Buds Mafia

The Athletic dropped its latest NHL under-23 rankings and we have some serious fucking questions.

Gavin McKenna sits at #18, Zach Benson comes in all the way down at #124, and some of the names ahead of McKenna have us scratching our heads. We break down the rankings, what McKenna still needs to prove and whether Benson is getting completely disrespected.

Around the NHL, we ask whether the new-look San Jose Sharks can actually make the playoffs, what expectations should be in Ottawa, and what a new Drake Batherson contract could look like after a career year.

Then we continue our 2026 NFL Division Preview with the NFC North and NFC South. Bears. Packers. Vikings. Lions. Panthers. Buccaneers. Falcons. Saints. We go team by team through the offseason moves, expectations and our predictions for two divisions that could be completely up for grabs.

We finish things off on the golf course with our BMW Championship recap, our picks for the Tour Championship, and another week of Lock of the Week and Bet the Farm.

Buds Mafia Episode 83.

⚡ Fueled by Rogue Energy 

Use code BUDSMAFIA for 10% off your next order.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 📱 

Follow us everywhere → @budsandpucks 

⏱️ CHAPTERS 

(00:00) — Intro and Marners Security

(8:12) — Ottawa Senators and Their Expectations

(12:10) — Can San Jose Make Playoffs?

(16:34) — The Athletics Under-23 Rankings

(29:45) —NFC North Breakdown

(38:02) — NFC South Breakdown

(44:55) — BMW Recap, Tour Championship Draft, Betting Segments

Episode 82 of Buds Mafia is here.

Ryan has some words for Jayden Daniels after his camp went after LSU over another player wearing No. 5. We break down the entire situation and whether Daniels has any reason to be this pissed about a number LSU never retired.

Then it's officially NFL prediction season.

We preview the NFC East and NFC West, going team by team through the Eagles, Cowboys, Commanders, Giants, Seahawks, Rams, 49ers and Cardinals and make our predictions for both divisions.

Plus:

• Could Vita Vea end up in Buffalo?

• NHL players we're picking to break out in 2026-27

• What should the Maple Leafs lineup look like?

• Scottie dominates the FedEx St. Jude Championship

• Our BMW Championship draft

• Lock of the Week

• Bet the Farm

  
  

NHL. NFL. Leafs. Bills. PGA. And plenty of bullshit in between.

New episodes of Buds Mafia every week.

⚡ Fueled by Rogue Energy 

Use code BUDSMAFIA for 10% off your next order.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 📱 

Follow us everywhere → @budsandpucks 

⏱️ CHAPTERS 

(00:00) — Intro and NFL Expansion

(9:29) — Jayden Daniels vs LSU

(19:08) — Cutter Gauthier Contract Rejection and Breakout Stars

(23:11) — Leafs Forward and Defence Lines

(27:52) —Vita Vea to the Bills?

(31:05) — NFC East Breakdown

(37:48) — NFC West Breakdown

(46:57) — FedEx Recap, BMW Draft, Betting Segments

On Episode 81 of Buds Mafia, we break down Ville Koivunen's surprising eight-year extension with Pittsburgh, debate whether Minnesota is still a Stanley Cup contender, react to NHL Network's Top 10 defensemen rankings, and discuss Canada's dominant performance at the Ivan Hlinka tournament.

Then we dive into a busy week in the NFL, including massive contracts for Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jonathan Taylor, and Zay Flowers, Stefon Diggs joining the Commanders, Bleacher Report's rankings, and the stacked 2027 Hall of Fame class.

We wrap up the show with our PGA recap, FedEx St. Jude Championship draft, Lock of the Week, and Bet the Farm predictions.

⚡ Fueled by Rogue Energy 

Use code BUDSMAFIA for 10% off your next order.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 📱 

Follow us everywhere → @budsandpucks 

⏱️ CHAPTERS 

(00:00) — Intro and Draft or Dump

(8:07) — Ville Koivunen Signing

(9:56) — Is Minnesota Still a Contender?

(13:38) — NHL Network Top 10 Defenseman

(19:19) —Future of Hockey Canada

(21:28) — Laine to Toronto?

(23:27) — Bijan and Gibbs resetting the market

(26:53) — Zay Flowers and the Receiver Rankings

(31:31) — Bleacher Report Rankings

(37:04) — 2027 NFL Hall of Fame Class

(40:38) — Wyndham Recap, FedEx Draft, Betting Segments

Macklin Celebrini just signed a massive extension, and the NHL contract market may never be the same.

