NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Hawks Bedard can he live up to the hype; Leafs coach Keefe gets 2 more yrs; plus more news

Connor Bedard takes a shot at the net in practice. Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks will get to take a look at him when pre season starts during the last week in September (NHL.com photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Connor Bedard is all the rage and the Chicago Blackhawks are excited on seeing what he can do. Bedard is excited about getting in camp and getting on with the NHL pre season and is compared to being the best NHL prospect since Austin Matthews.

#2 The Toronto Maple Leafs extended head coach Sheldon Keefe two more seasons. Keefe will be under contract from 2025-26. Talk about some the things the Leafs like about Keefe to bring him back for two more seasons.

#3 The Vegas Golden Knights Phil Kessel said he is willing to give up his 1,064 consecutive games streak to help the Knights. Kessel is not guaranteed a contract for the 2023-24 season and said he would take a healthy scratch if it would help a team.

#4 Former San Jose Shark Joonas Donskoi announced his retirement at age 31. Donskoi didn’t play a game with the Seattle Kraken last season. Donskoi said that concussions have forced him into retirement. Donskoi played seven NHL seasons for San Jose, Colorado Avalanche and the Kraken.

#5 Former Minnesota North Star Brad Maxwell 66, passed away from lung cancer. Maxwell played 613 games and played in the NHL 1977-1987 the North Stars. Maxwell was an excellent golfer.

Join Len for the NHL podcasts weekly at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Stars-Kraken battle in elimination game tonight in Seattle; Will Ruff return as New Jersey coach; plus more

Seattle Kraken right wing Jordan Eberle (7) scores as Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) and defenseman Esa Lindell (23) watch during the first period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Seattle. (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup playoff podcast:

#1 It’s a thriller and a huge game tonight with the Seattle Kraken and the Dallas Stars who play for all the marbles tonight for the Western Conference second round. This is a real head to head with the series with the Kraken defeating the Stars in their last match up in game 6 in Seattle to stay in the series.

#2 The Stars are 3-5 in game sevens since moving from Minnesota in 1993-94 where they are 2-2 at home, the Stars lost last year’s game 7 to the Calgary Flames 3-2 at Scotiabank Saddledome.

#3 The Stars took that tough loss to the Kraken in game 6, 6-3 and forced a game 7, the Stars got a goal from Joe Pavelski his eighth of the post season but it was the turnovers that hurt the Stars in this last contest.

#4 The New Jersey Devils head coach Lindy Ruff may not know if he’ll be back next season but Ruff did lead the Devils to their best season in 41 years going 52-22-8 a 49 point improvement from last season. It also was the first time that New Jersey had qualified for the playoffs since 2018.

#5 Taking a look at some possible draft picks for the San Jose Sharks, as you know Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli are not joining the Sharks in the draft. However taking a look at some draft possibilities Will Smith, Leo Carlsson, or Matvei Michkov. How would one of these players be of a big help for San Jose?

Join Marko for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcasts heard Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup playoff podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Kraken-Stars battle tonight in elimination game in Dallas; plus more NHL news

Seattle Kraken right wing Jordan Eberle (7) scores as Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) and defenseman Esa Lindell (23) watch during the first period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Seattle. (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup playoff podcast:

#1 It’s a thriller and a huge game tonight with the Seattle Kraken and the Dallas Stars who play for all the marbles tonight for the Western Conference second round. This is a real head to head with the series with the Kraken defeating the Stars in their last match up in game 6 in Seattle to stay in the series.

#2 The Stars are 3-5 in game sevens since moving from Minnesota in 1993-94 where they are 2-2 at home, the Stars lost last year’s game 7 to the Calgary Flames 3-2 at Scotiabank Saddledome.

#3 The Stars took that tough loss to the Kraken in game 6, 6-3 and forced a game 7, the Stars got a goal from Joe Pavelski his eighth of the post season but it was the turnovers that hurt the Stars in this last contest.

#4 The New Jersey Devils head coach Lindy Ruff may not know if he’ll be back next season but Ruff did lead the Devils to their best season in 41 years going 52-22-8 a 49 point improvement from last season. It also was the first time that New Jersey had qualified for the playoffs since 2018.

#5 Taking a look at some possible draft picks for the San Jose Sharks, as you know Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli are not joining the Sharks in the draft. However taking a look at some draft possibilities Will Smith, Leo Carlsson, or Matvei Michkov. How would one of these players be of a big help for San Jose?

Join Marko for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcasts heard Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Six NHL teams play a role in playoffs; Bedard sweepstakes continues tonight; plus more

Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews will surely get a curtain call tonight as he plays his last NHL game of his career at the United Center in Chicago (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Tonight’s the night Len as six NHL teams play a role how other teams could vie for a shot at clinching the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche, and Dallas Stars.

