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The official podcast of PensionPlanPuppets.com. Arvind and Acting the Fulemin take you around the world of hockey and the NHL, with a focus on the Toronto Maple Leafs

Arvind, Acting the Fulemin


    • May 26, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 16m AVG DURATION
    • 199 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Back to Excited Hockey Podcast

    Episode 220 - Leafs vs Panthers Review + What Happens Next

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2025 125:09


    We discuss the Leafs loss to the Panthers, and the major questions facing them this offseason

    Episode 219 - Leafs vs Senators Recap + Panthers Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2025 89:26


    On this episode, we discuss the Leafs beating the Sens in Round 1 (1:30) and preview the Toronto / Florida series (1:01:45)

    Episode 218 - Leafs vs Sens Playoff Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 73:32


    We preview the Leafs vs Sens series, talking about each teams' strengths, weaknesses, and give our predictions

    Episode 217 - Reviewing the Season So Far

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2025 77:55


    Episode 217 - Reviewing the Season So Far by Arvind, Acting the Fulemin

    Episode 216 - Around the NHL (Part 3 of 3)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2024 169:58


    Welcome to another episode of Back to Excited. Today, we finish our look around the league, covering another set of 12 teams. Timestamps: Philadelphia Flyers [1:50] Pittsburgh Penguins [14:37] San Jose Charks [29:13] Seattle Kraken [43:15] St Louis Blues [56:02] Tampa Bay Lightning [1:03:20] Toronto Maple Leafs [1:19:05] Utah Hockey Club [1:40:22] Vancouver Canucks [2:00:45] Vegas Golden Knights [2:22:58] Washington Capitals [2:31:23] Winnipeg Jets [2:41:10]

    Episode 215 - Around the NHL (Part 2 of 3)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 133:19


    Today, we go through the middle third of the league alphabetically, and review their offseason moves, along with their outlook. Timestamps: Edmonton Oilers [1:00] Florida Panthers [30:00] Los Angeles Kings [43:21] Minnesota Wild [1:02:24] Montreal Canadiens [1:11:55] Nashville Predators [1:24:34] New Jersey Devils [1:43:57] New York Islanders [1:52:35] New York Rangers [1:56:04] Ottawa Senators [2:03:43]

    Episode 214 - Around the NHL (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2024 152:09


    Welcome to Back to Excited's annual offseason review, where we go through all 31 non-Leafs teams, and discuss how they changed over the summer. In part 1, we go through teams alphabetically from Anaheim to Detroit. Timestamps below: Anaheim Ducks [4:09] Boston Bruins [17:27] Buffalo Sabres [35:05] Calgary Flames [59:10] Carolina Hurricanes [1:08:43] Chicago Blackhawks [1:28:30] Colorado Avalanche [1:43:44] Columbus Blue Jackets [1:52:18] Dallas Stars [2:02:23] Detroit Red Wings [2:13:14]

    Episode 213 - Leafs Offseason Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2024 118:19


    Today, Fulemin and I do our deep dive of the Leafs' offseason, including the following: A recap of the players, coaches, and front office members who have left the team [0:55] The hiring of Craig Berube [26:43] The re-signings of Max Domi [33:38] and Timothy Liljegren [37:59] The acquisitions of Chris Tanev [42:58], Oliver Ekman-Larsson [59:31], Jani Hakanpaa [1:09:31], Dakota Mermis, and Philippe Myers [1:15:33] The Joseph Woll extension [1:18:40] and Anthony Stolarz signing [1:22:45] The RFAs the Leafs still need to sign (Nick Robertson, Conor Dewar) [1:27:45] The Marner trade the Leafs didn't end up making [1:39:25] Is this team better? [1:48:16]

    Episode 212 - Deja Vu

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2024 79:13


    Episode 212 - Deja Vu by Arvind, Acting the Fulemin

    Episode 211 - Mailbag!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2024 113:20


    Episode 211 - Mailbag! by Arvind, Acting the Fulemin

    Episode 210 - William Nylander Extention & Defense Trade Targets

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2024 105:38


    Welcome to another episode of Back to Excited. Today we discuss the Leafs signing William Nylander to a contract extension, as well as some trade targets that might be of interest if the Leafs decide to bolster their defensive group.

    Episode 209 - Evaluating the Leafs After 20 Games

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2023 91:22


    Today, we discuss the Leafs after their first 20 games of the year, and where things have gone well, poorly, and everything in between.

