Episodes
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Say it ain’t so, but it looks like Sheldon Keefe is going to remain as coach of the Maple Leafs
In this edition of The HockeyVerse, we discuss what the Toronto Maple Leafs will do with Sheldon Keefe, why Auston Matthews’ next contract won’t necessarily be a long one, and talk about the ongoing Stanley Cup final between Florida and Vegas. We are also joined by Buffalo News hockey columnist Mike Harrington, who gives us a first-hand look at the NHL Scouting Combine and what Sabres fans think of Jack Eichel potentially winning a championship.
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Why Auston Matthews’ next deal could be in the three-to-four year range (3:01)
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Matthews is not the captain, but all decisions run through him (6:05)
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Will we see another dynasty team? (9:30)
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Is Matthew Tkachuk enough of a draw for the Stanley Cup final (13:35)
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Jack Eichel is tougher than anyone previously thought (17:15)
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The best thing about for Toronto heading into the draft is that Brad Treliving can’t make any picks (19:45)
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Buffalo News hockey columnist on why Sabres fans can’t be mad that Eichel and Reinhart are in the final (22:15)
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What does Connor Bedard even have to prove at the draft combine? (26:55)
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Do the Leafs need a Babcock-like coach next year? (32:20)
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Why the last week of the Penguins’ season changed NHL history forever (42:30)
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Is it playoffs or bust for the Sabres (44:30)
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Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family.
***
Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: [email protected]
***
Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.
***
Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend
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Will Brad Treliving sign Auston Matthews — or lose him like he did Matthew Tkachuk? In this edition of The HockeyVerse, we discuss why Treliving was the best candidate to run the Maple Leafs, what comes next for the team this summer and why Kyle Dubas was hired in Pittsburgh. We also preview the Stanley Cup final between Florida and Vegas and give you our picks for the Conn Smythe Trophy. We are also joined by hockey insider Eric Francis of Sportsnet Calgary, who explains why Leafs fans should be happy about the hiring of Treliving.
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Out of all the candidates out there, why Treliving was the best of the best (3:20)
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What does this all mean for Keefe? (7:05)
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That time when Treliving convinced Connor McDavid, Brad Marchand and a who’s who of NHLers to play a meaningless tournament in Russia (9:30)
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Why the Tkachuk trade is not an omen for what might happen in Toronto (11:35)
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If you were the Leafs GM, would you keep Keefe? (12:15)
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Vegas or Florida: who will win the Stanley Cup? (19:45)
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Sportsnet senior columnist Eric Francis tells us what he’s learned from covering Treliving for the past decade (21:20)
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We forget, last Fall everyone was calling Treliving the GM of the Year (27:00)
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Could Flames goalie Dan Vladar be Toronto’s starter on opening night? (31:15)
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Building a heavy team will be Treliving’s first order of business (33:00)
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Other than Keefe, who might Treliving be looking at to coach the Leafs (37:30)
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Imagining a trade scenario between Toronto and Calgary (39:25)
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Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family.
***
Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: [email protected]
***
Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.
***
Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend -
Missing episodes?
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Is losing Kyle Dubas really the end of the Leafs as we know it? In this episode of The HockeyVerse, we discuss why Kyle Dubas is no longer the GM and look ahead to what is a monumental summer for the Leafs. We are also joined live in the studio by longtime Canadian Press reporter Greg Strong, who explains why this is a difficult time to be a Toronto sports fan.
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Just when Dubas was starting to win over fans (and pick fights with opposing fans), he’s gone (3:00)
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Looking back, imagine if the Leafs had have chosen Lamoriello over Dubas (7:15)
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Do we make too big of a deal over who the GM of the Leafs is? Should fans even care who’s running things? (9:10)
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The risk of losing Matthews next summer — and the argument for trading him before then (12:20)
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Are we done with the Core Four? (18:00)
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Why Vegas’ fans are the luckiest fans in the NHL (24:02)
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Canadian Press reporter Greg Strong on whether the Leafs will win a championship before the Toronto Blue Jays (27:48)
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Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family.
***
Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: [email protected]
***
Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.
***
Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend -
Episode 19: Best Leafs team in 20 years … and you want to fire everyone?
In this post-mortem edition of The HockeyVerse, we do a complete autopsy on this roster and look ahead to who stays and who goes this summer. We are also joined by Toronto hockey reporter David Alter of The Hockey News, who gives us all the juicy details from the end-of-year Leafs locker clean-out — and why Kyle Dubas might be gone.
