (20:59).

The Homer Series: Carolina takes out Boston in Game 7 (23:08).

Sunshine State Showdown: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers (27:45).

Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Rangers (33:18)

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (37:57) we are pretty excited about the Battle of Alberta!!!

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Jacob Trouba on Sidney Crosby. We share our thoughts on the play and talk about the NHL’s Department of Player Safety process when dealing with all plays and controversy.

Calgary Flames vs Dallas Stars: all about coaching and very tight Hockey! (9:12)

Florida Panthers vs Washington Capitals (14:40)

Our Sports Interaction (18:30) features our inside look at 4 Game 6s Thursday night in the Stanley Cup Playoffs 1st round. Teams that hold a 3-2 lead in a best-of-seven own an all-time series record of 332-88.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Tampa Bay Lightning (21:05)

Carolina Hurricanes vs Boston Bruins (28:40)

Edmonton Oilers vs LA Kings (30:14)

Minnesota Wild vs St. Louis Blues (36:34)

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (38:22) on the Montreal Canadiens winning the draft lottery and having the chance to draft Shane Wright 1st overall in Montreal!

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Barry Trotz was fired as coach of the New York Islanders on Monday and that’s where we start ahead of our playoff breakdowns and analysis.

After a conversation about coaching, the boys shift their focus to the 1st round of the playoffs:

• Dallas vs Calgary (5:48)
• Penguins vs Rangers (9:04)
• Toronto vs Tampa (12:16)

Our Sports Interaction (17:14) features our inside look at 4 more Games 4s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Monday!

In the 2nd half of the pod we continue our focus on the series and matchups in round 1:

• Panthers vs Washington (19:28)
• Hurricanes vs Bruins (25:50)
• MIN vs STL/LAK vs EDM (30:00)

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (38:13) on Kool breakdown Rule 69.7 Rebounds and Loose Pucks!

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• Carolina vs Boston (1:38)
• Minnesota vs St. Louis (10:59)
• Tampa Bay vs Toronto (14:08)
• Edmonton vs LA Kings (18:56)

Our Sports Interaction (24:00) features our inside look at 4 more Games 2s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Thursday!

• Pittsburgh vs NY Rangers (25:45)
• Florida vs Washington (37:38)

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (39:29) Button with a few rapid fire hot hockey topics for Koul!

• Rod Brind'Amour
• Victor Hedman
• Cale Makar
• Officiating

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Tampa Bay Lightning vs Toronto Maple Leafs (00:37). Florida Panthers vs Washington Capitals (4:05). Carolina Hurricanes vs Boston Bruins (6:34). New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins (13:08).

Monday's Sports Interaction (16:13) features our inside look at night one of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs!

Colorado Avalanche vs Nashville Predators (18:10). Calgary Flames vs Dallas Stars (19:58). Edmonton Oilers vs LA Kings (25:46). St. Louis Blues vs Minnesota Wild (29:19).

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (34:17), Koul hits Button with a few rapid fire on other NHL topics:

• Carey Price future
• NHL Awards + voting
• EBUGs
• Jets + Scheifele 
• Craig on the U-18 World Hockey Championship in Germany!

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Talking about the league's top players the other top dog, Connor McDavid (2:30) continues to demand respect, attention and no doubt has forced himself in the Hart Trophy conversation with his play and another Art Ross!

We continue the Hart Trophy talk as we go over the wide open race (4:45) for one of the top individual trophies in hockey! So many names still in play in addition to 34/97 we also have Shesterkin, Josi, Gaudreau, Huberdeau and more!

Our other main topic in the first half of the pod has us talking about the Vegas Golden Knights messy miss (7:35). Are management, coaching and players all on the table for possible major changes in Sin City? We try and make sense of what happened this season and what might happen with the team going forward.

Our Sports Interaction (18:41) features our inside look at the final Friday night of the NHL’s regular season!

In the 2nd half of the pod we talk about potential matchups and everything up in the air on a freaky Friday in the NHL (21:49)

• Tampa, Toronto, Boston
• Washington/Pittsburgh (28:05)
• The Wild West (30:45)

And our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (32:16)

• Button on Matthews 60 / a tribute to Steve!
• Kool on Dustin Brown/Ryan Getzlaf

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We get into the Hurricanes goalie MASH Unit and try and make sense what is happening in the Carolina crease (5:54). Antti Raanta left a 5-2 win against the Islanders on Sunday with a lower-body injury. Goalie Frederik Andersen has missed four games with a lower-body injury. Alex Lyon in the AHL is also out with an injury, leaving the net for Canes 2nd round pick Russian Pyotr Kochetkov!

The West Side story (11:36). Vegas Golden Knights blow it vs SJS, what now? Who do we blame? Are changes coming on or off the ice?

Our Sports Interaction features our inside look at the final terrific Tuesday in the NHL! (20:32)

In the 2nd half of the pod we take a look at some of the Stanley Cup Playoff 1st round matchups that are set! 

Minnesota vs St. Louis (23:04)

Edmonton vs Los Angeles (30:28)

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (36:42) we talk about Anaheim's tribute to Ryan Getzlaf and the amazing ceremony in Montreal done the right way for Guy Lafleur!

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We go heavy on the playoff races and chases for seeding with a week to go! (1:30) It looks like the final playoff spot in the West could come down to Dallas or Vegas

• Dallas trip in Edmonton
• Golden Knights staying alive
• Lehner, DeBoer the goalie change.

We then shift gears taking an early look at playoff matchups!

