Area 51 Hockey Podcast

It's #NHL Draft Lottery season and the Vancouver #Canucks held onto their 15th overall pick in the 2022 draft. Point Shot Hockey is back for episode 41 and Bill Huan and Joshua Griffith are back to break down what happened with the lottery balls. This is not a joke, the New Jersey Devils once again will draft in the very top after moving up to the 2nd overall pick. The other big winners from the draft were the teams that didn't lose. We chat about what the Canucks should do with the 15th overall pick. Is it time to trade or is it time to look toward the future? We both think the future is key despite the players not being the best in this year's #NHLDraftLottery. The Norris and Vezina nominations are in and we discuss what it really means to have a top defenceman or goaltender. Does it lead to playoff success? It didn't for the Nashville Predators and it is not looking good for the New Yrok Rangers. This moves on perfectly to the NHL Playoff series and who is in trouble. Can the Calgary Flames show they are the team they were in the regular season? Can Sidney Crosby push the Pens past the Rangers? We also chat about if Crosby is the Tom Brady of the NHL? How many people have written him off over the years? Could he win another championship? Also, the Toronto Maple Leafs take game 5 against the Tampa Bay Lightning and I react a bit more positively this week. Then we wrap up around the rest of the NHL and much more on this week's episode! Huge shoutout to our amazing sponsor High Stick Vodka, make sure to check out your local liquor stores to find their great products just in time for the NHL Postseason! #NHL #NHLPLayoffs #StanleyCupPlayoffs #Area51Sports

Point Shot Hockey is back for episode 40 as Joshua Griffith and Bill Huan break down the end of the Vancouver Canucks season. We chat about the media availability with the players, including the situation with Brock Boeser answering a very personal question from the media. How do we feel the role of media is and where is that line between asking hockey and personal questions. It seems to be "Just The Two of Us" as Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford met with the media and held nothing back. Including chastising their coach's zone exits, playing to the kids by talking about walking away from any "Whack" contracts for JT Miller, and a strong commitment to the message they sent when they were first introduced to the Canucks. Bill and Joshua discuss how they feel about the cutthroat approach and what it could mean in the future for the Canucks. Then we move into the rest of the #NHL and Stanley Cup Playoffs. What series do we like and who do we think is going all the way this season? I curse out my Leafs several times watching them live while Bill laughs. Huge shoutout to our amazing sponsor High Stick Vodka, make sure to check out your local liquor stores to find their great products just in time for the NHL Postseason! #NHL #NHLPLayoffs #StanleyCupPlayoffs #Area51Sports

Joshua is rejoined by Sean, Malcolm, and Bill to firstly have Malcolm announce the impending arrival of a baby girl(!) before jumping into the swirling rumours regarding Brock Boeser, JT Miller, and others. How much of this is posturing and how much of what is said is genuine intentions going forward? As the Canucks have started to show familiar and subpar tendencies in their game, even under Bruce Boudreau, the roundtable covers what those flaws are and how they need to be addressed with the trade deadline and offseason. Joshua set the over/under for Canucks trade deadline deals at 2.5. Sean, Malcolm, and Bill take the over and Joshua the contrarian takes the under but everyone agrees that's a good line. Would you take the over or under? With the Canadian Women's Hockey Olympic Gold, we touch on Marie-Phillip Poulin's clutch-ness, Canada's dominance at the tournament, and the vast interest in the final game. Women's hockey needs this kind of stage and even more of them as their game rightly deserves better investment and opportunity to grow. The interest is clearly there and strong.

