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In: Central Division, NHL
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The Colorado Avalanche started their 2018-2019 campaign at home against the Minnesota Wild this year. The team has a whole lot to be excited about between having found a WC spot last season with tons of potential left to build around and still having a chance at the first-overall pick in the Jack Hughes lottery. In order to look ahead to the upcoming season, it’s important that we go backwards first. The Colorado Avalanche were the Cinderella Story behind the Cinderella Story last year. In a season which saw the team go from the worst record in hockey to beating out the Blues for theRead More →

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Episode Number 200 is here! Looking back on the first 200 episodes, Carl and Joel recap their favorite moments and have a quiz! Want to win prizes? Answer all 5 questions right and it could be you! They are joined by a special guest: Gritty from the Philadelphia Flyers has a beef with what the guys had to say about his team! It’s time to learn a little about the NHL’s newest mascot. The 4th Line Hockey Podcast #200 – The NHL Western Conference Preview It’s time to preview the Western conference. Do the Predators have what it takes to repeat? Can the Golden KnightsRead More →

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In: Central Division, NHL
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As the arrow of time advances from summer to fall, we can all rejoice at the impending return of the NHL. Here at 4th Line Towers we can’t wait to watch some proper hockey again. This year we’re approaching our previews in a different way; the word count for each team’s preview has been dictated by the number of points that team scored last season. To further mix things up, we’ve divvied up the teams between our writers and some special guests. Let the Central division preview begin! Nashville Predators – Mike Laybourne 2017/18: 117 points For a good preview on the Preds, go read last season’sRead More →

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In: Atlantic Division, Central Division, General, NHL
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Sunday night ended any speculation about Center, Ryan O’Reilly, being traded to the St. Louis Blues. He is no longer a Buffalo Sabre. GM Jason Botterill was essentially given what he asked for. Two roster players (Patrik Berglund, Vladmir Sobotka), a prospect (Tage Thompson), and two higher draft picks (1st-2019 with conditions, 2nd-2021). Scoring and forward depth plagued Buffalo but Berglund and Sobotka will improve the bottom-six eventually. Thompson likely starts in the minors and could elevate someone from Rochester (C.J. Smith, Sean Malone) if they are ready. A first round pick never hurts although it is Top 10 protected. The Blues, adding two centersRead More →

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In: Central Division
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The Blackhawks have the 8th overall draft pick, inside the top ten for the first time in over ten years thanks to their subpar finish last season, and while they likely won’t be getting an immediate impact game changer like Rasmus Dahlin, there are a number of promising defenders slated to hit the top ten in this years NHL Draft well. Bowman will undoubtedly throw his penny in and hope to pull out a blue chip prospect that will help quarterback the Blackhawks future along with Alex DeBrincat, and Nick Schmaltz. Chicago Blackhawks Draft Options   Quinn Hughes – USA – Defense Age: 18 Height:Read More →

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In: Central Division
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It is officially the time of year where we go from the euphoria of a Stanley Cup Final and a Cup Champion crowned to that roughly three week period of rumors and rampant speculation before free agency hits and the NHL Draft cranks up the trade insanity. Every team has fat to trim and holes to fill, and there tends to be no shortage of players dangled in an effort for each team to accomplish both goals. The Blackhawks have done a lot of maneuvering over the last eight years, and because of their successes they haven’t always been the ones in power because simplyRead More →

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In: Central Division
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There is not a person out there that would argue that the Chicago Blackhawks had a terrible season in 2017-18. It started off great with a pair of dominant wins over the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Columbus Blue Jackets, but things spiraled quickly when it started to become clear that Corey Crawford was working overtime to plug a bevy of holes in the beat up dinghy masquerading as their blueline. In the span of a couple of years the Blackhawks blueline has gone from an unsinkable ship to the SS Minnow. Blackhawk Down Things went further off the rails when Crawford went down with anRead More →

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In: Central Division, Pacific Division, Playoffs
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The Winnipeg Jets had the Nashville Predators on the ropes, but last year’s runner up was able to dig deep and force a Game 7. While a Game 7 win is energizing on its own, Game 1 on Saturday could be a rude awakening for the Jets as the Vegas Golden Knights have been kicking back since last Sunday. The question is, will the advantage be to the fresh team or the one riding a wave of adrenaline to kick off the series. The Ride So Far These two teams both came into the season with something in common, no one was really sure they’dRead More →

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In: Central Division, Playoffs
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The Nashville Predators came into the NHL playoffs expected to be a real contender for the Stanley Cup, and many believed that they were poised to make a return to the Stanley Cup Final.  They won the President’s Trophy; they had a historic season where they dominated on their home sheet of ice, and on the road. The Preds were the big tough schoolyard bully, and they came into the 2018 NHL Playoffs ready to shakedown some opponents and take their allowance. That is not what’s happened. Shakedown Street? The Preds rolled into the first round looking to annihilate the wounded Colorado Avalanche. A teamRead More →

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Zach Parise has had an excellent career by just about any standards. He’s played 13 seasons, garnering votes for several major awards including the Selke Trophy (Defensive Forward), Lady Bing Memorial Trophy (Sportsmanship), and the Hart Trophy (MVP) throughout. Though Parise has never taken any of these awards home, not every player gets that kind of recognition across the board. He has even been to a Stanley Cup Final (2011-12), though his New Jersey Devils succumbed to the Los Angeles Kings in six games. Zach Parise: The American Dream Parise has also played on one All-Star team (2009 while a member of the New JerseyRead More →