Buds Mafia

The Carolina Hurricanes are Stanley Cup Champions.

This week we break down Games 4-6 of the Stanley Cup Final, how Carolina won three straight to close out Vegas, and why this Hurricanes core isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

We also discuss Mitch Marner's strong playoff run, his disappointing finish to the Stanley Cup Final, and why the same questions continue to follow him when the pressure is highest.

Plus:

• Carolina's future outlook• Kucherov wins the Hart Trophy

• Darnell Nurse requests a trade

• Nico Hischier's next contract

• The loaded 2027 NHL free agent class• Leafs roster construction

• Gavin McKenna all but locked in at 1st overall

• RBC Canadian Open recap

• US Open Draft at Shinnecock Hills

• Lock of the Week & Bet The Farm

Leafs. NHL. NFL. Golf. Chaos.

⚡ 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

(7:20) — Stanley Cup Final Recap

(15:25) — The Future in Carolina

(21:08) — News Around the League

(25:25) — 2027 Free Agent Class

(28:07) — World Cup, Lock of the Weeks, and Bet the Farms

(33:16) — Canadian Open Recap and US Open Preview and Draft

This week on Buds Mafia, Ryan and Jackson discuss one of the biggest Leafs stories of the offseason: Matthew Knies nearly becoming a Montreal Canadien.

We break down what the reported trade package looked like, whether Toronto made the right decision, and why Knies remains one of the most valuable young players in hockey.

Also discussed:

- Patrick Roy and the Leafs coaching search

- Joe Pavelski as a coaching candidate

- Gavin McKenna and the NHL Combine

- The "it's all Toronto's fault" conversation surrounding Mitch Marner

- Stanley Cup Final Recap

- Vegas vs Carolina

- Marner's Conn Smythe case

- Carolina's comeback victory

- The wildest game of the series so far

- Dylan Larkin requests a trade

- Brendan Gallagher update

- New NHL All-Star format

- Manny Malhotra hired in Vancouver

- Massive NFL tradee

- RBC Canadian Open Preview

- Lock of the Week

- Bet the Farm

⚡ Fueled by Rogue EnergyUse 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

(11:10) — NHL Awards

(13:18) — Malholtra New Bench Boss in Vancouver

(15:27) — NHL Combine Recap

(24:25) — Gallagher Out in Montreal and CHL D-Man going to College

(25:51) — Dylan Larkin Trade Request

(31:49) — Stanley Cup Final Games 1, 2, and 3 Recap

(37:15) — Mariners Dominance and His Tenure in Toronto

(45:32) — Pavelski New Coach in Toronto?

(47:37) — Knies Almost a Hab?

(52:02) — NFL Trades

(54:26) — Memorial Recap, Canadian Open Draft, Betting Segments

The Stanley Cup Final is here.

This week Ryan and Jackson break down the Conference Finals, what went wrong for Colorado and Montreal, and preview the upcoming Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes.

Topics include:

- Stanley Cup Final Preview

- Vegas vs Carolina predictions

- Conn Smythe race

- What happened to Colorado?

- Why Montreal ran out of gas

Leafs Talk:

- Morgan Rielly trade rumors

- Leafs potentially listening on the 1st overall pick

- Gavin McKenna draft stock

- David Carle updates

- Coaching search developments

- Judd Brackett joins Toronto's front office

Plus:

- Memorial Tournament Preview

- Lock of the Week

- Bet the Farm

⚡ Fueled by Rogue EnergyUse 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

(5:27) — RIP Claude Lemieux 

(8:27) — Vegas Expansion Draft

(10:41) — Conference Finals Recap

(19:47) — Stanley Cup Final Preview

(25:51) — Leafs Talk 

(35:45) — Charles Schwab Recap, Memorial Draft, Betting Segments

Episode 70 of Buds Mafia is here.

We break down the NHL Conference Finals, Leafs offseason rumors, and the Buffalo Bills schedule release.

We get into:

🏒 Vegas vs Colorado

🏒 Carolina vs Montreal

🏒 Why the Avs desperately need Cale Makar

🏒 Marner dominating in Vegas

🏒 Why the Leafs can’t trade Matthew Knies

🏒 Woll vs Stolarz

🏒 Nylander trade discussions

🏒 Tavares as the 2nd line center

🏒 Barrett Hayton rumors

🏒 Sundin & Chayka trying to reshape Toronto

We also cover:

🏈 Bills schedule reactions

🏈 Rashee Rice news

🏌️ PGA recap + Charles Schwab Challenge

🎰 Lock of the Week & Bet the Farm

⚡ Fueled by Rogue EnergyUse 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

(14:56) — Montreal vs Carolina

(18:20) — Colorado vs Vegas

(25:47) — Leafs Goalie Situation

(28:25) — Leafs Offseason Plans

(39:18) — Rashee Rice

(42:33) — Bills Schedule

(51:49) – PGA Championship Recap / Charles Schwab Draft

(56:34) –  Betting Segments

Episode 69 of Buds Mafia is chaos.