This week, Ryan and Jackson break down Celebrini's five-year, $18.8 million AAV extension and debate whether they'd rather have Celebrini or the combination of Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson at their current deals.

The guys also discuss Ryan's beef with Spittin' Chiclets over their comments on Jason Robertson, the rumoured Adam Fantilli contract, and why Vancouver could be the perfect reunion spot for some familiar faces.

Plus, it's training camp season in Buffalo. We dive into all the biggest Bills storylines, including Josh Allen's chemistry with DJ Moore, Keon Coleman's development, injuries, roster battles, and the latest contract drama from around the NFL.

We wrap things up with our PGA recap, Rocket Classic reactions, and another edition of Lock of the Week and Bet the Farm.

⚡ Fueled by Rogue Energy 

Use code BUDSMAFIA for 10% off your next order.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 📱 

Follow us everywhere → @budsandpucks 

⏱️ CHAPTERS 

(00:00) — Intro and Long Weekend Recap

(7:53) — Celebrini Extension and Would You Rather?

(17:12) — Spittin Chiclets Beef and Jason Robertson

(20:24) — Fantilli Rumoured Extension and Reunion in Vancouver?

(22:39) — Bills Training Camp and Baker Drama

(27:45) — Fantasy Punishment News Around the NFL

(30:12) — News Around the NFL

(34:52) — PGA Draft and Betting Segments

This week on Buds Mafia, Ryan and Jackson dive into the latest comments from Mitch Marner's agent, Darren Ferris, and debate whether the Maple Leafs truly failed one of their biggest stars or if history is being rewritten.

They also break down Jason Robertson's new contract with Dallas, Patrick Kane and John Marino's extensions, preview some of the top names for the 2027 NHL Draft, and discuss what to expect from Gavin McKenna in his rookie season.

The NFL segment covers the latest Top 100 rankings, Christian Gonzalez's massive extension, Patrick Mahomes' return from injury, Kyle Shanahan's car crash, and predicts every division winner heading into the 2026 season.

The episode wraps up with PGA Tour talk, the Rocket Classic, and the weekly Lock of the Week and Bet the Farm betting picks.

⚡ Fueled by Rogue Energy 

Use code BUDSMAFIA for 10% off your next order.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 📱 

Follow us everywhere → @budsandpucks 

⏱️ CHAPTERS 

(00:00) — Intro and Draft or Dump (Mahomes Miraculous Recovery)

(10:21) — Jason Robertson Extension + Patrick Kane

(16:01) — 2027 NHL Draft

(19:42) — Yzerman and Larkin Feud

(21:25) — Marner Drama

(29:11) — Bills New Jerseys

(30:12) — News Around the NFL

(33:45) — Whose Winning Each Division?

(39:09) — 3M Recap/Rocket Classic Draft and Betting Segments

Connor Bedard is officially staying in Chicago after signing a five-year extension worth $15 million annually, but the conversation doesn't stop there.

This week, Ryan breaks down the NHL's rising salary cap and what it could mean for future superstars like Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer, as hockey contracts continue to reach new heights.

The guys also discuss Steve Yzerman stepping down as Red Wings GM, Dylan Larkin's frustrations, Buffalo Bills roster needs, second-year quarterback expectations, the latest NFL wide receiver rankings, and recap The Open Championship—including Bryson DeChambeau's latest controversy and Rory McIlroy's candid comments.

Plus:

• Lock of the Week

• Bet the Farm

• 3M Open preview

New episodes of Buds Mafia drop every week covering the NHL, NFL, golf, sports betting and everything in between.

⚡ Fueled by Rogue Energy 

Use code BUDSMAFIA for 10% off your next order.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 📱 

Follow us everywhere → @budsandpucks 

⏱️ CHAPTERS 

(00:00) — Intro and Draft or Dump

(13:09) — Connor Bedard Extension

(16:32) — Salary Cap Projections

(28:22) — Yzerman and Larkin Feud

(30:47) — Josh Allen vs Lamar Jackson

(33:23) — Bills Needs and Defensive Schemes

(36:23) — 2nd Year QB Expectations

(40:31) — NFL Top 100 and WR Ranks

(43:56) — The Open Recap and Bryson's Antics

(52:39) — 3M Draft and Betting Segments

This week on Buds Mafia, we debate the biggest winners and losers from the NHL offseason and whether next season's playoff picture could look completely different.

We discuss Anaheim matching Leo Carlsson's offer sheet, the remaining NHL free agents, and which organizations have improved the most heading into next season.

We also spend plenty of time breaking down the NFL Top 100 rankings, fantasy football, Josh Allen vs Patrick Mahomes, Drake Maye's ranking, Madden's 99 Club and much more.

