The PuckPedia Hockey Show Episode 11: NHL Western Conference Preview ft. Chris Powers

On Episode 11 of the PuckPedia Hockey Show we welcome Chris Powers, one half of the Empty Netters podcast. We start the episode talking about how Chris and his brother Dan Powers started the Empty Netters, as they embark on season 4 (2:00).

They have a new venture with NCAA Hockey that will be starting this week so we touch on that and how they became UNH fans over Maine fans, even though they grew up in Maine (3:30). The NHL season is just underway so Chris gives his initial thoughts on the season. His Boston Bruins are off to a great start, as are the Pittsburgh Penguins (4:30).

Then we dive into our Western Conference preview, starting with the Minnesota Wild (7:10). CP picked the Wild 7th in their division on his show and we dive into what he was thinking there. The big story of the summer was the Wild signing Kirill Kaprizov, but Marco Rossi was also a really important signing to their roster. We dive deep into the money on the Kaprizov deal and if it was a good deal or not.

We then dive into the Colorado Avalanche, who are one of the Stanley Cup favorites (16:00). Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are about the best 1-2 punch as you could have in the NHL. And Gabriel Landeskog will be playing his first regular season games in 3 years and having their captain should help them make a deep playoff run.

Next we talk about the Dallas Stars and former Avs superstar Mikko Rantanen (23:20). The Stars should also be a Stanley Cup contender this season, with Jake Oettinger manning the net, and other superstars like Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Thomas Harley, Miro Heiskanen, and Wyatt Johnston. Then we wrap up the Central Division with quick hits on the Nashville Predators, Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues, Utah Mammoth, and Chicago Blackhawks (30:00).

We then go into the Pacific Division and start with the hometown Los Angeles Kings (33:00). The Empty Netters guys did their schedule release in the off-season and we talk about some of the Kings top players like Adrian Kempe, Anze Kopitar, Darcy Kuemper, and Drew Doughty. As well as some of the contracts Ken Holland signed over the summer with Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin.

Then we go deep on the Anaheim Ducks, a popular sleeper team to have a breakout year (41:00). The Ducks locked in Mason McTavish, Jackson LaCombe, and Lukas Dostal to long-term deals, and already have young players like Troy Terry, Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and Beckett Sennecke. Mixed in with some veterans like Chris Kreider, Frank Vatrano, and this team will be interesting this season.

Then we talk about the rest of the Pacific quickly (45:10). Vegas with Mitch Marner and Jack Eichel should be lethal. Connor McDavid signed his team-friendly deal with the Edmonton Oilers, and Leon Draisaitl will be there for another year of this incredible duo looking for their third straight Stanley Cup appearance. Then we wrap up the episode with our Stanley Cup picks (52:00).

Visit PuckPedia.com and follow PuckPedia on social media!

X: @PuckPedia

IG: @PuckPedia

Go to PuckPedia.com/Coolbet to get in on the action today. Stay Cool, Bet Responsibly

Theme song by Lester McLean (https://www.lestermclean.com)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.