In the West:

Minnesota Wild vs St. Louis Blues (5:45)

Edmonton Oilers vs LA Kings (9:13)

In the East (14:18) still lots up in the air! Toronto vs Tampa, Carolina Hurricanes with no Freddie and exciting times with the Metro undecided and coming down to wire!

Our Sports Interaction featuring our inside look at the NHL with a big weekend ahead! (20:19)

We start the 2nd half of the pod talking U-18 World Championship with Craig on location at the tournament (21:18) and lots of excitement around Connor Bedard for Canada and USA's Logan Cooley.

And we conclude this edition of the podcast talking about Hockey Hall-of-Famer and Montreal Canadiens Ambassador Guy Lafleur (29:34). With found memories of The Flower, Steve and Craig share stories and talk about his legendary NHL career.

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A big reason for the high-scoring affairs around the NHL the red-hot St. Louis Blues! (1:44) Blues are looking good thanks to Robert Thomas, Vlad Tarasanko and the way they have played possible 1st round opponent the Minnesota Wild!

The Playoff Paths in the West (7:10) - Nashville and Vegas must wins, Dallas Stars and LA Kings chasing!

In the East(10:18) - With goalie injuries to Freddie and Jarry what does it mean for Carolina and Pittsburgh Toronto vs Tampa or Boston and then Florida. And we also talk about one of our fav teams to talk about the New York Rangers and how they have been put together the right way using all tools!

Our Monday Sports Interaction (19:20) features our inside look at the NHL tonight and a big one for Vegas!

In the 2nd half of the pod:

• Carey Price's future (21:31)
• Patrick Kane future? (26:03)
• Calgary + Gaudreau! (30:00)
• NCAA players entering the league and Owen Power with Buffalo (33:11)

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (39:29) we talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs record without Auston Matthews and how it’s all about the team!

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The New York Rangers (10:45) also took care of business Wednesday with a win over Philadelphia. Another big 2-points for the Blueshirts as they fight with the Carolina Hurricanes for the top spot in the Metro Division 

Our Sports Interaction (18:18) features our inside look at 12-games in NHL Thursday! 

Washington Capitals vs Toronto Maple Leafs (20:23) and the marquee matchup between two of the NHL’s top goal scorers “the master” Alex Ovechkin vs “the apprentice” Auston Matthews! 

Edmonton Oilers still need to show us what they got! (26:35) a good test Thursday with a big matchup vs Nashville. Also a big game for Preds chasing the playoffs!

Minnesota Wild (29:45) KK97 Kirill Kaprizov becoming a superstar and possible best player to ever play in the State of Minnesota. Players coming from Russia explained 

Looking at some of the other big storylines Thursday in the NHL (35:06) Vegas visits Calgary and Vancouver hosts Arizona with both VAN/VGK push to the playoff in desperation mode. 

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final (39:09) we talk about some of the NCAA players making their NHL debuts and have high praise for Owen Power with an early comparison to Chris Pronger. 

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However we still think the Western Conference comes down to (5:24) and the matchup we all hope for in the playoffs and that's the Colorado Avalanche vs the Calgary Flames.

In the Eastern Conference (10:02)

The Metro: the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers are now fighting for the top spot in the Division! Meanwhile the Washington Capitals are chasing down Pittsburgh Penguins and there is still a ton to be decided down the stretch!

Our “KB on Ice” Sports Interaction feature (19:34) our inside look at a wild schedule in the NHL on Tuesday night!

In the 2nd half of the pod (21:34) we start with some talk on play-in games and possible format changes for getting into the playoffs as we look at the NBA playoffs. Do we want more teams in the post season? Would it be good or bad for hockey?

The Atlantic (28:20): its the Florida Panthers Division title as Toronto, Boston and Tampa fight for 2 and 3 and a Wild Card Spot. Does positioning matter? What does Florida taking the division title mean?

Auston Matthews special season continues (30:46) as he closing in on the 1st 60-goal NHL Season since 2012. We talk about 50 goals in 50 games and what it means.

Carey Price (37:03) returning to the NHL and the Montreal Canadiens maybe this week…but the big question We ask is will he be the Habs starting goalie next season? Or will teams with goalie needs come calling?

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (40:05):

Button - on the University of Denver Pioneers NCAA Frozen Four Championship and head coach David Carle.

Kool - with some high praise for Nashville Predator Matt Duchene after not expecting much from him this season.

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We begin in with the Wild West with Vancouver beating Vegas Wednesday (1:00). How will things playout with Nashville, Dallas and the Wild Card Spots?

The LA Kings and Edmonton Oilers (2:55) look like a lock for a 1st round matchup and they play Thursday!

What's happening in the the East? (5:40) What's going on with the Tampa Bay Lighting mini slump? (9:13) How will things shake out in the Metro with the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins?

We get into the Florida Panthers Comeback cats and the Toronto Maple Leafs playing 1980’s hockey (13:17) and also look at possible Atlantic division playoff matchups.

Our Sports Interaction featuring our inside look at the NHL Thursday night! (20:12)

In the 2nd half of the pod (21:50) we getting to the biggest losers. What now for all the losers NHL? What will happen with some of the teams not in the postseason and already focused on the future:

Montreal Canadiens and Martin St. Louis 

Thoughts on Arizona, Buffalo, Columbus, Philadelphia, Ottawa (25:50). We talk about the long play and the importance of recognizing where your team is at and knowing your path.

And thanks to difference makes we feel that Detroit and New Jersey are in the best position for the losers to get out of the basement (33:20).

