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

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Tarasenko dealt to Rangers from Blues; Sabers sign Cozens to $49.7 M seven year deal; plus more news

 Former St. Louis Blues’ Vladimir Tarasenko (91) handles the puck during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche Friday, May 27, 2022, in St. Louis. The New York Rangers have acquired Tarasenko and depth defenseman Niko Mikkola from the Blues in a deal made Thu Feb 9, 2023 (AP News File)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Vladimir Tarasenko was dealt the New York Rangers from the St Louis Blues today was this a requested trade or something that was worked out between the Blues and Rangers.

#2 The Buffalo Sabers signed center Dylan Cozens to a seven year $49.7 contract extension on Tuesday averaging about $7.4 million a year. Cozens has 17 goals and 43 points in 49 games for this season.

#3 The Toronto Maple Leafs will host the 2023-24 All Star game for the first time since 2012. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made the announcement before last Saturday’s All Star game in Sunrise Florida which was hosted by the Florida Panthers.

#4 The Arizona Coyotes are asking for big money for defenseman Jakob Chychrun. Chychrun would be a great acquisition for any team whose skills range from special teams to offense. Chychrun would provide the defense a team is looking for protecting the goaltender as well as the ability to grab the puck and force it back up ice.

#5 NHL teams are inquiring about the Sharks Kevin Labanc and Timo Meier. Labanc has ten goals, 15 assists and 25 points and Meier has 30 goals, 21 assists and 51 points. What’s the possibility of seeing Labanc and Meier traded soon.

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

NHL All-Star Game podcast with Len Shapiro: Splash Shot skills happens at Ft Lauderdale beach; Sabers Thompson out with upper body injury; plus more

The NHL All Star Game will host the Splash Shot skill competition at Ft Lauderdale Beach on Fri Feb 3, 2023 (photo from NHL.com)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The NHL Splash Shot takes place Friday night in the 2023 All Star Skills at Ft. Lauderdale Beach, participants include Sid Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche.

#2 The Atlantic Division added Ramus Dahlin defenceman who will replace Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabers. Thompson is suffering an upper body injury. On Wednesday Thompson sat out at Key Bank Arena in the Buffalo Sabers 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Thompson leads Buffalo with 34 goals and 34 assists.

#2 The Vegas Golden Knights Mark Stone is out indefinitely due to having back surgery on Tuesday. Stone while playing against the Florida Panthers injured his back on Jan 12. Stone has 17 goals and 21 assists in 43 games this season.

#3 The Columbus Blue Jackets Gustav Nyquist suffered a shoulder injury on Jan 25 during overtime against the Edmonton Oilers in a 3-2 win over the Oilers. Nyquist left the game in the first period at 2:56.

#4 The St Louis Blues Vladimir Tarasenko said despite the Blues five game losing streak there is “belief in the room.” Tarasenko is still pushing the Blues to move up in the standings while he’s been part of trade rumors to help another club who are in playoff position.

#5 Len, You’ve been in the NHL a long time and Gary Bettman Commissioner of the NHL was addressing diversity in the league and Emmanuel Umoffia center from the University Florida Memorial basketball team is at the NHL All Star week and said he was surprised to see the number of black people and diversity in the league. You’ve been in the NHL since the 1970s how far has the NHL come along becoming a diverse league?

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

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Hot Oil, Edmonton has won six straight games; Sharks Meier could be part of trade rumors; plus more NHL news

Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (97) celebrates a goal against the Seattle Kraken during the first period at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Tue Jan 17, 2023 (Canadian Press/via AP photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 How does any NHL team beat a team like the Edmonton Oilers (27-18-3) who have now won six straight games and are getting their offensive strength from Zach Hyman, Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent Hopkins they’re just clobbering everybody of late.

#2 The San Jose Sharks Timo Meier has become a NHL commodity and the subject of trade rumors. The New Jersey Devils (31-12-4) according to a source says that they are interested in obtaining Meier’s services and he could help New Jersey who has scored 28 goals in 49 games and is on a 47 goal pace.

