The Hockey PDOcast

Sean Shapiro joins the show to fully unpack the surreal comments coming out of Dallas that sent shock waves through the hockey world (1:50), how the Stars got into this mess to begin with after a series of failed bets this summer (14:10), the likelihood that Tyler Seguin bounces back (22:45), potentially trading Jamie Benn (32:00), Miro Heiskanen's rookie season (40:15), and the state of the franc...

Rob Pizzola joins the show to discuss the impact of the NHL suddenly changing its stance on sports betting, how it becoming more and more socially acceptable in the mainstream has influenced the market, the pros and cons of wagering on hockey, the effect full-fledged tracking data will have once its finally publicly released, the emotional rollercoaster ride that is daily fantasy, and a variety of...

Dom Luszczyszyn joins the show to help size up where we stand with the various major individual awards races now that we're rapidly approaching the halfway point of the season. In this episode we discuss potential storylines that could help swing the Norris (1:00), whether there's a case to be made for anyone other than John Gibson for the Vezina (18:50), if anyone can finally dethrone Alex Ovechk...

John Matisz joins the show to bounce around the Western Conference and look at the most important storylines involving its inhabitants. In this episode we discuss the Blues disastrous start (4:10), whether John Gibson can keep the Ducks in the playoff race (9:30), if this is the year for the Flames to make their move (15:50), whether anyone can challenge Elias Pettersson for the Calder (26:36), th...

Joe Yerdon joins the show to discuss the Sabres unexpectedly successful start to the season (1:00), The Tim Murray Years with the benefit of hindsight (16:10), the deadly combination of Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner (29:00), Rasmus Dahlin's immediate brilliance (41:40), and the big decisions that wait ahead (49:45). Sponsoring today’s show is SeatGeek, which is making it easier than ever before to...

Murat Ates joins the show to help deep dive the Winnipeg Jets. In this episode we discuss Patrik Laine's goal scoring binge to start the season (1:30), Kyle Connor's role as the unsung hero (6:30), the handling of Dustin Byfuglien's head injury and the league's concussion protocol (24:45), Connor Hellebuyck's shaky play (31:20), the differences between last year and this year (35:50), and lessons...

Frank Seravalli joins the show to discuss Ron Hextall's departure in Philadelphia (0:00), the Oilers hiring Ken Hitchcock (17:05), the William Nylander contract situation and how it'll impact future prominent restricted free agents (30:10), and the Dylan Strome trade (46:50). Sponsoring today’s show is SeatGeek, which is making it easier than ever before to buy and sell sports and concert tickets....

Nick Mercadante joins the show to continue our annual tradition of ranking the best puck-stoppers in the world. In this episode we discuss: 4:00 Unpredictable aging curves for goalies 22:45 Big name goalies that have fallen on hard times 28:30 The tantalizing potential of Antti Raanta 32:10 The ageless wonder of Luongo and Lundqvist 45:10 The ascension of Hellebuyck and Andersen into the elite 56:...

Patrick Johnston joins the show to discuss the Vancouver Canucks, and the alien life form that has come to planet earth with the sole mission of fixing the franchise. We also get into a couple of other topics, most notably including: 1:00 Elias Pettersson and the Canucks 26:00 Joel Quenneville's next coaching stop 45:20 Playoff Expansion 54:45 Covering a team on a full-time basis Sponsoring today’...

Alan Wells joins the show to discuss the Tampa Bay Lightning, how they can fight off the downswing phase of the cycle successful NHL teams go through, and how they can finally get over the hump and shed the mantle of being the team that always falls just short in the postseason. In this episode we get to the succession plan from Steve Yzerman to Julien BriseBois (6:00), Ryan McDonagh's bounceback...

Andrew Berkshire joins the show to help rank the best defensemen in the game. In this episode we discuss the nuances that make it tricky to evaluate the position (1:00), the honourable mentions that just missed the cut (21:45), and the top 20 itself (33:30). We also get into topics like Zach Werenski without Seth Jones, Dougie Hamilton's perplexing usage, why people seem to hate Jeff Petry (49:15)...

Alex Prewitt joins the show to help hand out some early season superlatives and take a closer look at the most pressing questions that have yet to be answered thus far. In this episode we discuss the biggest disappointment (5:15), the best line in hockey (13:11), the most frustrating injury (19:55), the most pleasant surprise (24:05), the first coach to be fired (30:20), the biggest storylines to...

