The Aiming Five Hole Hockey Podcast

We've reached the Four Nations Challenge break, Phil & Ryan discuss all the injury replacements and preview the starting line-ups, potential line combinations, power-play units, and starting goaltenders. We'll also give our predictions for who'll meet in the final next week.

Phil & Ryan discuss all the trade activity over the past week and who's next to join in on the fun... We also discuss the upcoming Four Nations Challenge as the team's name injury replacements. We also discuss the impact of the NHL announcing the salary cap for the next three seasons and how that'll impact trades at the deadline and pending free agents.

Colorado and Caroline with an assist from Chicago kick off trade season by swapping big stars with Mikko Rantanen and Marin Necas trading jerseys... We also discuss the ever-growing injury list for the Leafs and the week that was for the Habs. With the Four Nations Challenge only two weeks away, Canada has to replace Alex Pietrangelo on their blue line due to an injury and we debate who should fill his spot!

Phil & Ryan discuss the Leafs big comeback over the Canadiens to overcome an early 3-goal deficit on their way to a 7-3 victory... As the 2nd half of the season continues teams like the Blue Jackets, Red Wings, Rangers, and Senators, are riding hot streaks but have they left themselves a hill too large to climb to claim a playoff spot? Others like the Bruins, Canucks, Pens, Utah, and Seattle have started to slide and need to recover before it's too late...

Phil & Ryan discuss how the Canadiens are staying hot, Leafs cooling off and Columbus coming out of no where to stake claim to a wild card spot, not to mention the Wings going on a 7 game winning streak since their recent coaching change.

With the condensed schedule we've hit the mid-way mark of the 2024/25 season. Ryan and Phil overview the highlights from the first half of the season and discuss some of the intriguing and surprising story lines that have taken everyone by surprise. We also look ahead to the second half of the season and discuss what storylines could develop leading up to the trade deadline and make some second half predictions.

With Montreal's improved play, Ryan has been released from therapy! We also discuss the Leafs play over the past 8 games without Stolarz and what he's meant to the team and the health issues with their captain... Detroit finally made the decision to make a change behind their bench and we continue to discuss how puzzled we are that neither the Rangers or Predators have made any changes as well!

This week Phil & Ryan debate which NHL team is currently the biggest mess at the moment that needs fixing. Is it Buffalo, Nashville, or the Rangers? The Canadians hand the Sabres their 11th straight loss and climb out of the Eastern Conference basement and the Leafs can't seem to stay healthy.

The 4 Nations Challenge rosters were announced this week, Phil & Ryan break down the selections and provide their unique perspective for each team. What's happening in New York?? We talk about the spiraling Rangers and what's next now that they've traded their Captain and signed Shesterkin to an 8-year extension worth $92 Million amidst a terrible stretch that has seen them go 3 & 7 over the last ten games. As always we'll also break down the week that was for the Leafs and Habs.

We've hit the end of the first quarter mark of the season, Ryan & Phil discuss how the Thanksgiving playoff theory will play out for the remainder of the season and who'll be in and out of the playoff mix. Rumors have begun to surface on what the Mitch Marner camp in asking for to resign and it's out of this world... As always we talk the week that was for the Leafs and Habs!

The week Phil & Ryan discuss the rash of injuries that have hit the league, most notably Ovi breaking his leg, making his run to Gretzky's goal scoring record more difficult. We also discuss the coaching changes in Boston and St. Louis and who's next on the hot seat. As always we'll also provide a round up of the week for the Leafs & Habs.

Phil & Ryan discuss the Habs & Leafs play from this past week while also debating the hit Ryan Reaves made on Darnell Nurse and if the suspension was sufficient. We'll also debate the role of fighting in the league and wether or not it still has a purpose and place in the game.

We've completed the first month of the NHL season, Phil & Ryan discuss the month that was.... The Jets continue to soar and the Predators offense has no teeth! Phil also offers to be Ryan's therapist after a disastrous week for the Habs!

Ryan and Phil discuss the Habs poor week as the press starts to sound alarm bells about the young squad's effort level. We also talk about the continued Jekyll and Hyde performance the Leafs are displaying game to game and get into the makeup of Team Canada for the Four Nations Challenge ahead of the coming roster deadlines. We also go around the league, providing the week's highlights.

Phil and Ryan critique the week that was for the Leafs and Habs and discuss all the early-season success stories as some interesting trends begin to play out. We'll also chat about Next Gen Stats and their usefulness to casual fans.

In this week's episode Phil & Ryan provide their commentary on the opening week of the season for the Leafs and Habs. They also go around the league discussing news from week one, who's off to hot starts, and who's struggling out of the gate. We cover the milestones achieved by Sidney Crosby & Evgeni Malkin as well as Shea Weber's Hockey Hall of Fame Induction. In addition we discuss our reaction to the new Amazon series: "Face Off: Inside the NHL".

Phil & Ryan chat about the start of the NHL season highlighted by the Leafs vs Canadiens season opener rivalry. We also discuss the purpose of the preseason games, are they worth it given all the injuries this year and the need to get off to a hot start so teams don't fall to the playoff Thanksgiving curse. Will Ovechkin score the 42 goals he needs to break Gretzky's record this season?

Season Preview. Ryan and Phil discuss their thoughts on all that's happened during the NHL offseason including, the draft, free agency, trades and player movement, as well as their predictions on who will and won't make the 2024/25 playoffs.