Jewelcast: Jftc In Your Ears

James and Sarah join Crown Conversations to discuss the NHL's latest cash grab: The reverse retro jerseys. Some are fine, some are fire, and some are just plain bad (looking at you, Winnipeg Jets). In Part 1, topics discussed include the LA Kings (obviously), the Anaheim Ducks (project incomplete), the Calgary Flames (Blasty!), the Buffalo Sabres (and their pitiful lack of Buffaslug) jerseys and Tyler Toffoli's choice of footwear. Plus, Jeff Carter looks like a Los Angeles hobo (but the rich kind) and it's kinda fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whew, what a day! The second round, which typically takes only a few hours to complete, took an astonishing eight-plus hours to wrap up. But in that time, the Los Angeles Kings, holding nine draft picks, selected eight young men from four different countries (USA, Finland, Sweden, Slovakia). James Nicholson and Sarah Avampato join me once again to discuss LA’s shiny new boys and grade the draft. We also talk about what a potential coup it could be if Lias Andersson pans out. Rob Blake flipped the 60th overall pick for the former seventh overall New York Rangers centerman, who has had some notable issues, leaving the Rangers in order to deal with his mental health. But, if he can live up to his draft pedigree whenever he eventually joins the Kings, Blake could look like a genius. This leads us to a discussion about Todd McLellan and his development of young players as compared to Alain Vigneault. (Note: I realize now that the head coach of the Rangers is actually David Quinn as AV is now coaching the Philadelp

On this episode, Sarah Avampato joins me to discuss Tim Smith, the man inside the Bailey costume, and the lawsuit brought against him. In a Friday news dump, the organization quietly announced that Smith “has been terminated by the organization following an internal investigation” after a former member of the Ice Crew filed a lawsuit against Smith, AEG, and the Kings in August. Smith was subsequently suspended on August 14 pending an internal investigation before eventually being fired on Friday. There is no word yet on who, if anyone, will play Bailey or if they’re even going to have a mascot at all. It could be a moot point as fans (at the moment) aren’t even be allowed in the building. And no one is really sure when the NHL will actually return to play. Again. Then we chat about the impending NHL entry draft coming up soon. We chat about which top prospect the Los Angeles Kings could possibly grab at second overall and wishing for some chaos. We go into depth about what the Kings need and if Quinton Byfiel

Logan Stark from Defending Big D joins CC to discuss the Dallas Stars, their roster makeup, and depth vs depth. We talk at length about her hometown favorite boy Tyler Johnson and the potential of seeing the league shift towards a more dynamic, offensive-focused roster similar to the Lightning. Plus, how good has Anton Khudobin been, why is he such a delight, and would anyone truly mind if he just swiped the Stanley Cup and ran away with it? We also discuss Dallas' coaching drama and the shutdown line of Radek Faksa, Andrew Cogliano, and Blake Comeau. And yes, we did talk about Corey Perry, but mostly how the DBD staff cursed his signing into existence. This is our penultimate podcast for the 2019-20 season. The last one will cover the draft and then there will be a break until the new season starts up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hardev Lad from sister SBN blog Raw Charge joins Crown Conversations to talk about the Tampa Bay Lightning and their quest to lift Lord Stanley’s shiny silver chalice. Steven Stamkos remains an unknown factor, but if he were to suit up, where could he fit into the lineup? How would Jon Cooper best utilize the star forward’s skills? We also talk about the magical postseason that Brayden Point is having as well as Tampa’s insane depth (seriously, Tyler Johnson is on the THIRD LINE, Cedric Paquette is on the FOURTH line). It hasn’t been an easy Cup run for the Lightning so far, but after being swept out of the playoffs last year, the Bolts are proving that they’ve learned a lot and will not be an easy out for any team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A little bonus episode to talk about the Vancouver Canucks and why you should support our dear boys Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson with the Vancouver Canucks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are about 2/5 of the way through most of the qualifying round. Are you looking to bandwagon a team for the rest of this "playoff" series? Maybe you're still on the fence as to who you should root for. Sarah and I already gave our thoughts on who we'd like to see win and why. Maybe you just don't know enough about any of the teams to decide why you should root for them. Well, don't take my word for it. Hear from Cat Silverman (Coyotes) and Bryan Bastin (Predators) why you should root for either one of these teams (or at least a great series). The Coyotes may have taken Game 1, but don't count out those pesky Predators. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NHL has resumed operations—kind of. The Great Pause of 2020 has ceased and now it’s time for hockey inside the bubble as 24 teams traveled to Toronto and Edmonton to play not-regular-season hockey. Sarah and I discuss the NHL’s response to racism and how WNBA players are leading the way. (Really, anytime you want to look at human rights activism, Black and Trans womxn are at the forefront showing us how sh*t gets done.) Plus, we talk about the Chicago Blackhawks (and their lack of response to racism with both their name and within their community) and how every single team in the western conference can simultaneously lose all of their games while also not winning the magical first overall pick thanks to the NHL’s very weird lottery odds. Also, we’re #2! So, there’s that. And, is Taylor Hall really that magical? Should we root for the Arizona Coyotes to beat their opponent or should we root for them to win the first overall pick? I mean, Taylor Hall magic but also, a division rival getting the first pick i

