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It was the first time that The Quickie wasn’t, well, quick.
After a hiatus to start the year, last week represented the return of the fastest hockey show on the planet.
Lets get to it.
Taking Stock In Vegas and Toronto
The Quickie is BACK!
— Trevor Beggs (@TrevBeggs) January 27, 2020
The fastest hockey show in the world returns after my Aussie hiatus, one of 4 shows on the @nucksmisconduct podcast network.
Today I take stock in two of the NHL's biggest underachievers, #VegasBorn and #LeafsForever
LISTEN: https://t.co/wEUPRakvs1 pic.twitter.com/es7FSAoyJV
Two of the Stanley Cup favourites at the beginning of the regular season found themselves on the fringe of the playoff picture at the All-Star break.
I asked the question, which team do you have more faith in? Both teams haven’t had problems scoring, but they’ve had issues keeping the puck out of their net.
So far, both teams have surged after their respective hiatuses. Vegas beat Carolina and Nashville over the weekend, while Toronto has won three straight as well.
Believe in Thatcher Demko
Today's Quickie episode goes out to the man with one of the best names in the #NHL, Thatcher Demko.
— Trevor Beggs (@TrevBeggs) January 28, 2020
Did you forget about him? And what's his future with the #Canucks?
Hear my take on The Quickie: https://t.co/8jAIZnUiJ4 pic.twitter.com/ZuK0wS7uZA
In the wake of Jacob Markstrom playing at an elite level, it seems like some people forgot about the Canucks “goalie of the future.”
Well, Thatcher Demko earned himself some notoriety last week when he stopped 36 of 37 shots against the St. Louis Blues. Statistically, it was his best game as an NHL netminder.
It seems like a given that Markstrom will re-sign with this team. So, where does that leave Demko?
It’s a good problem to have for the Canucks, no doubt. This issue is firmly on the back-burner, since they don’t have to make a decision here until next season.
Edmonton & Calgary share similar flaws
Everyone is stoked for the Battle of Alberta tonight, and rightfully so.
— Trevor Beggs (@TrevBeggs) January 29, 2020
However, the Tkachuk/Kassian feud is distracting from the fact that both of these teams are deeply flawed.
They also share one glaring flaw. I break that down on The Quickie: https://t.co/1hIoWokA0J pic.twitter.com/VlxZGTfoNv
Man, both games in the battle of Alberta last week were stellar. Count me in among those who thought that the games wouldn’t live up to the hype. I was wrong.
What I’m not wrong about (pardon my Captain Obvious take) is that both the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames are deeply flawed teams. I talk about the one glaring flaw they share on this episode.
Perfect Landing Spot for Mike Gillis
Mike Gillis is back in the news after his interview on The Full 60 podcast with @CraigCustance.
— Trevor Beggs (@TrevBeggs) January 30, 2020
If he comes back to the #NHL, there's one team that seems like the perfect fit.
I talk about the best fit for Gillis on The Quickie: https://t.co/TMMQgKcpWl pic.twitter.com/0E8UgxbuYB
The former Canucks general manager is doing himself no harm with all the interviews he’s agreed to do over the last 12 months. The next step would be to implement all that research he’s completed with an NHL squad.
There’s one franchise in particular that is screaming for the help of Gillis. It might not be a prime destination for players, but it seems like a good fit for Gillis is a Presidential role.
Best Games of the Weekend
What a great sports weekend coming up.
— Trevor Beggs (@TrevBeggs) January 31, 2020
Obviously the Superbowl and the two #Canucks games are must-watch TV. I talk about those matchups for Vancouver, along with the other three best #NHL games this weekend on The Quickie: https://t.co/EWFWQ46vDt pic.twitter.com/XGJiM0s71m
I try not to pick Canucks games in this recurring Quickie feature because A) There’s good hockey to be seen outside of Vancouver and B) I know most of the listeners, along with myself, are going to be watching those games regardless.
Both of the Canucks games on the weekend were entertaining though, especially the Sunday tilt against Carolina.
In terms of the three other games I picked, two were easy choices. I highlighted the Battle of Alberta rematch on Saturday and while it was a blowout, it was worth watching just for the goalie fight in the second period. I also picked the Penguins, Capitals tilt, which turned out to be a good game even though the Capitals struggled for a long stretch.
The third game I picked out was the Vegas Golden Knights and Nashville Predators match on Saturday. On Friday, the Predators had a chance to bump the Golden Knights out of a playoff spot, but two straight weekend wins by Vegas (including the 3-0 win over Nashville) put a six-point gap between the teams.