Syracuse Speaks

In this episode, recorded on September 10th, 2023, Alex discusses the latest news and notes coming out of Crunch Land. She worries just a little over how young Syracuse seems on paper, but also considers some positives of the team's current as-is roster. She talks through her feelings around the team's Welcome to Town event (TL;DR: they're...mixed), and also discusses the team's newest hire, a mindfulness coach for the front office. To finish the episode, she takes a look at Syracuse's preseason slate, and debates the actual worth of AHL preseason events (hint: it isn't ticket sales).

In this episode, recorded August 6th, 2023, Alex ushers in some minor changes to the podcast, including a refreshed sound, to officially welcome the pod to its 6th season (and its 100th episode). Alex discusses some personal news before moving onto the important things: the release of the Crunch's 30th anniversary regular season schedule and the return of a beloved player.

Give it a listen today! 

Syracuse Speaks is distributed to many of the major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, and  Spotify. 

Thanks for listening!

Welcome to season six of Syracuse Speaks! In this episode, recorded July 4th, 2023, Alex takes a look at what has happened in the organization since she was last able to record. She begins by discussing the hiring of Joel Bouchard as the new head coach of the Crunch, replacing Ben Groulx. She takes a look at what's known about the change, why it happened, and ponders what this might mean for the team. She then takes a look at how free agency has treated Syracuse so far, and expresses her concerns about what the roster currently looks like in terms of experience and proven abilities at the AHL level. She breaks down the groups currently slotted into each position, and explains why she seriously hopes the Lightning isn't done adding pieces to their farm club.

Syracuse Speaks is hosted on Anchor, but is distributed to many of the major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify,  and Stitcher. The royalty-free music featured in this episode was by Purple Planet Music and Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

In this episode, recorded June 11th, 2023, Alex again turns to her listeners to ask her anything. With NHL free agency a few short weeks away, Alex wanted to know what was on the minds of Crunch fans and friends. Topics of conversation range from Syracuse's defense and goaltending this upcoming season to Alex's preferences for the the Crunch's 30th anniversary celebration. She also talks some fermented grape juice preferences, as well as a few other team topics and personal items. 

Give it a listen today! 

Syracuse Speaks is hosted on Anchor, but is distributed to many of the major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify,  and Stitcher. The royalty-free music featured in this episode was by Purple Planet Music and Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

Thanks for listening!

In this episode, recorded May 21, 2023, Alex takes a look at the player contracts for the Crunch's roster for the team's 30th anniversary season. She starts out with a discussion of the team's AHL contracted players, captain Gabriel Dumont and newcomer forward Tristan Allard. She then moves down the list, discussing the potential organizational options for players like Alex Barre-Boulet, Gage Goncalves, Darren Raddysh, and Philippe Myers. She also addresses the departure of forward Simon Ryfors, and the probable departure of Max Lagace (brought on by the recent signing of Matt Tomkins). She highlights other players that may seek their fortunes elsewhere like Daniel Walcott and P.C. Labrie. She also discusses Trevor Carrick, Gabriel Fortier, Maxim Groshev, and Sean Day, among others. 

In this episode, recorded the week following Syracuse's playoff collapse in the 2023 North Division Semifinals, Alex ponders a question that's been on her mind all season long: Is it time for the Tampa Bay Lightning to raise the bar for their farm team? If so, how could that be accomplished? What would it look like?  In considering all of this, Alex takes a look at Syracuse's playoff outings dating back to 2017, the low spread of scoring on the team this season, and what she considers the new status quo for the league when it comes to the sheer number of teams making the playoffs. 

So, dear listener, what do you think? Is it time for the Lightning to raise the bar? Are you okay with Syracuse's growing reputation as a flash-in-the-pan playoff team, or do you crave more? 

Syracuse Speaks is hosted on Anchor, but is distributed to many of the major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify,  and Stitcher. The royalty-free music featured in this episode was by Purple Planet Music and Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

Thanks for listening!

In this episode, recorded April 30th, 2023 following the team's game 4 loss to the Rochester Americans in the North Division semifinals, Alex looks at what's happening to a team that was up 2-0 in the five-game series and now is facing a game five this Saturday. She discusses what is going right - the efforts of forwards Alex Barre-Boulet, Gage Goncalves, and Simon Ryfors - and what seems to be tripping the team up - emotions and penalties, the suspension of their captain Gabriel Dumont, and the inability of Darren Raddysh to disapparate. She wonders what's next for a team that just can't seem to be consistent to save their own hides - (another) first-round exit, or a tough second round against either Toronto or Utica. 

Syracuse Speaks is hosted on Anchor, but is distributed to many of the major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify,  and Stitcher. The royalty-free music featured in this episode was by Purple Planet Music and Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

In this episode, recorded April 16th, 2023, Alex takes a look a how Syracuse's season ended before taking a glance at their upcoming North Division Semifinals playoff series against the Rochester Americans. Alex analyzes Syracuse's ending record, their scoring potency (hello, Alex Barre-Boulet), and summarizes their goaltenders' performances (with a special appearance from Syracuse's less-than-stellar defense). She also recaps special teams percentages and penalty minutes. She then looks into the future and breaks down the Crunch's upcoming playoff battle with Rochester. 

Give it a listen today! 

Syracuse Speaks is hosted on Anchor, but is distributed to many of the major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify,  and Stitcher. The royalty-free music featured in this episode was by Purple Planet Music and Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

In this episode, recorded March 26th, 2023, Alex takes an extended look at the playoff bracket in the AHL's North Division, with a specific emphasis on how Syracuse's position could improve or get worse. She discusses how puzzled she is by the Tampa Bay Lightning's actions this season, especially when compared to their stated philosophy, with a specific discussion around trading away draft picks and defensive depth (with a focus on the recall of Darren Raddysh). She then brings the remainder of the season into focus, with a glance at how the schedules of Syracuse, Utica, and Rochester all shake out. Players discussed during this segment include captain Gabriel Dumont, forwards Alex Barre-Boulet, Felix Robert, and Lucas Edmonds, and defensemen Philippe Myers and Declan Carlile.

Syracuse Speaks is hosted on Anchor, but is distributed to many of the major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify,  and Stitcher. The royalty-free music featured in this episode was by Purple Planet Music and Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.

In this episode, recorded March 12th, 2023, Alex looks at where the team is with just over a month left in the regular AHL season. She discusses current and potential player movement between Syracuse and the Tampa Bay Lightning, including the continued recall of defenseman Darren Raddysh and potential movement regarding Philippe Myers if and when Raddysh hits his waiver threshold with Tampa. With an eye on a current injury to Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, Alex also ponders whether Tampa would recall Alex Barre-Boulet if a forward was needed, or if perhaps they'd lean towards a player like Gage Goncalves or Simon Ryfors. Next, Alex checks out the AHL's playoff race as it stands at 3:30 PM on March 12. She dissects the closeness of the North Division's teams in points, and predicts that a lot of jostling will occur in the coming weeks as teams charge through the final sprint. Alex closes the podcast with a look at the upcoming schedules of Syracuse, Utica, and Rochester, and the important differences in divisional play between the three teams.

Syracuse Speaks is hosted on Anchor, but is distributed to many of the major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify,  and Stitcher. The royalty-free music featured in this episode was by Purple Planet Music and Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.