The Lighter Side Pod

Joe and Tom discuss current state of the top 4 teams in the Atlantic Division and what the upcoming draft/free agency/season may look like for each team.

With summertime playoff hockey right around the corner, Joe and Tom give their analysis on the "play-in" Qualifying Round matches in the Eastern Conference.

Joe and Tom discuss the last place teams to round out the outlook for the Metro Division.

Joe and Tom each provide their selections for the top 8 picks in the upcoming 2020 NHL draft.

We asked and you picked it. Gio from our Lighter Side Pod Community put in a request for the biggest Conn Smythe snubs of all time and in this episode we discuss our top 5 snubs of all time for the NHL playoff MVP

Joe and Tom discuss the most recent class selected to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame. Did the Hall make the right selections? Who is still being snubbed and why?

The only outcome that could have been worse for the NHL would have been if all "Place Holder" teams won the top 3 draws in the draft lottery. The powers that be in the NHL look foolish when a flawed plan lead to an absolutely disgraceful outcome. In this episode, Joe and Tom talk about the draft lottery and what this means for the league going forward.

With the NHL draft lottery just around the corner, in this episode Joe and Tom reDraft the top 10 picks from the 2001 NHL Draft which saw Ilya Kovalchuk go 1st overall. Does this pick withstand the test of time? Who will move up into the top 10 and who is out?

Continuing to exam the off season outlook of teams in the Metro division. This episode focuses on the Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, and Islanders.

In this episode Tom and Joe discuss some of the most underrated goalies of all-time, from should be Hall of Famer's to solid backup net minders that played key roles on great teams.

In this episode Joe and Tom discuss the top 3 teams in the Metro; Capitals, Flyers, Penguins. Discussion focuses on team need in the upcoming draft, salary cap heading into the off season, and prospects in the system that might be ready to step in and make an impact.

Joe rants about his displeasure with the leagues decision on the draft lottery. Joe and Tom continue their thoughts on the hub cities and how unfair the playoff structure is to some of the teams.

Joe and Tom discuss the most productive all around tough guys in NHL history. Guys that put up the most penalty minutes of all-time but were also key/high level contributors to their teams success.

Joe and Tom run through the 22 page phased plan to restart the NHL playoffs this summer. Also discussed is the newly announced format for the 2020 draft lottery and draft.

Tom and Joe finish up their breakdown on each franchises all time leaders in playoff scoring. This week wraps up franchise leaders 21 thru 31

Tom and Joe continue reviewing the top scorers for each franchise in NHL history. This episode covers 11 - 20.

In this episode Joe and Tom take a look at the all-time playoff points leaders for each franchise in the NHL. This episode the top 10 franchise scorers will be discussed reminiscing on hockey memories and playoff longevity.

Joe and Tom discuss the recent rumors surrounding the NHL's plan to return to hockey this summer. Training camps not officially set to open but talk of playoffs in July played at 4 or 5 neutral sites. In news surrounding the local team, Detroit Red Wings, veteran goalie Jimmy Howard will not be offered a contract next season. Who could be available for the Red Wings to back fill Jimmy Howard as the rebuild continues?

Discussion of the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals between the Hall of Fame filled roster of the Detroit Red Wings representing the Western Conference and a surprising opponent from the East; Carolina Hurricanes. The Red Wings had won back to back Stanley Cups in 1997 and 1998. The Carolina Hurricanes were making the finals for the first time in franchise history.

Discussion of the 2001 Stanley Cup Finals between the #1 seed in the west, Colorado Avalanche and the #1 seed in the east, New Jersey Devils. New Jersey was the defending Stanley Cup Champions from 2000 and Colorado was the President Trophy winner as the team with the best record in the regular season. A physical, defensive minded New Jersey team tried to shut down Joe Sakic and a high powered Colorado offense, with 22 year veteran Ray Bourque in search of his first cup in his final season.

Joe and Tom create a list of players from the 1990s and discuss whether those players were underrated or overrated during their playing careers.