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (36:13) we highlight the NCAA's Frozen Four starting Thursday as Eastern Michigan takes on Denver followed by Minnesota State vs Minnesota with both winners going to the championship game Saturday!

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We start with Arizona vs Anaheim, Jay Beagle vs Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras involvement and comments (00:35). Thoughts on no suspension? And how things played out with the Coyotes Analyst Tyson Nash who had controversial comments during the incident.

The other big incident from the week saw P.K. Subban earn 27 penalty minutes and ejection reacting to a hit by New York Islanders Oliver Wahlstrom on Subban’s star teammate Jack Hughes (6:26).

Where are we on enforcement in the game? (9:23) As we share our thoughts on Teemu Selanne's tweet about the Ducks needed a Tie Domi.

Monday’s Sports Interaction (17:48) features our inside look at 4-games in the NHL tonight!

And in the 2nd half of the pod we continue to look back at a wild weekend of action hitting on a number of storylines (19:41):

• Comeback Cats (20:10)

After surrendering a hat trick to Yegor Sharangovich and entering the third period facing a 6-2 deficit, the Atlantic Division-leading Panthers scored five unanswered goals to claim yet another four-goal comeback win!

• Draisaitl/McDavid greatness (22:50)

Oilers Leon Draisaitl became the 2nd player to reach the 100-point mark this season, joining teammate Connor McDavid(40-65—105 in 69 GP) who posted 1-2—3 Sunday to extend his point streak to 13 games (11-15—26).

• Hart Trophy Talk continued...(26:06)
• Vegas vs Dallas for the Playoffs (29:44)
• Sean Durzi + LA Kings impressive play (35:00)
• Ottawa Senators taking next steps (37:00)

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (39:41): we take a closer look at Mitch Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs!

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Also out of Wednesday's storylines we talk some scouting (7:15) and bring up the rookie of the year conversation. Is it clear that The Calder Trophy must go to Detroit Red Wings Moritz Seider?

We continue talking some NHL trophies (11:18) and wonder would you rather win the Art Ross or Hart? Voting vs stats...And how can we make voting for awards more complete?

Thursday’s Sports Interaction (20:00) features our inside look at 9-games in the NHL Tonight with a focus on the Billy Guerin Bowl as the Minnesota Wild host the Pittsburgh Penguins.

We start the 2nd half of the pod with an officiating conversation, talking about the balance of special teams and penalties called, thanks to an article put together by TSN’s Travis Yost (22:11)

• are teams treated different?
• what is the best solution?
• what will playoffs look like?

Thoughts on teams in big games from Tuesday (34:10):

Maple Leafs vs Bruins

Penguins vs Rangers

Hurricanes vs Lightning

Flames Vs Avalanche

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (39:53) we talk some hockey broadcasting as we share our take on NHL on TNT, ESPN and think of ways to make hockey broadcasts more engaging.

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Marc-Andre Fleury made 23 saves in his Minnesota Wild debut, a 3-2 overtime victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday.

Evgenii Dadonov scored in overtime as the Golden Knights rallied for a 5-4 win against Chicago at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday. The first-ever three-goal, third-period comeback win for Vegas!

We also look at some other key weekend storylines as part of the first half of the pod including:

• Clean hits that result in fights (6:15)
• Avs, MacKinnon and control (7:20)
• Saturday's Battle of Alberta (12:01)

Our Sports Interaction features our inside look at the NHL on a big Tuesday night in the league (18:13) and also has some opposite George energy.

We start the 2nd half of the pod talking tracking some trophies and with Roman Josi's special season we feel he has added his name to a long list of Hart Trophy possibilities (20:44)

• is there a Hart frontrunner?
• so many names in play!

We dive deeper into Montreal's Cole Caufield and New Jersey's Jack Hughes 2nd half turnarounds (29:37). With high hopes and potential for both, Steve and Craig talk about reasons for the positives 2nd half's and look forward to both players exciting futures!

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (38:11)

Kool is on all over the curious case of William Nylander and the way he is treated and Button talks about the importance of great coaching and how it can apply to the Willy Styles situation in Toronto.

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Our first main topics the Vegas Golden Knights and Evgenii Dadonov's no-trade clause (2:07). The NHL announced on Wednesday that it was cancelling the trade that sent Dadonov to the Anaheim Ducks as it violated his limited no-trade clause. What is Ottawa's role in this? Who is to blame?

What now for Kelly McCrimmon and the Golden Knights? Lots up in the air including the money. How do things play out in Sin City?

The natural big question with the way they have also been playing, will Vegas make the playoffs?(6:22)

We talk about big Thursday schedule with lots of implications in the West and Atlantic Division! (9:39)

• Toronto, Tampa, Boston (12:12)
• Winnipeg playoff path (15:49)

Thursday’s Sports Interaction (17:23) Our inside look at the 10-game sin the NHL tonight!

In the 2nd half of the pod we we start with talk about the Roman Josi's special month and what we think of the Nashville Predators (19:15).

Staying the Central, the Preds with Blues, Stars, Wild all part of tier 2 of contenders. (22:30)

Kool bits and bites (24:43)

• Hart Trophy Race
• Eye in the sky
• Officiating in playoffs

And with Craig part of the broadcast, we highlight the CHL Top Prospects Game as part Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts to close out Episode 50 (32:17)

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Our first breakdown comes out of the State of Hockey as the reigning Vezina Trophy winner was traded on deadline day for the first time in League history! Steve and Craig share their thoughts (2:37) on the Marc-Andre Fleury trade to the Minnesota Wild by the Chicago Blackhawks for a conditional first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.