It was a Caroline Frolic takeover on Episode 38 of Point Shot Hockey as Joshua Griffith co-hosted. What better way to bring on the new era of qualified Women taking over the Vancouver Canucks Front Office than having a qualified Woman take over and explain how having Cammi Granato in an Assistant General Manager role really sets, and breaks the limits for anyone growing up who wants to work in hockey! We also discuss the hiring of Emilie Castonguay and Rachel Doerrie and the impact they can have on the Canucks both on and off the ice. Then Caroline and Joshua talk about the vision Jim Rutherford has set up in his short time with the Vancouver Canucks. Why does he keep holding his word and why good things could be coming to Vancouver in the future? We also talk about the landscape of women in the sports industry and how Caroline got started in the business. We briefly switch over to a little bit of Blue Jays talk before getting back on track and finishing up with some fun sports moments for Joshua and Caroline. Make sure to check out Episode 38 and all the other great shows on the Area 51 Sports Network. Brought to you by the Great folks at High Stick Vodka!

Joshua, Sean, and Bill roundtable during the NHL All Star festivities to talk about the ASG weekend and how the Skills Competition went the night prior (Zegras...my GOODNESS!) and how the NHL could better market the All Star Game or make it more interesting to watch. Could it be better with the draft format back? More alumni? More guests? A Rising Stars format to run alongside it like the NBA does? Then with the announcement that the World Cup of Hockey could return for 2024, the crew discuss how that format could look and whether that makes up for the Olympics or whether it could be better. Sean pitches his dream tournament concept of a Champions League of Hockey where the champions of respective leagues throughout International Hockey face off in a tournament to decide what team is the World's best. Could a team from the KHL or a Euro league upset the NHL champions? Plenty of love for the Olympic Women's hockey being played out right now at Beijing 2022, Canada again flexing as a powerhouse led by Marie-Philip Poulin and young guns like Sarah Fillier. Can anyone compete with Canada and the USA? As the March 21st NHL trade deadline slowly approaches, Sean and Joshua talk about the emergence of Conor Garland rumours and what that could mean for the Vancouver Canucks' plans for the future. Prepare for fireworks!

Joshua, Sean, and Bill are joined by The Athletic: Pittsburgh's Jesse Marshall to give Canucks fans a preview of the front office members that were pilfered. Jim Rutherford, Patrik Allvin, and Derek Clancy. What to expect and what they did in Pittsburgh over their lengthy tenures. We also talk to Jesse about the surging Penguins, Tristan Jarry, and whether Canucks' back up goalie Jaroslav Halak would be a perfect in Pittsburgh at the deadline if he would waive his NMC. The Point Shot crew then round tables to discuss JT Miller's hat trick, trade value and the idea behind trading him now.

Joshua and Sean are joined by long-time Vancouver broadcaster, Scott Rintoul, as he launches his newest venture Toul Kit Content where he will expand beyond the world of sports (also still plenty of sports talk, he assures) within the online world. Plenty of Canucks discussion with the hiring of Rachel Doerrie in an analytics role, the direction of the front office construction under Jim Rutherford, what the ideal arrangements are, Canucks recent road trip and how they are making out in Boudreau's referenced 8 game stretch and whether this is a playoff team or not. Then we jump into some Edmonton Oilers discussion after a testy exchange between Jim Matheson and Leon Draisaitl, the slide that they are on, and a quick look around the Pacific Division that provides more questions than answers at the halfway mark of the season. Joshua also asks Scott about his football career (we feel it's fair to call it a career as well, Scott) and how he got into broadcasting before getting into what the aforementioned Toul Kit Content will be.

Joshua, Sean, and Bill walk through a week without Canucks hockey while looking ahead at the grueling road trip through the southern US. A strong start with Bruce Boudreau faces a huge test ahead but we discuss what could be realistic expectations for what this team is. Time for you to join in the fun and Be A GM with us! You sent us Canucks trade proposals and we discuss them before giving one of our own. Keep the trade proposals coming! Trade ideas featured the Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers, LA Kings, and Dallas Stars. Also a welcome back episode for Bill of the Yukon!

Joshua and Sean are joined by The Athletic's Minnesota Wild beat reporter Michael Russo after his interview with new Canucks bench boss Bruce Boudreau on his podcast: Straight From the Source. Michael shares funny stories about Boudreau and also discusses what he and new President of Hockey Ops, Jim Rutherford, will bring to Vancouver. The Wild put their 8 game winning streak to the test in LA, how Dean Evason leads, Russo's Red Fisher Award, Sports Illustrated Kids' Rising Stars book, and LAX shuttles all covered!

