The HockeyVerse with Michael Traikos & Johnny Legend

The HockeyVerse
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The HockeyVerse is a podcast for hockey players, hockey parents and (of course) hockey fans. Join columnist Michael Traikos and comedian Johnny Legend for a behind-the-scenes look at the issues facing the Maple Leafs and the NHL. But what really sets The HockeyVerse apart is its commitment to answering listener questions on the topics that matter most. We want to hear from you! Whether you're looking for the inside scoop on Auston Matthews or practical advice on that $500 stick, our panel of experts — including former players, skills/strength coaches and equipment gurus — have you covered.

  1. 06/09/2023

    22 - Say It Aint So! It Looks Like Sheldon Keefe Is Staying On As Coach Of The Leafs...

    Say it ain’t so, but it looks like Sheldon Keefe is going to remain as coach of the Maple Leafs In this edition of The HockeyVerse, we discuss what the Toronto Maple Leafs will do with Sheldon Keefe, why Auston Matthews’ next contract won’t necessarily be a long one, and talk about the ongoing Stanley Cup final between Florida and Vegas. We are also joined by Buffalo News hockey columnist Mike Harrington, who gives us a first-hand look at the NHL Scouting Combine and what Sabres fans think of Jack Eichel potentially winning a championship. *** Why Auston Matthews’ next deal could be in the three-to-four year range (3:01) *** Matthews is not the captain, but all decisions run through him (6:05) *** Will we see another dynasty team? (9:30) *** Is Matthew Tkachuk enough of a draw for the Stanley Cup final (13:35) *** Jack Eichel is tougher than anyone previously thought (17:15) *** The best thing about for Toronto heading into the draft is that Brad Treliving can’t make any picks (19:45) *** Buffalo News hockey columnist on why Sabres fans can’t be mad that Eichel and Reinhart are in the final (22:15) *** What does Connor Bedard even have to prove at the draft combine? (26:55) *** Do the Leafs need a Babcock-like coach next year? (32:20) *** Why the last week of the Penguins’ season changed NHL history forever (42:30) *** Is it playoffs or bust for the Sabres (44:30) *** Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family. *** Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: heyhockeyverse@gmail.com *** Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day. *** Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend

    47 min

  2. 06/01/2023

    21 - Will Brad Treliving Sign Auston Matthews - Or Lose Him Like He Did Matthew Tkachuk?

    Will Brad Treliving sign Auston Matthews — or lose him like he did Matthew Tkachuk? In this edition of The HockeyVerse, we discuss why Treliving was the best candidate to run the Maple Leafs, what comes next for the team this summer and why Kyle Dubas was hired in Pittsburgh. We also preview the Stanley Cup final between Florida and Vegas and give you our picks for the Conn Smythe Trophy. We are also joined by hockey insider Eric Francis of Sportsnet Calgary, who explains why Leafs fans should be happy about the hiring of Treliving.***Out of all the candidates out there, why Treliving was the best of the best (3:20)***What does this all mean for Keefe? (7:05)***That time when Treliving convinced Connor McDavid, Brad Marchand and a who’s who of NHLers to play a meaningless tournament in Russia (9:30)***Why the Tkachuk trade is not an omen for what might happen in Toronto (11:35)***If you were the Leafs GM, would you keep Keefe? (12:15)***Vegas or Florida: who will win the Stanley Cup? (19:45)***Sportsnet senior columnist Eric Francis tells us what he’s learned from covering Treliving for the past decade  (21:20)***We forget, last Fall everyone was calling Treliving the GM of the Year (27:00)***Could Flames goalie Dan Vladar be Toronto’s starter on opening night? (31:15)***Building a heavy team will be Treliving’s first order of business (33:00)***Other than Keefe, who might Treliving be looking at to coach the Leafs (37:30)***Imagining a trade scenario between Toronto and Calgary (39:25)***Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family. ***Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: heyhockeyverse@gmail.com***Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.***Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend

    45 min

  3. 05/25/2023

    20 - Is Losing Kyle Dubas Really The End Of The Leafs As We Know It?

    Is losing Kyle Dubas really the end of the Leafs as we know it?  In this episode of The HockeyVerse, we discuss why Kyle Dubas is no longer the GM and look ahead to what is a monumental summer for the Leafs. We are also joined live in the studio by longtime Canadian Press reporter Greg Strong, who explains why this is a difficult time to be a Toronto sports fan.***Just when Dubas was starting to win over fans (and pick fights with opposing fans), he’s gone (3:00)***Looking back, imagine if the Leafs had have chosen Lamoriello over Dubas (7:15)***Do we make too big of a deal over who the GM of the Leafs is? Should fans even care who’s running things? (9:10)***The risk of losing Matthews next summer — and the argument for trading him before then (12:20)***Are we done with the Core Four? (18:00)***Why Vegas’ fans are the luckiest fans in the NHL (24:02)***Canadian Press reporter Greg Strong on whether the Leafs will win a championship before the Toronto Blue Jays (27:48)***Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family. ***Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: heyhockeyverse@gmail.com***Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.***Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend

    49 min

  4. 05/16/2023

    19 - Best Leaf Team In 20 Years... And You Want To Fire Everyone?

    Episode 19: Best Leafs team in 20 years … and you want to fire everyone? In this post-mortem edition of The HockeyVerse, we do a complete autopsy on this roster and look ahead to who stays and who goes this summer. We are also joined by Toronto hockey reporter David Alter of The Hockey News, who gives us all the juicy details from the end-of-year Leafs locker clean-out — and why Kyle Dubas might be gone. ** The argument for rolling back the roster for next year (0:35) *** There’s more than a dozen players coming off the books … and one they have to get rid of (11:25) *** Would you trade Marner? How about Nylander? Let’s go through the roster, player by player (12:30) *** David Alter of The Hockey News (@Dalter) on why change has to come to the Maple Leafs after the year they had (28:45) *** The argument for trading Mitch Marner (33:20) *** Would changing coaches solve a lot of the Leafs’ problems? (41:45) *** Is there financial wiggle room to bring back Ryan O’Reilly? (46:46) *** What does a Samsonov-Well tandem look like next year? (52:52) *** What do we make of the fact that Brendan Shanahan was MIA on locker clean-out day (55:00) *** Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family. *** Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: heyhockeyverse@gmail.com *** Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day. *** Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend

    1h 5m

  5. 05/11/2023

    18- Can "Curtis" Joseph Woll Take A Bite Out Of The Panthers?

    Episode 19: Can "Curtis" Joseph Woll take another bite out of the Panthers? In this edition of The HockeyVerse, we recap the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Game 4 win against the Florida Panthers and look ahead to whether they can keep it rolling for Game 5. We are also joined by Terry Koshan of The Toronto Sun, who tells us why the Leafs should ride-or-die with Joseph Woll and what Toronto can learn from Mike Richards.**Why Joseph Woll is ready for this moment (3:00)***Mitch Marner had how many bodychecks in Game 4? (6:25)***Luke Schenn finds a way by any means necessary (9:35)***When is Auston Matthews going to start scoring again? (13:10)***Why we’re glad that Connor Bedard ended up in Chicago — not Arizona (20:45)***Congratulations (and condolences) to this year’s Jack Adams Award finalists (22:15)***Terry Koshan of The Toronto Sun (@KoshTorontoSun) on why the Leafs should ride-or-die with Joseph Woll and what Toronto can learn from Mike Richards (27:10)***Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family. ***Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: heyhockeyverse@gmail.com***Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.***Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend

    48 min

  6. 05/08/2023

    17 - Who Is To Blame For The Leafs Being Down 0-3 to The Panthers?

    Episode 17: Who is to blame for the Leafs being down 0-3 to the Panthers? In this edition of The HockeyVerse, we recap the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Game 3 loss to the Florida Panthers and look ahead to what the summer holds for a team that hasn’t learned a thing. We are also joined by North American Central Scouting’s Mark Seidel, who preps us for the NHL Draft Lottery and why so many teams were tanking for Connor Bedard this year. ** Who is to blame for that ugly Game 3 loss (3:15) *** Matthew Knies has a goal in this series, but Auston Matthews does not? (5:40) *** Props to the Panthers, but they are not this much better than the Leafs (8:05) *** If the Panthers can win six in a row, then maybe the Leafs can win four in a row (10:50) *** Who stays and who goes this summer? (16:25) *** Tweets from the Half-Twits (23:20) *** The time Jeff Finger mistook Traikos for an NHLer (27:00) *** North American Central Scouting’s Mark Seidel (@MarkSeidel) talks about what makes Connor Bedard so special, why Matvey Michkov is the second-best prospect, and where Matthew Tkachuk would go if we re-did the 2016 draft (30:18) *** Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family. *** Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: heyhockeyverse@gmail.com *** Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day. *** Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend

    53 min

  7. 05/05/2023

    16 - Leafs Are Down 2 Games To The Panthers, Why Does It Feel Like They're Still Gonna Win?