    Episode 208 - Around the NHL (Part 3 of 3)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2023 117:43


    Welcome to the final episode of our annual offseason reviews. Today we discuss the following teams: Pittsburgh Penguins [0:43] San Jose Sharks [40:24] Seattle Kraken [48:43] St. Louis Blues [1:05:16] Tampa Bay Lightning [1:11:21] Vancouver Canucks [1:22:50] Vegas Golden Knights [ 1:33:16] Washington Capitals [1:38:26] Winnipeg Jets [1:45:00]

    Episode 207 - Around the NHL (Part 2 of 3)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2023 126:20


    Episode 207 - Around the NHL (Part 2 of 3) by Arvind, Acting the Fulemin

    Episode 206 - Around the NHL (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2023 147:01


    Welcome to another episode of Back to Excited, where we do our annual offseason review of every NHL team. We've split it up into thirds this year, and still managed to go for 2.5 hours on 12 teams! Timestamps are below: Arizona Coyotes [0:30] Anaheim Ducks [20:05] Boston Bruins [32:32] Buffalo Sabres [46:20] Calgary Flames [58:05] Carolina Hurricanes [1:09:41] Chicago Blackhawks [1:22:10] Columbus Blue Jackets [1:30:48] Dallas Stars [1:39:19] Detroit Red Wings [1:49:07] Edmonton Oilers [2:07:59] Florida Panthers [2:15:28] You will notice that we completely forgot to do the Colorado Avalanche... we'll add them into one of the future versions.

    Episode 205 - Leafs Offseason Moves Recap

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2023 86:36


    Today we discussed: The players who departed the Leafs this offseason [2:13] The new extensions and additions, including: David Kampf [20:30] Ryan Reaves [35:35] John Klingberg [47:55] Tyler Bertuzzi [1:00:26] Max Domi [1:06:16] Our overall assessment of the offseason

    Episode 204 - Back to the End

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2023 57:45


    We chat about the end of the Leafs season for the last time.

    Episode 203 - Belated Leafs vs Panthers Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2023 36:43


    We do a belated preview of the Leafs and Panthers series

    Episode 202 - Leafs vs Lightning Series Recap

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2023 48:03


    We go through the Leafs' first series win in 19 years!

    Episode 201 - Tampa Bay vs Toronto Playoff Series Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2023 74:19


    Today, we go in-depth on the Tampa Bay Lightning, breaking down their strengths, weaknesses, and all their players in advance of their series against the Leafs.

    Episode 200 - 200th Episode Mailbag Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2023 100:40


    Welcome to another episode of Back to Excited. We've hit 200 recorded episodes, and to celebrate, we have a long mailbag for you all to dive into.

    Episode 199 - Thoughts on Newly Acquired Players

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2023 77:35


    Today we discuss: Early thoughts on Jake McCabe [6:45] Early thoughts on Noel Acciari [12:45] Early thoughts on Sam Lafferty [15:53] Early thoughts on Luke Schenn [23:10] The Leafs 11/7 experiment [34:08] William Nylander's next contract [48:02] The gap between Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner [1:00:13] Some bad takes, including James Reimer refusing to wear a Pride jersey [1:08:55]

    Episode 198 - Trade deadline recap

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2023 69:12


    Today we go in depth on the Leafs' deadline moves. Timestamps: Ryan O'Reilly's injury [2:50] Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty acquired [6:26] Rasmus Sandin traded [23:22] Pierre Engvall traded [33:30] Luke Schenn acquired [43:42]

    Episode 197 - Leafs Acquire O'Reilly & Acciari + Other Trade Targets

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2023 80:53


    Today we discuss: The deal which brought Ryan O'Reilly and Noel Acciari to the Leafs [0:25] Other trade targets (Jake McCabe, Max Domi, Vladislav Gavrikov) [35:09]

    Episode 196 - Leafs Trade Deadline Targets

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2023 80:06


    Today we discuss the rental market including: Bo Horvat - [2:46] Timo Meier - [4:53] Ryan O'Reilly - [47:00] Vladimir Tarasenko [1:12:39]

    Episode 195 - Evaluating Dubas' Offseason Moves

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2023 66:40


    Today we discuss Kyle Dubas' offseason moves. Timestamps: Calle Jarnkrok - 5:16 Nicolas Aube-Kubel - 14:06 Zach Aston-Reese - 20:02 Denis Malgin / Dryden Hunt - 25:41 Rasmus Sandin / Timothy Liljegren - 29:50 Connor Timmins - 36:57 The Goalies - 43:25 Laughing at the Oilers - 57:45