Finally, we recap the Genesis Scottish Open, preview The Open Championship, make our PGA draft picks, and wrap things up with Lock of the Week and Bet the Farm.

⚡ Fueled by Rogue Energy 

Use code BUDSMAFIA for 10% off your next order.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 📱 

Follow us everywhere → @budsandpucks 

⏱️ CHAPTERS 

(00:00) — Intro and Draft or Dump

(9:20) — Anaheim Match Offer Sheet

(13:29) — Available Free Agents

(15:10) — Who Won the Offseason?

(18:00) — NHL Top 100

(28:37) —Where Will Stefon Diggs Land?

(32:43) — Who Goes #1 in Fantasy?

(35:18) — Madden 99 Club

(36:47) — Scottish Open Recap and The Open Draft

(41:08) — Betting Segments

July 1 delivered.

This week we break down all the biggest moves from NHL Free Agency, including the record-breaking Leo Carlsson offer sheet, every major Leafs signing, and the winners and losers from around the league.

We also discuss Jason Robertson filing for arbitration, the Zach Werenski situation, Dylan Larkin rumours, Seattle reportedly moving on from Shane Wright, and why Edmonton may have had one of the best offseasons in the NHL.

Plus, we recap the John Deere Classic, make our picks for the Scottish Open, and Ryan finally cashes a huge Bet the Farm after a long drought.

As always, we wrap things up with Lock of the Week and Bet the Farm.

⚡ Fueled by Rogue Energy 

Use code BUDSMAFIA for 10% off your next order.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 📱 

Follow us everywhere → @budsandpucks 

⏱️ CHAPTERS 

(00:00) — Intro and Draft or Dump

(13:44) — Trades Around the League

(22:57) — Free Agent Frenzy

(40:39) — Leafs Offseason Moves

(43:51) — Leo Carlsson Offer Sheet

(48:44) —Jason Robertson and Drama Around the League

(55:36) — Edmonton Successful Offseason and Sharks Questionable Offseason

(59:17) — PGA Segment and Betting Segments

The NHL Draft delivered one of the busiest weekends of the offseason, and we're breaking it all down.

This week we recap the Leafs selecting Gavin McKenna first overall, the biggest trades from across the league, and the latest rumours surrounding Connor Hellebuyck, Jason Robertson, Zach Werenski and Matthew Knies.

We also discuss why we think Knies is staying in Toronto (for now), react to the biggest NHL contract extensions, and debate the winners and losers of draft weekend.

Plus, Jackson goes on an all-time Brandon Aiyuk rant, we recap the Travelers Championship, draft our picks for the John Deere Classic, and wrap things up with Lock of the Week and Bet the Farm

⚡ Fueled by Rogue Energy 

Use code BUDSMAFIA for 10% off your next order.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 📱 

Follow us everywhere → @budsandpucks 

⏱️ CHAPTERS 

(00:00) — Intro and Draft or Dump

(9:03) — Trades Around the League

(26:10) — Zach Werenski and Rumours Around the League

(29:28) — Knies Rumours and Trade Vaue

(35:11) — Signings Around the League

(36:39) — Draft Recap

(42:24) — Misery in Seattle

(49:06) — Brandon Aiyuk Drama

(57:07) — John Deere Classic Draft/Betting Segments

The NHL offseason officially went off the rails.

This week we break down the blockbuster Brady Tkachuk trade to the Florida Panthers, what the Panthers gave up, and whether Florida is building the NHL's next dynasty.

We also discuss the Leafs hiring Jim Hiller as head coach, the Joseph Woll trade, Darren Raddysh arriving in Toronto, and the nonstop Matthew Knies rumours that seem to change every single day.

Plus Bowen Byram rumours, Jason Robertson offer sheet talk, NFL news, the US Open recap, our Travelers Championship draft, and the latest Lock of the Week and Bet the Farm results

⚡ Fueled by Rogue Energy 

Use code BUDSMAFIA for 10% off your next order.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 📱 

Follow us everywhere → @budsandpucks 

⏱️ CHAPTERS 

(00:00) — Intro and Draft or Dump

(9:11) — Brady Tkachuk to Florida

(26:35) — News Around the League

(29:50) — Jim Hiller New Bench Boss in Toronto

(32:30) — Woll Trade

(34:41) — Knies and the Poor Reporting Around it

(40:00) — Darren Raddysh New Leaf #1 D-Man

(43:17) — NFL News

(46:36) — US Open Recap/Travellers Draft/Betting Segments