We also get into other teams that were in the mix for the Flower and talk about the Kyle vs Kyle feud with the Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas and Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson TDD media availability.

We like what the New York Rangers did (7:36) acquiring four players who have appeared in at least one NHL game in 2021-22, the most among all clubs (Justin Braun, Nick Merkley, Andrew Copp & Tyler Motte). And we also talk more about what certain trades mean in the East's push to playoff in both the Metro and Atlantic (15:35)

Tuesday’s Sports Interaction (21:23) features our inside look at 11-games in the NHL!

In our 2nd half of the pod MORE Trade Deadline housekeeping (23:35)

• Vegas + Dadonov 
• Top deals (26:48)
• Button: Toffoli, Hagel, Manson
• Kool: Artturi Lehkonen

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans(35:20) Final Thoughts: We are excited for the push to the playoffs but wonder how the west will be won? And we are keeping an eye on the Vancouver Canucks, LA Kings and Vegas Golden Knights playoff odds.

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The first deal we start with has the Montreal Canadiens trading Ben Chiarot to the Florida Panthers (1:55) in exchange for forward Tyler Smilanic, a 1st-round pick in 2023, and a 4th-round pick in 2022 (via New York Rangers). What do we make of the deal? What does it mean for Florida?

That leads us to what happens with Claude Giroux (8:37) who is set to play his 1,000 NHL game with Philadelphia Thursday. Is he on a plane to Florida or Colorado after the game? Where does he land? 

Another team that could be in the mix for Giroux is another team that has been active, the Calgary Flames (10:08). After picking up Tyler Toffoli a couple weeks ago the Calgary Flames Wednesday acquired forward Calle Jarnkrok from Seattle for three draft picks: a second-round (2022), third-round (2023) and seventh-round (2024) picks for the Swede. 

Thursday’s Sports Interaction (18:39) features our inside look at 10-games in the NHL tonight! 

In the 2nd half of the pod we continue with NHL Trade Deadline topics (20:58):

• Who doesn't want Jakob Chychrun
• Vegas Golden Knights 
• Butch Goring TDD history 
• Maple Leafs, Wild, Rangers

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (39:02) Steve and Craig talk about two topics to keep an eye on:

• Kool: Marc-Andre Fleury 
• Button: St. Louis Blues 

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What else do the Avs have planned? What could be next for new GM Pat Verbeek and the Anaheim Ducks?

Our 2nd main topic comes with concerns around two teams as the Vegas Golden Knights and Toronto Maple Leafs have issues (6:12). Will either team try and plug holes at the deadline? We share our thoughts how things could play out with both teams not playing up to expectations.

Tuesday's Sports Interaction features our inside look at 11-games in the NHL Tonight (19:00).

In the 2nd half of the pod (21:12) we start with Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews suspension for two games, for cross-checking Buffalo Sabres Rasmus Dahlin. We share our thoughts on the suspension. And also discuss how suspensions to superstars can actually help them in the playoffs.

And to close out the pod we head back to the back to the deadline (30:00) and hit on a number of topics part of our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts:

• Ben Chiarot
• Winnipeg Jets 
• Minnesota Wild
• Lawson Crouse

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First some Oilers talk as they fight for a playoff spot in the the West coming off a big 4-3 win vs Washington where Connor McDavid scored his 30th goal 3:27 into OT.

That also leads us to the Washington Capitals plans around the deadline. (4:05)

Another Wednesday night storyline featured the Vancouver Canucks (6:03). They continue to get closer to a playoff spot but what does that mean for JT Miller and those trade rumours'?

A big night in Buffalo Thursday as the Sabres host the Vegas Golden Knights and Jack Eichel makes his return (12:15). What do we expect? Thoughts on how things could play out?

Our Thursday Sports Interaction (18:59) features our inside look at the 13-games in the NHL tonight and two marquee matchups: Colorado at Carolina and Tampa at Calgary!

We continue with our countdown to the NHL Trade Deadline theme in the 2nd half of the pod (21:02).

What could be coming? Are we waiting for the math to work? Are the prices set?

What’s working the Trade Deadline like? (27:00)

Craig takes us in the room and talks about how different deal can come together.

Rapid Fire TDD(35:26)

• Claude Giroux
• Alexandar Georgiev
• Jake DeBrusk 
• Ducks UFAs

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (40:20) Steve has some thoughts about Ben Chiarot in Colorado and Craig wonders if some might call Montreal GM Kent Hughes about Artturi Lehkonen.

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Also part of the 1st half of the pod we talk about the Stanley Cup Playoff and Wild Card format (3:10). Do we like it? Do we want more playoff teams?

Other Topics in the 1st half:

• Races in both conferences (8:05)
• Metro - Penguins, Rangers, Capitals
• Atlantic - Maple Leafs, Bruins

Our Monday Sports Interaction (18:53) feature our inside look at the NHL tonight and the battle of Alberta!

We continue with our NHL Trade Deadline theme in our 2nd half as well (21:04). Looking at a number of intriguing teams around the deadline and what they might do.

• Dallas Stars
• Anaheim Ducks
• Minnesota Wild
• Edmonton Oilers

We also talk about one of the games of the season in the 2nd half of the pod as we get into Calgary vs Colorado from Saturday night! (26:37)

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (35:27) Steve and Craig are excited about both the LA Kings and New York Rangers as we approach both the deadline and game 83!

