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 0271: Playoff Breakdowns; NHL Awards Announced; Dustin Brown Retires; Bergeron Retiring? McAvoy for Norris and More!
Episode 0270: Playoff Predictions; Brown Retiring; Blashill Out; Race for 32; Sens Questions; Lucius Signs; Imama First Goal; Zboril Rehabing; Knights Fans Speak Out and More!
Episode 0269: Playoffs; Pasta at 500; IIHF Women; Kappo Kakko; Guy Lafleur; Bloody Monday; Jordan Dumais; Hockey in Mexico; Duchene at 40; Georgi Merkulov, Dryden McKay; PWHPA; Flyers Sued and More!
Episode 0268: York Retires; Fehr Screws Up; John Carlson Love; The Selke; Kyle Okposo Resurgence; Bossy Passes Away; Connor McMichael; Twitter Poll and More!
Episode 0267: Pride Isobel Cup Champs; Getzlaf Retiring; Foligno Retiring?; Kings Playoffs; Eichel; Goalie Poll; Huberdeau Milestone; Denver NCAA Champs; Dryden McKay; Conor Bedard and More!
Episode 0266: Golden Knights & Playoffs; Huberdeau, Kaprizoff, Makar Records; HC’s To Spare; Yandle Streak Ended; Undrafted FA Signings; Nurse Poll; Stuart Skinner and More!
Episode 0265: Deadline Winners; Playoff Salary Cap; ’Canes Twitter Poll; Head Coach Goes Off The Rails; March Munch; Pastrnak, Nurse, Josi vs. Makar, Forsberg, Seguin; Lindenwood U; Lysell and More!
Episode 0264: Ekblad Injured; Coyotes Financial Situation; Hagel, Giroux, Manson, Lindholm & Chiarot Traded; DeBrusk Twitter Poll; Forsberg Records; Vegas End of an Era and More!
Episode 0263: Gaudreau a UFA; Landeskog, Girard Out. Can Avs Hang On; Sled Hockey Gold; Joe Pa Extended; Boeser, Subban to Boston?; Kotkaniemi, Braden Yager, Twitter Polls and More!
Episode 0262: Melnyk Statement; Cooper Ejected; Jesper Bratt; Northeastern Women; Milestones; Sled Hockey; Nick’s Big Night; Kyle Davidson; Deadline Shopping and More!
Episode 0261: Goalies, Goalies, Goalies; Chara & Johnson Milestones; Quinn Hughes; OJHL Rescue; Trade Targets; Playoff Odds; PHF Schedule; Twitter Poll and More!
Episode 0260: Potential GM Hires; Bergeron for Selke; Tumminia Resigns; Greg Carvel; Watson Suspended; Ritchie Traded; Habs Ready to Deal; J.T. Miller Trade Value; Sabres Attendance; Beanpot and More!
Episode 0259: Head Coaching Changes; Tuukka Retires; Cammi Hired by Canucks; Beanpot; Marchand; Flyers PUP list; B’s Prospect Pool and More!
Episode 0258: Wirtz/Bettman Comments; All-Star Event Recap; Verbeek New GM of Anaheim; KHL Going to Playoffs; Potential B’s Moves; Staal ”C” of Team Canada; Coyotes Moving into ASU Arena and More!
Episode 0257: Panetta Suspended; Dell Suspended; Tkachuk In; Denver Homegrowns; PHF All-Star Game; Kane Signs; Julien Hurt; Giroux Available; NHL Prospects and More!
Episode 0256: AHL, ECHL Incidents; Philly, Seattle Issues; Habs New GM; DeBrusk, Marchand; ’Hawks ”Untouchables” and More!
Episode 0255: Willie O’Ree; Wideman Suspended; Bergevin to L.A.; All-Star Snubs; Bennington, Grzelcyk, Byram; Kane, DeBrusk, Quinn Polls, Tyler Muszelik and More!
Episode 0254: Kane Contract Terminated; Flames Arena Deal; Coyotes Homeless; Rask is Back; Twitter Polls; Krejci is Puzzled; Standout Freshmen Defensemen and More!
Episode 0253: The Marchand Plan; USA Women’s Team; Evason Extended; Taxi Squads; Sea/Van Get It Right; WJC Cancelled; Oilers Big Blunder; Rangers Deadline Possibles; Sean Day; Metis Roelens and More!
Episode 0252: IIHF Women Cancelled; IIHF Predictions; Eichel to Ducks?; Former Bruins Succeeding; Family Reunion; Kraken Mascot Reveal; Pause Extended; Twitter Poll and More!
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