Two Man Forecheck

Another week in the NHL and things have leveled off a bit.  John Cooper should still be the first coach to fall, but none have been released as of this date.  Cale Makar is more important to the Avs than Sidney Crosby is to the Pens...discuss, we'll wait.  We brought about a few buy or sell discussion points, including whether the Bolts are still the team to beat, will the Isles finish second in their division and will the Coyotes trade a goaltender at or before the deadline.  Some interesting opinions here.  We digress into head coaches that should or could be fired soon.  Joe Haggerty, a writer here in the Boston area responds to a writer that asks if it is time to give Tuukka a few games off in lieu of Halak, and Mike agrees with Hags (this is big!).  We talk about the Islanders Defense and how good it may be, as well as a few prospect mentions and a discussion about current players on the Bruins that could be hall of famers.  We talk about Roman Josi's new deal starting next season and break down last week's Twitter Poll.  Here is this week's Twitter Poll link:

https://twitter.com/pucksage/status/1193580894096891904

Give us a listen, tell us what you think and…Enjoy the Show!

Is John Cooper to blame for the Lightning issues?  Should he be fired?  We discuss why he should.  What coaches could replace him?  Scott Sabourin and David Backes hit each other last night and both left the game with injuries.  Do the Anaheim Ducks pay attention to injury history when acquiring players?  At times it doesn't seem like it, and the team is decimated at the moment.  We talk about the resurgence of Vancouver and break down the New Jersey Devils after they have added Louis Domingue.  Could this mean there is an injury or possible deal for Schneider?  The Twitter Poll results show that most people feel that Torey Krug deserves a raise, but no one will give him over 8 million dollars, while 16 percent of the voters feel like he should stay at the pay rate he is currently receiving.  We talk about other 8 million dollar defensemen and where Krug fits in.  Finally we have a Dustin Byfuglien update from Bob McKenzie.  All this and so much more!  Let us know what you think, and...Enjoy the Show!

Is John Cooper to blame for the Lightning issues?  Should he be fired?  We discuss why he should.  What coaches could replace him?  Scott Sabourin and David Backes hit each other last night and both left the game with injuries.  Do the Anaheim Ducks pay attention to injury history when acquiring players?  At times it doesn't seem like it, and the team is decimated at the moment.  We talk about the resurgence of Vancouver and break down the New Jersey Devils after they have added Louis Domingue.  Could this mean there is an injury or possible deal for Schneider?  The Twitter Poll results show that most people feel that Torey Krug deserves a raise, but no one will give him over 8 million dollars, while 16 percent of the voters feel like he should stay at the pay rate he is currently receiving.  We talk about other 8 million dollar defensemen and where Krug fits in.  Finally we have a Dustin Byfuglien update from Bob McKenzie.  All this and so much more!  Let us know what you think, and...Enjoy the Show!

 The NHL standings are getting as muddled as the U.S. Tax Code at this point, right up there with trying to understand them.  How are the Oilers in the top spot in their division?  Are the Buffalo Sabres for real at this point in the season?  We discuss.  As always, Chris somehow interjects goaltending into the conversation.  We break down an article on The Hockey News by Sam McCaig giving out awards at the 10 game mark of the season.  Most are expected, but we discuss the Jack Adams award...Dave Tippett from Edmonton.  Are there more deserving candidates out there?  Torey Krug has been a fixture on the B's defense for a number of years now and Mike explains why Torey should be given a larger contract than the Bruins may be willing to offer.  Also, can Pastrnak reach 50 goals this season.  He has started off right, and has the talent, but past history may be against him. And are the Bruins finally getting the benefit of secondary scoring.  The top line has the bulk of the team's points at this juncture, but there have been signs of life from those not named Marchand, Pastrnak and Bergeron.  Finally, we break down the possibility and feasibility of a women's NHL.  Could such a league survive and flourish if supported by the National Hockey League?  What do you think?  There's a lot to consider here, and so much more to comment on, so give us a listen, drop us a line and...Enjoy the Show!

