The Hockey News Sleepers and Keepers · The Hockey News

Inaugural Sleepers and Keepers League Post-Draft Recap and Final Thoughts for the 2024-25 Season

·1 hr 5 min·5 clips

Jason Chen and Michael Amato debate why the NHL's underwhelming season start feels like it doesn't count.

This episode of The Hockey News Sleepers and Keepers podcast features hosts Jason Chen and Michael Amato reacting to the NHL's opening weekend and discussing their new fantasy hockey league. Chen and Amato are fantasy hockey analysts who provide insights for fantasy managers. They express disappointment with the league's season-opening games in Prague. The hosts critique the NHL's scheduling, which featured the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils playing regular-season games in Prague on a Friday. They note many fans and fantasy players were unaware these early overseas games counted in the standings. Amato mentions doing radio hits where listeners didn't realize the games were real. They compare the feel of these games to the unusual scheduling during the pandemic's shortened season and Canadian division. A significant point is that some fantasy leagues are holding drafts after these games have already occurred. The hosts state this would be personally annoying, as managers could miss stats from players in those games. They acknowledge some leagues choose not to count the statistics from these early overseas contests. The conversation highlights a disconnect between the NHL's international scheduling and North American fantasy hockey traditions. The tone is casual and conversational, featuring two co-hosts sharing their immediate reactions and personal frustrations. The style is opinion-driven analysis focused on the practical implications for fantasy sports. Fantasy hockey managers who draft late or are confused by early-season scheduling would find this episode relevant. Listeners seeking deep player analysis or draft strategy for the new season might want to skip this specific opening rant.

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