The Hockey PDOcast

Jeff Marek joins the show for this year's version of what's become an annual preseason tradition for the show - the Watchability Rankings. We discuss what we're looking forward to watching, and rank all 31 teams based on the entertainment value we think they'll provide in the 2021 season. Topics include: How we put together our lists and tiered teams What we find entertaining and worth watching The bad rebuilding teams already looking to the future The good defensive teams that aren't especially exciting The teams that have a lot of brand new faces The teams we're particularly high or low on The usual suspects in the East The explosive Canadian Division If you're interested in the Blue Wire Hustle program discussed at the top of the show, you can submit your application here: http://bwhustle.com/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you'd like to gain access to the two extra shows we're doing each week this season, you can subscribe to our Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/thehockeypdocast/membership If you'd like to participate in the conversation and join the community we're building over on Discord, you can do so by signing up for the Hockey PDOcast's server here: https://discord.gg/a2QGRpJc84 The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Hailey Salvian joins the show to deep dive the Ottawa Senators rebuild. We discuss the issues that have plagued them in the past, what they've been up to this offseason, and the questions that need to be answered before they really turn things around. Topics include: The fanbase's Melnyk Fatigue Whether they made the most of their offseason The financial motives for their moves Creating environment to help young players transition Brady Tkachuk's next contract The pursuit of a number 1 center Patiently seeing rebuild all the way through How expensive being a contender can be The recent trades they've made If you're interested in the Blue Wire Hustle program discussed at the top of the show, you can submit your application here: http://bwhustle.com/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you'd like to gain access to the two extra shows we're doing each week this season, you can subscribe to our Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/thehockeypdocast/membership If you'd like to participate in the conversation and join the community we're building over on Discord, you can do so by signing up for the Hockey PDOcast's server here: https://discord.gg/a2QGRpJc84 The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Chris Johnston joins the show to discuss the players, teams, and stories we're most interested in heading into the 2021 season. The topics include: Did Vegas get better after all of their moves? Colorado's new status as favourites Nathan MacKinnon's evolution in the bubble Connor McDavid with a chip on his shoulder The final chapters of Alex Ovechkin's story The unique nature of the Canadian Division Tampa Bay without Kucherov or cap crunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you'd like to gain access to the two extra shows we're doing each week this season, you can subscribe to our Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/thehockeypdocast/membership If you'd like to participate in the conversation and join the community we're building over on Discord, you can do so by signing up for the Hockey PDOcast's server here: https://discord.gg/a2QGRpJc84 The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Cam Robinson joins the show to help rewatch the Gold Medal Game from the 2011 World Juniors. We discuss Canada's epic collapse, Russia's thrilling comeback, everything that played into it, and what we've learned from it ten years later. Topics include: The legacy of this game What aged the best What aged the worst The TSN turning point The biggest heat check performance The questions that still remain unanswered The pros and cons of the broadcast Who won the game Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you'd like to gain access to the two extra shows we're doing each week this season, you can subscribe to our Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/thehockeypdocast/membership If you'd like to participate in the conversation and join the community we're building over on Discord, you can do so by signing up for the Hockey PDOcast's server here: https://discord.gg/a2QGRpJc84 The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Corey Masisak joins the show to deep dive the New Jersey Devils rebuild. We discuss where things went wrong last season, the questions that need to be answered, and how they can fix things moving forward. Topics include: Where things went wrong in 2019 for the Devils Why winning the offseason didn't translate into actual wins How invested the organization is in analytics The pros and cons of Lindy Ruff as a coach How legit Mackenzie Blackwood's second half tear was What Jack Hughes will look like in Year 2 Who stays and who goes in years to come Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you'd like to gain access to the two extra shows we're doing each week this season, you can subscribe to our Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/thehockeypdocast/membership If you'd like to participate in the conversation and join the community we're building over on Discord, you can do so by signing up for the Hockey PDOcast's server here: https://discord.gg/a2QGRpJc84 The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Sheng Peng joins the show to discuss why the San Jose Sharks suddenly find themselves in uncharted waters, what caused their nightmarish 2019-20 season and where the issues started, plus how they can ultimately get things back on track to prevent this from becoming the new normal for the organization. Topics include: 2:00 The price of being good for a long time 12:00 Death by 1000 cuts in summer of 2019 20:00 How they can fix things heading into next season 26:00 Separating goalie performance from defensive system 41:00 Running the offense through Brent Burns 46:00 Erik Karlsson's impact and availability 52:30 Marc-Edouard Vlasic's recent decline 1:03:00 The franchise's agenda moving forward Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you'd like to gain access to the two extra shows we're doing each week this season, you can subscribe to our Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/thehockeypdocast/membership If you'd like to participate in the conversation and join the community we're building over on Discord, you can do so by signing up for the Hockey PDOcast's server here: https://discord.gg/a2QGRpJc84 The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Darryl Belfry joins the show to discuss his experiences working with the best players in the NHL, how stars use the offseason to work on their game and acquire new skills, and all of the different things that go into skills training at the highest level. Topics include: 2:00 Process of adding tools during the offseason 8:00 Crosby's endless pursuit of getting better 14:00 How MacKinnon fixed his shooting % 22:00 Different components that go into shooting the puck 32:00 Incorporating skills training into game situations 42:00 Performance indicators that'll translate to next level 53:00 Playing fast vs. skating fast, and the perception of speed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you'd like to gain access to the two extra shows we're doing each week this season, you can subscribe to our Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/thehockeypdocast/membership If you'd like to participate in the conversation and join the community we're building over on Discord, you can do so by signing up for the Hockey PDOcast's server here: https://discord.gg/a2QGRpJc84 The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Jordan Samuels Thomas joins the show to help us rewatch the classic West Final in 2014 between the Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks. We discuss what made it arguably the best and most important series of the 2010s, what aged the best and worst with the benefit of hindsight, and the individual performances that really stood out above the rest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you'd like to gain access to the two extra shows we're doing each week this season, you can subscribe to our Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/thehockeypdocast/membership If you'd like to participate in the conversation and join the community we're building over on Discord, you can do so by signing up for the Hockey PDOcast's server here: https://discord.gg/a2QGRpJc84 The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Jack Han joins the show to discuss his time coaching with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, the pros and cons of the AHL as a developmental league, why innovation in the NHL is easier said than done, and how you can use video to help improve player performance. Topics include: 2:30 Making the most of the AHL experience 13:00 Older stars reinventing their game 21:00 Zach Werenski, offensive funnels, and thinking the game 29:00 Key attributes of a good coach 39:00 Trying to win vs. trying not to lose 49:00 Importance of 'puck touches' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you'd like to gain access to the two extra shows we're doing each week this season, you can subscribe to our Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/thehockeypdocast/membership If you'd like to participate in the conversation and join the community we're building over on Discord, you can do so by signing up for the Hockey PDOcast's server here: https://discord.gg/a2QGRpJc84 The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Chad DeDominicis joins the show to deep dive the Buffalo Sabres rebuilding in perpetuity. We discuss all of the instability and turnover the organization has gone through over the past decade, how much of the blame should go the ownership's way, and how much Taylor Hall will be able to help Jack Eichel moving forward. Topics include: 2:30 The Sabres playoff drought 8:00 Tim Murray's 'Process' 17:00 The role the Pegulas have played 23:00 Jason Botterill's last stand 33:00 Rasmus Ristolainen's trade window 44:00 The fit for both Hall and the Sabres Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you'd like to gain access to the two extra shows we're doing each week this season, you can subscribe to our Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/thehockeypdocast/membership If you'd like to participate in the conversation and join the community we're building over on Discord, you can do so by signing up for the Hockey PDOcast's server here: https://discord.gg/a2QGRpJc84 The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.