Canucks fans are at a complete loss just like poor Sharon who was victimized by burning a Marie Callender's pumpkin pie. After another loss to Pittsburgh on home ice that was broadcasted on Hockey Night in Canada, the boo-birds came out, Fire Benning chants rained down, and a jersey flew out onto the ice. Change is inevitable and sorely needed as the Canucks continue to seek out and find new lows at an alarming rate. But it's all Marie Callender's fault! (ok maybe it's Francesco who is playing the Great and Powerful Oz) Malcolm, Joshua, and Sean dissect the predicament and when changes need to happen. Malcolm also obliges Francesco's request and disses him.

Joshua and Malcolm are joined by Ryan Henderson from ChekTV's Donnie and Dhali: The Team to discuss the turmoil and situation surrounding the Vancouver Canucks and the decisions that loom around the entire organization. Sean then joins Joshua for a roundtable discussion diving into those issues a bit further, discussing whether this is the darkest timeline or not, and try to find a glimmer of positivity.

Malcolm, Joshua, and Sean are back and recap some struggles for the Canucks in the early going. Struggles with offense and the forecheck to fans calling for Coach Green's job, and Pettersson slow out of the gate. Then talk about the Pacific Division, early look at playoff aspirations, Climate Pledge Arena, and the Rogers Arena Sports Bar. Most importantly, they discuss the situation surrounding the 2009/10 Chicago Blackhawks team, Kyle Beach, the fallout since, the need for better preventative measures and supporting survivors of abuse. Our heartfelt love and support go out to Kyle Beach and survivors that share a similar experience. Our gratitude to Kyle, Rick Westhead, Katie Strang, and others that continue to amplify the story and support survivors.

Joshua, Sean, and Bill break down a busy end to the Preseason for the Canucks as they look at options for Olli Juolevi (yes, he was traded right after we recorded), targets for trade or waivers, losing Jonah Gadjovich on waivers to San Jose, the overall process questions behind these moves and some predictions for the season ahead. Then the guys get sidetracked and dive into the depressing situation that is the Buffalo Sabres and Jack Eichel.

Sean, Malcolm, Joshua, and Bill celebrate and discuss the new Pettersson and Hughes contracts, discuss the uncertainty around Travis Hamonic's situation, frontrunners and darkhorses for final roster spots, and Arizona Coyotes' arena questions.

Sean, Malcolm, and Joshua review the early days of Canucks training camp featuring the famous Travis Green bag skate (40s) which took a round out of Olli Juolevi and some of the new acquisitions. Touch on an exciting start for Danila Klimovich in his first camp as well. Then Andrew Wadden of Sekeres & Price and RinkWide joins the show to look ahead at the season, talk about his exciting projects since the 1040 fallout and more!

A new season is finally on the cusp of beginning and Point Shot has made a free agent signing of our own with Joshua Griffith! Josh makes his debut as Sean, Malcolm, and Bill get together to discuss the Pettersson and Hughes contract saga, rookie and training camp, and who we look forward to watching this upcoming season.

The fellas are joined by Patrick Johnston of the Province and Vancouver Sun to discuss the busy offseason for the Canucks, both in Vancouver and Abbotsford. Ryan Johnson's role with Abby, the signings of Brisebois, Sautner and Nielsen, the negotiations with Pettersson and Hughes, and the changes on the business side of the Canucks organization.

