RotoWire Fantasy Hockey Podcast · RotoWire.com

Week 20 - Playoff races and Suspensions

·1 hr 5 min·5 clips

Paul Bruno calls the five-game suspension for Radko Gudas 'disgusting' and demands George Parros 'walk the plank'.

This episode of the RotoWire Fantasy Hockey Podcast, hosted by Paul Bruno and AJ Scholz, analyzes recent NHL suspensions and the playoff races across all four divisions. The hosts open by dissecting the five-game suspension given to Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin for an incident involving Buffalo's Rasmus Dahlin. They also discuss the five-game suspension for Anaheim's Radko Gudas for a kneeing incident that injured Toronto's Auston Matthews, with Bruno expressing strong criticism of the Department of Player Safety and its head, George Parros. The conversation then shifts to the tight playoff races, starting with the Atlantic Division where the Buffalo Sabres, on a 9-1 run, are a surprising leader over Tampa Bay, which has two games in hand. In the Metropolitan Division, Carolina holds the top spot, but the hosts question if their lack of added toughness will hurt them, while Pittsburgh, the New York Islanders, and a surging Columbus team battle for position. The Central Division features a three-team race between Colorado, Dallas, and Minnesota, with Utah seen as the main contender for the final wild card. The Pacific Division is described as wide open, with Anaheim, Vegas, and Edmonton separated by just two points and six teams within an eight-point span. For fantasy hockey, the hosts recommend several low-rostered players, including Pittsburgh's Evgenii Dadonov, St. Louis's Jimmy Snuggerud, and Pittsburgh's Anthony Mantha among forwards. On defense, they highlight Ottawa's Thomas Chabot, Carolina's Sean Walker, and Los Angeles's Mikey Anderson for category coverage. Goaltending pickups discussed include St. Louis's Joel Hofer, San Jose's Alex Nedeljkovic, and New Jersey's Jacob Markstrom. A memorable moment is Bruno's vivid suggestion that the Toronto Maple Leafs might "get a couple of thugs out of the penitentiary" for their rematch with Anaheim after the Gudas hit. The hosts also express surprise that the same player, Rasmus Dahlin, got under the skin of both Malkin and Matthews to draw suspensions. An interesting insight is the analysis of Dadonov's resurgence in Pittsburgh, where his shot volume remained high even during Malkin's suspension. The tone is highly conversational and opinionated, featuring passionate debate, especially regarding suspension rulings and team performances. This episode is ideal for fantasy hockey managers seeking waiver wire advice and NHL fans interested in heated discussions about league discipline and playoff scenarios. Listeners who prefer strictly neutral, fact-based analysis without strong host opinions might find parts of the discussion less appealing.

As heard by us

A brisk fantasy hockey check-in built around suspensions, roster help, and a few low-owned options.

This episode keeps its focus on fantasy hockey friction, starting with the Malkin suspension and the odd way Rasmus Dahlin keeps drawing reactions from star players.

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Why you'd press play

Need waiver-wire help after suspension fallout shakes up your fantasy hockey week?

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