Tag: NHL podcast with Len Shapiro

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Columbus’ Fantilli out for 8 weeks calf laceration; Canucks reup GM Allvin 3 more years; plus more news

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The Columbus Blue Jackets forward Adam Fantilli (left) passes the puck while be pursued by the Seattle Kraken’s forward Yanni Gourde (right) at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Sat Jan 13, 2024. Fantilli was injured on Sun Jan 28, 2024 vs. Seattle (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Columbus Blue Jackets Adam Fantilli is expected to be out for the next eight weeks because of a lacerated calf. Fantilli got the laceration in the second period of the Jackets contest against the Seattle Kraken on Sunday when his calf caught the blade of Kraken Jared McCann. Fantilli hopped off the ice and down the tunnel to the dressing room without putting any pressure on his leg.

#2 Things are going well for the Vancouver Canucks who are tied for the best NHL record and going so well that they have extended their general manager Patrik Allvin to a three year deal to make sure he stays on with the club. The Canucks wanted to sign Allvin now and become active buyers before the NHL trade deadline on March 8th.

#3 The Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen was cleared to start working out. Andersen had been out since Nov 2 due to a blood clotting issue. Before going on the injured list Andersen was 4-1-0 with 2.87 goals against and a very respectable goals saved average of .894. Andersen said he was thrilled to be a step closer to joining his teammates.

#4 Len it’s going to be a very busy Thursday to star NHL All Star weekend with three events taking place all in one day at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Thursday’s events begin with Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Player Draft (6 p.m. ET; ESPN2, SN, TVAS), (U.S.)/Rogers (Canada) NHL All-Star Game on Saturday (3 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS).

#5 The Toronto Maple Leafs George Armstrong who lived to be 90 years old was a key player and team captain for the 1967 Maple Leafs who scored one of the three goals to defeat the Montreal Canadiens to win the Stanley Cup 3-1 it was the last time the Leafs won the Cup. The NHL Alumni Association will recognize and remember the 67 Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena as part of the three event program on Thursday. The Alumni Association will present the Keith Magnuson Award to the seven living 1967 Maple Leafs players  David Keon, Frank Mahovlich (both in the NHL Hall of Fame) and Bob Pulford, and fellow forwards Brian Conacher, Ron Ellis, Pete Stemkowski and Mike Walton.

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Matthews gets Leafs by Jets 1-0 with late goal; Panthers clobber Coyotes 6-2; plus more news

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The Toronto Maple Leafs forward Austin Matthews (34) scores on the Winnipeg Jets goaltender Laurent Brossoit (39) in overtime at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Wed Jan 24, 2024 (Canadian Press via AP photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Toronto Maple Leafs put a win together on Wednesday night with Austin Matthews who scored with just 47 seconds left in the overtime stanza. The Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov saved 32 shots in the 1-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

#2 The Florida Panthers Sam Reinhart scored a goal and an assist and is now on an 11 game point streak. That effort helped the Panthers defeat the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday night 6-2.

#3 The Boston Bruins dropped their nine game point streak Wednesday night when the Carolina Hurricanes Jordan Martinook scored a third period goal to help the Hurricanes to a 3-2 win at TD Garden in Boston.

#4 The Colorado Avalanche crushed the struggling Washington Capitals with a 6-2 win as the Ave’s Nathan MacKinnon scored four goals and had an assist to increase his point steak to 24 games and 82 points.

#5 The Seattle Kraken crushed the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night at Climate Pledge Arena 6-2. The Kraken scored twice in each period of the game. In the third period the Kraken’s Tomas Tatar scored twice.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcasts Thursday night’s at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Gauthier leaves Flyers, coach called him a cancer, fans sent him death threats; Blackhawks Bedard out 6-8 wks; plus more news

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Former Philadelphia Flyer Cutter Gauthier received death threats from Flyer fans and head coach John Tortorella said he was a cancer was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks for Jamie Drysdale and a second round draft pick on Wed Jan 10, 2024 (Getty image)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Two questions Len how surprised were you that Cutter Gauthier (goat-chee-a) wanted out of Philadelphia. Gauthier was reportedly was not happy in pre season camp. Gauthier is going to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a second round pick. A source said that head coach John Tortorella and other team leaders felt he was a cancer in the dressing room. Cutter was soured on the team and there is not much surprise that he and Tortorella were not happy with each other. Tortolrella can have a salty personality and Gauthier was not happy with his style of coaching. Gauthier had also received death threats from fans according to one story.

