Ann and Shaun are back this week and they have a lot to talk about. Predators Head Coach Andrew Brunette called out player by name in front of the media for taking too many penalties. Penalties are just part of the problem and the duo take a long look at the implications of overtaxing your penalty killers on a nightly basis (even if they're one of the best PK units in the NHL). Another major issue facing the team is the power play. Ann breaks down the numbers while Shaun explains how taking a lesson from Ulysses S Grant's Civil War playbook could help them improve outcomes on special teams.
Also discussed, why we LOVE Ozzy Wiesblatt.
Throughout the episode, Ann is bidding on a coveted piece of memorabilia. Does she win or lose? You'll have to listen to find out!
The last PBR week was a rough one. One point (out of 6) for the Predators cooled off the hopes of continued success. Ann and Shaun break down the decision to send Brady Martin back to the OHL. The gang also discusses Steven Stamkos's comments about identity as well as separate comments about how to fix the power play. In a week that didn't have a lot to celebrate, this duo gives a solid breakdown of events without moving into the realm of panic induced hysteria.
Sorry for the extreme close up of Shaun.
Ann is out this week and Shaun asked Alex Daugherty (of The Tennessean) to fill in for her. Shaun and Alex discuss the start of the Nashville Predators season* and how it compares to their miserable start last season. Alex discusses what he liked in the offseason and gave his own reasonable expectations for success this season. Then, they break down what they've seen so far that they've like, what they haven't liked, and what they'd like to see change. Of course, with Alex here, they had to revisit their old 3-on-3 Fantasy Draft. This week, they draft the Ultimate Sad Boy Locker Room Playlist.
*Of course, at the time of posting this, the Predators have played a couple more games and their 2-1-1 start has turned into a 2-2-2 start, which is still far better than last season
Ann and Shaun are back on "Hockey Eve" to discuss the PRESSURE the Predators are under at the start of the season. The duo breaks down the players that will have the most heat on them as well as other extraneous factors the team will have to deal with throughout the beginning of the season. The gang also breaks down expectations for a "successful" season, the long-awaited arrival of the youth movement, an exciting line we've seen throughout the preseason, and the emergence of Adam Wilsby. Also featured, the Juuse Saros Bacon Saver, a discussion of whether or not you want to raise hogs (on the advice of Preds rookie Brady Martin), and Sauna Talk.
Hockey is BACK and so is Penalty Box Radio Live! Shaun and Ann talk about the NEW and IMPROVED Penalty Box Radio site and then jump right into training camp and preseason. They discuss the biggest surprises from training camp, the impact of veteran leadership on young players according to Andrew Brunette, Steven Stamkos talks about what biggets challenge in making the leap to NHL, and then we dip into the mailbag.
Exciting show this week as Ann and Shaun break down the thrilling, come-from-behind OT Preds 7-6 victory over the New York Islanders. Then, they are joined by an incredible guest, Duanté Abercrombie, the Head Coach of the Tennessee State University Division I Ice Hockey Team. Coach Abercrombie joins for the middle-half of the show to discuss his own personal hockey journey that led him to this opportunity. He then goes into detail about what to expect from TSU Hockey on the ice, the path it has taken to get to this point, and what it will take moving forward to get them to their first puck drop.
Of course, the duo close out the show with predictions for the FINAL week of the Nashville Predators season.
This week, Ozzy Wiesblatt joins Ann and Shaun to discuss his style of play, his draft experience, his debut, and how growing up with 3 brothers contributed to his style of play. He answers five quick questions about movies, music, food, and a few other things. The rest of the show is pretty much Ann and Shaun talking about other hockey related things, such as what the rest of the Preds season looks like, what the bar for success will be if Coach Brunette comes back next season, Ovechkin's Gr8 Chase, sports records, and of course, a very special guest makes Shaun's prediction for him during the show closing "Predictions" segment.
This week Shaun (who is wearing a t-shirt) is joined by Anthony Pellegrino (wearing a suit) of the Ice Insider to talk about the Nashville Predators in a season where the trade deadline has come and gone and the playoffs are not in sight. The guys analyze whether or not the players are "checked out", then look at roster issues. They continue by discussing how to best address these needs in the offseason on a point by point basis by looking at how to improve the defense while bringing more scoring potential to the offense.
They close by making some bold predictions for the next 4 games moving forward.
Ann is back! Your hosts discuss whether or not the Nashville Predators should embrace the tank in order to get a higher draft pick. They also discuss whether or not building through the draft is a better option than trades and free agency.
Ann and Shaun breakdown the Nashville Predators trade deadline moves, evaluate the impact Michael Bunting will have on the team when he starts playing, and look into why Barry Trotz moved Tommy Novak.
The duo also takes a look at the team's recent success and analyze what seems to be going right. They discuss expectations for the remainder of the season and, of course, they make their little predictions and Producer Brandon is forced to choose whose prediction is most likely to come true.
This week on Penalty Box Radio, Anthony Pellegrino of Ice Insider joins Shaun in the studio. Ann is on assignment this week.
The duo open up the show with the news that the Nashville Predators just made a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins moments before we went live on the air. We react and breakdown the trade. Solid analysis if you ask me.
The fellas go one to discuss potential moves the Preds could make before the deadline hits on Friday. Then go on to talk about defensive woes this season and how a defense without Roman Josi in the short term could be great for the team long term.
They move on to talk about the Predators play against the Boston Bruins and how it could mean good things are on the horizon and break down how the first line of Stamkos, Ryan O'Reilly, and Evangelista made an impact on the ice.