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The argument for rolling back the roster for next year (0:35)
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There’s more than a dozen players coming off the books … and one they have to get rid of (11:25)
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Would you trade Marner? How about Nylander? Let’s go through the roster, player by player (12:30)
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David Alter of The Hockey News (@Dalter) on why change has to come to the Maple Leafs after the year they had
(28:45)
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The argument for trading Mitch Marner (33:20)
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Would changing coaches solve a lot of the Leafs’ problems? (41:45)
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Is there financial wiggle room to bring back Ryan O’Reilly? (46:46)
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What does a Samsonov-Well tandem look like next year? (52:52)
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What do we make of the fact that Brendan Shanahan was MIA on locker clean-out day (55:00)
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Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family.
***
Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: [email protected]
***
Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.
***
Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend
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Episode 19: Can "Curtis" Joseph Woll take another bite out of the Panthers? In this edition of The HockeyVerse, we recap the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Game 4 win against the Florida Panthers and look ahead to whether they can keep it rolling for Game 5. We are also joined by Terry Koshan of The Toronto Sun, who tells us why the Leafs should ride-or-die with Joseph Woll and what Toronto can learn from Mike Richards.
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Why Joseph Woll is ready for this moment (3:00)
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Mitch Marner had how many bodychecks in Game 4? (6:25)
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Luke Schenn finds a way by any means necessary (9:35)
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When is Auston Matthews going to start scoring again? (13:10)
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Why we’re glad that Connor Bedard ended up in Chicago — not Arizona (20:45)
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Congratulations (and condolences) to this year’s Jack Adams Award finalists (22:15)
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Terry Koshan of The Toronto Sun (@KoshTorontoSun) on why the Leafs should ride-or-die with Joseph Woll and what Toronto can learn from Mike Richards (27:10)
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Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family.
***
Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: [email protected]
***
Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.
***
Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend -
Episode 17: Who is to blame for the Leafs being down 0-3 to the Panthers? In this edition of The HockeyVerse, we recap the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Game 3 loss to the Florida Panthers and look ahead to what the summer holds for a team that hasn’t learned a thing. We are also joined by North American Central Scouting’s Mark Seidel, who preps us for the NHL Draft Lottery and why so many teams were tanking for Connor Bedard this year.
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Who is to blame for that ugly Game 3 loss (3:15)
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Matthew Knies has a goal in this series, but Auston Matthews does not? (5:40)
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Props to the Panthers, but they are not this much better than the Leafs (8:05)
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If the Panthers can win six in a row, then maybe the Leafs can win four in a row (10:50)
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Who stays and who goes this summer? (16:25)
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Tweets from the Half-Twits (23:20)
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The time Jeff Finger mistook Traikos for an NHLer (27:00)
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North American Central Scouting’s Mark Seidel (@MarkSeidel) talks about what makes Connor Bedard so special, why Matvey Michkov is the second-best prospect, and where Matthew Tkachuk would go if we re-did the 2016 draft (30:18)
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Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family.
***
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***
Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.
***
Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend
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Episode 16: Leafs are down 0-2 to the Panthers, but why does it feel like they’re still going to win the series?
In this edition of The HockeyVerse, we recap the Game 2 loss by the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Florida Panthers and look ahead to what is looking like a couple of must-win games in Florida, with the help of NHL.com insider Mike Zeisberger. We also talked about the red-hot Sergei Bobrovsky, why Sam Bennett wasn’t suspended and whether Matthews Knies has played his last game of the playoffs.
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Can someone please tell Sheldon Keefe to stop matching lines (3:10)
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Vanishing Willie was amazing in Game 2 … but still was a minus-2 (4:40)
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Less than a minute of hockey cost the Leafs the game — and potentially the series (6:50)
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Florida has now jumped ahead as a favourite to win the Stanley Cup (9:25)
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Choo! Choo! the Wayne Train needs to get into Game 3 (16:10)
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Check out the Richard Green Memorial Hockey Game on May 6 in Markham (19:10)
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Tweets from the Half-Twits (20:20)
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Cale Makar is the front-runner to win the Norris, despite only playing in 60 games (25:10)
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NHL.com insider Mike Zeisberger (@Zeisberger) talks about Sheldon Keefe’s temper tantrum and why the Leafs need more out of their top dogs. (28:28)
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Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family.