Joe and Tom discuss the latest information regarding the NHL season including a few ideas submitted by the General Managers on how to finish the season. Also, the two will revisit the famous Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings Brawl in Hockeytown on the 23rd Anniversary.

Joe and Tom discuss possible scenarios for finishing out the regular season and playoffs. They re-draft the 1989 top 10 selections, will Mats Sundin still be number 1? And in Stories of the game, Tom talks about his former teammate, and roommate, Pat LaFontaine.

Joe and Tom discuss the recent suspension of the NHL season due to Covid-19 (Coronavirus) and solutions the league could implement to finish out the season. They run through the NBC King of Goals bracket to pick the greatest goal scorer of all-time, and Tom lays out the 10 greatest agitators of all-time.

Joe and Tom discuss some topics from the GM meeting. Steven Stamkos is injured again and out for 2 weeks. Is Leon Draisaitl the run away favorite to take home the Hart trophy as league MVP? Butch Goring honored by the Islanders with jersey retirement.

This week Joe recaps trades that have taken place in the month of February. He discusses landing spots for some of the rumored players ahead of the Feb 24th trade deadline, and he talks about the 40th anniversary of The Miracle on Ice

Joe flying solo discusses the Kassian/Tkachuk scrap, dives into the Coyotes "Illegal" scouting/recruiting practices, Alexis Lafreniere's illegal check that landed him a 2 game suspension, and the teams to watch the second half

Joe and Zack discuss Brian Burke's comments about Dylan Larkin telling fans to vote for someone more deserving. They also revisit the Overblown, overreactions made after week 1 of the season.

Joe is flying solo this week and discusses the recent Taylor Hall trade to the Arizona Coyotes. The Devils are talking to an Atlantic Division team about trading P.K. Subban, who could be that team? David Pastrnak has cooled down in his quest for 50 goals in 50 games, but we are still pulling for him and run down the NHL greats that have achieved this rare feat.

Joe and Zack discuss the recent coaching changes since Babcock's firing, Two big guys go at it in Boston, Subban and Pietrangelo on the trade block? And as always, the weekly picks.

Joe and Zack discuss the recent fallout from Mike Babcock firing, New Jersey trying to turn things around with a new coach, Taylor Hall trade discussion, the Red Wings haven't won in 10 games, and the weekly picks

Joe and Zack discuss the most recent HoF Class and look ahead to the 2020 class reviewing the top HoF eligible players.

Joe and Zack discuss the recent firing of Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach, Mike Babcock, the new "Don Cherry Grapevine" Podcast, Cale Makar leads all rookies at the quarter season mark, and the weekly picks are made.

Joe and Zack discuss the recent firing of Don Cherry, along with some big injuries in the league, the Red Wings are winning, Draisaitl's 10 game point streak and some of the most impressive streaks in hockey. As always the show will wrap up with weekly picks.

Joe and Zack discuss the struggles in Detroit. The Bruins offense stays red hot. The Stanley Cup Champs are best in the West. The Lightning and Sabres head to Sweden for the Global Series. Who is your Fab Four, and the weekly picks.

Joe and Zack discuss Andrei Svechnikov's "Michigan" Goal. Brutal hits. How will Blues recover from Taransenko being out for season? Steve Yzerman makes another trade in Detroit, will there be another trade? Some milestones from the upcoming week. Weekly picks, and more.

Joe and Zack discuss the 7 Red Wings whose jersey's need to be retired. Has Jack Hughes arrived? Teams on red hot starts. The Wild struggle in Minnesota, and the weekly picks.

Joe and Zack review week 1 including Mike Babcock's decision to not play Auston Matthews, Josh Ho-Sang looking for a trade. Review Hockey Writers top 10 Duos of all-time, And weekly picks are made.

Joe and Zack review the opening week of NHL season. Discuss good and bad starts for individual players and teams. Joe makes "Overblown" fan predictions, and high light 5 games from the upcoming week.

Joe and Zack talk opening week of the NHL season. Talk top prospects for 2019-20 and make their picks for Rookie of the Year as well as Stanley Cup Champion pick.