TORONTO, ON – APRIL 2: William Nylander #29 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on April 2, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** William Nylander
THE DEBATE – Hockey Podcast | Episode 33
Suckerpunch, Unsigned RFA’s, and Preseason Standouts
Brad Burud and Blake Friars prep for the start of the NHL season by discussing preseason standouts. Lots of great young talented showcased in the preseason, and some will be taking roster spots. Domi suckerpunched Ekblad – the reaction and the results of this stupid hockey play. With 10 days until the start of the season Toronto Maple Leafs forward and RFA is still unsigned. Will he be signed? We will give you our opinions.
VANCOUVER, BC – SEPTEMBER 18: Elias Pettersson (40) and Vancouver Canucks right wing Nikolay Goldobin (77) talk during a stoppage in play during their NHL preseason game against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena on September 18, 2018 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Edmonton won 4-2. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Vancouver Young Talent Shines
The preseason could not be going any better if you are a Canucks fan. Preseason is a showcase for young prospects, and in Vancouver the young prospects look amazing………Olli Juolevi is staking claim that he will be a solid NHL player, but then there is the man…Elias Pettersson! Wow is this guy impressive. He is doing everything… He is flashy, he is exciting, and more importantly he is making players around him look like superstars – right Sven Baertschi.
The Maple Leafs will be good, but back the wagons up Leafs fans. The season has not started. I know..I know… Tavares has two goal in his first game… I think there is a lot more ahead for this team. They will be good, but relax Leafs fans… You’re not cup contenders… and honestly, I hope you prove me wrong.
Domi Disgrace
The first preseason game that new Montreal Canadiens center was in turned out to be a disaster. Domi tried baiting Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad into a fight. Ekblad would not give Domi the satisfaction of the fight – in return Domi sucker punched him in the face. Not the showing the Habs fans expected or wanted. Well maybe it was not too bad. Below is a press release from the NHL:
NHL PRESS RELEASE
Montreal Canadiens forward Max Domi has been suspended for the remainder of the preseason for roughing Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad during NHL Preseason Game No. 29 in Montreal on Wednesday, Sept. 19, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.
The incident occurred at 0:56 of the third period. Domi was assessed a match penalty as well as a minor penalty for roughing.
The suspension shocked me and frustrates me. I ask the NHL, is it really a penalty to punish a guy with preseason games. No regular season games, none. So Domi gets to practice and relax and prepare for the regular season without having to worry about in significant pre-season games. Look out NHL, you quickly set the suspension bar for the season, and it is low.
Oct 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) shoots against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Brad Burud and Blake Friars discuss the monster Erik Karlsson trade, Robin Lehner Mental Health struggles, and Humboldt closure. Then they dive into 20 preseason quesions. Who is this years biggest bust? Who is the biggest rivalry? How many Canadian teams will make the playoffs? The questions keep coming…
Nov 2, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) skates with the puck in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Captains Head West…
In a one-week span (during the offseason) two Eastern Conference team captains head to the Western Conference. The first trade took place on September 10th. The Montreal Canadiens sent captain Max Pacioretty to the Vegas Golden Knights. In return the Montreal Canadiens received Tomas Tatar, Nick Suzuki, and a 2019 Second Round Pick. If that was not enough the Ottawa Senators sent their captain Erik Karlsson and Francis Perron to the San Jose Sharks in a monster deal. In return the Senators receive a large package of players – Josh Norris, Chris Tierney, Rudolfs Balcers, Dylan DeMeio, Conditional 2020 1stRound Pick, Conditional 2019 2ndRound Pick, and 2 more Conditional Picks. Well my takes on this – take #1 –
[ctt template=”10″ link=”c44x3″ via=”yes” ]With Karlsson and Pacioretty traded now we can all talk about the game instead of them, for that I am thankful [/ctt]
— Montreal was forced to move Pacioretty, their return. Not too bad. I think it will pay off for Montreal in the future, and honestly, I think Pacioretty will not have an easy time playing in the physical Western Conference. As far as the Karlsson trade…. He is one of the best defensemen in the NHL so no matter what you get in return it will look like garbage. Ottawa is a mess, and this is par for the course. The Western Conference just got better.
Drug Policy
The NHL is not running and hiding from the fact that marijuana is becoming legal in some US states and may just become legal in all of Canada. They laid down the law by saying that they will not be changing any of the leagues drug policies making it still an illegal substance. Great move NHL. I am with you on this one.
Crawford Is Out
Just when things could not get worse in Chicago they did! Corey Crawford is very doubtful for the start of this season. I also don’t think I am going out on a limb by saying that I would not be at all surprised if he did not play a game this season. It is scary how quickly things fell apart in Chicago.
Bobrovsky Wants Big $
Columbus looks to be in goalie trouble. Sergei Bobrovsky heads into the final year of his contract and things do not look optimistic. Bobrovsky wants to be the top paid goaltender in the league and I am not sure that Blue Jackets management is on that some page. I ask the question, should he be the highest paid goalie in the league? I guess my answer would be no, he is good but not that good. I would feel a lot different if he had some playoff success under his belt.
Prayers to Humboldt
We close the chapter on the Humboldt Broncos tragedy. No this does not mean we will forget or that we will quit praying for them. It just means that it is time for us to let players, families, friends and Humboldt the privacy to move on. The first game back for the Humboldt Broncos was last Wednesday night. It was exciting, it was emotional, it was amazing. Amazing to see a community come back together doing what they love…watching hockey. The ceremony was heartbreaking but yet amazing. I pray for the families. I will never forget this tragic accident and I will always pray for everyone involved. Prayers to Humboldt…
