The FAN Pregame

As the MLB Winter Meetings come to an end, Ailish Forfar & Justin Cuthbert check in with Ben Nicholson-Smith who was in Nashville for the meetings and he reflects on the Ohtani negotiations, the price the Yankees paid for Soto and why the focus on Ohtani took them out of the running for some other worthy free agents. Then, some insight on what it’s been like covering this story and how often he is...

Former MLB Exec David Samson joins Ailish Forfar & Justin Cuthbert to discuss a different type of view on Ohtani. He makes a case that only money matters in negotiations and why on a winning team you just can’t have someone take such a huge percentage of your payroll. Next, Frank Seravalli (25:33) on the Leafs needs on defence, why the Blue Jackets are dropping the ball and Gary Bettman beginning...

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert open with comments from Ken Rosenthal who explained that the Jays meeting Ohtani in Florida really does take things to another level. Then, to Nashville where Shi Davidi joins us (5:28) with the latest - including – the managers meeting the media and how Dave Roberts of the Dodgers revealed too much while John Schneider played things completely opposite. Next, to...

Ailish and Justin speak with the head coach of Team Canada, Bev Priestman, ahead of Christine Sinclair’s final game tonight as they recall their relationship, the influence the player had on the coach, who takes the lead of this team going forward and Bev confirms how Sinc will be used in the game for the final time. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guest...

Ailish Forfar & Justin Cuthbert open with the latest Ohtani rumours and as the Winter Meetings start the Jays are also big players for Juan Soto. Next, over to Jeff Marek (5:26) on NHL trades for defence, why the Kings took an interesting approach to their build and why the NHL has no interest in an in-season tournament. We then head to the GM meetings where Jon Morosi (27:55) joins us for an upda...

Ailish Forfar & Justin Cuthbert start with an update on the Jays' chase of Ohtani with reports from people like Jeff Passan and we weed through all the rumours. Next up, Arash Madani (5:03) out in BC for the Christine Sinclair farewell tour which starts tonight, how she’s being used in the lineup and the build-up for the final game next week. Then, a chat about the Canadian Athlete of the Year and...

We welcome Sid Seixeiro to the show (4:55) who is a believer in the Blue Jays chances of landing Shohei Ohtani and he makes a compelling case for Toronto being a worthy of all the rumours plus, where this would rank in Canadian history if it happened. Later, Hailey Salvian from The Athletic (25:02) reacts to the Nikita Zadorov trade to the Canucks and if the Maple Leafs could have gotten into the...

Ailish Forfar & Justin Cuthbert are pleased to have Ernie Johnson (6:13) join the show on the heels of the NBA Tournament wrapping up the group stage, the tiebreaker scenario and if point differential is the best way to do it – or – should the regular season record be the determining factor. Then, his thoughts on the Raptors, why he loves Ailish’s analogy of “the mushy middle” and if the Golden St...

Ailish Forfar & Justin Cuthbert hear from the GM of the Blackhawks with a recap of his press conference today. Frank Seravalli shares his view of how the Blackhawks handled the situation, why Davidson was limited in what he said and the importance of laying to rest some of the rumours that came out of the situation. Later, why Patrick Kane chose the Red Wings, the Leafs are buying time until the p...

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert lead the show with breaking news that the Wild have fired head coach Dean Evason and replaced him with John Hynes.  Jeff Marek joins the conversation (6:17) and discusses the recycling of coaches and how close other teams are to making moves. Then, some thoughts on the Leafs taking Marner off the top line, why the Tkachucks are everything you want in hockey player...

Sportsnet's own Caroline Cameron joins Ailish and Justin in-studio fresh off an Oilers' win! She shares why this win may be Edmonton's first complete game of the season and if the team can dig themselves out of their early season hole, before determining how many teams around the league are "Stanley Cup worthy”. Next, The Athletic's Sean Gentille looks back on Kyle Dubas' early days with the Pengu...

Nick Kypreos (0:13) sticks around after his show to talk some Leafs, including John Klingberg being put on Long-Term Injured Reserve, and if surgery is next, does it means his entire season will be over? How will the Leafs use their financial flexibility? Afterwards, they chat with TNT/NHL Network's Jackie Redmond (27:42), who gets into the pace that William Nylander continues to stay on after the...

Frank Seravalli leads the show today with the Oilers in desperate need of a goalie and thinks a former Leaf is a perfect fit (2:45). Then, over to why changes need to happen in Columbus, his take on the Nylander situation and the AAV he believes Willy is worth. Next up, Carolina Hurricanes GM Don Waddell joins us (25:23) ahead of hosting the Oilers, he discusses the growth of the fan base, tailgat...