#2 The Chicago Blackhawks took a big hit when they learned that their No.1 pick Connor Bedard will be out for six to eight weeks with a fractured jaw. Bedard was injured when he took a hit by New Jersey Devils defenseman Brandan Smith on Jan 5th Bedard skated into the offensive zone and was holding his mouth. Bedard was leading the Hawks and all NHL rookies with 33 points.

#3 The Boston Bruins lost their goaltender Linus Ullmark when he suffered a lower body injury at 2:40 of overtime in a 4-3 loss to the Arizona Coyotes at Mullet Arena in Tempe last Tuesday. Ullmark stretched out on a shot by the Coyotes forward Logan Cooley which went over the crossbar. It would appear that Ullmark suffered a pull. He had saved 32 shots before the injury. His back up Jeremy Swayman allowed a goal on the first shot he faced.

#4 The Flyers Jamie Drysdale didn’t waste anytime getting to work after joining the Flyers from Anaheim in the Gauthier exchange. Drysdale had an assist in setting up the tying goal and the Flyers went onto defeat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in a shootout. On the other hand the Habs goaltender Cayden Primeau stopped 37 shots.

#5 The Dallas Stars Nils Lundkvist scored a goal and an assist. The contest wasn’t even close on Wednesday night at the Stars took no prisoners in their 7-2 blasting of the Minnesota Wild. It was the Wild’s Jesper Wallstedt’s NHL debut at the American Airline Center in Dallas. Wallstedt faced 34 shots and allowed seven goals.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcast Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Rangers Miller scores once and gets three points; Devils get by Jackets in a nail biter 4-3; plus more NHL news

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New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shersterkin (31) pushes the Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) in the second period at Madison Square Garden in New York on Wed Dec 27, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 Len, the New York Rangers K’Andre Miller was a big assist with three points and scoring two goals to help New York defeat the Washington Capitals 5-1.

#2 The Rangers got defensive help from goaltender Igor Shesterkin with 25 saves to help the Rangers pick up their five win out of their last six games.

#3 The Capitals Anthony Mantha scored the only goal for Washington and Alexander Ovechkin didn’t score and had four shots on goal.

#4 The New Jersey Devils edged the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Prudential Center 4-3 on Wednesday night. The Devils got goals from Dawson Mercer, Luke Hughes, Timo Meier, and Ondrej Palat. New Jersey got some good goaltending from Vitek Vanecek who stopped 26 out of 29 shots.

#5 In another close game of the Florida rivals the Tampa Bay Lightning just got by the Florida Panthers 3-2 in Sunrise Fl tonight. The Lightning had to score twice in the third period to win it from Nikita Kucherov at 29 seconds. With the score tied at 2-2 the Lightning got their third goal from Michael Eyssimont for the 3-2 win.

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

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Vilardi’s goal and 2 assists stand up in Jets win over Wings 5-2; Strome gets power play goal in Caps OT win; plus more NHL news

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The Winnipeg Jets Gabriel Vilardi (13) gets the puck in the back of the net in the second period against the Detroit Red Wings goaltender James Reimer (47) at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg on Wed Dec 20, 2023 (Canadian Press via AP)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Len, Gabriel Vilardi led the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday scoring in his fourth straight game. Vilardi picked up two assists to help defeat the Detroit Red Wings 5-2 at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. Jets goal tender Connor Hellebeck did a job in net.

#2 The Washington Capitals Dylan Strome scored on a power play goal at 1:41 into the overtime as the Caps edged the New York Islanders at Capital One Arena in DC. Strome has become the go to guy.

#3 Len, right after the Los Angeles Kings defeated the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night 4-1 the Kings got handed a one goal loss by the Seattle Kraken whose goaltender Joey Daccord stopped 42 shots and allowed just one goal in the 2-1 win for Seattle on Wednesday night. Kings are not playing well at home but got a key win on home ice.

#4 Jaromir Jagr may no longer be in the NHL but he hasn’t hung up his skate at 51 years old as he starts his 36th season in professional hockey playing in the Czech Republic with Klando in a 4-3 loss to Pardubice. Played 26 games last year at 50 years old. Jagr picked up an assist it’s just incredible that Jagr is still going strong still playing professional hockey.

#5 Len, they’re talking about big and the NHL, media and the fans are looking forward to the next 2024 Discover Winter Classic outdoors as the Seattle Kraken prepare to host the Vegas Golden Knights at T Mobile Park the baseball home of the Seattle Mariners. The outdoor game is scheduled for New Years day at 12 noon PT.

