Back to Excited Hockey Podcast

We chat about the Leafs dominant Game 1 performance and what to expect from the series going forward.

We take listener questions about the Leafs, the NHL and life itself

Today we discuss: Why an NBA-style play-in would be a bad idea in the NHL [1:30] Some of the Stanley Cup Contenders who are not in the Atlantic division (Carolina, Colorado, Calgary, Minnesota, St. Louis, Edmonton) [25:20]

Today we discuss: Auston Matthews' amazing goalscoring run [0:33] Justin Holl's quietly good season [20:33] Evaluating the thought process behind Kyle Dubas' least successful moves [29:45]

Today we discuss: Our initial impressions of Mark Giordano and Colin Blackwell [1:15] Why a William Nylander trade might actually make sense this offseason [24:30]

Today we discuss the Leafs’ moves at the trade deadline. This includes sending Travis Dermott to the Canucks, Alex Biega to the Predators, and most critically, acquiring Mark Giordano and Colin Blackwell from the Kraken for a bevy of draft picks.

Today we discuss the Hart Trophy race, and whether Auston Matthews deserves it over the likes of Johnny Gaudreau, Igor Shesterkin, and Connor McDavid

Today we discuss: The Leafs goaltending issues [0:45] Teams we were wrong about in the pre-season [32:01]

We go in-depth on the Leafs trade for Ilya Lyubushkin and Ryan Dzingel (in exchange for Nick Ritchie and a 2025 conditional 2nd round pick)

Today, we rant about random things in hockey that annoy us. Enjoy!

Today we discuss defence, goalie, and coaching grades for the Leafs up to the All-Star break. Timestamps: Morgan Rielly [2:46] TJ Brodie [14:28] Jake Muzzin [20:22] Justin Holl [36:26] Rasmus Sandin [42:00] Travis Dermott [50:41] Timothy Liljegren [58:45] Goaltenders + Coaching [1:04:57]

Today we're joined by the boss of PensionPlanPuppets.com, Katya Knappe. Katya helps us go through all the Leafs forwards and assign them a grade, since we're at the halfway point of the year. Timestamps: Auston Matthews [2:00] Mitch Marner [10:48] William Nylander [27:21] John Tavares [35:28] Michael Bunting [43:10] Alexander Kerfoot [52:00] David Kampf [58:06] Pierre Engvall [1:04:45] Ondrej Kase...

Today we go in-depth on the top teams in the Atlantic (aside from the Leafs) and their strengths, weaknesses, and how the Leafs match up with them. Timestamps The Tampa Bay Lightning [5:09] Florida Panthers [43:55] Boston Bruins [1:05:12]

Today we discuss: Assorted trends from the last 3 games [3:05] Muzzin + Guy struggling [11:26] Is Timothy Liljegren ready for a 2nd pairing role (probably not) [19:55] The pleasant surprise of the forward depth [23:45] What are the Leafs regaining with Mitch Marner’s return [27:25] John Chayka’s kind of weird open letter in Sportico [42:39]

Today we discuss: The Leafs game against the Avalanche and the test that faces them over the road trip [0:47] Some awesome plays by Cale Makar [9:00] The Detroit Red Wings [18:25] The Buffalo Sabres [39:37] The Ottawa Senators [54:05] The Montreal Canadiens [1:15:11] Bad Take of the Week [1:23:00]

We talk about the Leafs win against an undermanned Ottawa, Nick Ritchie, and our skepticism that Ilya Mikeheyev is any different to before.

Today we discuss: The COVID cancellations sweeping the NHL [0:57] Paul Maurice resigning as the Jets head coach [9:37] Jason Spezza's suspension getting reduced from 6 games to 4 [18:46] The general state of the Leafs recently, and their play without Mitch Marner [20:49]

Today we discuss: The Habs firing Marc Bergevin [2:45] The Canucks firing Jim Benning [26:17] The Jason Spezza suspension [50:22]

Today we talk about a few positive developments helping the Leafs this season. In particular, we discuss: John Tavares' resurgence [3:15] Michael Bunting as a third wheel on a top line [15:10] Jack Campbell's Vezina campaign [27:25]

Today we discuss a whole host of things, including our general thoughts on the state of the team, Pierre Engvall, Rasmus Sandin, and more. To do so, we brought on our friend, Ian Tulloch, who writes for MapleLeafsHotStove.com and is a long-standing member of Leafs Twitter.

Today we discuss: The Leafs' ability to convert on their chances [3:14] The development of Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren [23:26] Ondrej Kase and whether we should re-adjust lines to give him Top 6 minutes [35:35] John Tortorella's bad take about Connor McDavid [47:30] Side note: I mention a stat from HockeyViz early on where the Leafs have 42 xG and 27 actual goals (the Leafs have scored 43...

Today we discuss: The Morgan Rielly contract [4:00] Petr Mrazek's latest injury [23:18] The success of the Leafs budget 3rd line [28:30] Justin Holl trade rumours [37:00] Have our opinions on the Leafs changed? [48:37]

Today we discuss: The Rangers game [1:05] The San Jose game [3:00] The Pittsburgh debacle [6:07] Jake Muzzin's bad start [14:00] The toxic cloud surrounding Mitch Marner discourse [19:32] What the Leafs can do from here [27:15] The bad take of the week [37:09]

Today we discuss what’s gone well and poorly for the Leafs in their opening week. Timestamps: The Petr Mrazek injury [1:40] Jack Campbell’s strong start [5:01] The Leafs’ best skater so far (surprise, it’s William Nylander) [10:34] The shutdown line of David Kampf, Ondrej Kase, and Pierre Engvall, their success, and the possible galaxy braining of 5v5 ice-time allocations [18:52] Possible changes...

Today we discuss: Robin Lehner’s accusations of NHL teams handling of prescription drugs/painkillers habits with their players [0:55] Our thoughts on the Leafs preseason so far [18:55]. Subtopics include John Tavares, the Leafs plethora of LW options, and the difficulty in cracking the roster for Timothy Liljegren and Nick Robertson Sheldon Keefe’s extension [1:09:08] Audio note: there is some hum...