Sean, Malcolm, and Bill do a roundtable to discuss a crazy 2 weeks of news in the NHL. Follow for quick hits through the Seattle Expansion Draft, NHL Entry Draft and the Canucks selection of Danila Klimovich, Free Agency opening up and the Canucks getting right to work signing 18 contracts in 48 hours. The guys also talk about the salary cap, the Habs' Carey Price gamble, and how Vancouver is a fantastic hockey market. You can find all of our episodes and more on www.area51sportsnetwork.com

Sean and Bill look ahead at the rapidly approaching expansion draft list deadline and ponder various players that could be had for a relatively low acquisition cost, look at the Gabriel Landeskog and Colorado situation, touch on the Duncan Keith trade and Ryan Suter/Zach Parise buyouts, then Sean goes into his thoughts on the Abbotsford Canucks unveiling and compares them to the ones from Vancouver Giants and Portland Winterhawks.

Sean is first joined by Bill to go over the Tampa Bay Stanley Cup Champions, the Buy Out window, Nate Schmidt's rumoured trade preference, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson rumours arising again. Then Malcolm tags in for Bill to discuss a Nikita Kucherov's press conference, busy rest of July and looking ahead to an interesting off season for the Canucks.

Malcolm and Sean are joined by Duane Steinel of 2 Goalies 1 Mic podcast to discuss the situation ahead for the Buffalo Sabres and talk about a potential fit for Sam Reinhart in Vancouver. Eichel, RIstolainen, Miller and more all here. Does Buffalo blow it up?

Malcolm, Sean, and Bill are joined by Cam Robinson from Elite Prospects to do a draft preview. We talk about Buffalo Sabres winning the lottery, Owen Power, projected Top Ten picks, who the Canucks could take and some intriguing names for later rounds that Cam likes. Come for the draft preview and stay for experiences with small town doctors.

Sean, Malcolm, and Bill recap a busy week and discuss what is the best path forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, and Calgary Flames before teasing a special Draft episode coming up soon.

Matthew Sekeres joins Malcolm, Sean, and Bill to discuss his newest venture with "Sekeres and Price" as well as discussing fandom, the Vancouver market, awaiting the Sedins announcement, and the process for sourcing information.

Sean, Malcolm, and Bill are joined by Rachel Doerrie of EliteProspects and the Staff and Graph Podcast to recap the Canucks woeful season and chart what to do next. Whether that be front office decisions, the Sedins, the draft, unrest in the market and the brand; we've got you covered in this extended episode.

Sean, Malcolm, and Bill are joined by Stephan Roget from CanucksArmy to discuss the rumours around the Canucks upcoming off season as well as going through their picks for each of the playoff series.

Sean, Malcolm, and Bill go over their Disney+ shows, the Department of Player Safety, and the Canucks immediate future. Presented by Bench Clearers and High Stick Vodka. Area 51 Sports Network contest! Purchase anything from BenchClearers.com then show proof of purchase by messaging Sean or using #A51contest to be entered to win an item of your choice from Bench Clearers at the end of May!

Malcolm is joined by Sportsnet 650 producer and host Bik Nizzar to talk about the Canucks trade deadline, Ryan Kesler's 650 comments and also talk some football.

Malcolm and Sean take the show live for the first time to take your questions along with discussing the Demko extension, Ian Clark, Travis Green and the Trade Deadline coming up.

Malcolm and Sean are joined by Tony Ferrari of Dobber Prospects to preview the upcoming 2021 NHL Draft, various prospects to keep an eye on for the Canucks first round pick, then we get into the dilemma that is the Buffalo Sabres.

Malcolm and Brad are joined by Sportsnet 650's Satiar Shah to talk about the latest news and rumours surrounding the Canucks including the upcoming trade deadline and the future of Ian Clark

Malcolm and Sean are joined by Dom Luszczyszyn of the Athletic to talk about his preseason projections for the Scotia North Division and the Canucks as well as the Winnipeg Jets analytical anomaly, whether building a core or adding depth is harder, and Dom professes his love for Lorde.

Malcolm and Sean are joined by Jeff Paterson to discuss the current Canucks situation, what now and what next for both the team and for Jeff. Jeff works with the Athletic on the Vancast and has recently joined Rob Fai with The Nation.

