Episode 145 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 02-21-2025

Hello Hockey Fans out there. Here is Episode 145 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast to take a listen to and get your hockey fix, topics this week include- #1. The fights at the beginning of the game were an unexceptionable disgrace. #2. Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk should have been ejected from the game #3. Canada had injuries too, Cale Makar, Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo. #4. Cale Makar is the undisputed best defensemen in the NHL #5. Fighting is not part of the game, it’s been allowed. There’s an enormous difference and distinction there. #6. Policing, protecting and retaliation to intent to hurt a player on purpose dose justify the permanent elimination of the offender, and sends a message, it will not be tolerated in any way, shape or form, or at any time. #7. Canada looked old in the first game against the United States #8. Canada looked flat in the first game against the United States #9. Canada was clearly relying on its history and past reputation, and didn't show up in the first game against the United States #10. Sidney Crosby was a non-factor in the first game against the United States #11. Connor McDavid was taken out of the remainder of the first game against the United States after scoring.  #12. Team Finland and Sweden clearly outmatched in the 4 nations tournament by the United States and Canada, it wasn’t even close. #13. The 4 Nations Tournament was an enormous success for the NHL and far better than any traditional all-star game format. #14. Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid showed up and were engaged in the 4 Nation’s final game, there was a clear difference in their level of intensity, and everyone else fed off of it. #15. NHL All-star games should be replaced with tournaments like the 4 nations tournament, Rendezvous 87 where the best of the NHL lined up in a 2-game contest with the Soviet Selects or go to a different international city, every year and play that countries top team/teams. It would be far more interesting, result in far more viewership, and would be the best possible marketing for the NHL. #16. The 4 Nations Tournament would have been even better if Czechoslovakia, Russia, Slovenia and Germany were part of it. #17. It’s time to stop punishing Russian athletes. They are responsible in any way for the Ukraine war against Russia. The Athletes are being used as Pawns in a geo-political game. The athletes have dedicated their lives to and trained for tournaments, the Olympics and international contests, they have nothing to do with the war, and yet are being punished for it.