There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it is the NHL Playoffs. The main idea is that hockey will come back with a 24 team playoff format, effectively ending the regular season. We start with a brief diatribe around the importance of sport to the masses, but then get on with the business of talking hockey. We talk about the possibility of compliance buyouts and we give two examples each of players we feel should be bought out. We get into the logistics of a 16 versus 24 team playoff format. Amazingly, we agree that the 24 team format is better for the league and fans. There is a story out there by David Staples of the Edmonton Journal predicting that the Blackhawks will beat the Oilers in the playoffs this season. A good read, the link is below. Finally, we venture into a discussion (which becomes a Mike rant) on moving the draft from June to April, changing the format of who drafts where and the possibility of getting rid of the draft lottery or significantly changing how it is conducted. Also, Ales Hemsky, former Oilers draft pick in 2001 has officially retired from the NHL. We wish him the best of luck and success in his future endeavors. Lots of content on only a few stories, so please let us know what you think as hockey gets closer to returning. Enjoy the Show!
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/chicago-blackhawks-will-upset-the-edmonton-oilers-in-first-round-of-nhl-playoffs-stats-analyst-predicts/
Episode 0331: Galchenyuk Apologizes; ’Yotes Home Locations?; Patrice Bergeron Retires; Who Is The Next Captain of the B’s & More!
Episode 0330: Tony D Bought Out; Alex G Contract Terminated; Kailer Sign w/Kraken; NHL Arbitration Dates; Twitter Poll; Lavi Youth Risk; Lee Kancer Jam; Spector Hockey & More!
Episode 0329: Stone/Hornqvist Retire; Value UFAs Still Available; Filip Zadina; Milan Lucic; B’s Development Camp and More!
Episode 0328: NHL Draft & Free Agency; Philly’s Recap; PWHPA & PHF; Bruins’ Recap & Dev Camp; Twitter Polls and More!
Episode 0327: Bettman Updates; Johansen Dealt; Prospects We’ll Follow; Ullman Twitter Poll; Allan Walsh Cap Comments and More!
Episode 0326: Vegas Wins; Conn Smyth; Wild Bill’s Celly; Bratt Re-signs; Severson Traded; OEL Bought Out; 4 C’s for the Caps; LeClair Brought In and More!
Episode 0325: Eichel Hit/Tkachuk Injury?; SCF Recap; Crazy Kaboom Trades 2; Dubois, Hellebuyck Done in WPG; Doan to Toronto & His Future and More!
Episode 0324: IIHF Tournament; Lucic to Play Again?; Kaboom Trades; SCF Game 1 & Picks; Tkachuk in People; Penguins Collapse; Mike Babcock & More!
Episode 0323: Vegas’ Closeout Issues; Jake Oettinger & Max Domi; Jordan Staal UFA; Briere & the Flyers; Toronto GM Ferris Wheel; IIHF Tourney; Joe Veleno; Joe Pa Tops; Saros Goes to the Dogs & More!
Episode 0322: Coyotes Rejected; Forsyth County; Bergy’s Disk; Crosby’s Vacation; IIHF Tourney; PHF Glow-up; Iranian Nat’l Team; Kyle Dubas; Twitter Polls & More!
Episode 0321: Bedard at 1?; Dubas/Keefe Done?; Landeskog Out For 23-24; Gallant Out, Who’s In?;
Episode 0320: Bruins Requiem; OHL Sanctions Niagara; Gallant Out; Playoff All-Stars; Borowiecki Retires; Preds Turn 25; Clifton Out?; Marchy & Live Mics; Women’s World Para Event; Cole Knuble & More!
Episode 0319: Playoff Recap; Hughes Interview; Cogliano Out; Slim JD Hand Pass?; Twitter Poll; Dubas & Bolts Fans; Colton Orr Extended; B’s/Panthers Series; Bowness Comments and More!
Episode 0318: Playoff Recaps; Roope Hintz; Josh Morrissey; Penguins Leadership; Jordan Kyrou; Bergeron’s 2nd Career; Twitter Poll Results (Laviolette); McAvoy’s Crutch and More!
Episode 0317: Toews No Longer a ’Hawk; IIHF Women; Panthers Trolling; St. Louis/Armstrong; Coaching Carousel Turns; Playoff Matchups; Prospect Game BM & PB Best Buddies and More!
Episode 0316: Caps Rebuild?; The Nuge; Lohrei, Hughes Sign; Quinnipiac Champs; Joel Eriksson Ek Out; Mr. TNT; B’s Record Chase; Sidney Crosby & More!
Episode 0315: Potential 1st Round Matchups; ’Hawks Tanking Right; Tkachuk for Hart?; Twitter Poll Results; Jack Adams Award; Keefe, Bunting, Matthews & More!
Episode 0314: B’s & Mr. Marchand; PHF & Isobel Cup; Women’s Nat’l Team; Binnington Buyout?; Twitter Poll; Alaska Nanooks; Cost per Point; Tage Thompson; Player Poll; Vrana, Duclair and More!
Episode 0313: Binnington Suspended; Bergy & Marchy Another Record; Carlson Returning; Harvard Hazing; Makar/Hughes; USPHL; Macklin Celebrini; Poll Results; Q Bans Fighting and More!
Episode 0312: Fletcher Fired; GM Hot Seat; Canucks Situation; Vegas’ Quickie; B’s Fastest to 50; Hughes Fastest to 200; Jack Hughes; Allan Walsh & More!
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Bonfire Sports Winnipeg
32 Thoughts: The Podcast
The Jeff Marek Show
The Athletic Hockey Show
After The Whistle