In this week's episode, Brutes & James discuss the Seattle Kraken and their expansion draft process, as well as how their team looks for next year! In addition, the guys discuss the various trades and signings this week, including Shayne Gostisbehere, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson each being traded in controversial trades! The guys also discuss Seth Jones, Barclay Goodrow, Vladimir Tarasenko, and much more! Overrated/underrated/favourite/least favourite sauces round out the episode! Intro Music: Scavengers - Thrice Other Music: I Will Remember You - Sarah MacLachlan Outro Music: Daylight - The Glorious Sons

Laced Up: A Hockey Podcast

Episode 125: The Breakfast Club

In this weeks episode, James & Brutes evaluate all 31 teams and their approach to the expansion draft! Plenty of trades go down, including the Flyers acquiring Ryan Ellis and the Leafs acquiring Jared McCann, and these trades could make a difference in each teams expansion list. In addition, the guys also have a very late discussion on the career and retirement of Stephen Johns, as well as Pat Maroon breaking the Stanley Cup, whether Ken Holland is an asshole, and much more! Intro Music: Burden In My Hand - Soundgarden Outro Music: Pro Bad Decision Maker - Skizzy Mars

Episode 124: Welcome to the Krakhouse

In this week’s episode, Brutes & James discuss the plethora of trade rumours around the NHL, including the seemingly foregone conclusion of Duncan Keith to the Oilers, as well as the Canucks putting Nate Schmidt on the block, Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s value, and Vladimir Tarasenko’s trade demand. In addition, the guys discuss the uproar over Ron MacLean’s interview with Gary Bettman and his decision not to discuss the Blackhawks sexual assault allegations, and where that investigation could be headed. The guys also discuss the Lightning winning the Stanley Cup and why it was so fun, and what could be next for the Montreal Canadiens heading into next year, as well as the NHL’s buyout window opening, and a (nearly) final update on the Down Goes Brown preseason contest that the guys filled out. Overrated/underrated/favourite/least favourite Robert De Niro movies rounds out the episode! Intro Music: Almost Easy - Avenged Sevenfold Other Music: I Will Remember You - Sarah McLachlan Outro Music: Daylight - The Glorious Sons

Episode 123: Buon Appetito!

In this week's episode, James & Brutes discuss the passing of Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks at the age of 24 in Michigan over the weekend. Our deepest sympathies go out to the Kivlenieks family, as well as friends and companions of the young netminder. The hockey talk resumes as the guys discuss the Sabres naming Don Granato as head coach, as well as Andre Tourigny to the Coyotes. The guys discuss the Ryan Nugent-Hopkins extension, Viktor Arvidsson to the Kings, what we can learn from the Lightning and Canadiens and predictions for the series moving forward. Overrated/underrated/favourite/least favourite ice cream flavours rounds out the episode! Intro Music: Dancing On Your Grave - The Matinee Outro Music: Daylight - The Glorious Sons

Episode 122: Dive Into Something

In this week’s episode, Brutes & James discuss the Seattle Kraken and their odd decision to name Dave Hakstol as the teams first head coach. The guys also discuss the validity of analytics, the Montreal Canadiens going to the Stanley Cup Final, and Brutes takes the Down Goes Brown referee quiz on The Athletic. The guys round out the episode with their Top 10 favourite Canadian bands of all-time! Sponsored by Smoke + Mirrors Media! Intro Music: Love Changes Everything - Honeymoon Suite Other Music: Shaft Theme - Isaac Hayes Outro Music: Daylight - The Glorious Sons

Episode 121: SHAFT

In this week's episode, Brutes & James discuss the bizarre story of Kirill Kaprizov's contract talks with Minnesota seemingly going cold, what could be next for both sides, and what a potential contract would look like for the 24-year-old superstar. In addition, the guys talk about Dougie Hamilton being granted the opportunity to talk to other teams, and what possible motivations the Hurricanes could have for allowing this. The guys also discuss the potential end to Zach Hyman's time in Toronto, Jason Spezza's new deal, Rick Tocchet being the apple of Seattle's eye, Gerard Gallant hired in New York, Don Granato potentially staying in Buffalo, and the concept of cheering your team off the ice after a playoff elimination. Overrated/underrated/favourite/least favourite live sports achievements rounds out the episode! Intro Music: Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown On A Bad Bet - Fall Out Boy Outro Music: Move On - Coleman Hell

Episode 120: The Exhibition of Dougie Hamilton

A bonus episode! Brutes & James are joined by first time guest Mike Cookson as well as former guest Jon Ciosek and Kyle Hogan to each draft a team! Each guy will pick a team of 20 players; 12 forwards, 6 defensemen, and 2 goaltenders. Each player needs to meet the requirements of at least one of the rules laid out by James. The rules are as such: Rule 1: Must select 1 player that was never drafted Rule 2: 1 player who played for 2 of Scotty Bowman, Al Arbour, or Joel Quenneville Rule 3: A skater who's jersey number matched a points total during career Rule 4: 1 player that won Olympic Gold but not the Stanley Cup Rule 5: 1 player born in Northwestern Ontario (West of Sault Ste. Marie) Rule 6: 1 player off of the 2009-10 Edmonton Oilers Rule 7: 1 current player who wears a 0 (10, 20, 30, etc.) Rule 8: 1 U.S. born player who played/plays for hometown team Rule 9: 1 player named Kevin Rule 10: 1 player with more than 17 letters first and last name combined Rule 11: 1 player who has appeared on the cover of a video game Rule 12: 1 player who was not born in one of the Big 6 countries (Canada/USA/Russia/Finland/Sweden/Czech Republic) Rule 13: 1 player who never received any awards votes Rule 14: 1 player who played for the Buffalo Sabres in 2021 Rule 15: 1 player who later coached for more than 4 seasons Rule 16: 1 defenseman who never had a double digit goal season Rule 17: 1 player who had 200+ PIM in a season Rule 18: 1 player who was drafted 33rd overall Rule 19: 1 player that won only Stanley Cup as a rookie Rule 20: 1 player that played for 6 or more teams (relocation does not count) The teams will be posted to the @laceduppod Twitter account, and an NHL 21 tournament episode will follow in the coming weeks. Intro Music: none Outro Music: Move On - Coleman Hell

BONUS: 20 Rule Draft

Episode 119: Happy Birthday, Cody Fraser!

