World Cup Failure, and Future
When the World Cup of Hockey was announced most hockey fans including myself were excited. It was going to be great. Best-on-best, hard hitting hockey in the summer. What could be better? Well that’s not exactly how it went. What fans got was lackluster play, lack of intensity (no hitting), and honestly not very competitive hockey. This has resulted in poor television ratings, especially in the US. Empty seats have also been an unexpected proble
The Instigator |Episode 21
Winter Classic Rerun: Same Teams Every Year
The Winter Classic is set to play on New Years Day. A great tribute to how hockey began, outside, but…why in the world do we have to watch the same teams each year. This years matchup is the Chicago Blackhawks versus the Boston Bruins at historic Notre Dame Stadium. Sounds epic right, not so much, the problem is this is the 4th time for the Blackhawks and 3rd time for the Bruins in the Winter Classic. Yes I k
WINNIPEG TRADES LADD AND LOSE LITTLE
Winnipeg, Manitoba – Last night the Winnipeg Jets finally made the trade that was quite possibly the worst kept secret in the entire National Hockey League. Andrew Ladd was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Andrew Ladd was the face of the Winnipeg Jets so why would the Jets trade him away to Chicago of all places a team in the same division. Well this mo
The Instigator |Episode 29
Why is the Playoff Format Broken?
Why is the current system a problem. Looks like the league and players do not feel that way. The NHL and NHLPA announced yesterday to extend the current system through next season. I am shocked that this is a hot topic this year. I don’t remember it being an issue last year. The current system is built because we have divisions. The object is to win your division. That is were teams rivals are.. Naysayers argue that pl
Picking a goaltender in fantasy hockey can be a tricky task. A great deal of how a goalie produces is based on the team in front of him, and of course his abilities. It seems that every year another goalie slips into the Tier 1 level of goalies. It is just hard to determine what goaltender will perform on a consistent basis. Another question that is very important is, when should a person select their first goalie? Some guys start as early as the second round, but I believe the third round is us
The Instigator |Episode 27
Who is the Right Captain?
How important is a good captain to the growth of a hockey franchise? What type of player makes the best captain? All questions that are critical to a teams success. Do all NHL teams have the correct person as captain or has the pressures to select the young goal scorers outweighed the importance of leadership. Brad Burud from Inside Edge Hockey News gives his opinion on young captains.
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INSIDE EDGE HOCKEY NEWS – RADIO SHOW | EPISODE 13
Who is the NHL’s Top Sniper?
Every hockey fan loves watching the sniper blast a slapper over the top shoulder of the goalie. Brad Burud of Inside Edge Hockey News breaks down all the best snipers currently playing in the National Hockey League. Then Blake Friars of The Debate Hockey Podcast joins the show to give his take on who is the top snipers currently playing and who are the snipers of the future. Then it is time to
Who is the #1 Pick? It is fantasy hockey draft time, and each and every year fantasy hockey fans cannot wait to see who are the top five picks. In years past it was an argument if Alexander Ovechkin would go ahead of Sidney Crosby or vice versa. Well to no surprise this season is much of the same, with a few top 5 twists. Many fantasy hockey leagues have drafted, or will be this weekend. Every owner has his or her own ideas and thoughts, but I don’t care how great you think you are. It i
WHAT’S LEFT IN THE TANK: THE ST. LOUIS DILEMMA When Martin St. Louis demanded a trade to the New York Rangers something happened that he was not accustomed to. St. Louis was hated. The undersized forward to that point had only been loved by most hockey fans for his tenacity and heart that propelled him to elite status in the NHL ranks. He had appeared a prima donna that no longer wanted to play for Steve Yzerman. This came to be after Yzerman, VP and General Manager for Tampa Bay, left his the
I might get a lot of flak for this, but California is not a state necessarily known for ice hockey. As a native, I feel I have the right to say this. But this season, the left coasters are giving the reigning ‘Hawks a run for their money. San Jose is known for its physical, hard-fought games often leading to a shootout; they are third in the league with shootout wins. Veterans Thornton, Pavelski and Marleau are crucial reasons the Sharks have built something so solid and successful, with all of
THE DEBATE – Hockey Podcast | Episode 51
West Race Expands and Trade Deadline Cool Down
The NHL bye weeks are finally done. All-Star break is behind us and now it is time to race to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Brad Burud and Blake Friars talk about how the Western Conference has widened. Seven teams are fighting for three spots, and only three teams are really out of the race. It is going to be a battle. Will so many teams slow down the amount of teams selling at NHL Trade
The Instigator |Episode 30
Welcome to Playoff Hockey: Johnny Gaudreau
Welcome to playoff hockey Johnny Gaudreau…. Gaudreau has been a complete no show for the Calgary Flames this playoff season….why is this? What do we expect from him? With the Flames on the brink of elimination. Flames fans expect a hell of a lot more than they are getting. Brad Burud of Inside Edge Hockey News expresses his frustration in the play of Gaudreau. Although the Flames disappointment is not so
