Hey everyone, hope you are doing well. Tonight, we are back again for another great Episode 18 of Season 7 of Two Guys & Hockey Talk for the first episode of the year. It has been a very busy time in the world of hockey so let’s get into it:
- Linus Ullmark Personal Leave – The Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark has opened up about stepping away from the team to address mental health challenges, and pushed back against misleading rumors that circulated in his absence. He noted the changes in his life, his move from Boston to Ottawa and the pressure to perform at an elite level. We wish him all the best and hope to see him back between the pipes.
- A Goalie Fight – In a very entertaining and fun game between the San Jose Sharks and the Florida Panthers, Panthers’ Sergei Sergei Bobrovsky decided to fight Sharks’ goalie Alex Nedeljkovic in the matchup, drawing big fan reaction and a lot of fireworks. The Sharks ended up winning 4 to 1, but it shows the growth of the team and how much closer they are to being a competitive team. It is a rare sight but you love to see it,
- Keifer Sherwood is a Shark – Speaking of the San Jose Sharks, they made a trade with the Vancouver Canucks for winger Kiefer Sherwood. Sherwood, 30, a physical, high-energy forward and pending unrestricted free agent, had been a productive depth scorer and a hits leader for the Canucks this season. He has 17 goals and 6 assists in 44 games. In return, Vancouver received multiple draft picks and a defensive prospect, prioritizing long-term value over keeping a veteran likely to leave in free agency. It also signaled Vancouver’s shift toward collecting future assets, while for San Jose, the deal was a clear buying move, adding toughness, forechecking, and secondary scoring to help push for a playoff spot.
- Rasmus Andersson Traded – We also saw the Calgary Flames dealt top-four defenseman Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights as part of a major retooling decision. Andersson, 29, one of Calgary’s most reliable minute-eaters and offensive contributors on the blue line, brought playoff experience and stability to Vegas, which is firmly in win-now mode. He has 10 goals and 20 assists in 48 games and in exchange, the Flames received a package centered on future draft picks and roster depth, reflecting a longer-term outlook rather than immediate contention. The trade strengthened Vegas’ defense for a Stanley Cup run while giving Calgary flexibility and assets to reshape its roster.
- AHL CBA – It also sounds like a new 5-year collective bargaining agreement between the AHL and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association was just ratified, locking in labor peace through 2030 and providing stability for players and teams going forward. This is great news for both, as the AHL is a great development league for the NHl and it is currently celebrating its 90th-anniversary season. Fun facts, nearly 90 percent of NHL players each year are American Hockey League graduates.
- AHL Player of the week – It sounds like Coachella Valley Firebirds forward Jani Nyman was named AHL Player of the Week after a hot start putting up 6 goals and 1 assist in 4 games, helping his club to its season’s longest win streak. He was drafted 49th overall (in the second round) by the Seattle Kraken in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
- A Big PWHL trade – The Vancouver Goldeneyes and Ottawa Charge completed a landmark six-player trade, the largest in PWHL history where the Ottawa Charge acquired forwards Michela Cava and Brooke McQuigge along with defenseman Emma Greco, adding experience and depth to their lineup. In return Vancouver received forwards Mannon McMahon, Anna Meixner, and Anna Shokhina, bringing in younger offensive talent as they reshaped their roster. The deal significantly altered both teams’ depth and line combinations as the season moved into a more competitive phase. We love to see these big trades.
- Valeri Nichushkin Sidelined – It sounds like Valeri Nichuskin is expected to return to the lineup soon, potentially as early as their upcoming game against the Anaheim Ducks, after missing time due to a recent injury sustained in a car accident on his way to the rink. Head coach Jared Bednar said Nichushkin suffered minor injuries in the multi‑vehicle incident and was held out of Colorado’s win over Washington as a precaution, but that he is trending toward being ready to play once cleared. Nichushkin has been a key secondary scorer for the Avalanche this season with 11 goals and 16 assists in 38 games.
- Former NHL coach departs – Veteran coach Gerard Gallant left his KHL coaching job with the Shanghai Dragons due to health reasons, returning to Canada and stepping away from the team for the rest of this season. Gallant, 62, recently returned from battling an illness and consulted with the team’s doctors and management before opting to return home to Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island, with a focus on recovering to 100 percent health. Mike Kelly will serve as the interim head coach.
Thoughts? Questions? Suggestions? Then remember to tune in each week to get all the latest news in the world of hockey as we start up Season 7 of the Podcast each Wednesday night at 7pm MST, where we dive into some of these great topics, interview many in the game and so much more. For more hockey news, different takes or if you want to chat about anything hockey give me a follow @hockey_two & @revinev on X and give us a follow on YouTube, and check out our website for articles that we share regularly at https://twoguysandhockeytalk.com/. If you wish to reach out to us, feel free to email us at twoguyshockeytalk@gmail.com
- Pawel ‘The Cat’