They close the show with predictions and producer Brandon is forced to vote. Did he make the right choice? He did last week. Turn in to see what happens.
This week on Penalty Box Radio, Ann and Shaun start off with Middle Tennessee State University Hockey Captain Linden Palmer who joins them to discuss the team's recent success as the College Hockey South Division II Champions and their path to the National Championship Tournament in Florida. The program is almost totally player and donor funded. To contribute to their journey to the National Tournament, follow the link below.
Ann and Shaun go on to discuss the current state of the Nashville Predators, how they need to move forward through the rest of the season. They hear from Ryan O'Reilly and Roman Josi about the role of the leadership group throughout the rough stretch.
With the news of Roman Josi's upper body injury, they discuss defensive issues in depth and what the defense would look like without him. SPOILER: it's not good.
Ann and Shaun finish off by making predictions about the next week and Producer Brandon is forced to choose whose prediction is most likely to come true.
Ann and Shaun take a very solid look at how we they think the Nashville Predators should navigate the rest of the season. Is Juuse Saros a problem? Was his contract a mistake? They examine his performance at the 4 Nations Face Off and arrive a very frightening answer. Which players should the team be willing to trade away when the deadline hits? The duo take a look at the most likely candidates and the potential reality of what those trades would look like. And, of course, airing moments before puck drop of the USA vs. Canada 4 Nations Championship, they make some bold predictions!
Nashville Predators CEO Sean Henry joins Ann and Shaun this week as the (majority of the) Predators are off for the 4 Nations Face Off. Ann and Shaun discuss what, if anything, the Preds exciting win does to change the team's plans for the rest of the season. Sean Henry discusses his time with the Nashville Predators, reflects on what he thinks his greatest accomplishments are, and goes into detail about getting his name on the Stanley Cup back in 2004, his day with the Cup, and how it brings people together. He also shares some insight into what people do with championship rings. I think you'll be surprised by his answer!
The Nashville Predators celebrated their 5-game win streak with a 5-game losing streak. The playoffs are pretty much out of the question. Ann, *Shaun, and special guest Anthony Pellegrino of Ice Insider take a look at what changed between the two streaks, whether this season or last season was a fluke, how the team should move forward for the remainder of the season, what the offseason should look like, and also take a look at the upcoming Four Nations Faceoff.
*We promise Shaun was in the studio, his camera just wasn't working.
Ann Kimmel and guest co-host Emma Lingan kick off the episode debating whether the Nashville Predators' wins over the Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild, and the franchise record setting comeback win over the Sharks mean this team is turning a corner on their season. We discuss what we learned from the team in the past week and take a closer look at the odds of making the postseason. With the trade deadline just over a month away we share the players who could be moved by Barry Trotz and the one player we'd like to see Nashville keep on the roster. Finally we talk about blue line struggles and give out the PBR Awards.
Nashville Predators Pro Development Coach (and former defender) Mark Borowiecki joins Ann and Shaun to start the show. He talks about what exactly he does as a pro development coach, goes into detail about how the role of an NHL defender is changing, and discusses the defensive depth in the Predators organization. The duo then move on to discuss recent play by the team, comments from Steven Stamkos and "tough talk" from Marcus Foligno. Shaun plays the souvenir "Golden Hall" record on a record player from home. Producer Jake rains on his parade and they finish with PBR Awards.
With half of the season in the books, Ann and Shaun take a look at some key topics for the Nashville Predators. They start with why the teams seems to find success only to see it slip away. Then they take a look at what has gone RIGHT for the Predators recently. They also take a DEEP dive into why Preds fans should be hopeful for the near future be examining a recent article fro Eric D. And, of course, they close with the PBR Awards.
Ann and Shaun take a look at the major issues impacting the Nashville Predators through the lens of the ugly, the bad, and the good.
The Ugly - Slewfoots and young forwards finding their way out of Nashville.
The Bad - The goal for the season now that the playoffs are just a glimmer and how some recent movements are impacting the team.
The Good - The emergence of the new first line, one veteran returning to form, and solid play from Justus Annunen.
PBR Awards - SPECIAL GUEST JUDGE!
Ann and Shaun want to de-sensationalize the current state of Nashville Predators coverage. Yes, results have been bad, but things are getting a little too dramatic and causing a lot of outrage amongst fans. In this episode the duo:
-Break down the Captaincy of Roman Josi
-Take an honest look at Andrew Brunette's FULL comments regarding "scratching everybody"
-Investigate Jonathan Marchessault's FULL comments about revolving line mates
-Take a look at what Barry Trotz said about firing Andrew Brunette
-PBR Awards
On this episode of Penalty Box Radio, Ann and Shaun try a slightly different format. With only one hour each week, it seems silly to go over game by game results. Instead, the duo choose to focus on hot topics and trends over the previous span of games.
In the second segment, Reid Schaefer of the Milwaukee Admirals joins the show to discuss his hockey path to where he is now, gives some amazing insight to playoff experiences at the Junior Hockey level (for CHL and World Juniors) as well as the AHL level. He also answers some quick and fun questions to close the segment.
The third segment finds the duo back on the hot topics and trends and features an inspired musical performance by Ann (and producer C-Nute, even though you can't see him...I could).
Final segment featured a solid rant by Ann about Yaroslav Askarov and the value of Juuse Saros. Prepare to be scolded! And then, they get the PBR Awards in.
If you like the new format, please let us know. If you are listening from Finland, please let us know as well!