We break down Buffalo vs Montreal going to Game 7, Colorado eliminating Minnesota, Vegas knocking out Anaheim, and the Conference Finals finally being set.

We discuss:

🏒 Marner dominating with Vegas

🏒 Why Toronto pressure is different

🏒 Buffalo vs Montreal

🏒 Lane Hutson & Dahlin

🏒 Colorado vs Vegas preview

🏒 Carolina waiting in the East

Then we get into the Leafs:

🚨 Berube potentially out

🚨 Coaching candidates

🚨 David Carle hype

🚨 Bruce Cassidy rumours

🚨 Thomas Harley fit in Toronto

🚨 Trocheck rumours

🚨 What went wrong in Toronto

We also talk:

🏒 Minnesota trying to land Robert Thomas and Luke Hughes🏒 Some insane NHL mock drafts

🏒 Gavin McKenna discussions

Plus:

⛳ PGA recap + Byron Nelson Draft

💰 Lock of the Week

💰 Bet the Farm

The playoffs are heating up…and Leafs offseason chaos is officially here.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 📱 

Follow us everywhere → @budsandpucks 

⏱️ CHAPTERS 

(00:00) — Intro and Honeymoon Recap

(04:31) — Draft or Dump

(8:05) — Wild Mock Drafts

(9:50) — Minnesota Denied Trades

(13:11) — Colorado vs Minnesota

(14:39) — Marner and the Vegas Golden Knights

(23:21) — Eastern Conference Playoffs

(28:02) – Berube Out in Toronto / Who’s the Next head Coach?

(34:16) – Possible adds for Toronto

(37:43) – PGA Championship Recap / Byron Nelson Draft

(40:07) –  Betting Segments

Episode 68 of Buds Mafia is loaded.

The Leafs won the Draft Lottery and now the entire future of the franchise feels different.

We break down:

🏒 Gavin McKenna potentially going to Toronto

🏒 Auston Matthews’ uncertain future

🏒 Whether the Leafs should prepare for life after Matthews🏒 Offseason targets and what Toronto needs moving forward

We also recap the 2nd Round of the NHL Playoffs including:

• Montreal vs Buffalo

• Minnesota vs Colorado

• Carolina sweeping Philly

• Vegas vs Anaheim

• Marner going nuclear for Vegas

Plus:

💍 Jackson’s wedding recap

⛳ PGA Championship talk

🎰 Lock of the Week

🔥 Bet the Farm

The playoffs are insane right now…and Leafs fans officially have something HUGE to talk about.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 📱 

Follow us everywhere → @budsandpucks 

⏱️ CHAPTERS 

(00:00) — Intro and Wedding Recap

(06:00) — 2nd Round Update

(18:04) — Leafs Win the Lottery

(24:12) — Matthews Uncertain Future

(31:02) — Chayka and Sundin Press Conference

(36:23) — Leafs Potential Offseason Moves

(39:43) — Truist Championship Recap and PGA Championship Draft

(41:48) – Betting Segments and Outro

Episode 67 of Buds Mafia is packed.

We recap the entire first round of the NHL Playoffs — including major wins from Montreal, Buffalo, Minnesota, Vegas, Anaheim, and Philadelphia — and break down everything that happened across the league.

We then look ahead to Round 2 and give our predictions.

We get into:

• Montreal vs Tampa

• Buffalo vs Boston

• Minnesota vs Dallas

• Vegas vs Utah

• Anaheim vs Edmonton

• Philadelphia vs Pittsburgh

Then we shift to the Leafs:

• John Chayka hired as GM

• Mats Sundin joining the front office

• Matthews and Nylander speaking to management

• What the Leafs actually need moving forward

We also cover:

• Ryan’s Toronto Marathon recap

• Jackson’s upcoming wedding

• Draft or Dump

Plus:

• PGA recap + Truist Championship draft

• Lock of the Week

• Bet the Farm

  
  

The playoffs are wild right now… and so are the takes.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 📱 

Follow us everywhere → @budsandpucks 

⏱️ CHAPTERS 

(00:00) — Intro 

(06:04) — Draft or Dump

(11:52) — Buffalo vs Boston

(15:43) — Tampa vs Montreal

(22:29) — Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia

(24:01) — Dallas vs Minnesota

(26:10) — Vegas vs Utah

(28:12) – Edmonton vs Anaheim

(43:28) – Leafs Talk

(51:52) — Cadillac Recap, Truist Draft, Betting Segments

Episode 66 of Buds Mafia is full of playoff chaos.