***
Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: [email protected]
***
Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.
***
Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend -
Episode 15: The Leafs have a Matthew Tkachuk problem
In this edition of The HockeyVerse, we recap the Game 1 loss by the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Florida Panthers and look ahead to Game 2, with the help of South Florida hockey reporter George Richards. We also talked about Sam Bennett’s inability to do a pull-up, why William Nylander has disappeared and whether Sergei Bobrovsky is capable of stealing the series.
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Can someone please stop Matthew Tkachuk … please(2:30)
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My day at the gym with Sam Bennett, who couldn’t even do a pull-up at the draft combine (5:20)
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History suggests that Tkachuk should bring out the best out of Auston Matthews (8:15)
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Why does Sheldon Keefe keep messing with the lines! (9:30)
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This series might be rougher than the one against the Lightning — but is that a good thing? (13:10)
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What about Bob(rovsky)? (14:22)
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Matthew Knies scored a helluva goal and could be the next Alex Much (18:25)
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Uh-oh, Paul Maurice is playing mind games (22:05)
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Fatso wouldn’t shake my hand (24:30)
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Did the snowflakes really fire Darryl Sutter? (27:00)
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South Florida hockey reporter George Richards of FloridaHockeyNow.com talks about Tkachuk, Bobrovsky, Sasha Barkov and why Florida is a tough draw for hockey these days. (32:27)
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Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family.
***
Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: [email protected]
***
Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.
***
Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend -
Episode 14: Leafs finally slayed the dragon and won a playoff round … but it’s still Cup or bust
In this edition of The HockeyVerse, we recap the series-clinching win by the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Tampa Bay Lightning and look ahead to Round 2, with the help of Sportsnet hockey columnist Luke Fox. We also talked about John Tavares and his captaincy, the next paycheque of Ilya Samsonov and whether the Juicy Wiggle is song of the playoffs.
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One down, 3 more to go. Are we happy with just one win or is it Stanley Cup or bust? (3:00)
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When you’ve got Johnny T, you know what you’ve got. And we got it (6:07)
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Matthew Knies was on the ice for all three OT winners (9:50)
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How much does Ilya Samsonov make next summer? (12:30)
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The Leafs need to win for the over-40 crowd, right? (19:06)
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Why Matthew Tkachuk is the John Wick of the playoffs (22:22)
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You can thank Jack Hughes’ mom for making her son such a good post-game quote (27:00)
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How do you define John Tavares’ captaincy? (29:45)
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Sportsnet hockey columnist live from Tampa Bay has all the post-game party details (33:30)
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Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family.
***
Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: [email protected]
***
Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.
***
Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend -
Episode 13: Leafs lose Game 5 and it’s all Justin Holl’s fault? In this edition of The HockeyVerse, we recap Game 5 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning and look ahead to what is becoming a must-win Game 6, with the help of Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons. We also talk about the Jets’ getting eliminated by the Golden Knights, whether Andrei Vasilevskiy has woken up and why the the Leafs need their stars to start shining again.
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The series was right there for the taking, so why didn’t the Leafs grab it? (3:45)
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Right now, we’d rather have Zach Hyman than William Nylander (5:50)
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It feels like Toronto is in second-guess mode (9:20)
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Timothy Liljegren has to go in, right? (11:25)
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Patrick Maroon is a goon (14:45)
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Toronto’s stars can’t wait until the end of the 3rd period to start trying (19:15)
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The Jets are out … is Mark Scheifele also on the way out? (22:12)
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Tweets from the Half-Twits (29:45)
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Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons on what Scotty Bowman thinks of Justin Holl (32:05)
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Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family.
***
Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: [email protected]
***
Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.
***
Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend -
Episode 12: Leafs win Game 4 and Auston Matthews puts his stamp on the series. In this edition of The HockeyVerse, we recap Game 4 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning and look ahead to Game 5, with the help of reporter Matt Larkin of Daily Face-Off. We also talk about the $40-million-Four, whether we’ll see Michael Bunting at all this series, why Alex Kerfoot is an unsung hero and how the parade route is probably going to stretch all the way from Toronto to Newmarket.