Andrew Berkshire joins the show to help rank the best wingers in the game. In this episode we discuss the laundry list of honourable mentions who just missed the cut (1:00), the players just ranked 16 through 20 (20:00), 11 through 15 (59:00), 6 through 10 (1:13:30), and the top 5 (1:19:00). Sponsoring today’s show is SeatGeek, which is making it easier than ever before to buy and sell sports and...

Jonatan Lindquist joins the show to discuss the latest NHL Global Series venture and the league's attempts to grow the game overseas (1:00), the Devils pursuit to build off last year's surprising success and avoid regressing (12:30), John Gibson's excellence and the Ducks reliance on youth (21:30), the Sharks early season growing pains (34:00), and the differences between European Pro Leagues and...

Andrew Berkshire joins the show to help sort through the league's absolutely loaded crop of centers, and rank the best players at the position. In this episode we discuss the methodology guiding the ranking process (1:45), the honourable mentions that just missed the cut (11:10), the start of the top 20 list (15:45), and eventually the real cream of the crop with the top 10 itself (1:07:05).  Spon...

Sean McIndoe joins the show to help compile our annual Watchability Rankings. In this episode we put together a list counting down from 31 all the way down to 1 based on the entertainment value each team figures to provide viewers with this season. Here's a good rundown of the methodology that guides the list: “If you’re sitting down on a random Thursday night and there’s a plethora of games to ch...

Elan and Brian from the Keeping Karlsson podcast join the show for the Eastern Conference component of our two-part fantasy hockey preview crossover. For Part 1 and the Western Conference section go and check out their feed. In this episode we set the timer to 4 minutes per team, using every second (and then some) of that allotted time to dig into all of the most relevant storylines and players in...

Jonathan Willis joins the show to dissect the Erik Karlsson trade, the Max Pacioretty trade, and the lasting effect the moves we've seen this summer will have on a suddenly much improved Pacific Division. Topics discussed in this episode include: 1:30 Life after Erik Karlsson in Ottawa 32:00 The Sharks going all-in with this group 54:40 Trying to figure out what Montreal's plan is 1:07:20 The outl...

Sara Civian joins the show to discuss the Boston Bruins, their relatively inactive offseason, the looming slugfest atop the Atlantic Division that awaits them, and how they can better pace themselves through the regular season to avoid wearing down coming the playoffs. 9:30 Bruins bet on in-house options developing 13:00 Wearing down toward the end of the season 16:00 Prolonging Zdeno Chara's care...

Jason Rowe joins the show to discuss his time scouting for the San Jose Sharks organization, his recent transition to coaching at the collegiate level, and the resistance against fully embracing the use of analytics in hockey. Sponsoring today’s show is SeatGeek, which is making it easier than ever before to buy and sell sports and concert tickets. They’re giving our listeners a $20 rebate off of...

Craig Custance joins the show to discuss the philosophy behind rebuilding, make super duper preliminary 2018-19 predictions, and answer your mailbag questions. Topics include: 6:10 The pros and cons of fully tanking in hockey 20:30 The Jeff Skinner trade 34:30 Artemi Panarin landing spots 39:50 The Kings, and pushing chips in with your current core 49:20 Can their big summer push the Blues over th...

Shayna Goldman joins the show to discuss the New York Rangers, all of the moving parts we've seen there this summer, and the surprising transparency of their rebuild. 2:15 A fanbase's patience for a proper rebuild 9:20 Quinn's system and putting players in position to succeed 18:00 Using 2018-19 to properly evaluate players 29:10 Financial flexibility, draft assets, and Skjei's extension 42:00 Lun...

Sean Shapiro joins the show to discuss the Dallas Stars, the roadblock in their pursuit of Erik Karlsson, what's ultimately amounted to a strangely quiet offseason for them, and whether Jim Nill and Jim Montgomery can reverse course on the franchise's recent slide. 1:40 The Karlsson trade rumours, and Miro Heiskanen 20:25 The Stars recent downward trajectory 33:10 Jim Montgomery's most important d...

Alison Lukan joins the show to discuss the Columbus Blue Jackets, the looming uncertainty involving the future of two of their most important players, and how the franchise can finally turn their newfound regular season success into playoff wins. 0:20 Handling the delicate Artemi Panarin situation 14:30 The market for Sergei Bobrovsky 30:15 John Tortorella's evolution  41:30 William Karlson's upco...

Arthur Staple joins the show to discuss John Tavares' decision to leave the New York Islanders this summer, and the organization's attempts to pivot on the fly.  1:25 The John Tavares courting process 8:53 A highly questionable Plan B in free agency 16:16 Lehner, Trotz, and a historically bad defensive team 25:55 Plans for the coming season and beyond 35:00 Fan engagement through dark periods Spon...