Neutral Zone Hotel

This week at the Hotel, Alex Ovechkin scores lots of goals, Sarah Fillier has signed with the Sirens, Alex gives a quiz, and SJ reviews a book. Also, John Tortorella swears a lot.  0:00 Alex welcomes SJ and Trevor to the Neutral Zone Hotel 1:55 Unlike last year, this year Alex Ovechkin is off to a hot start.  9:50 First overall PWHL draft pick Sarah Fillier has finally signed a one year deal with...

Lots of PWHL talk this week as the league has announced it open for expansion. Also, Sarah Fillier remains unsigned and the crew talks early season trends.  0:00 Benjamin welcomes SJ and Trevor to the Neutral Zone Hotel 1:51 The PWHL has opened up the process to expand to two new cities and also announced that there will be nine neutral site games this season. The crew speculates on the locations...

This week the crew talks PWHL schedules, new viewing options for NHL games, observations on the new season, and Benjamin tries out a new game.  0:00 Benjamin welcomes SJ and Alex to the Neutral Zone Hotel. 2:10 The crew discusses changes in the way that NHL games are broadcast. Amazon has taken over broadcasting Monday night NHL games in Canada. Benjamin and SJ watched the first game and offer a r...

It's NHL season preview time. Once again, the crew previews the season via haiku. They also discuss what they're looking forward to in the new season, a couple of big goalie contracts, Amazon's new hockey docuseries, and the potential NCAA rule change that will make CHL players eligible to play for college teams in the United States. 0:00 John welcomes SJ and Alex to the Neutral Zone Hotel. 2:19 T...

It's our last summer episode. Before we reset and start over with a whole new hockey season and podcast season, here's a quick PWHL and NHL news roundup from the last several weeks.  0:00 Trevor welcomes SJ and Benjamin to the Neutral Zone Hotel. 03:29 First up, it's PWHL summer news: The PWHL teams have names! The crew discusses the new names, new home rinks for three teams, and a new GM for one...

We're back for another summer edition. Trevor leads the crew in a round of NZH Jeopardy. 0:00 Trevor welcomes SJ, Alex, and John to the Neutral Zone Hotel. 2:13 Jeopardy round one 34:57 Jeopardy round two Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team You can find more information at https://neutralzonehotel.com Logo design by Emily Mowbray You can follow us on social media if y...

Everyone's still on vacation, so we're dropping another clip show in the feed for you. Up this week is a replay of our interview with ESPN's Greg Wyshynski from January, a couple of unheard clips from our test episodes, and the ever-popular blooper reel. 0:00 First up, John once again welcomes himself to the Neutral Zone Hotel 2:20 From our first test episode (episode 0.1), SJ presents an offensiv...

It's a clip show! This we've got one new and one old segment for you.  0:00 First up, John welcomes himself to the Neutral Zone Hotel 3:04 Next is a game that was cut from episode 19. Benjamin has a round of Stategories all about goalies. 26:38 The final segment is a repeat of our interview with Cole Redhorse Taylor that originally ran in episode 13, back in December 2023. He talks with Benjamin a...

Benjamin welcomes SJ to the Neutral Zone Hotel. Together, they watch a bunch of old hockey clips. This is a watchalong, so there are some long pauses left in this episode to preserve the timing to the clips. Hope you watch along with us! 3:26 Dominik Hasek’s Top 10 Career Saves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxoerRWlEMA 11:54 Top 10 Patrick Roy Moments https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcaBVf2NzBk...

Content Warning: There is some discussion of sexual assault in the first segment, though nothing graphic. But if this is something you need or would like to avoid, please skip ahead to 24:00.  In this jam-packed episode before we retreat to our metaphorical cottages, the crew talks about the latest morally bankrupt move from the NHL, the 2024 draft, and the opening of free agency. We will be movin...

It's the offseason! All the leagues have awarded all the championship trophies and it's time for the NHL draft, free agent signings in multiple leagues, and the announcement of this year's Hockey Hall of Fame class. There is a new development in the desert. Also, corrections! And swearing. This one is a bit sweary, so be warned. 0:00 This week, Alex welcomes Benjamin, Trevor, and John for their sh...

Benjamin welcomes Alex and SJ to the Neutral Zone Hotel 02:12 Pascal Vincent fired in Columbus 09:17 Ryan Warsofsky hired in San Jose 14:54 Eric Tulsky is the new GM in Carolina 20:37 Filip Hronek signs an 8 year deal in Vancouver 26:04 Natalie Spooner named IIHF Player of the Year 27:59 Britta Curl issues an "apology" 29:28 Utah HC releases colors and jersey design Western Conference offseason ne...

0:00 This week, SJ welcomes Alex and Benjamin for their shifts at the Neutral Zone Hotel 1:39 It's the Stanley Cup Final. The crew discusses the American Sign Language (ASL) broadcast of the Finals. 12:09 The crew recaps the first two games of the Finals, and discusses Sergei Bobrovsky's Hall of Fame case and the job Bill Zito has done constructing the Panthers.  24:47 The crew talks the Leon Drai...