#2 Len, the Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews will play his final NHL game tonight at the United Center in Chicago against the Philadelphia Flyers. Towes is at the the end of his eight year $84 million contract and will turn 35 later this month.

#3 The Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin will be a game time decision tonight due to an upper body injury. Ovechkin missed the last three games and is looking to play in this final regular season of the season. The Capitals host the New Jersey Devils tonight.

#4 Len how unbelievable is it that the Pittsburgh Penguins have made post season for the last 16 consecutive season but this season will be the first time in those 16 years that they failed to make post season.

#5 The Connor Bedard sweepstakes is coming down to the wire. Bedard with the Regina Pats and a projected No.1 draft pick might be decided tonight. The Columbus Blue Jackets with the worse percentage in the NHL at .356 two teams are runners up w the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks both with a .358 percentage.

Join Len through the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs for analysis and the NHL podcast Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: CBJ’s Laine out for 2-4 weeks with triceps strain; Coyote’s co-owner suspended for domestic violence; plus more news

The Columbus Blue Jackets Patrik Laine will sit out two to four weeks due to a triceps strain he sustained in practice on Thu Mar 23, 2023 during practice. (nhl.com file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Matt, the second leading scorer on the Columbus Blue Jackets Patrik Laine will miss two to four weeks of action due to triceps strain which he injured while taking a shot during practice on Thursday. Laine is having a great season with 52 points, 22 goals, and 30 assists in 55 games this year.

#2 The Arizona Coyotes minority owner Andrew Barroway has been suspended by the NHL for domestic violence abuse. Barroway 57, is accused of strangling his wife according to Aspen Police and the Aspen Daily News. The league said that Barroway has been suspended indefinitely. Barroway got into an argument with his wife which turned into him strangling his wife. He has been ordered by the courts to stay away from his wife except if it involves visiting their children and is under court order not to consume alcohol.

#3 The Boston Bruins AJ Greer was suspended one game for cross checking the Montreal Canadiens forward Mike Hoffman on Thu Mar 23. Greer cross checked Hoffman at 17:08 of the first period and was hit with a major penalty and a game misconduct. Greer will also be fined $4121.62 money that will go the NHL Players Emergency Fund.

#4 Logan Thompson who made 37 saves for the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday against the Calgary Flames in a 3-2 win suffered an lower body injury. It was tough luck for Thompson who was playing in his first game since Feb 9th. Thompson coming back from another lower body injury and missed 18 games. Thompson left the game at 6:07 of the third period. Jonathan Quick was called to replace Thompson.

#5 Matt, much is the talk of the San Jose Sharks (19-38-15) possibly ending up the team that could get number one NHL draft pick Connor Bedard as the loses continue for San Jose. The Sharks were shellacked in a five goal loss to the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Thursday night 7-2. The loss was San Jose’s eighth straight. Will getting somebody like Bedard give the Sharks someone to build around.

Matt does the NHL podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Bettman says $1 mil cap increase considered due to league profits; Habs Dvorak out for rest of season; plus much more

NHL top prospect Connor Bedard is top candidate for number one draft pick as the San Jose Sharks and the Columbus Blue Jackets could be the winner of the Bedard draft sweepstakes by season’s end. (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says that the salary cap could increase by one million it may not sound like much but it could make a huge difference for club trying to make a trade, draft a player or just make it budget for that free agent. Bettman says revenues have exceeded expectations and an uptick just might be in the works.

#2 Gary Bettman said he’s not ready to reveal who will be the next owner of the Ottawa Senators. Bettman said there are multiple buyers vying for ownership of the Senators but Bettman did say there are bidders of magnitude of interest. Bettman said the sale is not tied to any future downtown arena as the Senators have played in the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata Ottawa since 1996.

#3 Montreal Canadiens Christian Dvorak will miss the rest of the 2022-23 season. Dvorak had knee surgery Wednesday. When it rains it pours Dvorak has not played since Mar 7th when the Canadiens lost to the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 suffered a lower body injury.

#4 While you don’t see too much NHL coverage on ESPN during daily programming and a lot of the talk shows and sports reports don’t discuss game recaps but one thing ESPN, ABC and TNT are acknowledging that viewership of NHL hockey is is averaging 1.1 million a 19 percent bump up. The networks are in their second year of their seven year deal with the NHL. That’s pretty good considering the league gets very little mention on ESPN’s daily schedule programming.

#5 Len, the race to the bottom might prove to be fruitful for either the San Jose Sharks 51 points and the Columbus Blue Jackets 49 points in their bid for NHL number one draft pick Conner Bedard. The Sharks just lost in overtime in San Jose to the visiting Blue Jackets on Tuesday night 6-5.

Join Len for the NHL podcasts Thursday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com