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Some other key topics in the 1st half of the pod (2:49):

• The 50-goal club
• How many score 50?
• McDavid/Matthews shoot/pass
• Goals per game up this season!
• Calgary Flames well coached
• Minnesota Wild going for it

Our Thursday Sports Interaction (19:50) features our inside look at 9-games in the NHL tonight!

In the 2nd half of the pod we continue our series looking at the upcoming March 21 NHL Trade Deadline. (21:50)

How will things play out with the Philadelphia Flyers and Claude Giroux?

Now that Kyle Davidson is officially GM, (27:57) we wonder what he and the Blackhawks do at the deadline? What will happen with Marc-Andre Fleury? What about Patrick Kane’s future in the Windy City?

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (34:40), we have a few tributes and nods to a few players as Steve gives credit to Mikko Koskinen and is loving Mo Seider! And Craig talks Detroit Red Wings bright future, Kris Draper and big congrats to Wayne Simmonds on his 1,000 NHL game!

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But before some trade chatter we start this edition off with a conversation about the NHL Awards and Hart Trophy candidates! So many in the mix this season including some goalies! Just a few to consider: Igor Shesterkin, Jacob Markstrom, Alex Ovechkin, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Auston Matthews, Nazem Kadri, Cale Makar and Craig's pick Sidney Crosby!

Another main topic part of our 1st half of the pod has us wondering what is going on with the Vegas Golden Knights? (6:15) What's with their struggles? No longer fighting for division but fighting for playoffs? What’s wrong? And we also take a look at the way things are shaping up for a crazy race in the Pacific.

Monday’s Sports Interaction (17:58) our inside look at the 3-Games in the NHL tonight. Vancouver at New Jersey, Toronto at Washington and Boston at Los Angeles.

We continue our look at the NHL Trade Deadline(20:19) in our 2nd half of the pod as we continue to wonder what might happen. Buyers? Sellers? Expectations? Some thoughts on what both the Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars might do.

1980’s hockey from the weekend (29:46) Toronto at Detroit! Our takeaways from the Maple Leafs 10-7 win over the Red Wings Saturday. Toronto goalie troubles and and how things could change in the Atlantic Division.

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final thoughts (38:09)

Craig thinks the East is set but loves the races in the West! And Steve check-in on the cross checking crackdown or lack-there-of...

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In the contest, Corey Perry scored his 400th NHL goal, as Tampa beat the Oilers 5-3 at Amalie Arena. And yet again our take away from an Edmonton loss GOALTENDING! The boys explain how the Oilers still need a damn goalie and are going no where until they address this area.

For our 2nd main topic we head to the Music City as the Nashville Predators are set for a big weekend (6:00) as they honor Pekka Rinne and host some outdoor hockey! However our main topic with the Preds concerns the future of Filip Forsberg. What are the plans with the player? Will he be dealt? What would you do?

Our Thursday Sports Interaction(19:38) features our inside look at the Dallas Stars at Nashville Predators and Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks.

More on the March 21 NHL Trade Deadline (21:53). More speculation on trades. Who's chasing what? More names in play. Never start with NO!

• Jakob Chychrun
• Claude Giroux

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fan Final Thoughts(38:05) we continue to get excited for the coming weeks leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline! Kouleas has some love for Avs Nazem Kadri and Button is done with the Winnipeg Jets.

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How do GM Bill Zito and his scouting staff continue to find the diamond in the ruff type player? From their depth to the balance throughout the lineup, interim bench boss Andrew Brunette has a lot to work with and do not underestimate this coach!

Our Monday Sports Interaction (18:56) features our inside look at Carolina at Philadelphia, Winnipeg at Calgary and Toronto at Montréal tonight!

With the NHL Trade Deadline now 1-month away we continue our trading series looking a teams wants and needs (20:56). One big name in play is Arizona D Jakob Chychrun. What's the price? Who could he fit with?

And another name we continue to be interested is Montreal D Ben Chiarot(29:58). Almost any team could use him as he adds what everyone is looking for at this time of the season, added depth on D.

As we approach the end of the pod we also talk some 2022 Olympic Men's Hockey as Finland wins the gold-medal in Beijing(34:21). However our main topic in this section is the size of the rink and reasons for low boring scores.

And we conclude the pod as usual with our "Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts" (40:42). Steve continues to be interesting in Nashville Predator Filip Forsberg and Craig shares some thoughts on the Dallas Stars.

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Our 2nd main story had the Colorado Avalanche spoiling Jack Eichel's Vegas Golden Knights debut (13:02). Darcy Kuemper stopped 29 shots as the Avs beat Vegas 2-0 on Wednesday. It was Eichel's 1st game since being acquired from Buffalo and the 25-year-old finished with one shot, one hit in 17:24 of ice time.

Our Thursday Sports Interaction (19:53) includes our inside look at 2 of the 10 on the ice tonight. St. Louis at Montréal and Anaheim at Edmonton.

In our 2nd half of the pod we hit on one of our top topics looking at trades and talking about the big one this week as the Calgary Flames acquire Tyler Toffoli (22:03). On Monday morning, the Flames acquired the two-way winger from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a conditional 1st-round pick, a 2024 5th-round pick, forward Tyler Pitlick and prospect Emil Heineman.

NHL trade talks, trade rumors and speculation (27:32). Who's buying? Who's selling? We continue our trade talks hitting on a number of different teams and topics as we approach the NHL Trade Deadline March 21.

And in our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts(37:56), we talk some Jagr with his 50th birthday and also tip our caps to Sidney Crosby scoring his 500th NHL Goal this week!