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Auston Matthews has a chance to add to his legacy with more games like this (2:30)
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How many of us turned off the TV after the second period? (4:15)
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Ryan O’Reilly continues to make a huge difference for the Leafs — on and off the ice (5:55)
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Is Ilya Samsonov turning out to be Toronto’s X-Factor? (9:05)
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Alex Kerfoot has gone from whipping boy to unsung hero (11:12)
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Does Michael Bunting come in for Game 5? (13:15)
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The series isn’t over just yet … the dangers of a 3-1 series lead (15:38)
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If the Leafs do advance to the second round, the city is gonna burn down (16:30)
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The way things are going for the Bruins, the Leafs may face a banged up and bloodied team (18:00)
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The aura is gone from Andrei Vasilevskiy (20:50)
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Daily Face-Off reporter Matt Larkin (@MLarkinHockey) explains what’s at stake in these playoffs for Auston Matthews (25:10)
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Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family.
***
Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: [email protected]
***
Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.
***
Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend
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Episode 11: Leafs win Game 3 and Morgan Rielly is back to being Morgan Rielly. In this edition of The HockeyVerse, we recap Game 3 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning and look ahead to Game 4, with the help of reporter David Alter of The Hockey News. We also talk about Ryan O’Reilly’s impact on the series, ask whether Ilya Samsonov is outplaying Andrei Vasilevskiy and why Auston Matthews should never drop the gloves again.
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Do you have to drop both gloves in order for it to be considered a fight (2:19)
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That was a reckless and dangerous hit that Rielly delivered on Brayden Point (4:50)
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Vasilevskiy has allowed 14 goals in 3 games?!?!? (8:20)
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That Leafs’ 3rd line has changed everything (10:25)
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Johnny still thinks we’re going to see Wayne Simmonds at some point (14:00)
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Steven Stamkos is leadership personified (18:15)
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Tampa Bay is probably going to win Game 4 … we think (23:25)
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Leafs reporter David Alter of The Hockey News calls in from Tampa Bay (25:10)
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Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family.
***
Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: [email protected]
***
Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.
***
Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend
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Episode 10: Is Yellow Hoodie Guy the new Dart Guy? In this playoff edition episode of The HockeyVerse, we recap Game 2 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning and look predict what will happen in Game 3. We also ask burning questions, like whether the Leafs have figured out Andrei Vasilevskiy, when are we going to see Michael Bunting, and what exactly was Yellow Hoodie Guy drinking?
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The Leafs — and one drunk-looking fan — punched back hard in Game 2 (2:23)
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Is John Tavares under-appreciated? (7:15)
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Do we care that Auston Matthews has no goals? (10:00)
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When are we next going to see Michael Bunting? (11:45)
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Morgan Rielly is back looking like a No. 1 defenceman (17:45)
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Ilya Samsonov is outplaying Andrei Vasilevskiy. It’s a fact (21:20)
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Is there a chance we see another blowout in Game 3? (23:51)
***
Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family.
***
Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: [email protected]
***
Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.
***
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The Leafs blew it…there’s not much else to say about their Game 1 loss to the Lightning.
But we tried anyway in a special post-game recap, with Michael Traikos reporting live from the drive home from the rink.
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Why Ryan O’Reilly will be the X-factor For The Leafs To Beat The Lightning
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In this special episode of The HockeyVerse, we tee up the Stanley Cup playoffs — specifically Toronto’s first-round series against Tampa Bay — and give you our playoff predictions. We are also joined by NHL.com reporter and host of the Sunday Brunch, Dave McCarthy, who explains why he’s picked the Leafs to win in six games and how come enforcers are the smartest guys on the ice.
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Screw the Lightning? Why Johnny is picking the Leafs to win in five games (1:50)
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We break down the Leafs’ forward lines and wonder if loading up is the right move (6:00)
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This isn’t the same Lightning team that won back-to-back Stanley Cups — especially on defence (7:45)
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How important is winning Game 1? (9:50)
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The Leafs’ depth could be the edge (11:00)
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Putting Luke Schenn with Morgan Rielly is a no-brainer (12:30)
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Kyle Dubas is not leaving Toronto for Ottawa or Pittsburgh … or anywhere (15:15)
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PLAYOFF BRACKET
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Boston vs. Florida … upset time? (18:20)
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Carolina vs. NYI … the most boring series? (19:39)
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NYR vs. New Jersey … the most entertaining series? (20:52)
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Edmonton vs. LA … the McDavid Show (22:58)
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Vegas vs. Winnipeg … time for Eichel to step up (25:20)
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Minnesota vs. Dallas … the second-most boring series? (29:30)
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Colorado vs. Seattle (30:22) … Cup champs are banged up
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NHL.com’s Dave McCarthy on Toronto’s secret weapon, AKA Calle Rosen (33:15)
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When — if ever — will we see Wayne Simmonds in the lineup? (37:56)
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Is it a mistake to put John Tavares on the wing? (40:45)
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Johnny defends his decision to wear a Ken Baumgartner jersey (44:38)
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Should the Leafs be considered the favourites against the Lightning? (46:49)
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The importance of Game 1 (50:58)
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Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family.
