Real Gud Pros

Brackets are busting left and right, the Bruins are playing a “clean game”, and the Leafs are Canada’s Team question mark? The Flyers may be out of the playoffs, but Gritty’s chaotic influence is definitely continuing to spread. Join us this week as we push optimistically on through playoff hell, talk Leafs beards, and take a welcome respite in Mitch Marner’s Reading Corner (patent pending but unlikely).

As the first week of the playoffs wraps up, we’re happy to say that we are handling it with just as much dignity, grace, and level-headedness as you’ve come to expect from this podcast! Which is to say: none at all. Join us as we break down the first two games, discuss ref accountability, and look at what Finland pulling an upset at the 2019 Women’s Worlds means for the growth of women’s hockey.

It’s finally the playoffs, and through a nail-biting end to a season full of twists and turns and speculation the Leafs are…… facing Boston in the first round. But that’s fine, and we’re fine, and still have four final regular season games to talk about anyways. Plus: updates on the CWHL situation, revisiting our beginning of the season predictions, and what the Lightning’s uniforms should look like.

This week we start with the heartbreaking news that, after 12 years, the CWHL is ceasing operations. To quote the players, who came out with similar statements on social media following the official announcement, “it’s hard to remain optimistic #NoLeague”. Also on the table this week: Tyler Ennis’ Masterton nomination, Auston “Beast Mode” Matthews, the coming rise of player tracking technology, and who should captain the Leafs.

Two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Toronto, where we lay our scene, from ancient coaching technique to new mutiny, Mike Babcock and Kyle Dubas are…. probably not actually in a blood feud. But hey, the media narrative did gave us a chance to butcher Shakespeare, and isn’t that what watching hockey’s really all about?

We also talk the NHLPA’s annual player poll, the Washington Capital’s upcoming visit to the White House, the tragicomedy of the Ottawa Senators, and Vegas’ new social media ventures.

The Leafs got outscored 23-15 this week. Which is fine. We’re fine. Everything’s fine.

Ignoring all that, we did have some exciting news this week, including a new Leaf to Leaf, Duszak being signed to a future ELC, and the announcement of the first ever Cree-language hockey broadcast. We also answer some amazing listener questions and play which hockey: cryptid edition.

This week, Babcock out Babcock’d Babcock in the most Babcockian way ever. Join us as we send our condolences to the 5’9” line (RIP, we hardly knew ya), Freddie (at least 60 starts is slightly less than last year, right?), and perennial third-line player William Nylander. We don’t actually threaten to fight Babcock, but we’re not gonna lie…. it was close.

We also look at the NHL and NHLPA’s mysterious new Female Hockey Advisory Committee, how the Jets have quietly been building relationships with Indigenous communities, and discuss which hockey players would survive the Hunger Games.

The Leafs injury luck regressed in a bad way this week, and we take the opportunity to talk about the Leafs blueline, what might have been on the trade deadline, and who is coming up in the Leafs’ system. We also look at Petan’s first game as a Leaf, Trevor Moore’s booty, the ongoing Greek tragedy that is the Ottawa Senators, and propose our own Leafs talk shows.

Plus, that Islanders game…….. 😬

Trades are a’happening! Kyle has yet to make a move, but we sure don’t let that stop us from having opinions about other team’s decisions! We also talk the very likely possibility that the Leafs social media team is out to get us personally, McDavid’s two-game suspension, the entirely Fake™ Tampa Bay Lightning, a couple Leafs losses and one big Leafs win.

And if you were wondering if we’re still mad at Babcock……….

The William Nylander Defence Squad is out in full force this week as we question literally every single deployment decision Babs has been making lately!! Fun!!

Also: Auston “100 goals” Matthews scores his 101st goal, the USA and Canada Women’s National Hockey Teams are AMAZING, Jensine and Helen are still swooning over Hilary Knight, and the Leafs… well, they sure played some games this week, didn’t they?