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On this edition of the pod, Steve and Craig hit on a number of NHL topics looking at some of league's news and notes from the past week and weekend.

• Goalie and coaching carousel
• A good goalie, equals a good coach
• Montreal 0-3 start under St. Louis
• Edmonton's start with Jay Woodcroft

Lots of love for the Colorado Avalanche (14:12) as we look at one if not the top team in the NHL and look at what they might need ahead of a playoff run.

In our Monday Sports Interaction(19:32) we give you an inside look at 3 of the 4 games in the NHL tonight: Detroit at Minnesota, Toronto at Seattle and Chicago at Winnipeg.

In the 2nd half of the pod we look at the red hot Calgary Flames (21:39) and things might play out in the pacific division.

Our discussions around the NHL Trade Deadline continue (25:57) as we wonder what some teams might do? With March 21 quickly approaching we talk about teams working on moves, a target focus and recognizing what your needs are.

And in our Ultimate Fans Final Thoughts (40:37) we get excited for the big women's Gold Medal Matchup this week at the Olympics between Canada and USA!

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With the Habs firing Dominique Ducharme and naming Martin St. Louis interim head coach, Steve and Craig start with their thoughts on what is going on in Montreal. Reasons behind the fire/hire? And we share our thoughts on one of the firs big decisions by new Canadiens GM Kent Hughes.

The 2nd coaching casualty this week comes out West as the Edmonton Oilers say goodbye to Dave Tippett in the third year of his tenure (11:31). Why now? And what now for the Oilers? Steve and Craig also try and understand this decision by GM Ken Holland.

Brad Marchand was at it again this week (20:43). The Boston Bruins forward was suspended six games for roughing/high-sticking Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry.

Our Thursday Sports Interaction (26:57) features our usual inside view on the NHL tonight, but the boys also share some Super Bowl picks with the big game Sunday!

Another big game comes our way in the NHL Thursday. A possible Stanley Cup preview as the Tampa Bay Lightning visit the Colorado Avalanche (29:13). We dive deeper into this marquee matchup and talk about two of the league's top teams with two of the best head coaches.

Some more Olympic Hockey talk comes your way near the end of the pod (41:18). Both the Men's and Women's tournaments are in full swing and we talk about excitement around both.

And we conclude this edition of the pod with out Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (48:08) talking some Tuukka Rask with the news about his retirement this week.

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We start post NHL Allstar weekend talking about the League's big showcase event. What did we like?

From the spectacle on the ice to business off it, the Allstar weekend in Vegas also feature a very intriguing State of the Union from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Billy Daly.

We share our thoughts on the press conference and also talk about new testing protocols. What happens now with testing? How will testing work for crossing the Canada/USA border.

Jack Eichel and a Vegas Golden Knights (12:34) debut is getting closer! With excitement growing the big question is who will be shipped out of Sin City? And how will play out with salary implications and possible trades?

On our Monday Sports Interaction (19:25) with the NHL back on the ice we look at the Carolina Hurricanes at the Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils at the Ottawa Senators!

In the 2nd half of the pod (21:35) its all about the NHL Trade Deadline and the Art of The Deal. Now 6only 6 weeks away!!! What might some teams do? How is in play?

Craig takes us inside the room as he shares stories about trade deadline and trying to make deals with Darcy Regier and Lou Lamoriello.

And as part of our Final Thoughts (37:38) on this episode, we look at the big women's hockey matchup between Canada and USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics!

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Our 2nd main topic we focus on Women’s hockey getting underway (10:46) at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing! Canada and USA both open with wins but both lose key forwards to injuries.

Thursday's Sports Interaction (18:44) with the NHL on the Allstar break, Steve gives us some possible trophy winners this season looking at the Art Ross, Calder and Jack Adams.

In the 2nd half of the pod we talk about the NHL at the Allstar break and what might happen the 2nd half of the season (21:00).

Craig is excited about the Florida Panthers season and what is to come (21:52) as they remind him of his 1999 Stanley Cup Champion Dallas Stars.

Steve looks at possible playoff scenarios in the East (24:53) and the teams involved. And what's another episode without Kool and some Oilers love! (26:23)

We also look the Pacific race, the Vegas Golden Knights and Calgary Flames (28:33). And as part of our Ultimate Hockey Fans Final Thoughts (39:20) we think the future is bright for both the NHL and hockey and we are looking forward to NHL Allstar skills!

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Speaking of great goalies one of our main topics includes Carey Price and his future with the Montreal Canadiens (4:56). Following his weekend press conference we have a few thoughts and questions. Will and when does he play again? What should his plan be? What should the team do?

Our 2nd main topic yet again we take a look at the Edmonton Oilers with the addition and debut of Evander Kane (11:43). The Oilers now look deep up front and have options. However we still think some pieces are needed on the back end, on both the blue line and between the pipes.

Mondays Sports Interaction (16:50)

Florida at Columbus

Vancouver at Chicago

New Jersey at Toronto

Edmonton at Ottawa

Anaheim at Detroit

Another reoccurring topic on the pod our ageless wonders 8 and 87! Sidney Crosby 2 goals shy of 500 (18:50) plays Alex Ovechkin this week and we talk about the great rivalry between the two that keeps on giving!

Another great story this season has been the Colorado Avalanche and Nazem Kadri (28:53). The Avs are looking great as they extended their home winning streak to 18 and Kadri's impressive season has been a big time catalyst for the team.