    Episode 16: Leafs are down 0-2 to the Panthers, but why does it feel like they’re still going to win the series?In this edition of The HockeyVerse, we recap the Game 2 loss by the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Florida Panthers and look ahead to what is looking like a couple of must-win games in Florida, with the help of NHL.com insider Mike Zeisberger. We also talked about the red-hot Sergei Bobrovsky, why Sam Bennett wasn’t suspended and whether Matthews Knies has played his last game of the playoffs.**Can someone please tell Sheldon Keefe to stop matching lines (3:10)***Vanishing Willie was amazing in Game 2 … but still was a minus-2 (4:40)***Less than a minute of hockey cost the Leafs the game — and potentially the series (6:50)***Florida has now jumped ahead as a favourite to win the Stanley Cup  (9:25)***Choo! Choo! the Wayne Train needs to get into Game 3 (16:10)***Check out the Richard Green Memorial Hockey Game on May 6 in Markham (19:10)***Tweets from the Half-Twits (20:20)***Cale Makar is the front-runner to win the Norris, despite only playing in 60 games (25:10)***NHL.com insider Mike Zeisberger (@Zeisberger) talks about Sheldon Keefe’s temper tantrum and why the Leafs need more out of their top dogs. (28:28)***Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family. ***Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: heyhockeyverse@gmail.com***Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.***Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend

    52 min

  8. 05/03/2023

    15 - The Leafs Have A Matthew Tkachuk Problem!

    Episode 15: The Leafs have a Matthew Tkachuk problemIn this edition of The HockeyVerse, we recap the Game 1 loss by the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Florida Panthers and look ahead to Game 2, with the help of South Florida hockey reporter George Richards. We also talked about Sam Bennett’s inability to do a pull-up, why William Nylander has disappeared and whether Sergei Bobrovsky is capable of stealing the series.**Can someone please stop Matthew Tkachuk … please(2:30)***My day at the gym with Sam Bennett, who couldn’t even do a pull-up at the draft combine (5:20)***History suggests that Tkachuk should bring out the best out of Auston Matthews  (8:15)***Why does Sheldon Keefe keep messing with the lines! (9:30)***This series might be rougher than the one against the Lightning — but is that a good thing?  (13:10)***What about Bob(rovsky)? (14:22)***Matthew Knies scored a helluva goal and could be the next Alex Much (18:25)***Uh-oh, Paul Maurice is playing mind games (22:05)***Fatso wouldn’t shake my hand (24:30)***Did the snowflakes really fire Darryl Sutter? (27:00)***South Florida hockey reporter George Richards of FloridaHockeyNow.com talks about Tkachuk, Bobrovsky, Sasha Barkov and why Florida is a tough draw for hockey these days. (32:27)***Thank you for listening to The HockeyVerse. If you enjoy this show, please share the love by leaving us a 5-star rating and review on iTunes and by introducing The HockeyVerse to your friends and family. ***Ask a question to The HockeyVerse by emailing: heyhockeyverse@gmail.com***Also, be sure to check thehockeyverse.com. While you’re there, sign up for our newsletter. It is specifically written for you — the die-hard fan. From insider news to opinion and analysis, our NHL-focused newsletter will entertain and equip you for the conversations of the day.***Follow us on Twitter: @thehockeyverse.com; @michael_traikos; @imjohnnylegend

    52 min
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The HockeyVerse is a podcast for hockey players, hockey parents and (of course) hockey fans. Join columnist Michael Traikos and comedian Johnny Legend for a behind-the-scenes look at the issues facing the Maple Leafs and the NHL. But what really sets The HockeyVerse apart is its commitment to answering listener questions on the topics that matter most. We want to hear from you! Whether you're looking for the inside scoop on Auston Matthews or practical advice on that $500 stick, our panel of experts — including former players, skills/strength coaches and equipment gurus — have you covered.

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