NHL Fans From Afar

Luckily loads of NHL news broke just before we recorded so Jolon could discuss the latest news with Stars fan Matt Day and Coyotes writer James Reeve.

The Penguins hire a new GM in Ron Hextall & a new President of Hockey Ops Brian Burke.

The surprise retirement of former Minnesota Wild captain and 16 year NHL veteran Mikko Koivu.

Loads of Columbus Blue Jackets chat around Laine, Torts and the crazy goal that wasn't a goal but was a goal thanks to a trainee video technician messing up on the comms to the refs.

Matt brings us up to speed on the Central division and then James follows up with an update from the Honda West!

Presented by Jolon Kemp Walker

Produced by ASFB Productions

What does it take to be a great GM in the NHL? There’s a job going at Pittsburgh Penguins after Jim Rutherford’s “shock” exit…But what’s the going rate for a general manager anyway?

He may be ‘free’ for a quick trade, but would you want Tony DeAngelo in your locker room? He’s on waivers after a dispute (and supposed punch-up) with New York Rangers.

Are plus/minus figures a load of bollocks? That’s after Connor McDavid finishes Edmonton Oilers 8-5 win over Ottawa Senators with a -1!

Plus, pandas and Brent Burns’ teeth… Because - why not?

Presented by Clare Freeman and Jolon Kemp Walker. Produced by ASFB Productions.

Photo credit: Washington Capitals

Patrik Laine v Pierre-Luc Dubois trade - who was the winner here: Columbus Blue Jackets or Winnipeg Jets, or were they just ‘trading problems’?

Washington Capitals are fined by the NHL for hanging out in their hotel room...Yet Dallas Stars (and two other clubs) are allowing fans in their stadiums to watch?!

The NHL also suspends former Arizona Coyotes GM, John Chayka, for the remainder of 2021. But why? James Reeves fills us in.

And if you could have two NHL players/managers - dead or alive, current or retired - round for a dinner party, who would you pick?

Presented by Clare Freeman, Jolon Kemp Walker and Matt Day. Produced by ASFB Productions.

Photo credit: CBS Sports

Which teams are clawing for their spot in this year’s playoffs? Who fared well in week one, and who didn’t?

Plus should professional athletes jump the queue for the COVID-19 vaccine? As NBA star Charles Barkley wades into the debate calling for "preferential treatment for higher tax payers", former NHL GM Brian Burke says he agrees - if it encourages more Americans to sign up for the vaccine.

And some loveliness - why a lady called Angelique Fong has been named the 21st Anaheim Duck.

On Episode 2 of Season 3 of NHL Fans From Afar Jolon and Clare take a poke at poor Detroit Red Wings fan and guest, Aussie Adam. Because you know, the Toronto Maple Leafs are doing ok…for the moment.

Presented by Clare Freeman and Jolon Kemp Walker. Produced by ASFB Productions.

Note: Sorry not sorry for the absolutely shocking pronunciations in this episode......

All 31 teams were set to go this week and then…COVID-19 struck. Boo. What are the chances of a full 56 games being played by all NHL teams this season? Who’s moved where? Who’s injured? And will this year forever have an asterisk next to it in Stanley Cup history because of a shorter journey to the lifting the cup - a cheat year as some may say?

Clare Freeman is back with a pointless NHL quiz, Matt Day is crying into his Yorkshire tea because of trouble brewing ALREADY in Dallas camp, and Jolon Kemp Walker remains as optimistic as ever about Toronto Maple Leafs upcoming season...well, for now at least.

We talk big news injuries, outdoor games announcements, helmet sponsorship AND we hear the hopes and dreams of fans from Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames, AND Detroit Re Wings persuasions…

Episode 1 of Season 3 of NHL Fans From Afar is go!

Produced by ASFB Productions.

Picture credit: NHL.com (Pic of Lake Tahoe)

This episode looked at NHL Free Agent Frenzy and all the moves and signings made in the last week or so. NHL Writer James Reeve joined Jolon Kemp Walker to de-brief who got better and who had a tough free agency.  Leafs made some big moves and we took a deep dive into the Goalie moves that took place. 

ASFB Productions.

He reignited Tampa Bay Lightning’s lacklustre power play with just 2:47 of ice time…but Steven Stamkos and the team’s 2020 Stanley Cup win was years in the making. Particularly thanks to their clever selection of young draftsmen, like third round pick Brayden Point.

What next for Dallas Stars & Khudobin? Can they afford to keep him in Texas? ‘That’ press conference held by Jamie Benn…

And how will the finance work for the 2021 season? We look ahead to the 112 UFAs as of next week, consider whether owners will even want to splash out in difficult economic times and debate on whether the power is in fact in the players’ hands to decide on a season comeback date… And the New York Rangers wave bye bye to Henrik Lundqvist as the goalie market becomes hotter than ever, setting the scene for some juicy off-season Hokey Cokey.

NHL Fans From Afar podcast is presented by Clare Freeman, Jolon Kemp Walker and Matt Day. Produced by ASFB Productions.

Photo credit: Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via The Associated Press

Once upon a time, Rick Bowness was Jon Cooper's mentor in his early days as an NHL coach...Now, the pair will go head-to-head - in their first chance to bag the ultimate hockey prize. 

They say it’s unlikely you’ll ever see stars at the same time as lightning but that’s what will be on our screens for the next week as Dallas and Tampa Bay meet in Edmonton for the Stanley Cup Final 2020.

Each have a chance to win the Stanley Cup for the second time, and they'll play in the first ever Stanley Cup Final held in a neutral building in front of no fans... And man, will the winning team bloody deserve it.

Clare, Jolon and Matt reflect on more overtime madness in the Eastern and Western Conference finals, on whether Vegas Golden Knights and New York Islanders did themselves proud, and make some silly predictions on what might happen next. (Mostly we're left wondering whether Matt the Dallas fan will survive another week of broken sleep, more late minute comebacks and the potential arrival of his first child!)

Presented by Clare Freeman, Jolon Kemp Walker and Matt Day. Produced by ASFB Productions.

Photo credit: Jon Cooper and Rick Bowness snapped 5 years ago behind the bench as coach and assistant coach for Tampa Bay Lightning, during a game on Fox Sport.