In our Final thoughts (35:09), Craig is excited for the upcoming 2022 Women's Olympic hockey tournament especially Canada vs USA! Meanwhile Steve has high praise for the Florida Panthers Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov!

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With Henrik Lundqvist’s 30 and Sergei Zubov’s 56 jersey retirements in New York and Dallas this weekend we talk about both hockey legends and remember their careers.

Learn about Lundqvist(12:25) before he was the King. Where does Hank rank on the all time goalie list? Thoughts about watching his rise and great career on Broadway.

When it comes to Sergei Zubov(25:30), our very own Craig Button who won the 1999 Stanley Cup in Dallas with 56 shares a few stories about the Hall of Famer.

Sports Interaction (23:15) we look and try and set you up for 6 of the 10 games in the NHL Thursday:

Carolina at Ottawa

Vegas at Florida

Seattle at Pittsburgh

NY Rangers at Columbus

Calgary at St. Louis

Nashville at Edmonton

And we close things out on this edition of the pod talking some Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Craig's Top 5 teams in the NHL right now!

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With Craig still in Winnipeg we start things off talking some Jets! Also part of the first half we talk NHL big picture as we discuss the product, style of play and where the League is at on the ice.

Our Monday Sports Interaction(23:23) is a busy one as we look at Dallas at Philadelphia, Vegas at Washington, St. Louis at Calgary, Anaheim at Bostonand Los Angeles at NY Rangers.

Some thoughts about the NHL Trade Deadline coming up March 21. Does dealing at the deadline work? Craig also shares a story about his time with the Dallas Stars at 1999 deadline. What players and names are available this year? What do some teams need to do?

And before our finally thoughts we have a conversation about the New York Islanders in the 1980's and Clark Gillies with the sad news about his passing. Steve and Craig remember the amazing player and person who was a huge part of the dynasty that made so many memories for so many people!

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Our first main topic comes from the New York Ranger 6-3 win vs the Toronto Maple Leafs as we discuss and debate where both teams are at and who will go further in the playoffs.

The New York Rangers are looking good for the playoffs, a big reason stud netminder Igor Shesterkin, who could be up for some major hardware.

Meanwhile the Toronto Maple Leafs have problems playing with the lead. Do they understand situational hockey?

One of our other main topics on this episode is the Montreal Canadiens new GM Kent Hughes introduction this week. How will he handle his new role? What is the plan at trade deadline? Who stays? Who goes?

Thursday's Sports Interaction(30:00)

Winnipeg at Nashville

Florida at Edmonton

We also discuss the new NHL comprehensive update to the 2021-22 regular-season schedule. As all 32 teams will complete their respective 82-games by the regular season's original closing date of Friday, April 29!

And as part of out final thoughts, we tip our caps to the great seasons that both Alex Ovechkin and Nazem Kadri are having!

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Our 1st main topics has us looking at the NHL Allstar Game and the selections. We share our overall thoughts on the weekend and how the event comes off. Are we ok with the players who are going?

Our start of the week Sports Interaction(16:30) features Steve and Craig looking at Montreal vs Arizona on Monday and Carolina at Boston Tuesday.

In our 2nd half of the pod we talk Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights. The timetable for his return and the importance of the team being on the same page. Also what might happen with roster decisions and trades to get him in the lineup.

As we approach the 2nd half of the season, a very intriguing story line includes how the Wild Wild West will be won? We look at some of the tight races in both the Central and Pacific.

And we conclude this edition with a great conversation about Chris Pronger with the St. Louis Blues retiring his number 44 Monday.

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We start the pod with one of hockey’s hottest topics: Evander Kane, NHL interest in the player and the Edmonton Oilers going down that path.

The Boston Bruins are rolling since the holiday break and the boys are loving the “little ball of hate” Brad Marchand…In addition to 63's impressive play, Tuukka Rask is back and we think David Krejci is paying attention!

Our Thursday Sports Interaction (at 24:41) has us looking at the B’s visiting Philly, New York Rangers at San Jose and the LA Kings home to the Penguins.

In our 2nd half of the show, we dive deeper into Bobby Clarke vs Ron Hextall. Our thoughts on Clarke’s comments on "The Cam and Strick Pod" this week about Ron Hextall’s time as GM of the Philadelphia Flyers.

And we conclude the 30th edition of the pod talking about the 2022 NHL mid season draft rankings, Craig’s list and what it all means.

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Will another NHL team take a chance on Evander Kane? Would your team want him? After clearing unconditional waivers and with the San Jose Sharks intention to terminate his contract we wonder how things will play out.

Marc Andre-Fleury returns to Vegas! A great feel good story from the weekend as the Flower was welcomed back with a ton of fan fair, a beautiful tribute and made 31 saves in the Blackhawks' 2-1 win...the 1st to beat all 32 teams in the NHL! Is Vegas a better team without him? Would you have done the same things to build out your team? 

For our Monday Sports Interaction we look at Seattle at Colorado and Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals. We also feel good about the New York Rangers and overs!

What will happen with John Klingberg? What is the price? The Dallas D man with a trade request after saying he has felt underappreciated by the Stars in their approach to contract negotiations.

And we conclude this edition with Steve and Craig on one of their top topics: NHL officiating. Those who complain, consistently consistent and the elite of elite!

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Another pod, another conversation about the Edmonton Oilers issues and where they go from here. Is this the worst it gets? And enjoy a classic Craig rant on the key piece they are missing!

In our Thursday Sports Interaction we preview the battle of Pennsylvania with the Pittsburgh Penguins visiting the Philadelphia Flyers and we also look at another great matchup Thursday with the Colorado Avalanche hosting the Winnipeg Jets.