#3 Pittsburgh Penguins (24-15-8) goaltender Tristan Jarry is out for the NHL All Star game slated for Feb 4th. Jarry also is going to miss the next two games against the Washington Capitals Thursday and the Sharks on Saturday due to a upper body injury. It might be Jarry some extra time as the Pens don’t play again until Feb 7th.

#4 Len, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said during a pre game press conference before the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens at the Belle Centre in Montreal that nobody tanks in the NHL referring to losing games deliberately so that they can get a better draft position in the NHL draft.

#5 Former Vancouver Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau said that he was very sure of his firing coming back on Oct 8th but he just didn’t know when it was coming. Was this firing the fault of Boudreau he can’t skate, defend and shoot the puck or was it the Canucks organization who overhauled in the off season going into this season and they didn’t have the guys to win enough with a current record of (19-25-3) and Boudreau was made out to be the scape goat?

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

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: NHL players get blessing from Bettman to compete in Beijing Olympics; Avalanche of goals Aves score 7 in three straight games; plus more

NHL players are welcome to participate in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics the league and the Olympic Committee are working out details of an agreement and Covid 19 protocols (file photo from Desert News)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says that NHL players are welcome to participate in the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Bettman says the league is waiting for an agreement from the Beijing Olympic Committee and also waiting to receive Covid 19 protocols.

#2 The Colorado Avalanche (15-7-2) can’t be stopped as they have scored three consecutive seven goal games. Most recently Friday night against the Detroit Red Wings (13-12-3). The Aves Andre Burakovsky scored twice and has eight goals for the season among some of the hottest scorers on the team.

#3 The Pittsburgh Penguins Syd Crosby picked up two assists on Friday night against the Washington Capitals. Crosby has scored points in seven consecutive games and is looking like his old self again.

#4 The Vancouver Canucks (11-15-2) won their third straight game on Friday night defeating the Winnipeg Jets (13-9-5) in a 4-3 shootout in Vancouver. The Canucks Nils Hoglander scored two goals and two points to contribute towards the Canucks win. The Canucks have won four of their last five games.

#5 Alexander Georgiev the New York Rangers (8-15-3) goaltender stopped 36 shots and stood on his head stopping 17 shots in the third period as the Rangers just edged the Buffalo Sabers (8-15-3) 2-1 in Buffalo. The Rangers have won eight of their last nine games.

Join Matt for the NHL podcast each Saturday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Fan favorite Drew Remenda will do color on Sharks radio this season; plus more Sharks news

San Jose Sharks radio analyst Drew Remenda joins play by play announcer Dan Rusanowsky for the Sharks 2021-22 season. Remenda is best remembered for doing TV work with Sharks play by play announcer Randy Hahn (file photo from Bay Area 4 Bar Stool)

On the Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 Former San Jose Sharks fan favorite Drew Remenda returns to the Sharks broadcasts this time as color announcer on radio. Remenda who worked with the Sharks last season doing a few Sharks games but will be doing all Sharks games on radio with Dan Rusanowsky this season.

#2 Remenda left the Sharks in 2015 to do Edmonton Oilers games on TV as color analyst. Remenda will also be joined on the radio side by Scott Hannan, Bret Hedican, Mark Smith.

#3 The Sharks have left Evander Kane off their opening night roster for this Saturday night’s game against the Jets. The Sharks are waiting for the NHL’s investigation results regarding Kane’s wife’s accusation that he assaulted her.

#4 Kane’s $7 million contract for this season will not impact the Sharks cap and gives San Jose some $8.8 million in cap room going into opening night.

#5 The NHL nor league Commissioner Gary Bettman has not suspended Kane under the code of conduct rules. The Commissioner can also cancel Kane’s contract but most likely the league is waiting on the results of the assault accusation.