Sean and Malcolm are joined by Rob Fai from The Nation to talk about the Canucks, Reverse Retro jerseys, and the The Nation before Malcolm roasts Rob about Samantha. Then Comets Cory Hergott jumps in to discuss the exciting season in Utica and give updates on some of the most exciting prospects and how they're doing.

Malcolm and Sean are joined by Patrick Johnson to talk about the shocking Tuesday shutdown of TSN1040 and what people can do about it before shifting to the ice and talking about the Canucks, Jim Benning's hot seat and speculation about replacements.

Malcolm, Sean and Carter are joined by Dani Huntley of CanucksArmy and The Broadscast to review Super Bowl bets, previews, talk Canucks and marathoning childhood films.

Malcolm has the chance to speak with analytics extraordinaire and Elite Prospect's latest addition Jack or better known as JFresh. He and Malcolm talked Canucks, the Laine for Dubois Trade and other players who could be on the block.

Malcolm, Sean, Carter and Josh react to the Pierre- Luc Dubois/Patrik Laine trade and discuss (and rant) about the Canucks struggles.

Malcolm and Sam are joined by Steve Ellis of The Hockey News to preview the upcoming World Juniors.

The boys host Federico Angel, who played goal up north on Brad Friesens original helicopter game. We also discuss last weeks bets and Vegas cap problems

A brand new launch of the Point Shot Hockey podcast presented by High Stick Vodka. Thomas Drance joins the show to discuss Canucks legends and whether that pertains to Roberto Luongo, the current NHL vs NHLPA CBA discussions, and finally having a vacation after a wild 2019/2020 season. Malcolm, Brad, and Carter then go over an introduction to sports betting.

Sam and Malcolm are joined by TSN Senior Correspondent Rick Westhead to discuss his new book release "Finding Murph", recent documentary "The Problem of Pain", and the Covid-19 outbreak in the QMJHL. 

Malcolm and Sam chat with Duane Steinel of Two Goalies One Mic podcast to go over some of the early free agency moves such as Taylor Hall signing in Buffalo with the Sabres for 1 year at $8 mill.

Sean, Malcolm, and Sam are joined by Cam Robinson and Tony Ferrari to preview the upcoming 2020 NHL Entry Draft, go over prospects of interest, the Canucks busy off season ahead and Tony's love of diminutive players.

Malcolm and Sean are joined by special guest, Arthur Griffiths, as he returns to reflect on the 25th anniversary for Rogers Arena (formerly known as GM Place), arena construction and design, the Vancouver Grizzlies, NBA expansion, Steve Francis, the current Canucks, and beating Malcolm in a bet.

Sean, Malcolm, and Brad preview the off season ahead for the Canucks and discuss awards.

Sean and Brad are joined by Blues beat reporter Andy Strickland to discuss the Canucks series victory over the St. Louis Blues, comparisons of Horvat to O'Reilly, Binnington playing in Game 6, Tyler Motte, Jacob Markstrom, update on Jay Bouwmeester and stories of the late great Pavol Demitra. Brought to you by High Stick Vodka and Manscaped.

Sean and Malcolm go over the series up to the big Game 5 victory while looking forward to the rest of the series! Go Canucks Go! Episode brought to you by High Stick Vodka- a double gold award winning premium vodka distilled in Kelowna, BC. Please enjoy responsibly.

Sean and Malcolm preview the upcoming first round playoff match up against the St. Louis Blues and unveil the newest sponsor, High Stick Vodka. A double gold premium Canadian vodka that is the Stanley Cup of vodkas.

Special Mid-Series Round Table with Athletic beat reporters for the Canucks and Wild: Thomas Drance, Michael Russo, and Harman Dayal. Covering all there is to know about the match up, reporting trials with the bubble, what Thom hears from ice level, hotel stories, Matt Dumba, and predictions for the rest of the play-in series.

Sam and Malcolm are joined by accomplished journalist, hockey wife and mom, Carly Zucker to talk about NHL Return to Play, the bubble, what it was like when Jason Zucker was traded, inclusivity in hockey, misconceptions about hockey wives, misogyny and Brendan Leipsic.