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Kittelberger and Rubeo discuss their come-from-behind beer league win in the last game of the regular season to qualify for the playoffs. The boys were down 5 – 1 and came back to win 8 – 6. Schwartz chirps the boys noting 4 teams of the 5-team-league make the playoffs. Kustron chirps Kitts asking who played goalie (knowing it was Kitts in net).
ICYMI:
NHL GM’s are wasting no time leading up to the trade deadline hoping for a long playoff run or fruitful offseason. [Stay up to the minute with NHL.com’s trade tracker]
In typical Jim Rutherford fashion, the Penguins GM was quick to make moves sending defensemen Jamie Oleksiak back to Dallas in exchange for a 4th round pick in the 2019 draft.
Not done there, Rutherford acquired Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Derick Brassard, Riley Sheahan, a 2nd and two 4th round picks in the upcoming draft.
Rumor has it, after freeing up some cap space in their deal with Pittsburgh, the Florida Panthers aren’t done making moves as they’re interested in acquiring Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin from the Blue Jackets in the interest of signing them to long term extensions. Although Panarin has stated he’s not interested in talking contracts until after the season.
With a deep playoff run in sight, the Toronto Maple Leafs added to their blueline depth and experience by acquiring Jake Muzzin from the Kings in exchange for forward Carl Grundstrom, rights to defenseman Sean Durzi and a 1st round pick in the 2019 draft.
Rather than stand around and watch other NHL teams bolster their roster, the Nashville Predators acquire Brian Boyle from the New Jersey Devils (for a 2019 2nd round pick) and Cody McLeod from the New York Rangers (for a 2020 7th round pick) in separate deals. Their bottom-six forward group just got even more reliable.
In the biggest news of the week, the Toronto Maple Leafs locked up superstar youngster Auston Matthews with a 5-year, $58.17 million contract extension. The contract makes Matthews the 2nd-highest cap hit of the 2019-2020 NHL season (per contracts signed as of 2/7/19) with easily the most interesting compensation package as he’s due $54.5 million in signing bonuses compared to $3.65 million in salary over the course of the contract. Not only will this ensure Matthews is paid at least $15.2 million if the NHL has a lockout in 2020, but it’s also rumored he’ll save a fortune on taxes on the signing bonus money versus his salary.
It’s not every day you see two NHL superstars fight, but last week Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and Lightning center Steven Stamkos did just that. It’s clear their hands are best used for goal scoring over fighting, made apparent by their pillow-fight:
Patrice Bergeron scored 2 goals in his 1,000th NHL game Tuesday night. Class act, David Pastrnak unselfishly dropped passed the puck to Bergeron for an empty net goal in their 3-1 won over the Islanders.
Patrick Kane is on absolute fire, recording 41 points in his last 20 games played. Minnesota Wild head coach, Bruce Boudreau sarcastically suggested the best way to defend Kane at this point to “lock him in his hotel room.”
The Philadelphia Flyers have won 8 straight games but are still 7 points out of wildcard spot.
During their run, rookie-goaltender Carter Hart has amassed a 7-0-0 record, being only the 4th goalie in NHL history to record such a win streak before their 21st birthday.
It appears Patrick Laine may have blown his load early this season having scored 21 goals in his first 25 games played this season and only 4 goals in his last 26 games played.
What’s wrong with youth hockey nowadays? Justin, listen to your mom. And mom, please shut up…
And grandad, please don’t engage in any on-ice fights…
And players, please respect your officials as this is completely unacceptable:
The Penguins and Flyers unveiled their Stadium Series jerseys:
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The #StadiumSeries jerseys were released. Which do you like more? @penguins or @philadelphiaflyers?!
A couple beauts had their ODR dreams crushed when a US government helicopter kicked them off the reflecting pool of the Lincoln Memorial:
Elias Lindholm mocks his former team, the Carolina Hurricanes with the Viking clap, what’s that about??
A pissed-off girlfriend defaced her cheating boyfriend’s goalie pads:
And Lemieux rocked a throwback yellow Cooper bucket in his most recent fantasy hockey camp:
What other equipment or styles do you associate to one specific NHL player? Fedorov and his white skates? Hasek or Osgood’s helmet? Gretzky’s aluminum twig?
All before…
Weekly Picks:
Michael Filarski won a free HPC XV3 hockey stick for scoring the most points this January, recording 61, 1 point ahead of Joshua Halsell and Kaya Wall.
Joshua Halsell won the $20 HPC gift card for leading the pack last week, scoring 23 points.
As usual, our podcast crew discussed 3 of their 9 picks for this week’s Weekly Picks:
For 2 points:
For 3 points:
For 5 points:
Don’t forget, take 60-seconds to submit your Weekly Picks for a chance to win a FREE $20 HPC gift card (for weekly winners) and Hockey Players Club XV3 hockey stick (awarded to monthly winners).
And no Hockey Players Club Podcast would be complete without a round of Top Shelf Trivia. With Auston Matthews’ contract extension in mind, Rubeo dug up the list of the top-15 average cap-hits for the 2019-2020 season, as of 2/7/19.
Please follow and reach out to the Hockey Players Club via Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to submit your questions and comments to the HPC podcast crew.
Want a light, top-of-the-line hockey stick without spending an arm and a leg?! Check out our XV3 hockey sticks.
Don’t just take it from us, look what others are saying:
Looking to improve your game and score more goals? Check out the video Schwartz and Rubeo made about improving your catch-and-release shooting:
And don’t forget to check out our:
Shooting in Your Stride To Score More Goals Like Phil Kessel [VIDEO]
Ultimate Hockey Stick Buying Guide
VIDEO: 5 Drills to Improve Your Snapshot
Why Are Hockey Sticks So Expensive?! Full Explanation Here.
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