    Episode 194 - Rielly's Return & Paltry Panthers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2023 60:06


    Today we discuss: The Leafs play over the past few weeks [1:44] Morgan Rielly's play this year [4:53] The poor season of the Florida Panthers [26:26] Luc Tardif's comments after the World Juniors [47:46]

    Episode 193 - Mailbag!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2022 100:00


    Today we have a mailbag for your listening pleasure, featuring questions about indie rock albums, Leafs trade targets, and the best possible NHL lineup!

    Episode 192 - Re-evaluating the Leafs 2018 Draft

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2022 53:24


    Today we discuss the Leafs 2018 draft in general with a focus to the players who are in the NHL or NHL adjacent now. Timestamps: Rasmus Sandin [4:59] Sean Durzi [14:09] Mac Hollowell [24:15] Filip Kral [35:08] Pontus Holmberg [39:48] Complaining about people who wonder why teams don't just cover Ovechkin on the power play [48:10]

    Episode 191 - Defence Injuries, Matthews' Shooting Slump, & Referee Consipiracies

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2022 53:24


    Today we discuss: The Leafs' defensive injuries and their impressive play keeping it together despite them [0:45] The Connor Timmins trade [15:37] Auston Matthews' shooting slump this season [23:30] Whether the referees are in the Leafs pockets [35:35]

    Episode 190: Murray returns strong

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2022 81:06


    Welcome to another episode of Back to Excited. Today we discuss: Matt Murray's strong performances since his return from injury [4:01] This disappointing season of Rasmus Sandin [9:11] Do we think forwards are more impactful than defensemen [20:35] Has our opinion of the Leafs' ceiling changed at all this year [34:45] A quick glance at the rest of the Atlantic Division [39:23] Non-hockey topic: we revisit Chris Johnston's terrible crypto take in the wake of FTX going up in smoke

    Episode 189 - Leafs Beat Bruins, Samsonov Injury, Mitchell MIller Signing

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2022 76:36


    Today we discuss: A deep dive into the Leafs win against the Bruins, including the Bruins changed style from this season, and how it interacts with the Leafs' strengths and weaknesses [3:30] The general strength of the Bruins this year, and the disastrous decision to sign Mitchell Miller [22:53] The Ilya Samsonov injury, and where the Leafs go from here with their goaltenders [45:06] The hot start of Rasmus Dahlin, and his growth from highly touted prospect, to possible draft disappointment, to possible Norris candidate [49:12] The early season success of the New Jersey Devils [1:00:04] Luke Fox's terrible article about the Leafs [1:04:18]

    Episode 188 - Jake Muzzin's Injury & Nick Robertson's Ascendance

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2022 59:38


    Today, topics include: The Jake Muzzin injury, and Rasmus Sandin's promotion [0:35] Nick Robertson isn't going back down to the minors [13:01] Is Auston Matthews okay? [17:56] Were we wrong about the Leafs fourth line of Aston-Reese - Kampf - Aube-Kubel? [21:44] The manic Toronto media [31:18] ESPN's NHL Top 100 list [39:17]

    Episode 187 - Impressions from the first week

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2022 48:13


    Today we chat about our takeaways from the first three games of the NHL regular season, including the rejuvenated John Tavares, the Matt Murray injury, and the Leafs strong special teams.

    Episode 186 - Leafs Lines and Pairings Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2022 63:06


    We go through the Leafs projected lines and defense pairings for the foreseeable future in depth, including our expectations, where we're confident, and where we're not. Timestamps: Top line (Bunting - Matthews - Marner) [2:30] Second line (Malgin - Tavares - Nylander) [13:12] Third line (Aston-Reese - Kampf - Aube-Kubel) [26:16] Fourth line (Jarnkrok - Kerfoot - Engvall) [33:34] Top pair (Rielly - Brodie) [39:07] Second pair (Muzzin - Holl) [42:09] Third pair (Giordano - Sandin) [45:46] Goaltending [50:02] A brief discussion about where the Leafs are projected to land by various statistical models [52:35]