Ailish Forfar & Justin Cuthbert start with Alvin Williams in Orlando for the Raps' In-Season Tournament game tonight. He discusses how the tourney is being viewed by the players, the identity of this current team and why they are still a mystery. Next up, Nabil Karim (25:38) from TNT and NBA TV on the popularity of the tournament and what players have told him about the extra money being a motivat...

Ailish Forfar & Justin Cuthbert start off with Jeff Marek (2:25) on McDavid not being the same since rushing back for the Heritage Classic, the Oilers dipping into the goalie market and the success of the Global Series in Sweden. Meanwhile, William Nylander has become invaluable. Next up, Chris Rose (27:05) weighs in on the lack of trade value for Alek Manoah, where he thinks Ohtani is looking at...

Frank Seravalli joins Ailish Forfar & Justin Cuthbert (2:38) from Sweden to discuss the International Series, the Leafs looking to fix their issues on defence and he confirms that they met with Patrick Kane earlier this week. Plus, a discussion of the future of International teams and how that potential expansion could work in the NHL. Later, Ben Verlander (25:15) from Fox Sports on the Ohtani rum...

Sam Cosentino, SN NHL Analyst joins Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert ahead of Oilers/Kraken tonight and the “McGM” talk, and Horvat's reunion with his old Canucks team. Then, to the Leafs, the growth of Willie Nylander and what they would have to give up to fix their issues on defence. Next, a chat with Will Lou (25:30) from courtside ahead of Raps/Bucks. The OG injury continues, Barnes reaches a...

Ailish Forfar & Justin Cuthbert start the show with Bruce Boudreau (4:59) and we press the head coach on everything from coaches hired and fired, whether the Nylander season is a surprise, why he hates the word tanking and whether 3 on 3 needs fixing. Later, David Shaw (25:55), Sr. VP of UFC discusses the new partnership with Sportsnet, the rise of Canadian MMA stars and UFC 297 coming to Toronto...

On the heels of the Edmonton Oilers firing their coach, Jeff Marek joins Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert (5:27) to discuss how the former agent of McDavid – Jeff Jackson – is making the calls, putting his stamp on the team and the awkwardness between him and Ken Holland. Then, to nervous coaches in the NHL and why Jay Woodcroft is in line to replace anyone on the hot seat. Next, Katie Heindl (26...

Ailish & Justin welcome Ron MacLean (4:38) to the show ahead of Hall of Fame weekend, why some players struggle after signing massive deals when pointing to the Huberdeau situation with the Flames. Why the Oilers have fallen apart, the case to stick with Jay Woodcroft and how the Canucks had an unconventional journey to the top from new players to a new coach. Next, as the Leafs go back to back wi...

Ailish & Justin open the show with Steve Kouleas (5:28) on the heels of Sheldon Keefe’s fiery post-game where he called out the team and Steve outlines why the team has started slowly.  Then, he takes a look around the league from the Bruins staying hot and why the Oilers can still bounce back. Next up, a clip from Kevin Gausman who detailed on a podcast today what happened to Alek Manoah this yea...

Ailish and Justin ask Frank Seravalli which Canadian team is closest to a breaking point between the Oilers, Flames and Sens. Then a bit on Jack Campbell getting waived and Jonathan Huberdeau getting benched as each team is desperate to improve. Then, if the Sens injuries are an excuse for their slow start and the Leafs reputation of being "soft".   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast...

Ailish and Justin open with ESPN's Greg Wyshinski  (5:48) on the news that Jack Campbell was waived today, why the Oilers never provided a proper goalie to McDavid/Draisaitl and what’s next for the team that is sitting at 2-8-1. Then, to the Leafs and if the comeback against Tampa will set them in the right direction. Next up, fresh from the MLB GM meetings Blue Jays Ross Atkins is bringing back h...

Ailish and Justin begin the show focusing on the Canadian NHL teams and how they established a rankings system to gauge where teams are at in the season. Then, Jeff Marek joins the show (5:34) to discuss the state of Canadian hockey and Oilers' fanbase. Plus, how Rick Tocchet turned around the Canucks, how coaches use the media to send messages. Finally, Brady Tkachuk's plead with the fans and why...

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert start with Andrew Peters (8:32), former NHL enforcer and host of the After the Whistle Podcast, who discusses the Leafs' lack of toughness in Boston after a Brad Marchand hit and why this was supposed to be a different looking team with Reaves, Domi & Bertuzzi. When is the right time to send a message? Next, Alvin Williams live from San Antonio on the new-look Rap...