In this week's episode, Brutes & James are joined by Caitlyn Atkinson and Alex Hobson separately to discuss the Leafs season and what went wrong yet again. In addition, the guys discuss the league's suspensions of Ryan Reaves and Mark Scheifele, as well as an evaluation of where these teams are going. Sponsored by Smoke + Mirrors Media! Intro Music: Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici - Luciano Pavarotti Outro Music: Move On - Coleman Hell

Episode 118: You Wear Black To A Funeral

In this week's episode, James & Brutes discuss Wayne Gretzky leaving the Edmonton Oilers to join the NHL on TNT panel, as well as Connor McDavid and the rest of the current Oilers' comments during their exit interviews after being eliminated by the Jets' in the four games. In addition, the guys discuss the appeal of the Nazem Kadri suspension, John Tavares' injury, series recaps including deep dives into each eliminated team, and much more! OUFL The Trews songs rounds out the episode! Intro Music: All Or Nothing - Monowhales Outro Music: Move On - Coleman Hell

Episode 117: They Don't Have The Technology

In this week's episode, Brutes & James discuss Nazem Kadri's hit on Justin Faulk, and what the next course of action would be by the league against a playoff repeat offender. The guys also discuss the suspension to Florida's Sam Bennett, the Canucks potentially hiring the Sedin Twins for front office roles as well as the return of Jim Benning, the history of MTL vs. TOR, the playoffs so far, and much more! Sponsored by Smoke + Mirrors Media! Intro Music: Dear Maria, Count Me In - All Time Low Outro Music: Move On - Coleman Hell

Episode 116: Weird Clapper

In this week's episode, Brutes & James discuss the awkward situation with Jack Eichel and the Buffalo Sabres, and how this could effect his career trajectory and any potential trades, as well as potential landing spots for him, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Sam Reinhart. In addition, the guys discuss the departures of three coaches: Rick Tocchet in Arizona, David Quinn in New York, and John Tortorella in Columbus, and what those teams could look to do to replace those positions. The guys also give their playoff previews, and give their pick series by series on who they like. The guys also discuss the allegations brought against former Chicago Blackhawks coach and registered sex offender Brad Aldrich and his involvement with the 2010 Cup winning team. Overrated/underrated/favourite/least favourite Leonardo DiCaprio movies and some Liam Neeson talk rounds out the episode! Intro Music: My Curse - Killswitch Engage Outro Music: Inception - Logic Other Music: Have a Cigar - Pink Floyd

Episode 115: Paying the Pied Piper

In a jam packed week, James & Brutes discuss the timeline of the Tom Wilson vs. the New York Rangers fracas, including the incident itself, the backlash, the Rangers statement and subsequent firings of John Davidson & Jeff Gorton. In addition, the guys talk about Eddie Olczyk joining TNT, Ray Ferraro's potential deal with ESPN, Anze Kopitar getting to 1000 points and Marc-Andre Fleury becoming third all-time in wins! Lastly, it's awards week! Brutes & James give their picks for the year end awards in the NHL!  Intro Music: I'm Alive, She Said - YUCA Outro Music: Pro Bad Decision Maker - Skizzy Mars

Episode 114: Commissioner Gorton

In this week's episode, friend-of-the-show Rod Albizurez drops into the zoom call to talk about the Toronto Raptors, Aaron Rodgers, and much more! In addition, James & Brutes discuss the NHLs new TV partnership with ESPN and Turner Sports and how this could change hockey broadcasting in America moving forward. The guys also talk about Joe Thornton's friendship with the late Gord Downie, Jonathan Drouin's leave of absence, injuries to Nikolaj Ehlers and Carter Hart, and much more! Intro Music: An Inch An Hour - The Tragically Hip Outro Music: Pro Bad Decision Maker - Skizzy Mars

Episode 113: Rod Albizurez III: Tokyo Drift

This week, it's somewhat of a double episode! First, Brutes & James dissect the storylines from the week, starting with Patrick Marleau breaking the games played record, what that means for his legacy, and what's next for him! Next, the guys talk about the Canucks COVID outbreak and their comeback to beat the Leafs, the IIHF cancelling the Women's World Hockey Championship, Robin Lehner's comments about the players COVID protocol restrictions, and Jonathan Toews' likely not returning this year! After the hockey talk, the guys talk about their top 10 favourite live-action sitcoms of all-time, and talk at length about each show! Sponsored by Smoke + Mirrors Media! Intro Music: We'll Be Coming Back - Calvin Harris Outro Music: Pro Bad Decision Maker - Skizzy Mars

Episode 112: 19 Crimes

The podcast features Brutes and James, and their in-depth discussion of current events in the NHL and the sport of hockey with plenty of music and movie references peppered in.

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Laced Up: A Hockey Podcast

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