***
Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: [email protected]
***
Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.
***
Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend
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Kyle Dubas is savvy — not stupid — for having beer leaguers as backups.
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In this episode, we argue why Wayne Simmonds should start Game 1 against the Lightning, announce our picks for the Maple Leafs’ MVP and regular season disappointment, and whether we might see a Matthews vs McDavid match-up in the Stanley Cup final. We also answered your questions about whether Matthew Knies will see action in the playoffs, who replaces Crosby and Ovechkin as the faces of the post-season, and who will eventually win the Stanley Cup.
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Forget calling up a goalie on an emergency basis. If the NHL wants to make an example out of the Leafs, then force them to put a roster player in net (2:15)
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The Leafs still have too many defencemen. Who’s the odd-man out come playoff time? (6:25)
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On paper, the Leafs are better than the Lightning (8:30)
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The argument for having Wayne Simmonds start Game 1 (9:30)
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Our initial thoughts on Matthew Knies (11:00)
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Even if he’s hurt, Luke Schenn is not coming out of the lineup (12:45)
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The Marlies treated Johnny’s kid like a King for his first-ever game (14:37)
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When was the last time an injury prematurely ended a hockey player’s career? (17:15)
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Our picks for the Leafs’ regular season awards (18:15)
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MVP: Marner or Nylander? (18:40)
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Most Pleasant Surprise: Samsonov or Giordano? (19:40)
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Biggest Disappointment: Rielly or Murray? (21:15)
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Best Defenceman: Holl or Giordano? (23:25)
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Best Value: Nylander or Giordano? (23:35)
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TNT hockey analyst is predicting a Toronto vs Edmonton final (25:30)
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Comments from the Haters (31:30)
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For the first time since they were rookies, both Crosby and Ovechkin won’t be in the playoffs (36:20)
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***QUESTIONS FROM THE HOCKEYVERSE***
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Hey HockeyVerse, who is going to win the Stanley Cup? (41:00)
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Hey HockeyVerse, what’s a realistic expectation for Matthew Knies in the playoffs? (44:00)
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Hey HockeyVerse, is the Leafs’ fourth line settled? (47:13)
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Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family.
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Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: [email protected]
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Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.
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Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos
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The 5 Keys To Not Going Broke While Chasing Your Child’s NHL Dreams. In this episode, Traikos and Johnny are joined by former NHLer Kent Manderville of IP Private Wealth’s Hockey family office to talk about his time with the Maple Leafs and how hockey parents can lighten the financial burden during hockey season. We also answered your questions about Ryan O’Reilly’s impact on the Leafs, whether hockey academies can lead to a college scholarship and what to do when a coach blows through the budget.
Looking back at that magical 1993 Maple Leafs team that lost to the Kings in the conference final. (13:00)
The importance of having a solid third and fourth line. (22:30)
***5 KEYS TO NOT GOING BROKE WHILE CHASING YOUR CHILD’S DREAMS***
1. Begin with the end in mind (25:10)
2. Track all household expenses (28:48)
3. Do an end-of-year assessment (34:10)
4. Be prepared to walk away (37:15)
5. Ask the hard questions (45:00)
***QUESTIONS FROM THE HOCKEYVERSE***
Hey HockeyVerse, What are your thoughts on academies and spending a little extra to hopefully save a lot when it comes to college tuition? (50:00)
Hey HockeyVerse, we blew past out what the team budgeted this year. Is there a way to keep my coach on track? (56:07)
Hey HockeyVerse, how good is it that the Leafs have Ryan O’Reilly back when it comes to depth scoring for the playoffs and a third line that can shut down Tampa’s big guns? (58:47)
Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family.
Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: [email protected]
Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.
Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos
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In this episode, Traikos and Legend are joined by Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News to answer three questions from listeners of The HockeyVerse. But before that, we talk about why the Leafs gambled on injury-prone Matt Murray, why Alex Ovechkin is a beast and why you should never split an Uber with hockey players.
(2:30) Were there better options available than Matt Murray last summer?
(4:00) Does anyone even know who Tampa Bay’s backup goalie is? Do we even care?
(5:30) In hindsight, the Leafs might have been better with an all-Russian tandem.
(7:00) Who the hell is Joseph Woll?
(14:35) Giordano, Murray or Muzzin: our picks for the Bill Masterton Trophy.
(20:10) The regular season is meaningless and way too long.
(23:50) It’s an end of an era for the Washington Capitals.
(27:10) That time Traikos got stuffed like a sardine in a cab full of thick-thighed NHLers.
(29:00) Load management and the fear that Matthews, Marner or Nylander will get hurt before the playoffs.
***QUESTIONS from THE HOCKEYVERSE***
(33:20) Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News tells us why Leafs fans should care about this week’s NCAA Frozen Four.
(38:16) What is the ceiling on Leafs prospect and University of Minnesota winger Matthew Knies — and who is his NHL comparable?
(44:08) In terms of player evaluation, how much emphasis do scouts place on analytics versus the eye test?
(47:10) One year later, did the Habs make the right pick in choosing Juraj Slafkovsky over Shane Wright?
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Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family.
Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: [email protected]
Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.
Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos -
Matthews, McDavid or MacKinnon: who should you pick in your hockey playoff fantasy pool? In this episode, Traikos and Legend answer three questions from listeners of The HockeyVerse. But before that, we talk about why fantasy poolies should load up with Oilers regardless of whether you think they’ll go all the way in the playoffs. Plus, we
(2:37) You’d have to be a fool not to pick McDavid in a playoff pool.
(6:35) Is this the golden era of hockey?
(9:45) Why I wouldn’t want to play the Islanders or Penguins in the first round of the playoffs?
(11:40) The certification process for minor sports coaches is nothing more than a money grab.
(15:50) What can Leafs fans expect out of Matthew Knies?
(18:35) The Leafs are horrible at drafting.
(24:00) Playing beer league hockey with Wade Belak and why enforcers are better at hockey than you think they are.
(25:40) That time Traikos tracked down minor-league All-Star John Scott in Utica, NY
(31:20) Cup or bust? How far do the Leafs have to go in order to call this year a success?
***QUESTIONS from THE HOCKEYVERSE***
(38:15) Who wins a championship first: the Leafs or the Toronto Blue Jays?
(44:35) What team is primed for a first-round upset? Please tell me it’s Boston.
(48:20) Is Matthew Knies going to play in the playoffs? If so, what role is he going to play?
You can visit www.thehockeyverse.com for more in-depth analysis and commentary
If you want to have your questions answered you can email [email protected] or leave a voice message below and we will play it on the podcast.
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There is no scenario where Kyle Dubas gets fired this summer. In this episode, Traikos and The Legend answer four questions from listeners of The HockeyVerse. But before that, we talk about why goons are going the way of the wooden hockey stick, whether the last two months of the Leafs’ regular season have been meaningless and why Erik Karlsson might not win the Norris Trophy.
(2:30) Sheldon Keefe has much more to lose than Kyle Dubas.
(4:45) When it comes to coaching, the Lightning have huge edge over the Leafs.
(7:30) Traikos reveals what’s so unique about Mitch Marner’s off-season training.
(11:20) Lou Lamoriello doesn’t trust Russian food.
(15:30) Aside from the obvious picks, are the Leafs kinda crappy at drafting?
(18:20) That time Traikos shared a bucket of beers with Jon Cooper.
(21:10) This Leafs team might be built better for Babcock than Keefe.
(35:10) Is Carey Price a Hall of Famer?
(37:00) Pittsburgh could be a dark horse team — if they make the playoffs.
***QUESTIONS from THE HOCKEYVERSE***
(38:38) Would you rather have Matthews and Marner or McDavid and Draisaitl?
(45:14) Which of the Canadian teams will go the farthest?
(50:08) Which team deserves to get Connor Bedard in the upcoming NHL draft?
If you want yo have your question answered on an episode send your question to [email protected]
Also, head over to www.thehockeyverse.com for even more news and analysis.
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