Back to Excited Hockey Podcast

Today we discuss: NHL playoff plans and lottery plans [1:41] Can the Leafs trade Marner and end off the better for it? [22:47] Are new aging curves that say players are essentially always declining from when they enter the league incorrect [44:03]

Today we discuss: How do the reported plans for finishing the NHL season help/hurt the Leafs [2:00] Micah McCurdy of Hockeyviz has a new Isolated xG impact model - how do various Leafs look? [22:14] Auston Matthews might be a top 5 player? [34:42] Arvind gets annoyed at people running simulations [48:56]

We talk about: The likely salary cap [0:42] The Leafs goaltender succession plan (or lack thereof) [6:00] The necessity to clear out room, likely by trading a forward [30:41] Fulemin presents his unified theory of hockey disagreements [55:01]

Today, we discuss the types of mistakes teams make, deep dive on the situations that make teams like the Oilers and Sabres consistently poor, and offer a refinement on the stars ‘n scrubs team-building mentality.

Today, we discuss: The Leafs ELC moves [1:02] The Top 10 21 and under players in the NHL [8:22]

Here is Part 2 of our look around the NHL, from Minnesota to Winnipeg (alphabetically).

We go around the NHL alphabetically, and discuss teams from Anaheim to LA. Part 2 will be next week's episode.

On this episode, we discuss the NHL's decision to suspend the season, and answer listener questions.

Today we discuss: The week that was [0:21] What changes would Kyle Dubas make if he could go back in a time machine [25:40] Pierre LeBrun’s bad take about the playoffs [52:59] The stupidity of looking at the record of teams when scoring first [1:03:47]

Today we discuss: The Leafs’ strong week [2:35] Chris Pronger’s caveman reaction to William Nylander’s through-the-legs goal [10:26] The criticism of Mitch Marner’s game that has popped up recently [19:39] Why we think Alex Kerfoot should stay on the third line [32:33] An overview of the Florida Panthers [47:11] Our bad takes of the week [55:36]

Today we discuss the trade deadline and the moves the Leafs made (or didn't make)

Today, topics include: [0:59] The week that was for the Leafs [4:36] The Johnsson injury and what that means for the Leafs both off and on the ice. [13:09] The reported Jake Muzzin agreement [46:41] The Leafs game against Ottawa, and Tampa’s surge implying another Leafs - Bruins series.

Today the podcast includes: Fulemin ranting about Tyson Barrie [0:29] (yes, 30 seconds in and we’re in full-blown rant mode) A recap of the week, including the gut punch loss to Florida [3:12], and the dispiriting Rangers loss [12:21] How much of the blame the Leafs can put on goaltending [16:42] The trade to acquire Jack Campbell and Kyle Clifford [25:07] Can the Leafs acquire an upgrade on D (an...

Today we discuss: The Leafs perfect week [1:24] The weirdness of Kasperi Kapanen's punishment [12:59] The pros and cons of Matt Dumba [21:23] The big decision the Leafs have to make in extending Jake Muzzin [36:18], and the knock on effects of doing so.

We have a 2 hour long mailbag about everything Leafs for you today. Enjoy!

Episode 89 - Goalie Troubles by Arvind, Acting the Fulemin

Today we discuss: The Marincin signing [1:33] The Holl signing [4:07] Evaluating the Leafs at midseason [8:25] Are Kapanen and Johnsson expendable [43:13]

Today we discuss: The Leafs poor defensive showing over the last three games [1:18] Some TOI trends under Keefe (Dermott, Top 3 Fs, Nylander) [15:11] Ilya Mikheyev’s injury and the impact it will have [37:30] We go transaction by transaction and discuss Kyle Dubas’ year [42:15]

Today we discuss: The week that was, and how the Leafs have dug themselves out of a hole [1:18] The stabilisation of the Leafs defence pairings and the success they’ve had [12:02] Comparing the Babcock and Keefe Leafs now that we have more of a sample on Keefe [19:12] Can we consider the Leafs a contender if they keep doing this? [32:13] Auston Matthews .... defending? [39:12] Arvind gets mad at p...

Episode 85 - Big John is Back by Arvind, Acting the Fulemin

Welcome back to another episode of Back to Excited. Today we discuss: Why the Leafs win against St. Louis was a little unusual [0:34] Boston Bruins [14:24] Florida Panthers [18:00] Buffalo Sabres [27:11] Montreal Canadiens [40:39] Tampa Bay Lightning [52:32] Brief discussion on the Leafs [58:35] Ottawa Senators [1:03:14] Detroit Red Wings [1:08:12] Alexandre Burrows [1:10:38]

We discuss: The Leafs’ last three games [0:44] Drilling down deeper on the Buffalo games, and the specific tactics Keefe is using [5:00] The dissonance between the eye test and the stats for Rielly/Ceci [32:48] Rielly’s play on the whole, and the ceiling he may place on a team [35:12] Why our cap position will leave us with interesting decisions to make about Rielly and Andersen in a few years [45...

Episode 82 - A New Start (featuring Katya Knappe) by Arvind, Acting the Fulemin

We go through the Leafs roster and coaches and give them grades based on this season so far.

Episode 80 - Real or Fake by Arvind, Acting the Fulemin