We break down everything from the latest NHL playoff games — including Ottawa getting swept and what that means for the team's future… and for Brady Tkachuk.

We get into:

• Ottawa’s collapse and Carolina’s dominance

• Tkachuk’s performance and potential future

• Buffalo vs Boston heating up

• Montreal vs Tampa — physical, intense series

• Colorado vs LA

• Minnesota vs Dallas momentum swings

• Edmonton’s ongoing goaltending issues

We also discuss:

• The Rantanen / Stankoven / Necas trade and why it worked for everyone

• Buffalo and Montreal emerging as real threats

• Leafs free agent decisions

Then we shift into:

• NFL Draft breakdown

• Bills picks and strategy

• League-wide reactions

Plus:

• PGA Zurich Classic + Cadillac Championship draft

• Lock of the Week

• Bet the Farm

The playoffs are heating up… and so are the takes.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 📱 

Follow us everywhere → @budsandpucks 

⏱️ CHAPTERS 

(00:00) — Intro 

(02:56) — Draft or Dump

(07:51) — Ottawa vs Carolina

(17:07) — Buffalo vs Boston

(22:24) — Tampa vs Montreal

(28:45) — Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia

(33:00) —Western Conference First Round

(39:00) – Leafs Free Agents

(41:10) – NFL Draft Recap and Bills Draft Picks

(51:00) — Zurich Classic Recap, Cadillac Championship Draft, Betting Segments

Episode 65 of Buds Mafia kicks off with full-blown NHL playoff chaos.

Game 1’s are in the books — and we’ve already got upsets, overtime winners, and some serious storylines forming across the league.

We break down:

• Buffalo buzzing and taking Game 1 vs Boston

• Montreal stealing one in OT vs Tampa

• Minnesota shocking Dallas

• Carolina’s usual playoff style vs Ottawa

• Philly suffocating Pittsburgh

• Colorado vs LA and Vegas vs Utah

Around the NHL:

• Rick Bowness calls out Columbus

• Werenski responds

• Sunny Mehta to New Jersey — what’s next?

• Celebrini historic season + contract talk

• Vancouver moves on from Alvin

• Bedard + Davidson extensions

Leafs segment:

• End of season media scrum reactions

• Matthews, Rielly, Nylander takeaways

• Easton Cowan future

• Keith Pelley and the direction of the team

We also get into:

• NFL Draft week

• Bills needs + mock drafts

• Major trades and extensions

Plus:

• Zurich Classic Draft

• Lock of the Week

• Bet the Farm

The playoffs are here… and it’s already chaos.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 📱 

Follow us everywhere → @budsandpucks 

⏱️ CHAPTERS 

(00:00) — Intro 

(05:35) — Rick Bowness and the Blue Jackets

(07:33) — Sunny Mehta and the Devils

(08:48) — News Around the League

(14:24) — Game 1 Recap

(35:13) — Leafs End of Season Media Day Take Aways

(44:00) —NFL Draft

(58:48) — RBC Heritage Recap and Zurich Classic Draft

(1:01:42) — Betting Segments and Wrap-Up

Episode 64 of Buds Mafia is all about the NHL playoff picture… and some of these matchups are going to be insane.

We break down the full playoff bracket, go through each matchup, and give our thoughts on how things could play out across both conferences.

We also get into:

• Cole Caufield vs Kirill Kaprizov — who would you take?

• Ron Francis stepping down in Seattle + what it means for the Kraken

• TJ Hughes signing with Colorado after a dominant NCAA run

• 40-goal seasons from Stamkos and Guenther

• Rocket Richard race heating up

Leafs talk:

• Toronto sitting near the bottom of the league

• GM search and the Sunny Mehta rumors

• Recent losses and what’s next for this team

We also cover:

• Ryan’s 2025–26 predictions (and how brutal they are)

• Full division breakdown and playoff projections

Then we shift into:

• Masters talk — Rory going back-to-back

• The criticism around him and why it doesn’t make sense

• RBC Heritage preview + picks

Plus:

• Lock of the Week

• Bet the Farm

The playoff picture is set.The debates are heating up.And there’s a lot to break down.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 📱 

Follow us everywhere → @budsandpucks 

⏱️ CHAPTERS 

(00:00) — Intro 

(01:47) — Draft or Dump

(06:25) — Caufield or Kaprizov?

(9:46) — Ron Francis and the Seattle Kraken

(14:47) — News Around the League

(16:43) — Ryans 2025-26 Season Predictions Recap

(18:51) — Eastern Conference Playoffs

(26:50) — Western Conference Playoffs

(36:08) — Leafs Talk

(41:25) — Masters Recap and RBC Heritage

(47:57) — Betting Segments and Wrap-Up