It's championship season, and Benjamin and SJ are here to recap or preview several of them, in the NHL, the PWHL, and the Memorial Cup.  0:00 Benjamin welcomes SJ to the Neutral Zone Hotel. 2:30 The NHL conference finals are over. The Florida Panthers will be returning to the Cup Final for the second year straight and the Edmonton Oilers will be making their first appearance since 2006. The crew d...

Benjamin welcomes Alex, SJ, and Trevor to the Neutral Zone Hotel. 03:17 Controversy in Game 4 of the PWHL Walter Cup Final The coaching carousel spins spins spins with 16:37 Sheldon Keefe in New Jersey, 23:04 Scott Arniel in Winnipeg, and 27:48 Dan Bylsma in Seattle. 39:21 Don Waddell is hired to do everything in Columbus and Eric Tulsky becomes interim GM in Carolina.  48:52 Czechia takes gold in...

Also, PWHL and NHL playoff recaps and previews! 0:00 SJ welcomes Benjamin to the Neutral Zone Hotel. 1:16 First up, the crew discusses the PWHL semifinals.  10:37 The PWHL has started announcing its award winners for the season. As always, the crew has thoughts.  28:24 The crew turns its attention to the NHL playoffs. First up, is a recap of the Oilers-Canucks series and a preview of Stars-Oilers....

0:00 Benjamin welcomes Trevor to the Neutral Zone Hotel. 1:15 The crew talks about whether the Vancouver Canucks can hold out against a top-heavy Edmonton Oilers team or if the Oilers will ultimately score their way out of their defensive problems. 16:42 There's bad blood between the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins. The crew discusses whether Sam Bennett should have gotten suspended for knockin...

The crew celebrates PWHL playoffs, shrugs at the draft lottery, and mulls over the fates of the NHL teams that have now been eliminated from Stanley Cup contention. 0:00 SJ welcomes Alex and Trevor to the Neutral Zone Hotel. 02:01 PWHL playoffs are here! 09:05 The NHL draft lottery results are in and it was a big MEH. 15:44 Travis Green has been hired as head coach of the Ottawa Senators. The crew...

0:00 Trevor welcomes Benjamin and SJ for their shift at the Neutral Zone Hotel 3:29 This week, all of the NHL head coaches named David were fired.  18:53 The crew talks about the likelihood of Sheldon Keefe being fired even though his name is not David.  21:21 The crew discusses hockey broadcasts moving from cable packages to streaming.  32:51 The PWHL season is almost over. The crew discusses pla...

0:00 SJ welcomes Benjamin to the Neutral Zone Hotel this week. 1:19 The crew reflects on the recent increase in interest in not only the PWHL, but in womens' sports generally and what that means for all of the leagues in the future.  15:46 The crew talks PWHL playoff clinching scenarios. 19:16 The crew discusses the Buffalo Sabres hiring former head coach Lindy Ruff to replace Don Granato and Benj...

0:00 Alex welcomes John, Trevor and SJ to the Neutral Zone Hotel. 2:47 The crew discusses the final games of the Women's World Championships. 13:34 The Arizona Coyotes are moving to Utah. Sort of. The players, coaches, and front office staff are going and the name, IP, and AHL affiliate are staying in Arizona. Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo has five years to build an arena in Arizona and pay back the...

0:00 Alex welcomes Benjamin and SJ to the Neutral Zone Hotel. 1:13 Benjamin and John went to Utica last weekend to watch four games of the Womens' World Championships. Benjamin survived to tell the tale of his experience attending the Women's World Championships last weekend. (I did not survive, R.I.P. me) 16:28 PWHL updates: The crew talks about the teams starting to announce pride nights, Ottawa...

0:00 Benjamin welcomes SJ and Trevor to the Neutral Zone Hotel 4:17 The ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers has been forced to fold, a week before the end of the season.  16:31 Ivan Fedotov was released by his KHL team and has finally joined the Philadelphia Flyers. 28:09 Trevor gives a quick update on the Vancouver Canucks and SJ gives an update on the Seattle Kraken. 43:45 SJ has watched every NHL team...

0:00 Trevor welcomes Alex and Benjamin to the Neutral Zone Hotel. 1:35 Benjamin discusses the current state of the Montreal Canadiens. 3:48 Alex discusses the current state of the Pittsburgh Penguins. 7:10 A truckload of Jaromír Jágr bobbleheads was stolen. The crew is on the case. 11:43 Sam Reinhart and Zach Hyman have each scored 50 goals for the first time in their careers, and they scored the...

It was a big week for the PWHL and the crew has a lot of thoughts about it. They then pivot to a more depressing, but necessary discussion of NHL enforcers, CTE, and death. SJ welcomes Trevor and Benjamin to the Neutral Zone Hotel. 2:29  PWHL Takeover Weekend was a smashing success in Detroit and Pittsburgh. Benjamin talks about attending the game in Pittsburgh and also shares some bar stories fro...