The FAN Pregame

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert start with Jody Shelley (5:39) from FOX and TNT discussing the Rangers and Panthers, why Matt Rempe is being held out of the lineup, plus a closer look at the Oilers and Stars. He discusses the need for toughness in the playoffs and why some of those players have a hard time getting ice time as well. Later, former Raptors VP and now the President of the WNBA Toronto franchise, Teresa Resch (26:08), discusses her new role, what she learned from the Raptors and what it will take to be successful. Finally, Mark Spector (36:51), in Dallas for the WCF, looks back at the Oilers' 2OT win in Game 1 and a look ahead to Game 2. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert are joined by Former Blue Jays GM JP Ricciardi (5:58), who describes what’s up with the Jays, why the HR jacket is a spark that they need badly and why he feels the current Jays managers are anything but aggressive. Later, what it says if you trade Vlad, Bo or both and how it's impossible to win trades when you are dealing stars. Next up, Frank Seravalli (26:08) on the Conference Finals, why the Canucks failed to challenge the Oilers' goaltending and how, in the other series, the Panthers completely flipped their style of offence in just two years. We close with his take on coaches and he has some names for the remaining teams with vacancies. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ailish Forfar & Justin Cuthbert are joined by Keegan Matheson (5:10), who outlines how bad things can get if the Blue Jays lose their series to the White Sox and goes through the roster to evaluate what various players' trade markets look like if the team does decide to punt on the season. Later, Jennifer Botterill (25:19) joins the show to discuss the Conference Finals, whether or not Canada is getting behind the Oilers, why Alex Barkov is such an underrated player and how - in the West - its talent (EDM) vs depth (DAL). We close with whether or not the Oilers will become “Canada’s team.” The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick off with former NHL Head Coach Dallas Eakins who will be IN Dallas for the conference finals, and he shares his relationship with coaches like Pete DeBoer, how Kris Knoblauch has done this season, why coaches end with “battle scars” and why he’s personally rooting for Paul Maurice (2:20). Later, his thoughts on Craig Berube joining the Leafs and some insight into Brad Treliving and what he’s like to with. Next, Ben Nicholson-Smith (25:53) joins us from Rogers Centre as the Jays are under pressure, especially after Ross Atkins spoke over the weekend. Then, a report today regarding the Jays speaking to other executives about Vladdy and Bo and the difference between facts and rumours. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert have two guests ahead of two pieces of breaking news. First, to Elliotte Friedman (1:20) who broke the news today that the Leafs have hired Craig Berube as their head coach. He goes through the search, other people they interviewed and moving forward the possibility that Rod Brind’Amour is the next hottest name to hit the market. Next up, Adam Stanley (10:40) on the bizarre story of Scottie Scheffler going from jail to the golf course today and what it was like to cover it all. We close out the week with Greg Wyshynski (25:33) from ESPN on round 2 of the playoffs, the Oilers and Canucks unsettled with their goalies and more NHL coaching rumours The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert set up Game 5 of the Oilers and Canucks in Vancouver tonight where Frank Seravalli joins us for a debate about which team has dictated most of the play in the first 4 games. He gets into the battle of the backup goalies and how Evan Bouchard has risen to the challenge during the postseason. Later, how the Hurricanes scrappiness pulled them back in the series against the Rangers. Next, Craig Simpson (25:40) from Vancouver on the Oilers/Canucks, the mind games and stern comments from Rich Tocchet in the series, balancing lines, struggling players and goalies with little experience. Finally, a clip from Ken Rosenthal about the possibility of trading … Kevin Gausman?! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert are joined by Carter Hutton (4:15) from Daily Faceoff to discuss Silovs, Pickard and goaltending across the board with the remaining teams. He takes a look at ability, skill, experience and which teams are at a great advantage. He shares some examples from his own career and how he prepared for specific shooters. Next up, Marc Stein (25:18) on the NBA Playoffs, Jokic deserving his MVP and dragging his team back in the series, Jamal Murray’s injury concern, SGA’s magical season and whether or not he’d trust them in the Conference Finals. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Busy night ahead with Canucks/Oilers Game 4, and with that, Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert go to Edmonton with Randip Janda from Hockey Night in Punjabi and SN 650 (1:14). The stories of the day are the Oilers now going to Calvin Pickard and how Edmonton responds to the McDavid cross-checks late in Game 3. Later, a chat with Kendall Coyne Schofield (14:09) from PWHL Minnesota on the team getting back into the series with Toronto and her new documentary, “Hockey Mom” about balancing hockey with being a mom. Finally, Sho Alli (25:16) looks at the state of the Blue Jays as they get rained out - the constant comparisons to the Orioles, Vladdy quietly getting hot, the trade rumours surrounding Jordan Romano and Daulton Varsho's turnaround. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Jeff Marek kicks off Marek Monday with Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert with the Canucks receiving a fine and suspension today in the fallout of Game 3 (3:30). Next, why the Rangers should stop apologizing for their stellar goaltending and why Carolina always find a way to be the better team and still lose. Later, on Alexander Barkov becoming the new Patrice Bergeron and how he does it all without being the fastest skater. Finally, a look in on updated Conn Smythe odds and why the Orioles' build exploits the Jays' biggest mistakes. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