 The NHL standings are getting as muddled as the U.S. Tax Code at this point, right up there with trying to understand them.  How are the Oilers in the top spot in their division?  Are the Buffalo Sabres for real at this point in the season?  We discuss.  As always, Chris somehow interjects goaltending into the conversation.  We break down an article on The Hockey News by Sam McCaig giving out awards at the 10 game mark of the season.  Most are expected, but we discuss the Jack Adams award...Dave Tippett from Edmonton.  Are there more deserving candidates out there?  Torey Krug has been a fixture on the B's defense for a number of years now and Mike explains why Torey should be given a larger contract than the Bruins may be willing to offer.  Also, can Pastrnak reach 50 goals this season.  He has started off right, and has the talent, but past history may be against him. And are the Bruins finally getting the benefit of secondary scoring.  The top line has the bulk of the team's points at this juncture, but there have been signs of life from those not named Marchand, Pastrnak and Bergeron.  Finally, we break down the possibility and feasibility of a women's NHL.  Could such a league survive and flourish if supported by the National Hockey League?  What do you think?  There's a lot to consider here, and so much more to comment on, so give us a listen, drop us a line and...Enjoy the Show!

The goaltending this season has been an interesting topic as more teams appear to be splitting starts rather than going with a dedicated 1 and 2.  Mike has three surprises and one disappointment already this season, and one of them is a defenseman!  The Toronto Maple Leafs defense may be worse than last year, if that is possible.  Morgan Rielly has not revisited last year's form and they appeared to struggle even though they beat the Bruins in overtime.  Drew Doughty has been a bad boy while visiting the Calgary Flames.  He scored the game winner and made a rude gesture while reportedly telling the crowd to perform a lude act.  He really doesn't like that city it would appear.  Paul Maurice is more than happy with his new acquisition, Neal Pionk, stating that he reminds Paul of Josh Morrissey.  This is nice praise indeed from the head coach.  This leads into a discussion of the state of the Jets.  We close with another rousing rendition of over/under...Awards edition.  Let us know what you think, drop us a line and...Enjoy the Show!

The goaltending this season has been an interesting topic as more teams appear to be splitting starts rather than going with a dedicated 1 and 2.  Mike has three surprises and one disappointment already this season, and one of them is a defenseman!  The Toronto Maple Leafs defense may be worse than last year, if that is possible.  Morgan Rielly has not revisited last year's form and they appeared to struggle even though they beat the Bruins in overtime.  Drew Doughty has been a bad boy while visiting the Calgary Flames.  He scored the game winner and made a rude gesture while reportedly telling the crowd to perform a lude act.  He really doesn't like that city it would appear.  Paul Maurice is more than happy with his new acquisition, Neal Pionk, stating that he reminds Paul of Josh Morrissey.  This is nice praise indeed from the head coach.  This leads into a discussion of the state of the Jets.  We close with another rousing rendition of over/under...Awards edition.  Let us know what you think, drop us a line and...Enjoy the Show!

There are a few things that surprise the Forecheckers about the beginning of this season.  Carolina and Edmonton jumping out to 5 wins in a row, Buffalo on top in the east just to name a couple.  James Neal leading the league in goals with 7 and Dougie Hamilton leading the league in plusminus are two surprises but which one is more shocking to you?  Esa Lindell leads the league in short handed time on ice at over 5 minutes per game.  This could be telling for the Stars sluggish start as they have been in the box quite a bit.  Jakub Lauko and Oskar Steen have scored their first professional goals for the Providence Bruins.  Along with the stellar goaltending they have seen in the first 3 games bodes well for the baby B's.  All this and so much more!!  Give us your feedback and enjoy the show!!

There are a few things that surprise the Forecheckers about the beginning of this season.  Carolina and Edmonton jumping out to 5 wins in a row, Buffalo on top in the east just to name a couple.  James Neal leading the league in goals with 7 and Dougie Hamilton leading the league in plusminus are two surprises but which one is more shocking to you?  Esa Lindell leads the league in short handed time on ice at over 5 minutes per game.  This could be telling for the Stars sluggish start as they have been in the box quite a bit.  Jakub Lauko and Oskar Steen have scored their first professional goals for the Providence Bruins.  Along with the stellar goaltending they have seen in the first 3 games bodes well for the baby B's.  All this and so much more!!  Give us your feedback and enjoy the show!!

This show was recorded on October 6th.  We talked about Early season rankings for the teams by various talking heads and the four letter network.  They compared subjects such as league rankings by forwards, rookie rankings and most G,A and points by player.  We also discussed the lackluster start to Bill Guerin's reign as GM of the Wild as well as the absent offense of the Boston Bruins.  All this and more...Enjoy the Show!