The worst year ever for sports somehow managed to get even worse when the news came out that the Los Angeles Kings parted ways with a number of incredible people from Mike Futa, Mike Stothers and even Jon Rosen. It’s unfortunate, but sports is a business and when there is no business, sucky things have to happen. On this episode of Crown Conversations, Sarah and James join me to look back at James’ time with the Kings and reflect on the amazing personality that Jon always managed to bring to his writing. He will surely be missed and we hope he doesn’t land anywhere we’d hate to follow him (ahem Anaheim Ducks, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin ... really, anywhere else in the Big Ten outside of Pennsylvania State University...) mostly for the rivalry aspects. James shares some fun stories and Sarah reveals how much Jon’s writing had influence on luring her to the dark side. Jon, we’ll miss you and are grateful for everything you brought to the LA Kings. We wish you all the best of luck in the fut

We're officially not sticking to sports anymore. As a privileged person with a platform, this is an opportunity for me to stand up for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and show my solidarity. Matt and I discuss racism, how to be a better ally, and how hockey is such a niche sport. As promised in my podcast, I have included resources for other folks to educate themselves. As someone who was ignorant, I've been a part of the problem for too long. It's going to take time and we may mess up, but if we start by educating ourselves (and not asking our BIPOC friends to hold our hands to do it), we can make a change for the better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crown Conversations is back with a brand new episode fresh for your ears! Robyn and Sarah team up to talk about pets, hockey dogs, and Alex Iafallo's future travel blog. Plus, a conversation about Matt Luff's great Tik Tok in which he shows off his terrific, goofy personality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Ontario Reign Insider and one half of the Reigny Day Podcast, Zach Dooley, discusses just how good Mikey Eyssimont has been, what's changed for the team in going from being super inconsistent to being serious playoff contenders, the situation in net, and the opportunities available for young guys to step up. Plus, we talk about the coaching staff and how Mike Stothers is keeping his team in check emotionally with so many important games and so little room for error. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part two of the trade deadline series, Sarah, James, and Robyn are back to talk about some of the weirdest trades, the tenacity of their prospects in the pipeline, and the Vegas Golden Knights ' new two-headed goalie monster. We also cry about Alec Martinez and look to the future as the Los Angeles Kings continue their epically long homestand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been a rough couple of years for Los Angeles Kings fans and it only got harder when Kyle Clifford, Jack Campbell, Tyler Toffoli, and Alec Martinez were all dealt ahead of the trade deadline. Things got really surprising when the Kings also traded Derek Forbort for a conditional fourth round pick on Monday. It was only five players, but it felt like a major roster shakeup in LA. In part one of this two part series, Join James, Robyn, and Sarah as they discuss Tyler Toffoli and laugh through their pain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kent Basky, Managing Editor at sister SBN blog Nucks Misconduct joins Crown Conversations to chat about the Vancouver Canucks, their injury misfortune thereby necessitating the trade for Tyler Toffoli as well as the reunification of our favorite pastry nicknamed curly haired, baby faced winger and his buddy, Tanner Pearson. Plus, we talk about the Canucks rise and fall from glory and what it'll take to get back into that sweet spot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Los Angeles Kings and the New Jersey Devils have a lot in common. From poor goaltending to low shooting percentages and mixed special teams results, these teams appear to be two sides of the same coin. The Kings have trouble holding a lead while the Devils seem to have trouble generating a lead. Tune in to find out what to expect from Jack Hughes, Mackenzie Blackwood, and Kyle Palmieri among others. Will Drew Doughty telegraph his slapshot again? Will Alex Iafallo be able to singlehandedly own this game again? Who knows! But we'll all find out together! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a big weekend for women's hockey! The National Women's Hockey League will be showcasing their stars' talent with the All Star weekend at Warrior Arena in Boston, MA while USA's and Canada's National Women's Teams are squaring off in the final game of this west coast rivalry series down in Anaheim, CA. Eleni from The Ice Garden joins Crown Conversations to discuss the top players to watch for USA and Canada and she previews the AS weekend for the NWHL. Hilary Knight, Marie-Philip Poulin, Jillian Dempsey and Madison Packer are among the big names heading up this exciting women with lots of women's hockey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrik from Habs Eyes on the Prize gives CC his scouting report on the Los Angeles Kings' top three Swedish prospects Jacob Moverare, Tobias Bjornfot, and Samuel Fagemo. We talk about the Swedish development system, Mr. Perfect (Nicklas Lidstrom), and how freakin' good Frölunda HC is. Plus, we discuss Fagemo's revelation, the myth of small vs big ice, and the strides that Moverare has made in his game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah and Robyn team up once again to discuss the Los Angeles Kings' three games since returning from break in which they have won only once and been not-good in the other two games. The Kings clearly struggled to keep against the far superior Tampa Bay Lightning, despite gaining an early 2-0 lead. Is a full-scale rebuild the answer or is this holding pattern of being Not Bad But Not That Good, Either okay? Are the kids in the prospect pipeline the answer? Plus, if you've never been to an AHL game, you should go! And if your city has a chance to host an AHL All Star Game, you should definitely go because of how accessible it is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the 50 game mark, the Los Angeles Kings are in the bottom of their division and near the very bottom of the standings league-wide. The near future looks bleak, but perhaps there's some hope down the road coming from Ontario. Among other topics discussed are Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli, and what on Earth is going on with the Reign. Plus, there's some World Juniors talk, Samuel Fagemo's exciting tournament, and could Carl Grundstrom be the next Toffoli? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices