Andrew Berkshire joins the podcast to talk about Zach Bolduc's season, progression and why he is needed in this Canadiens team. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Downhill Skating System is the mechanics-first approach that unlocks effortless, controlled speed on the ice without extra conditioning, pushing or “trying harder.” Inspired by the movement signatures of players like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, and other elite NHL skaters, this system teaches you how to move on the ice with gravity, using your body's own stretch shortening cycles mixed with the most efficient footwork patterns and various skating mechanics.
Most players skate “uphill”: stiff, blocky, pushing hard, creating tension and burning energy like we were always taught in traditional powerskating. Downhill skating flips that model. By using counter rotation, proper joint angles, and natural gravitational momentum, we teach you move faster with less effort.
Inside the Downhill Skating System, players learn to:
1) Unlock the inner spring for better acceleration.
2)Use different footwork patterns to add options, deception and effortlessness.
3)Proper joint alignment for efficiency and balance instead of creating tension with push strides.
Apply NHL-base mechanics like shin angle, Y-angle, rhythm and cadence. Generate speed using the rocker, with heel pressure and subtle weight transfers.
This system is not what players would learn in traditional, outdated power skating methods. It’s a biomechanics-based operating system designed to match your body type and natural movement patterns.
Whether you’re trying to improve the forward stride, lateral movements, deception, or posture, Downhill Skating reveals the hidden mechanics the NHL’s best rely on, and shows you how to plug them into your game step by step.
If you’re ready to skate faster with less effort, flow through transitions, and move with the smoothness of the world’s best players, the Downhill Skating System is your blueprint to faster player development.
👉 Drills, breakdowns, progressions, and full mechanics playbook (100's of videos) all available in Train 2.0+ here: https://app.train2point0.com/bundles/membership-plus
About Train 2.0:
Train 2.0 is an online hockey development platform founded by Jason Yee: kinesiologist, former professional player, and UBC honors graduate. We give players and coaches a mechanical advantage by reverse-engineering elite NHL movements and making them available to players at every level.
👉 Start your Train 2.0 Free Training and learn the Downhill Skating System pillars here:
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🌐 Visit us on home ice at our website for more details about Train 2.0 Hockey
https://www.train2point0.com/
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📧 Want free content, trends, and breakdowns we don’t post anywhere else?
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A new crease to call home 🤝
Katie DeSa is headed out west with the Vancouver Goldeneyes!
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Planning a Montreal Canadiens pilgrimage? Unlock the ultimate guide to experiencing a Habs game at the Bell Centre without breaking the bank. Discover the best times to score tickets, prime seating options, tips to navigate restrictive bag policies, and how to make the most of your visitwhether youre coming with family or friends. Laura Saba highlights essential travel advice for Canadiens fans, from tackling Montreals winter, neighborhood hotel picks, and transportation hacks to maximize your stay. Dive into cant-miss local eatspoutine, smoked meat, and iconic bagelsplus recommendations for family-friendly activities and nightlife hotspots. Wondering where to catch the playoff buzz or run into hockey insiders? Get the rundown on fan-favorite pubs and cocktail bars steps from the action. Your Montreal Canadiens bucket list starts heredont miss these insider secrets for the ultimate hockey getaway. 00:00 Traveling to Montreal for a Habs game 03:29 Finding Canadiens Tickets 08:25 Bell Centre seating and bag policy 11:40 Using FanDuel for college football 14:01 Safety tips for staying in Montreal 18:00 Kid-friendly activities for fall visits 23:10 Visiting the botanical garden 24:24 Visiting kid-friendly spots 28:00 Discussing poutine recommendations 30:40 Favourite places to eat out 34:58 Favourite Montreal food courts 37:07 Dining Out: Tasting Menu Favourites 41:28 Sharing travel recommendations 43:58 Locked On NHL updates Photo credit: Eric Bolte - Imagn Images Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms https://link.chtbl.com/LOCanadiens?sid=YouTube Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL Find Locked On Canadiens anywhere:https://lintr.ee/LockedOnCanadiens Also make sure to follow Locked on Canadiens and their hosts on Bluesky! Locked on Canadiens: https://bsky.app/profile/lockedoncanadiens.bsky.social Find Ian on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/maybeitsian.bsky.social Find Laura on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theactivestick.bsky.social #NHLHockey #MontrealCanadiens #Habs #nhl #nationalhockeyleague #canadiensmtl #canadiens Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Indeed Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited, and this season, FanDuel is giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Tampa Bay Lightning face a pivotal season: get past Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs or face major questions about their core. Nick Morgan and Greg Stephen break down the key factors, from Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point rediscovering postseason form to the need for a more adaptable power play and greater home ice advantage at Club BMI. Are new additions like Ilya Mikheyev and breakout candidates like Dominic James the answer to depth concerns? The hosts spotlight Cale Makar's record $20.4M AAV contract, ranking it against league bests like Brandon Hagel and Kucherovs team-friendly dealswhile naming Jonathan Huberdeau and Elias Pettersson as possible contract busts. Plus, the outlook for the New York Islanders: can Ilya Sorokin and Matthew Schaefer lift them to playoff contention in a wide-open Metro Division, or is this another year of mediocrity? Dont miss this high-stakes Lightning preview and NHL contract debate. 00:00 Lightning Playoff Hurdles 10:21 Islanders Roster Breakdown 18:17 NHL Contracts: Best & Worst Watch Locked On Lightning on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@LockedOnLightning Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL Follow Us on Social Media! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lockedonlightning/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lockedonlightning Threads: https://www.threads.com/@lockedonlightning X: https://x.com/LO_Lightning Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, its time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your teams community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Indeed Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. KALSHI For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started Play Your Game. 5-Hour ENERGY Get candy-flavored chaos with Fruity Rainbow 5-hour ENERGY Shots - available online at https://5hourENERGY.com or Amazon Rugiet Get 15% off your treatment https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What does it really mean to grow the game of hockey?Is it getting more kids to pick up a stick? Building more elite teams? Selling out professional arenas? Or is the real work making sure that once a young player discovers hockey, they feel like they belong enough to stay?On this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Olympic gold medalist and PWHL Walter Cup champion Hayley Scamurra dig into what growing hockey actually looks likefrom grassroots programs and community outreach to the small choices coaches, parents, organizations, and players can make every day.Inspired by Lees recent experience helping introduce hockey to young players in Puerto Rico, the conversation explores why simply putting a stick in a kids hands isnt enough. There needs to be a pathway forward. In this episode, we discuss: Why hockey can belong anywherefrom traditional rinks to Puerto Rico and beyond The difference between expanding elite hockey and truly growing the grassroots game Why retention matters just as much as recruitment How cost, equipment, ice access, and early specialization can shrink the game How coaches can make girls feel like hockey playersnot outsiderson co-ed teams Why welcoming a new family at the rink can have a bigger impact than you realize How PWHL players and professional athletes inspire new players simply by being visible and accessible Why older players helping younger teams can build stronger athletes, better people, and deeper organizational identity How fun, belonging, community, and connection keep kids coming backHayley also shares what she sees when young girls encounter professional womens hockey up closeincluding the story of a young player who started hockey after watching the Minnesota Frost play the Ottawa Charge in Raleigh.And the message is simple: you do not need a national platform, professional title, or massive event to grow hockey.A coach can invite younger players onto the ice.An older team can help at a learn-to-play session.A parent can introduce themselves to the new family standing alone at the rink.A player can make sure the new kid gets the pass that leads to their first goal.Those moments matter. The challenge: Find one thing you, your team, or your organization can do this season to make hockey more welcoming, accessible, and fun for someone else.And if you can, go watch a PWHL gamelive or from home. Let the next generation see what is possible.If this episode gets you thinking, share it with a coach, parent, player, or hockey leader who can help grow the game in their community. Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Growing Girls Hockey Starts With Something Bigger Than RecruitmentHave a story about how youre growing hockey where you live? Send it to team@ourkidsplayhockey.com and keep the conversation going.#OurGirlsPlayHockey #GirlsHockey #WomensHockey #GrowTheGame #YouthHockey #PWHL #HockeyParents #HockeyCoaches #GirlsInSports #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyCommunity #WomenInSportsHave A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow!Follow Us On Social Media:Facebook GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube
While the New York Rangers have not had one of the NHL’s top pipelines in quite a while, general manager (GM) Chris Drury and his staff have done a solid…
If you want to be one of the best teams in the NHL in the Salary Cap Era, you have to draft and develop your own prospects so you can…
Coachella Valley Firebirds Assistant Coach Brennan Sonne presents on Defining Compete: The Scorecard Behind a Competitive Culture at TCS Live 2026
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On Episode 667 of Spittin' Chiclets, the boys break down the Metropolitan Division with help from some special guests; Jody Shelley, Colby Armstrong, Spencer Carbery, and Sunny Mehta. This is an episode you won't want to miss. 00:00:00 - START 00:00:31 - Chiclets Updates 00:23:43 - Around the League 00:51:53 - Rangers & Islanders 01:13:28 - Spencer Carbery/Caps 01:57:35 - Hurricanes 02:04:38 - Colby Armstrong/Pens + Flyers 02:42:22 - Sunny Mehta/Devils 03:40:02 - Jody Shelley/CBJ 03:57:01 - RAs World Support the Show: PINK WHITNEY: Go get a bottle of Pink Whitney. Pinkies UP! RHOBACK: Go to https://Rhoback.com and use code SPITTIN for 20% off your first order. SHELL: Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Premium Gasoline. More power. More performance. In gasoline direct injection engine fuel injectors with continuous use of Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Premium Gasoline. Compared to lower octane fuels. Actual effects and benefits may vary according to vehicle type, driving conditions and driving style. See shell.us/more for more details. DRAFTKINGS: So head to the app store now, download DraftKings Casino, and use code CHICLETS to get started. Then play five to unlock ONE THOUSAND total spins over your first twenty days. Spin your way on DraftKings Casino. The Crown is Yours. In partnership with DraftKings Casino.You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Netflix. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/schiclets
Could Joona Saarelainen make the leap from Europe to North America this season? A strong 2025-26 has him on that path. Name Joona Saarelainen Position Forward Age (as of October 1, 2026) 20 Height/Weight 5’9″, 187 lbs. Expected 2026-27 Team KalPa (Liiga) Draft – Year, Round 2024, 5th Round (149) Previous Rankings 19th ( 2024 ), 18th ( 2025 ) JustinG. Ranking 7 Final Rank 14 Stats: Our Thoughts: Unlike his fellow countryman, Benjamin Rautelainen, Joona Saarelainen didn’t have a breakout season in the Liiga in 2025-26. What he did have was a fairly solid season as a 19-year-old in a pretty competitive league. For the first time in his career he spent the entire season (minus a stint with the U20 World Junior team for Finland) at the top level. He responded with 8 goals and 16 assists in 51 games. In KalPa’s 11 playoff games he added another 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists). He’ll spend at least one more season in Finland, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him sign his entry-level contract and cross the Atlantic at some point to join the organization. The Lightning (and Crunch) could always use a few more playmakers and that’s what Saarelainen projects out as. KalPa doesn’t have the deepest line-up in the league so there is a chance that the fifth-round pick can find himself in the top six this season. Saarelainen isn’t the biggest player on the ice, standing at 5’9″ (allegedly), but he plays a lot bigger than his size. He’s not the type of player that shies away from the front of the net, and at 187 lbs. he can be tough to move once he sets up just outside of the crease. Stationed at the front or the side of the net, Saarelainen uses his hand-eye coordination to tip pucks home or dig out rebounds. He also has a really nice wrist shot that crosses up goaltenders. His 15.4% shooting percentage was sixth on the team last season. Playing in front of the net like he does leads to a lot of solid scoring chances (he posted a 9.31 expected goals) and he has a goal-scorers knack of getting into solid scoring areas. That was on display during the World Junior Championship when he posted four goals and two assists in seven games. He’s not a one-dimensional player as he works just as hard in his own zone as he does in the offensive zone. Saarelainen is a tireless skater and can sort out what is happening in the defensive zone in order to move into the right spot to break up plays. On turnovers, he has the wheels to turn defense into offense fairly quickly, an asset that helps him kill penalties. Keep an eye on his playing time this season. Last season he averaged just over 15 minutes per game. He should have a bigger role with KalPa this season and that should lead to some more production. Expect some more time on the power play and among the top-six. If he can parlay that extra time into points on the board, it’ll be a nice sign that he’s on the right track. He has the skills to produce in any league, hopefully he’ll be showcasing them with Syracuse as early as this spring. He’s off to a decent start with a couple of assists in five pre-season games so far. (Oh, look, old friend Otto Somppi will be a teammate this season). Your Thoughts: There were no direct mentions of Saarelainen in the comments. The highest spot for Saarelainen was fifth while over 23.3% of the voters locked him in at the 14th spot. Highlight Videos: Joona Saarelainen levels it for @leijonat ! 🚨 #WorldJuniors #IIHF pic.twitter.com/ufMmauf1uB — IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 5, 2026 Never. Stop. Skating. Saarelainen couldn’t reach the initial centering pass, but he didn’t give up on the play. He collected the loose puck, fed it to the point, and then circled to the net. He beat the defender to the rebound and put the puck into the net. Kapaselta maailmanluokan esityö ja Saarelainen niittaa pelin tasoihin! 🚨 #KalPa #Liiga 📺: @MTVUrheilu pic.twitter.com/SAmVFXx9p7 — KalPa (@KalPa_Hockey) April 11, 2026 This is how undersized players can be productive in front of the net. He timed a little push off of the defenseman perfectly to create space and then snapped off the one-timer. Skill can triumph over size. Härski vääntää, Joona tarjoilee ja Kona laittaa sisään! 🙌 #KalPa #Liiga 📺: @MTVUrheilu pic.twitter.com/Ve1vNsw8Fq — KalPa (@KalPa_Hockey) March 29, 2026 He is going to be fun to watch when he comes over to North America. He just barreled into two larger defensemen in order to make the play. 🍎 Joona Saarelainen (#12 in yellow) picks up assist #14 of the Liiga season. #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/jAknVfFCDh — Future Bolts (@FutureBolts_) March 6, 2026 His playmaking skills are pretty solid as well. He sold the move to the outside to turn the defender, which gave him the lane to make the pass. It’s a really subtle, but nice move, especially at speed. Rystylätty ja ohjaus putken alle. 😍 Ruotsalainen tarjoilee ja Saarelainen laittaa sisään! 🚨 #KalPa #Liiga 📺: @MTVUrheilu pic.twitter.com/bkwyiaqnbX — KalPa (@KalPa_Hockey) February 19, 2026 Just wow. The play gets better with every angle. It’s one of those plays that probably works one out of five times, but you have to admire the audacity (especially as a 19-year-old) to even try it. Joona Saarelainen ( #GoBolts ) hits the jets and nearly gives Finland their first lead of the game pic.twitter.com/J2DrXHglIP — Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) January 4, 2026 Can he work on his skating a little? Sure, but he has the jets when he needs them. Saarelainen doesn’t score here, but he does surprise the defender with a nice little burst of speed. He doesn’t necessarily have top end speed, but he does a good job of adjusting his pace to keep opponents off-balance.
Allow myself to introduce… myself. Yeah, I know – I just used a 20-year-old Austin Powers reference on a hockey blog. If you’re walking into a new locker room, you might as well do it with a little swagger and some self awareness. I’ve been a diehard hockey fan since I was a kid in western Pennsylvania. I watched Mario Lemieux come back from the dead twice. I watched Jaromir Jagr break my teenage heart by taking his talents to Washington. That heartbreak eventually turned into Marc-Andre Fleury, Evgeni Malkin, and Sidney Crosby bringing the Penguins back to glory. The Igloo felt like church when I was a kid. The Penguins weren’t just a team. They were my passion, even when they were losing 50 games per season. I always had a soft spot for the Lightning, too. As a kid it was Darren Puppa in No. 93. Then it was Vinny Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis: opposite builds, same ability to take over a game, and they complemented each other perfectly. They were easy to root for. I was in Sarasota in 2004 when Tampa Bay won it all. My grandpa – the man I’m named after – was bouncing between Sarasota Memorial and Tampa General, and I flew down that June to be closer to him. We watched the game from his hospital room. I’ll never forget it with the Lightning as the protagonist. That summer he sold his house in Pennsylvania, and one by one my family started moving here to be near him. Life happened again in 2011. My grandpa got terminally sick, so I packed up everything I owned and moved to Tampa at 22. This place instantly felt more like home than Pennsylvania ever did. I was still a Penguins fan first then, but the seed from 2004 was already growing. It didn’t come easy. I hated the Lightning after they beat Pittsburgh in 2011. The Pens jumped out to a 3-1 series lead, then lost the last three games and got outscored 13-4 in the process. Deep down, I was still rooting for Tampa to win it all. The real shift came in 2015, when the Lightning went to the Stanley Cup Final against Chicago. The Hawks won, of course, but I saw firsthand how well this franchise was run on and off the ice with Mr. Vinik as owner. I wanted in. Then the tickets happened. I became a season ticket holder in 2017-18. The Penguins had just won back-to-back Cups in 2016 and 2017, and I turned my back on them. That’s when it stopped being casual. That’s when Amalie became my new church. Tampa went to the Eastern Conference Final that spring, and I’ve never been more down than after the Bolts got shut out in Games 6 and 7. I had to watch the Capitals win it all when the Lightning had every chance at glory. I can blame KucHEROv as the culprit for my abandoning Pittsburgh. The vision. The passes that shouldn’t be possible. The way he sees the ice two plays ahead. He somehow continues to get better every year. At some point it stopped being “I root for Tampa, too” and started being “this is the team.” The hero in the name fits. It wasn’t only Kuch. I’ve loved goalies since I was a kid. I’m no scout, but I knew Andrei Vasilevskiy was going to be special. The Lightning already had Stamkos and Hedman. Add in Kucherov and Vasy, and it felt like this team was destined for something big. I wanted to be part of it. I was in the building for the 2021 Cup against Montreal. Ross Colton’s goal. Vasilevskiy slamming the door for the fourth time in four series. The place going crazy after a year of empty arenas and pandemic hockey. My ears rang for days after every game that run. Watching them win it in 2021 will forever be one of my most cherished memories. I was there again in 2022 when Colorado ended the three-peat. Same building. Same people. Different feeling. Heartbreak hits different when you’ve been in the seats for the highs. You still clap. You still feel proud of the run. Winning the year before made it a little easier. The playoffs have been a bummer every year since then, but you better believe I’ll be there rooting for them until the clock hits zero. I still believe this team has what it takes to bring the Cup to it’s rightful home in Tampa Bay. That’s how a western PA kid ended up with season tickets in Tampa, rooting for the boys in blue, and writing here. I’m excited to join Raw Charge. I had the honor of being around these parts while John Fontana was the boss. He’s a big reason I’m a Lightning fan. I lived in the game threads and read every piece he wrote. He put in the work to get this off the ground, and I’m honored to contribute to the site he helped build (along with all the other contributors). This place has always felt like it was written by people who sit in the seats and care about the same things the rest of us do. I’ll bring the fan view, the goalie nerd-outs, the occasional old school take, and whatever else the season throws at us. Thanks for letting me join the Charge. Go Bolts!
With less than a month to go before the 2026-27 season opens, it is time to look at the league’s best players and see where they fit in the NHL…
On this episode of The Sick Podcast, Eric Engels joins Tony Marinaro to discuss how the Montreal Canadiens are preparing for the upcoming expansion draft, why Arber Xhekaj remains unsigned, his long-term future in Montreal, a potentially beneficial role change, Zack Bolducs objectives this season, how much he could earn with his contract extension and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sur cet pisode de Le Sick Podcast, Tony Marinaro et Alexis Lavoie-Martel reviennent sur l'actualit dans le monde du sport! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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What if you could measure compete? Coachella Valley Firebirds Assistant Coach Brennan Sonne did exactly that. At TCS Live 2026, he shared how he's broken down “compete” into nine specific actions, tracked them, clipped them and showed players how those choices correlated with winning. No more “compete harder.” Just a clear identity every player can own. Now coaches can learn how to build the same system with their teams.
