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/
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Episode 0310: Linus Scores; Gavrikov, Chychrun; B’s D Pairs; Dadanov, Barbashev Moving; Gibson, Lyubushkin Records; Anthony Duclair Foundation; Devin Kaplan, Locmelis, Merkulov and More!
Episode 0309: Matt Extended; O’Reilly Traded; The Ottawa Senators; Stanley Cup Odds; ’Canes’ Potential; Paul Jerrard, Ovechkin & Barzal; Twitter Poll Results and More!
Episode 0308: NHL Trade Rumors; Chychrun; Tarasenko Moving; Grzelcyk a 3rd Pair D; Max Domi; NHL Power Rankings; Horvat & the Isles; Brett Harrison; the BeanPot and More!
Episode 0307: All Star Weekend; Horvat to Isles; Capitals ”D” Issues; Potential B’s Pickups; Bucci Tweet; Marchand HOF?; Bettman & TV Ratings and More!
Episode 0306: Flames Goalie Controversy; Matthews Out; Carlo or DeBrusk for Horvat; Canuckleheads; Montgomery Updates; Nieto Trade; Prospects Update; Cassidy and More!
Episode 0305: Panthers Issues; Vancouver Reality Show; Krejci Quote; Toews/Horvat Deals; Jaxson Stauber; John Gibson; Crawford for HOF?; Montgomery Quote; Halak at 16 and More!
Episode 0304: Kraken Set Record; Twitter Poll Results; Tanner Pearson & Canucks Situation; Andrei Kuzmenko; Tomas Tatar; Zacha Extension; Preseason B’s Prognostications and More!
Episode 0303: Don Sweeney Review; NHL Milestones; Bo Horvat - Trade Bait?; Matt Dumba - UFA; Twitter Poll & Results; Pens Consistency; Winter Classic - Game or Spectacle and More!
Episode 0302: Letang Loss; Matt Poitras; Jamie Benn; Patrice Bergeron; Bedard Lottery; Ovi the Great; Second Half Questions and More!
Episode 0301: Mitchell Investigation Ends; World Juniors; B’s Prospects; Hamburglar Retires; Ryder Getzlaf; Officiating Issues; William Nylander; Sam Bennett and More!
Episode 0300: Trouba Tantrum; Ovi 800; Reaves on Hronek; Jets Viability; PHF Standings; Andrew Cristall; Twitter Poll Results; Mike’s Concern About the B’s and More!
Episode 0299: Surprising Winnipeg; Taylor Hall; Hughes’ Shift; Kane Update; Caps Getting Healthy; Tage 2nd 6 Point Game; B’s Prospect Update; Matthews/Marner the New Sedins and More!
Episode 0298: Boeser Rumors Again; Letang Stroke; Marner Point Streak; Hintz Extends; Hart, Quinn, Tkachuk; Twitter Polls; Cap Increase and More!
Episode 0297: Standings for Real; Seattle Breakdown; Hellebuyck & Rules; Tort’s Comments; Twitter Poll & Results; Reaves Trade; James, Pominville Inducted and More!
Episode 0296: Florida/Calgary Connection; Bobby Lou/Tim Thomas; Scott Darling Comments; Milestones-Hughes, Goligoski, Malkin, DeBrusk, Ovi, Bergeron & Torts; Karlsson Resurgence; Twitter Poll & More!
Episode 0295: Evander Update; Blues Breakdown; Tiano Tweet; Best Goalie in Boston; Thomas Freel; PHF Coach, Tkachuk Suspended; Sled Hockey Classic; B’s Stories and More!
Episode 0294: Penguins Struggles; Toronto Struggles; Bruins D Situation; Miller Signs; NHL Milestones; Yotes Visiting Team Accommodations; Letang a Hall of Fame? and More!
Episode 0293: Standings; Who is Fired First; Carlo Returns; Toews/Kane Who Stays Who Goes; Horvat Landing Spots; Dubnyk Retires; Price Not Done; Kessel Milestones and More!
Episode 0292: Staal Returns; Joe Pa Hatty; PWHPA vs PHF; Add One; B’s Rundown; Twitter Poll Results; Kraken Soundtrack and More!
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