War in Columbus, Johansen vs. Tortorella Contract problems, coach confrontation, and healthy scratches. Columbus Blue Jackets forward Ryan Johansen has experienced all of the above this season. The season has been a complete circus on and off the ice for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Now the war is on between newly hired head coach John Tortorella, and young superstar Ryan Johansen. Johansen’s play has been heavily criticized this year. His biggest critic has been his coach. Johansen has
The fantasy hockey season is up and running, and there are definitely some surprise players this year. That is great news for fantasy owners that had a rough time with the draft this season. Help is on the way with these great waiver wire pick-ups. Radim Vrbata – Right Wing – Vancouver Canucks When Vancouver signed him in the offseason everyone looked at the Canucks plan to put him with the Sedin twins, and said wow. It looked like a great fit, and by the way, it has been a great fit in the firs
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 lone bright spot on a under achieving New York Rangers roster has been Norwegian Mats Zuccarello known as “the hobbit”. Virtually unknown within the NHL realm, Zuccarello has quietly risen to stardom in New York. Zuccarello has been the most consistent player on the Rangers providing skill, confidence and clutch plays all season long. The hobbit is becoming a wizard on broadway. Zuccarello spent time in NHL and AHL the previous two seasons with New York and Hartford. He was able to produce i
THE DEBATE – Hockey Podcast | Episode 58
Trending Playoff Teams and Unemployed come Sunday
Everyone is getting very excited for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Brad Burud and Blake Friars discuss what teams are hot heading into the playoffs and what teams are cold heading in. Everyone wants to be peaking, but some teams are sputtering down the stretch. With Saturday being the final day of the regular season, will any coaches or general mangers hit the unemployment lines. Lots of c
NHL Trade Talk: March 2, 2014 TRADE DEADLINE – Top 10 Players Most Likely to be Moved By Deadline Day 10 - Ryan Callahan, RW, New York Rangers, $4.275 Cap Hit, Pending UFA, Age 28 Callahan wants big dollars, and a long-term deal from the NY Rangers. The Rangers want to resign their captain, but cannot afford his current asking price. Solid player, but definitely expecting more than his play warrants. Looks like a rental player for the remainder of this season, and he will test the free-agent mar
Watching hockey is a nightly ritual for many hockey fans. But, lets face it some teams are more fun to watch than others. There are many reasons that make some teams more enjoyable to watch. It might be how fast and exciting they are, or how bad they may be. Hockey is an amazing sport to watch live, but for many fans the television is where they get their hockey fix. Here are the top 10 teams I look forward to watching on television. 10 – Toronto Maple Leafs – The Leafs are that team that you c
These young NHL stars will play key rolls in their teams 2015-2016 success as well as their teams future success. Honorable Mention: Dylan Larkin- 19 year old Michigan born and breed Center may or may not find himself apart of a legacy in Detroit as early as this season. 10) Jack Eichel- There is no guarantee the Boston College alum will start or stay in the Buffalo line-up all season but he is the center piece in a rebuild that includes Evander Kane and Ryan O’Reilly. 9) Jeff Skinner-It m
Roberto Luongo is finally able to move on from his much publicized contract in Vancouver, and just go home to Florida and play hockey. Last year, NHL trade rumors involving the Vancouver Canuck franchise goalie were the hottest gossip in all of sports. Today, one day before the 2014 NHL trade deadline a day filled with mostly small deals, Roberto Luongo once again manages to steal the spotlight. By some miracle the Vancouver Canucks were able to work out a deal with the Florida Panthers taking
THE DEBATE – Hockey Podcast | Episode 50
The NHL in 10 Years
Brad Burud and Blake Friars celebrate 50 episodes by diving into the NHL and looking at how the league will change in the next 10 years. They take a look at 10 critical questions that the NHL faces in the next 10 years and how the league will change.1 – Concussions and Safety of the Game2- Fighting and Cheap Shots3- CBA/Revenue/Salary Cap4- Relocation and Expansion5- Olympics and International Play6- Rule Changes7- Fra
The Instigator |Episode 18
Stop the Childish Celebration
I am all for having fun when you play hockey. That is why we play the game..but what the Carolina Hurricanes have been doing after wins at home has me shaking my head. What is happening to this league. This is the most childish celebrations I have ever seen. Just when you thought that was the extent of the celebration. Dougie Hamilton took it to a new level by “flossing”…. What is next from the Carolina Hurricanes?
The Instigator |Episode 17
Death Threats…C’mon People
Well the Elias Pettersson hit from Florida Panthers defenseman Michael Matheson was one thing, but death threats is way out of line. The suspension was handed down from the NHL and it was two games. Was it a little much, yes maybe, but then in the week following Matheson has now received death threats from Vancouver fans. That is not hockey, and those fans should be embarrassed of their behavior.
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The Instigator |Episode 14
Draft Lottery a Missed Opportunity
I really like the NHL Draft Lottery process, but I have a huge problem with how it was presented to the public this year. This is a made for television opportunity that the NHL wasted. So what should they have done, and how could they capitalize on this opportunity? Give a listen!
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