We hit up the hottest city in the playoffs – NYC – with Arda Ocal from ESPN (11:59) in the middle of a Rangers and Knicks run with the possibility of “New York vs. Boston” in both the NHL and the NBA, discuss why the Rangers have been on a streak, and the pressure Skinner has in net for the Oilers. Next, Michael Grange (28:34) explains how the WNBA made it’s way to Toronto, why Larry Tanenbaum went out on his own to make this happen, the impact on the Canadian prospect pool and where we can expect the team to play. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Luke Fox, who has covered Sheldon Keefe's entire Maple Leafs career, joins Justin Cuthbert and Jesse Rubinoff to reflect on his firing today, favourite stories, what he was like to cover and ultimately why it made sense that he was the fall guy (5:22). He gets into to other candidates and whether the team needs a “motivator” or a “Ted Lasso” type of coach. Then, the contracts, the no-trade clauses and how the Leafs will navigate. Later, NBA Insider Marc Stein (26:13) discusses SGA’s runner up placing in the NBA MVP race, how much of a threat the Thunder are, if the defending champion Nuggets are in serious trouble and why the NBA is so much better when the Knicks are winning. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Game 1 of Canucks and Oilers from Vancouver tonight and Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert are joined by Frank Seravalli who is in the building for the series opener and they discuss whether the entire country will rally behind the winner going forward. Frank looks at the Leafs' situation and why there needs to be cultural change. Then later, back to Oilers/Canucks with Cassie Campbell-Pascall (26:05) who breaks down the most important part of the series and where she thinks it will be won. Then the PWHL playoffs start tonight, if Toronto selecting Minnesota will come back to haunt them and Matthews misses on the Hart but not the Ted Lindsay, as picked by the players. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert welcome in Colby Armstrong (5:14) to the show who reflects back on the Leafs' week and why it will all come down to waving no trade clauses. Then, over to the other series in round 2, why the Rangers are up to the task, why Pens fans are pulling for the Canes, why the Avs look like the best threat and expectations for Canucks/Oilers battles on the ice and in social media. Then, Auston Matthews does not get nominated for the Hart and the Jays face Whit Merrifield for the first time. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Jeff Marek kicks it off with Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert with his reaction to the Leafs' end-of-season and speculation of potential firings and trades to come in the summer (5:40). Other than Matthews, Nylander and Brad Treliving, he says everyone is open season. Jeff looks at other needs and what they might do with their pending UFAs. Next, Jason Bukula (30:10) on a potential trade for Mitch Marner, why you won’t get full value but how reinvesting money could make a deal work. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert welcome Mike Futa to the show who was at the Leafs/Bruins Game 6. He looks at a new approach under Brad Treliving and reminds people that they are NOT better without Matthews. Then, his take on which Bruins goalie should start tomorrow night. Later, the Canucks are trying to end their series and what it’s going to take to beat the Preds. Finally, Vegas went from 2-0 to down 3-2 and why for a young team they still create pressure to perform in the playoffs. We close with a look at UFC 301 and why Ken Rosenthal says he is keeping his eyes on the Blue Jays. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert are all over Game 6 between the Bruins and the Leafs. First, the man calling the game for Sportsnet – Chris Cuthbert – joins us from the arena where there is focus on Matthews and his mysterious absence (6:00). The criticism of the crowd and if Boston is feeling more pressure than the Leafs. Later, we move to Sid Seixeiro (25:25) who paints a picture of a loss vs a win. Why big changes might be ahead and how the hockey world is circling Sheldon Keefe. Plus, even during a Leafs chat, Sid struggles to keep his Jays thoughts quiet. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

We open the show with Andrew Raycroft (5:31) in Boston as the former Leafs and Bruins goalie sets up Game 5, how Brad Marchand differs from the Leafs' players, and why it could be a perfect spot for Toronto to steal a game. Next up, John Bartlett (24:51) in Winnipeg on why Connor Hellebuyck has struggled in his series against the Avs. Finally we head to Vancouver where Thomas Drance (37:30) from SN650 joins us ahead of Canucks and Preds Game 5 and explains why they were able to reach to the point of moving onto the second round. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

After a wild weekend of hockey, Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert ask which team down 3-1 has the best chance to win. Then, they are joined by ESPN and Sportsnet analyst Ray Ferraro (19:04), who shares his thoughts on the Leafs - the poor play, fighting on the bench and what they will look to do in Game 5. Later, thoughts on the Oilers, backup goalie heroes in the playoffs and how the Canucks got 3 wins with 3 goalies. Next up, over to Vancouver with Frank Servalli (34:49) who is covering Canucks/Preds. He takes a look at how the Canucks are getting it done, why Elias Pettersson is frustrated, how the Jets are losing in a shocking way and why he feels a Leafs loss will result in significant changes from coach to core. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Elliotte Friedman joins Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert in the studio for a chat about the Stanley Cup playoffs, the difficulty of reporting injuries and how it can expose a player's vulnerability like in the William Nylander case. Potential consequences if the Leafs burn out once again in Round 1, how Mitch Marner's series impact extension negotiations and a theory on what the Bruins are going to do with their goalies for the rest of the series. Later, Ben Verlander (25:15) on how Shohei Ohtani first year with the Dodgers has gone so far, why the Dodgers are still not a World Series team, love for Teo Hernandez and what he sees in the Blue Jays this season. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Former NHL Head Coach Dallas Eakins joins Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert with a coaching perspective on both the Oilers and Leafs (5:00). He gives his take on injuries, reporting and everything going on with the William Nylander situation. Plus, insight into negativity and how it can always find a way into the dressing room. Later, the art of coaching against the Oilers and McDavid and the one thing you just can’t do against Edmonton. Finally, down to the rink where Kristen Shilton (25:15) of ESPN is covering Leafs/Bruins, Nylander remains out and why the Leafs are different this year – and the Bruins have taken notice. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.