Mary Lisa does the Sharks podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Marleau Passes Howe in Sharks SO Loss to Golden Knights 3-2

The San Jose Sharks Patrick Marleau acknowledges the crowd at the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas before the start of the game against the Vegas Golden Knights on Mon Apr 19, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks and the NHL celebrated Patrick Marleau’s 1768th game on Monday in Las Vegas. With that game, Marleau passed Gordie Howe and became the all-time leader for NHL games played. The Sharks wore a patch with a silhouette of Marleau against a background of the number 12. Martin Jones wore a mask specially designed for the occasion. After the first stoppage of play, the game was paused for some words from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to Marleau:

“You don’t get to play in one game, let alone 1,768 just because you’re a good guy or a positive role model and beloved by fans, though you are all of those things. To earn a precious spot in an NHL lineup, night after night, year after year, you have to earn it every single game.”

The Sharks lost to the Golden Knights Monday, by a score of 3-2 in the shootout. Mark Stone scored both regulation goals for Vegas and Alex Tuch scored the shootout winner. Robin Lehner made 29 saves for the win. Nikolai Knyzhov and Noah Gregor scored for San Jose and Martin Jones made 38 saves in the loss. The game extended the Golden Knights’ winning streak to seven and the Sharks’ losing streak to six.

Sharks defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov scored at 9:27 of the first. His shot from the point whistled through traffic and over Lehner’s blocker. It was Knyzhov’s second goal of the season.

The shot count for the first was 11-11. The Sharks took two penalties in the first and their p.k. gave up three shots. Tomas Hertl left the ice hastily during the period but returned to finish the game.

Noah Gregor made it 2-0 29 seconds into the second period. Gregor turned and fired from just above the face-off circle and the puck went through Lehner and over the line. That was Gregor’s fourth goal of the season.

Mark Stone cut the lead in half on a power play at 1:22 of the second. Stone tipped a shot from Shea Theodore, sending it into the top corner. Assists went to Theodore and Max Pacioretty.

Each team had one power play and one shot on the power play in the second period. The shot count was 14-7 for the Golden Knights.

Mark Stone tied the game with another power play goal at 3:25 of the third period. Stone brought the puck up from the goal line and lifted it over Jones’ pad. Assists went to Pacioretty and Theodore.

The shot total for the third period was 11-10 Sharks. The Sharks took two penalties and the Golden Knights one. Each power play had one shot in the period. The Sharks won 46% of their face-offs in the game.

The Sharks got credit for two shots in an almost non-stop overtime period. The Golden Knights had five overtime shots.

Patrick Marleau shot first for San Jose. Lehner made the save. Alex Tuch shot first for Vegas and scored. Ryan Donato shot second for San Jose and he was stopped too. Chandler Stephenson shot second for Vegas and missed. Logan Couture shot third for San Jose and he was stopped too.

The Sharks next play on Wednesday, again in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights at 6:30 PM PT.

NHL Shutdown podcast with Joe Lami: If it’s over it was a great year for Ovechkin, Draisatl, and McDavid

photo from anchoragedailynews.com : The Capital Center in Washington DC sits empty on Thu Mar 12th the day that the NHL announced suspending all games due to the Coronavirus outbreak

NHL podcast with Joe Lami:

#1 How shocked were you to learn of the suspension of the NHL season?

#2 Some key players of note who were having such a great year Alexander Ovechkin, Leon Draisatl, and Connor McDavid

#3 NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says that he hopes to resume the season after the Coronavirus epidemic is over

#4 There were so many exciting things happening in the NHL before the season was suspended the St Louis Blues and the Colorado Avalanche were sitting at the top of the Western Conference standings

Joe Lami does the NHL podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

NHL podcast with Daniel Dullum: New coaching changes in NHL; Bettman creates new hotline for misconduct issues; plus more

photo from the athletic.com: San Jose head coach Bob Boughner gets first victory as Sharks coach Saturday against Vancouver at SAP Center.

On the NHL podcast with Daniel Dullum:

1 New coach for the Sharks

2 New coach for Dallas Stars

3 Commissioner says NHL will create hotline for reporting inappropriate conduct

4 Retired goalie Tim Thomas talks about his concussion issues

5 Referee suffers broken ankle in collision

Daniel Dullum does the NHL podcast each Sunday on http://www.sportsradioservice.com