What are some of our biggest surprises this season? And some key NHL storylines heading into the 2nd half.

What do we make of the Nashville Predators? Are they over achieving? Are they this good?

And what do the Vegas Golden Knights when Jack Eichel is ready to play? All that and more on Episode 28 with Steve Kouleas and Craig Button!

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In our 2nd section of the pod we review the Winter Classic where Jordan Kyrou and the St. Louis Blues took care of the Minnesota Wild in some cold conditions. And Craig is not happy with how the announcement was handle for the USA women's 2022 Olympic team!

Our first KB on ICE Sports Interaction features Monday's matchup that has the Edmonton Oilers visiting the New York Rangers.

More NHL topics include Florida Panthers Jonathan Huberdeau, Carolina Hurricanes Rod Brind'Amour and drafting NHL players, Stars vs Superstars.

And we conclude this edition of the pod with one of the early feel good stories of 2022 involving hero Kraken fan Nadia Popovici and what she did for Canucks trainer Brian “Red” Hamilton.

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Our main discussion part of this edition is the cancelation of the World Junior Hockey Championship. How did we get here? Was it the right decision? Why no bubble? Why not relocate? Will it be rescheduled? Steve and Craig try and answer those questions as we talk about the major disappointment with the tournament being canceled.

With the NHL back from the holiday break we also talk about the game back on the ice and how teams are looking heading into the new year. One concern for Steve is the Edmonton Oilers trying to figure it out and what happens if they don't.

It's also time for another January 1st NHL tradition as we talk about taking the game outside with the 2022 Winter Classic set to be played in Minnesota between the Wild and St. Louis Blues.

And we close things out on this edition remembering and thanking the legend that is John Madden!

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With Craig on location and covering the tournament for TSN in Red Deer, Alberta we dive deep into the NHL stars of tomorrow. Some of the storylines following day one that we discuss include: Sweden and Russia, Owen Power's historic hat trick for Canada and defending champion USA holding on to beat Slovakia 3-2 Sunday.

In addition to our expanded World Junior conversation we also discuss the NHL returning from the holiday break, taxi squads and how the season is a marathon. And we close out this edition of the pod looking at storylines to follow in the 2nd half of the NHL season in both the East and the West.

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On this edition we celebrate the day Frank Costanza made famous The Festivus for the rest of us!

Before the traditions and with the NHL now in the holiday break, we talk about the League’s COVID decisions and plans going forward. We also discuss the February gap in the schedule now that it’s official that NHL players will not take part in the Olympics.

With our pole proudly up, we tackle some hockey and NHL feats of strength. No better strength for the game and league then 97 Connor McDavid or the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In this edition of the pod we also talk some more World Juniors with the tournament just around the corner and Craig set to be part of the coverage on TSN.

And we concluded our Festivus special with the airing of grievances as Button and Kouleas have a lot to say and your going here about!

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In the 2nd half of the pod, we take a look at the NHL big picture as we talk standings, parity in the league and take an early look at the playoff races.

With Mo Seider, Lucas Raymond and the way the team has played, we also look at the Detroit Red Wings and agree they are now on the other side of the rebuild.

And we close things out with more World Junior conversation as our own Craig Button who will be covering the tournament for TSN, talks about some of the storylines and explains the big difference between a drafted player and a prospect.

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Yet again Alex Ovechkin has us talking about his great season as he turns back the clock and is a frontrunner for the Hart. We dive deeper into Ovi vs Crosby, the matchup that keeps on giving 16-years later! Will 8/87 eventually pass the torch to maybe McDavid vs Matthews?

Also part of this edition an extended talk about what's going on with the Edmonton Oilers? And we close out the pod with a discussion on expansion and what we make of the recent news about Arizona, Houston and Quebec City.

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We start where Craig was, at Team Canada's World Junior camp as Connor Bedard became the the first 16-year-old to make the 25-player roster since Connor McDavid.

With the NHL announcing Monday that the Calgary Flames games will be postponed at least through December 16th, we discuss why and what it means for the Olympics.

And with another John Tortorella hot take, this time on the Zegras-Milano Michigan pass goal, we discuss and debate how Torts can say what he wants even if he's wrong but we still want examples!

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Another team in turmoil, another team we have been all over this season, the Philadelphia Flyers and what they might do is a big topic of conversation. (Hours ahead of the decision to relieve head coach Alain Vigneault.)

On team's on the other side of the standings, we also dive deep into the Minnesota Wild's success and highlight great work by Dean Evason and solid play by Ryan Hartman.

And finally we conclude the pod with a conversation on NHL Player Safety decisions and thoughts on recent incidents with Connor McDavid on Adrian Kempe and Neal Pionk on Rasmus Sandin.

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With Craig on location in Ottawa where he watched the Under-17 Capital City Challenge featuring Canada's National Women's team, we also talk some international hockey with an early look at Olympic rosters and the World Junior Championship.

Other hot hockey topics from Episode 18 include: losing before you win, can the Flyers and Islanders salvage the sauce? And the impressive play from Maple Leafs Jack Campbell and John Tavares.

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Starting with some fashion decisions with Team Canada, Team USA and the Devils unveiling new jerseys. LA Kings chrome domes vs the Vegas golden buckets.

Superstitions, NHL standings at the quarter mark, Islanders playoff chances, Maple Leafs turning a corner and skill vs physicality all part of Episode 16! And are we going to the Olympics?

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