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Laura Saba of Locked on Canadiens Fame joins the podcast to talk about the forgotten rookie Oliver Kapanen. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Montreal Canadiens players surge into Top 100 NHLers conversation as breakout stars like Cole Caufield and Jakub Dobe turn heads with standout performances. Are the Habs building the leagues next powerhouse? Laura Saba and Ian Boisvert spotlight Canadiens leap forward, dissect the inclusion of Nick Suzuki, Lane Hutson, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Ivan Demidov among the leagues elite, and debate fan perceptions versus national recognition. The discussion intensifies around the future of Arber Xhekajis his role now threatened by rising forward Florian Xhekaj? Salary cap mastery comes to the forefront as hosts compare Cale Makars record-setting $20.4M contract to Montreals cost-effective top line. Plus, could you build a winner with 2.2 Lane Hutsons or two prime Carey Prices instead of a single iconic superstar? Insightful, energetic, and Habs-focused, this episode sets the stage for the most exciting Montreal Canadiens season in decades. 00:00 Speculating NHL player contracts 04:44 Concern about Canadiens' prospect depth 07:58 Dobe Breakout Season 10:53 Florian Xhekaj vs Arber Xhekaj 15:28 Discussing Florian Xhekajs NHL potential 16:06 Roster changes and training camp battles 20:15 Florida's expected response to Montreal 24:49 Cale Makar's impact on the team 26:48 Discussing Montreal Canadiens' challenges 31:45 Resigning Cale Makar for future success 33:32 Signing Key Players to Long-Term Deals 35:49 Wrap-up and listener thanks Photo credit: David Kirouac - Imagn Images Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms https://link.chtbl.com/LOCanadiens?sid=YouTube Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL Find Locked On Canadiens anywhere:https://lintr.ee/LockedOnCanadiens Also make sure to follow Locked on Canadiens and their hosts on Bluesky! Locked on Canadiens: https://bsky.app/profile/lockedoncanadiens.bsky.social Find Ian on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/maybeitsian.bsky.social Find Laura on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theactivestick.bsky.social #NHLHockey #MontrealCanadiens #Habs #nhl #nationalhockeyleague #canadiensmtl #canadiens Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Indeed Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited, and this season, FanDuel is giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Coachella Valley Firebirds Assistant Coach Brennan Sonne presents on Defining Compete: The Scorecard Behind a Competitive Culture at TCS Live 2026
#Shorts #hockeyshorts #Hockey #HockeyPractice #HockeyTraining #HockeyTips #HockeySkating #HockeySkills #HockeyDrills #YouthHockey #hockeyleadership #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyTactics #HockeyVideos #HockeyCoach #HockeyPlayer #HockeyHabits #skilldevelopment #PlayerDevelopment
Week two of the countdown kicks off with an intriguing forward who could be in line to make his NHL debut this season. Name Lucas Mercuri Position Forward Age (as of October 1, 2026) 24 Height/Weight 6’3″, 223 lbs. Expected 2026-27 Team Syracuse Crunch Draft – Year, Round 2020 6th Round (159) by Carolina Previous Rankings Not Ranked JustinG. Ranking 18 Final Rank 15 Stats: Our Thoughts: In March of 2025 the Tampa Bay Lightning made a move that didn’t rattle a lot of cages when they sent a 2025 sixth-round pick to Carolina for the rights to Lucas Mercuri. They quickly signed him and the forward from UMass made his debut later that season, appearing in six games for Syracuse. Last season, he earned a spot on the Crunch’s roster and made his way up a spot in the middle six and on the power play. Along the way he scored 14 goals and 12 assists in 67 games while racking up 132 penalty minutes. In case you were wondering, yes he led the team in penalty minutes (by a healthy margin) but in the rough-and-tumble AHL that total was bested by eleven other players. Give it up to Coachella Valley’s Ian McKinnon for leading the way with 245 PIMs. Mercuri’s solid season earned him the Ephesus “Brightest Prospect” / Rookie of the Year award from Syracuse and a chance for more playing time this season. While he doesn’t do a lot of flashy things on the ice he does most of them well. His wrist shot is accurate and hard enough to beat goaltenders from the circles. It’s not often that a rookie, even an older one, comes into the AHL and puts up more goals than he did in college, but that’s what Mercuri, who scored 10 