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

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Jets lose Connor for next 6-8 weeks with lower body injury; Blues fire Berube, Bannister named as interim coach; plus more NHL news

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Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor is helped off the ice after injuring his knee against the Anaheim Ducks on Sun Dec 3, 2023 at the Honda Center in Anaheim (photo grab from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 Kyle Connor the forward for the Winnipeg Jets who was placed on the injured reserve list on Wednesday due to a knee injury he sustained in collision with the Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Strome on Sunday. The Jets won the contest 4-2 and was without Connor on Tuesday night in San Jose Connor’s first game out in a 2-1 loss. Connor is expected out for the next 6-8 weeks.

#2 The St Louis Blues fired head coach Craig Berube on Tuesday and was replaced by interim coach Drew Bannister. Bannister will be behind the bench in his Blues head coaching debut on Thursday night when the Blues host the Ottawa Senators at Enterprise Arena in St Louis. Berube had lost his fourth straight game on Tuesday night to the Detroit Red Wings 6-4. The Blues are sixth in the NHL Central and 26th in goals per game (2.82).

#3 NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman appeared on ESPN and took questions from fans one who asked about the Washington Capitals moving to Alexander Virginia. Bettman said that no NHL teams are moving but the Alexander move which would be four miles from where the Caps play now would present a new technology experience “that could very special.” Also Bettman was asked about expansion and mentioned  “Atlanta, Quebec City, Houston, Salt Lake City,” however Bettman said things are working just fine with the 32 teams that the NHL has right now. It would be a Board of Governors decision down the road.

#4 Forbes came out with 2023 evaluations of the teams and the league could get giant money to get an expansion franchise and the Phoenix Coyotes are looking to get a better place from where they are now in Tucson.

#5 The San Jose Sharks who were predicted to have the worst record in NHL history looks like they’ve broke out of any kind of slump they might have been in. They improved winning three out of six on their last road trip returned home on Tuesday and edged out the Winnipeg Jets 2-1. What are some of the improvements they you can point to that has put the Sharks on track these last seven games.

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

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Robinson traded to Buffalo from Columbus; Toronto’s Klingberg hip surgery out for season; plus more NHL news

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Eric Robinson forward was traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Buffalo Sabres for a 2025 seventh round draft pick Wed Dec 6, 2023. Here is Robinson skating against the Ottawa Senators on Sun Apr 2, 2023. (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 Forward Eric Robinson was acquired by the Buffalo Sabres from the Columbus Blue Jackets Wednesday. The Blue Jackets in turn received a seventh round 2025 draft pick from the Sabres in the exchange. Robinson has one goal, three assists and seven points this season. Robinson played in 72 games last season for the Blue Jackets.

#2 Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman John Klingberg will be out for the rest of the season due to hip surgery. Klingberg went on long term injured reserve on Nov 23 and will have hip surgery with an expected five to six months recovery time. Klingberg last played on Nov 11th in the Leafs 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks.

#3 Former New York Rangers and current Detroit Red Wing Patrick Kane will see action against the San Jose Sharks at 4:00pm PT tonight at Little Caesar’s Pizza Arena in Detroit. Kane had been out since Jun 1 after having resurfacing surgery. This will be Kane’s first game as a Red Wing his last game was with the Rangers in game 7 of the 2023 Eastern Conference first round on May 1st.

#4 The NHL has announced that they will be the first sports league to hold an event at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The 2024 NHL Draft will be held at the Sphere on Jun 28 and 29. The Sphere holds 18,600 in the globe changing like arena. It’s know for it’s LED displays and state of the art video displays on it’s globe like surface.

#5 The NHL announced this week that it will be growing it’s salary cap from $83.5 million to $87.7 million an increase of $4.2 million. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman who is expected to address the media on the subject will give a fuller picture of the projections. One of the key reasons for the raise is the league has gained profit revenue to the tune of $3.3 billion.

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

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Thompson week to week for Sabres; Canucks Soucy out 6-8 weeks with lower body injury; plus more news

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The Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson is week to week due to a upper body injury he got playing against the Boston Bruins on Tue Nov 14, 2023 (AP News file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson is listed as week to week with an upper body injury that he sustained against the Boston Bruins. Thompson stopped a shot from the Bruins Charlie McAvoy in the second period. The Sabres were on the penalty kill. Thompson was came up injured in the Buffalo zone Thompson did tough it out through the play and left the game at 11:05.

#2 Vancouver Canucks defenseman Carson Soucy who blocked a shot from the Montreal Canadiens with his left foot. Soucy is listed out for the next six to eight weeks with a lower body injury. Soucy missed the first two games this season and now will miss almost two months of play.

#3 Len, anytime you lose your goaltender the head coach, the goalie coach, and the rest fall in line of worry what will they do next. The Washington Capitals goalie Darcy Kuemper was injured in practice when he was hit by a puck in an unprotected are of his leg from a shot in practice. Caps head coach Spencer Harbery said it’s not an ideal situation and it was a shot from behind Kuemper that hit him said Harbery.

#4 Len, the Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart had an impressive return. Hart was out with an injury for the last two weeks came back and stopped 31 shots against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena in Carolina. Hart was crucial between the pipes on his return who was out due to a back injury and missed five games since Nov 1st against the Buffalo Sabres in a 5-2 loss.

#5 The Pittsburgh Penguins Kris Letang is one point short of reaching his 700th career point. Letang would become the 29th NHL player to join the 700 career points club. Letang is the third active NHL player that would have 700 point joining Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns (844 points, 248 goals and 596 assists) and the Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (776 points, 183 goals and 593 assists). Ironically Len the two players with well over 700 career points are both defenseman in Burns and Karlsson two former San Jose Sharks.

Join Len Shapiro does the NHL podcasts each Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Sens Stutzle opens up on offense against Leafs; Wild get Bogosian from Lightning; plus more news

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Detroit Red Wings defenseman Filip Hronek goes after Ottawa Senators left wing Tim Stutzle who puts the puck on net against the Detroit Red Wings goaltender Ville Husso at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on Tue Feb 28, 2023 (AP file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Len talk about the Ottawa Senators Tim Stutzle scored a goal and picked up three assists. The Senators scored three unanswered goals in 3:11 defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3 at Scotiabank in Toronto.

#2 In a trade on Wednesday the Minnesota Wild got Zach Bogosian from the Tampa Bay Lightning for a seven round draft pick in 2025, and Calen Addison to the San Jose Sharks for Adam Raska and a 2026 fifth round draft pick.

#3 The Colorado Avalanche Ross Colton forward was fined $5000 which is the maximum under the Collective Bargaining Agreement for cross checking New Jersey Devils forward Timo Meier on Tuesday night. The penalty came at 10:44 in the second period and Colton was hit with a major penalty and a game misconduct.

#4 The Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard is finding his way around goal creases, Bedard has three goals and five assists and has been a force with Nick Foligno and Philipp Kurashev on the same line. How crucial is Bedard for the Blackhawks.

#5 The San Jose Sharks picked up their first win of the season after losing 11 straight games. The Sharks goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood stopped 39 Flyers shots to save the night. The Sharks defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 after getting blasted by the Vancouver Canucks 10-1 and Pittsburgh Penguins 10-2. The Sharks defense looked far more improved against the Flyers can you talk about the improvements?

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Senators sports wagering scandal forces Dorion out as GM; Wild’s Boldy back in line up for Thursday night; plus more NHL news

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Pierre Dorion was fired by the Ottawa Senators on Wed Nov 1, 2023 by owner Michael Andlauer (photo from NHL.com)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Ottawa Senators fired general manager Pierre Dorion. The firing came under new Senators owner Michael Andlauer who as owner within his first 30 days had a inherited a sports wagering scandal. Shane Pinto was suspended for 41 games for sports wagering. The suspension started Oct 26th. The Senators also lose a first round draft pick and the trade for Evgeni Dadonov was invalidated. Steven Staios has been named as the new general manager.

#2 Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy is expected to get back in the line up for Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils. Boldy had been out with an upper body injury since Oct 14 on the second night of the regular season against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Boldy said getting hurt in the second game of the year stinks.

#3 The Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart is out with an upper body injury. Hart sustained the injury against the Buffalo Sabers at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Wednesday. It was Hart’s eighth start in ten games.

#4 For the Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard says he’s getting used to the NHL life. Bedard so far has four goals and two assists and hoped to see a lot more action. Bedard said that he looks forward to an exciting NHL season.

#5 Len, the Carolina Hurricanes Paul Stastny is retiring from hockey after 17 years. Stastny has not filed any retirement papers but said in September he would be done after this season. Stastny came in as a second pick (44) in 2005 by the Colorado Avalanche. Stastny has 822 career points (293 goals and 529 assists).

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