    Episode 185 - Leafs Preseason Storylines

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2022 66:52


    Today we discuss a variety of topics related to the questions facing the Leafs as they head into training camp and the preseason, including: The ongoing contract negotiations with Rasmus Sandin [2:05] The enduring hole in the Leafs lineup at second line left wing [30:47] Whether there will be a goaltending battle during training camp [55:55] The return of the bad take of the week [59:32]

    Episode 184 - Around the NHL (Part 2) - NSH to WPG

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2022 154:58


    Today we discuss the remaining NHL teams and their offseasons. Timestamps: Kadri / Monahan trades - 1:30 NSH - 8:28 NJD - 18:37 NYI - 36:40 NYR - 43:18 OTT - 55:26 PHI - 1:11:13 PIT - 1:20:22 SJS - 1:28:05 SEA - 1:33:59 STL - 1:44:07 TB - 1:53:42 VAN - 2:04:31 VGK - 2:14:14 WSH - 2:20:52 WPG - 2:26:09

    Episode 183 - Around the NHL (Part 1) - ANA to MTL

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2022 190:57


    Today we review the offseasons of the teams from Anaheim to Montreal. Timestamps: Anaheim Ducks - 3:00 Arizona Coyotes - 20:20 Boston Bruins - 36:41 Buffalo Sabres - 46:50 Calgary Flames - 53:23 Carolina Hurricanes - 1:07:04 Chicago Blackhawks - 1:21:09 Colorado Avalanche - 1:34:33 Columbus Blue Jackets - 1:43:34 Dallas Stars - 2:00:00 Detroit Red Wings - 2:14:49 Edmonton Oilers - 2:29:25 Florida Panthers - 2:40:35 Los Angeles Kings - 2:48:05 Minnesota Wild - 2:54:03 Montreal Canadiens : 2:59:56

    Episode 182 - Leafs Offseason Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2022 90:19


    Today, we go through the Leafs offseason in full and chat about what we liked and didn't like about it.

    Episode 181 - Series Postmortem & Where the Leafs Go From Here

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2022 57:41


    We discuss the Leafs G7 loss to the Lightning, and where the Leafs go from here.

    Episode 180 - On to Game 7

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2022 17:23


    We chat about Game 6 and what to expect from Game 7

    Episode 179 - Game 5 Rapid Reaction

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2022 22:55


    We discuss the Leafs huge Game 5 win, featuring standout performances from the Big 4 and Jack Campbell

    Episode 178 - Game 2 Rapid Reaction

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2022 21:33


    We go through the Leafs' Game 2 loss, discussing special teams, penalty differentials, and adjustments we'd make if we were Sheldon Keefe.

    Episode 177 - Game 1 Rapid Reaction

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2022 20:18


    We chat about the Leafs dominant Game 1 performance and what to expect from the series going forward.

    Episode 176 - Mailbag

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2022 95:28


    We take listener questions about the Leafs, the NHL and life itself

    Episode 175 - Don't expand the playoffs & non-Atlantic contenders

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2022 86:32


    Today we discuss: Why an NBA-style play-in would be a bad idea in the NHL [1:30] Some of the Stanley Cup Contenders who are not in the Atlantic division (Carolina, Colorado, Calgary, Minnesota, St. Louis, Edmonton) [25:20]

    Episode 174 - Matthews' Excellence, Holl's Steadiness, & Dubas' Mistakes

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2022 64:44


    Today we discuss: Auston Matthews' amazing goalscoring run [0:33] Justin Holl's quietly good season [20:33] Evaluating the thought process behind Kyle Dubas' least successful moves [29:45]

    Episode 173 - First impressions of Giordano + Blackwell

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2022 50:34


    Today we discuss: Our initial impressions of Mark Giordano and Colin Blackwell [1:15] Why a William Nylander trade might actually make sense this offseason [24:30]

    Episode 172 - Trade Deadline Recap

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2022 58:08


    Today we discuss the Leafs' moves at the trade deadline. This includes sending Travis Dermott to the Canucks, Alex Biega to the Predators, and most critically, acquiring Mark Giordano and Colin Blackwell from the Kraken for a bevy of draft picks.

    Episode 171 - Matthews for Hart?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2022 42:34


    Today we discuss the Hart Trophy race, and whether Auston Matthews deserves it over the likes of Johnny Gaudreau, Igor Shesterkin, and Connor McDavid

    Episode 170 - Leafs Goaltending Woes & Teams We Were Wrong About

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2022 62:38


    Today we discuss: The Leafs goaltending issues [0:45] Teams we were wrong about in the pre-season [32:01]

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