goals in his best season at UMass did. He reads the game well and can distribute the puck to his linemates through the neutral zone to facilitate zone entries, and usually arrives on the forecheck will a little ill intent. At 6’3″ and 223 lbs. he has NHL size and isn’t shy about throwing it around. Like a lot of players on this list (and in the AHL in general) he has to improve his skating to advance to the next level. He has the speed to be effective at the AHL level, but might be a step or two behind in the NHL, a trait that would negate what he can do on the forecheck and in his own zone. In typical Lightning prospect abilities, he isn’t going to hurt his team in the defensive zone. Mercuri is usually in the right spot to make the play and has the reach to disrupt passes. If the play heads along the boards, there is a good chance he is going to take his player out or win a battle for the puck. Expect him to get a long look at training camp for a spot on the fourth line for the Lightning, but there might be a few too many bodies in front of him right now. Even if he doesn’t make the roster straight out of camp, he plays the style of game that the Lightning like when they make call-ups. Meanwhile he should maintain a spot in the middle six with the Crunch, likely bouncing back and forth between center and the wing. If he can keep winning face-offs, that will only help his cause. Your Thoughts: “Mercuri, I think would make a great 4th line center.” “Mercuri is a big boy who can produce at 4th line NHL level IMO, and needs to be on the 4th line start of this season.” Highest ranking was 6th with multiple votes. Majority of his votes came from the 12th to 20th spots. Highlight Videos: Mercs jams it in and gets the party going! pic.twitter.com/B8IUvKWIOD — Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) April 26, 2026 Mercuri fought his way to the front of the net just in time to screen the goaltender. He has the ability and hands to twist around and knock the puck into the net. In the Lightning/Crunch system, a player that can create a little chaos in front of the net is always going to do well. Happy (early) birthday to OT-winner Lucas Mercuri🥳 @SyracuseCrunch | #WBSvsSYR pic.twitter.com/z3pB1IfmTp — American Hockey League (@TheAHL) March 7, 2026 While he likes to do most of his damage from right in front of the net, his shot has been described at “NHL level”. It’s not overly hard, but Mercuri is usually in a shooting position, and therefore can get the shot off pretty quickly. Another beauty on the power play! pic.twitter.com/V0SWhdZJdF — Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) February 8, 2026 A big body with the puck is going to always draw some attention. Mercuri held onto it here and made the nice little back pass. He’s not Adam Oates with the puck, but passes the puck pretty well for a player known more for his physical play than his offense. Wrap this one up and top it off with a bow 🎁 pic.twitter.com/A4pVHJBhD9 — Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) December 20, 2025 Getting a gift is one thing. Making the most of it is what keeps players in the league. It would be nice to say Mercuri’s vicious forcheck created this turnover, but let’s be honest, this was an unforced turnover. Still, Mercuri didn’t make a mess out of it. A little stickhandling and a nice long reach allowed him to tuck it into the net. Top 20 20 – Aiden Foster 19 – Morgan Anderberg 18 – Gabriel Szturc 17 – Marco Mignosa #16 – Jan Golicic
Connor Hellebuycks name has dominated off-season trade rumours. Will the former Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy winner be moved by the Jets, or can Winnipeg rebound to a league powerhouse like they were two seasons ago? Sean Mcindoe and Murat Ates take a look at the Jets from their strength in goal with Hellebuyck and Stuart Skinner, to their stable defense led by Josh Morrissey and newcomer Mario Ferraro and their deep forward group headlined by Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Gabriel Valardi and Cole Perfetti and they ask, can the Winnipeg Jets return to the top 8 in the Western Conference and once again become a favourite to compete for the Stanley Cup?Host: Sean McIndoeWith: Murat AtesExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Jeff DometWatch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshowJoin our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkFSubscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sur cet pisode de Le Sick Podcast, ric Hoziel se joint Tony Marinaro et Alexis Lavoie-Martel! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices