The Suspendables

Russ has the house to himself and enjoys a lively Masters weekend of wine and cigars with former NHL players Shane O'Brien, Scottie Upshall. Russ and Jim discuss their pal, Dustin Johnson, winning his first Masters. What's the toughest sports championship to win? Cha-Ching! The NHL unveils new reverse retro jerseys. What's Russ' favourite all time NHL jersey and logo? Russ thinks players should never be blocks from participating in the World Juniors or Olympics. The importance of giving people second chances.

Russ and Jimmy are joined in this episode by 10 time Stanley Cup winner Larry Robinson! The boys discuss: Larry's grass roots in hockey growing up just outside Ottawa. The time Larry CRUSHED Russ in a game. What is was like playing for Scotty Bowman? The 3 on 3 overtimes and the one rule change that would make the NHL better and safer! Some of the best fights and bench clearing brawls Larry was ever involved in Having a second job to make ends meet...WHILE PLAYING FOR THE MONTREAL CANADIENS!! The Montreal teammate who was, by far, the biggest prankster. Who was Montreal's greatest rival during Larry's time there? Why winning a Cup as a head coach was as satisfying as winning as a player. He also gives us an update on his friend and teammate Guy LaFleur, who's battling cancer.

Russ' wife surprises him by building him a new bar. Russ actually helped choose Team Canada's head coach for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. Jim has an awesome story about Wayne Gretzky who was the general manager of that squad. The boys chime in on Bobby Orr who took some serious flak this week for his strong support of Donald Trump. They talk about the NHL player who had a cannon of a shot and how he got it? The OHL is toying with the idea of banning bodychecking next season. What's up with that? You won't believe what pitcher Jon Lester did for Cubs' fans. Would an NHL 3 on 3 format be a good temporary format during COVID? Some nice stories about Joey Moss, Wayne Gretzky's pal and the longtime Oilers' dressing room attendant, who passed away this week.

•On today's episode, Russ talks about the PGA's Zozo Championship and the 4 day party in his backyard right on the 4th hole. •The guys get into the story of Mitchell Miller, an 18 year old draft Arizona Coyotes draft pick. He and the Coyotes are under fire after news broke this week about Miller's horrible, violent, and racist behaviour toward a developmentally-delayed black classmate back in Grade 8. •Jim has a hilarious tale of revenge involving sports owner Bill Comrie, founder of The Brick Furniture chain. •Russ hates to see a good cigar wasted •The boys talk about the possibility of the NHL going with an all-Canadian division to get them through COVID. •Russ tells us which NHL goalie got burned with "The Credit Card Game." •He also gets into what it's like to be traded and the emotions that go with that. •and he briefly reveals his frustration with current California state politics.

Russ is hosting a party at his place while a PGA event is going on just a few feet away. With NHL Free agency in full swing, Russ talks about his experiences as a free agent. Russ was at a family dinner at a high end restaurant when the champion Lakers walked in. This week is the 25th anniversary of the Montreal Canadiens firing GM Serge Savard and Coach Jacques Demers. They brought in Rejean Houle as GM and Mario Tremblay as Head Coach. How much did all that change the course of history for the Montreal Canadiens? TV Ratings are down in all sports, even though COVID is keeping more people home. Russ' daughter Ally is a model in SI's Swim Search. Russ gives some examples of crazy hockey parents, including one who probably felt terrible after his son paid for his actions. Why there might not be a Tim Horton's coffee shop chain if not for Harold Ballard.

Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet joins us and crushes it with some amazing stories. •The time he and Cam Neely drank with actor Dennis Leary and got an amazing, unique souvenir out of it •How Craig Berube, when he was still an enforcer, had an amazing strategy for slowing down opponents who started running around •How Rick got a MAJOR surprise when he tried to console Paul Coffey •Memories of Dale Hawerchuk and playing in the 1987 Canada Cup •Rick played with AND coached with Wayne Gretzky. He talks about what he was like as a coach and how one of Gretzky's fun, motivational techniques went very, very wrong

On this week's episode, Both Jim and Russ have hilarious stories about encounters with NHL Commissioner Garry Bettman. Russ has a guy in mind who should be actually handing out the Stanley Cup instead of Bettman. With the NHL draft being held this week, Russ looks back on his NHL draft memories when he was taken 7th overall. The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is adding much harsher penalties to players who fight. Russ says there might be consequences if the NHL ever goes that direction and those pushing for it should be careful what they wish for. And it's listener appreciation day with lots of emails. Uh, Jim finally checked the show email account.

What do Pat Flatley, Shane Churla, Ryan Walter, Gary Bettman, Bill Gates, Joe Montana, and Rick Bowness all have in common? They all made their way into the podcast ! Russ made Churla cry. Jimmy got man handled by Mariah Carey's security team. Pound for pound Kenny Linesman was the toughest guy out there. Wait til you hear Jon Coopers background. What are all those coaches doing behind the bench and upstairs? Russ says there are too many of them. Jerome doesn't know how to gamble.

Today, Jim and Russ look back at Canada's incredible roster the 1987 Canada Cup. Russ has a hilarious story about a buddy who pranked him making him think he'd been invited to play for that team. Russ' Revenge was sweet. Russ is not very programming or computer savvy. Not much for meetings either. Alex Ovechkin likes the celly maybe a little too much? Pat Maroon is a great guy with a great goal celebration. Russ isn't a fan of those Carolina Hurricane post game cellys. Russ has some great memories of making 1991 Team Canada and found out he'd made the team from an unlikely source. The guy he beat out! Jimmy keeps the prank stories coming with some beauties between Gord Miller and Chris Cuthbert. We discuss the NHL's Soviet invasion. Why does Russ think the conditions at the US Open are a joke?

Rusty may have a dilemma. He played for Dallas and Tampa coach Jon Cooper is a friend but what an interesting story he is. What are guys like come playoffs? Russ used to hang with a First Lady. Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians blames Tom Brady for some mistakes during their opening game loss... Did he do the right thing? Serge Savard had something to say about behaviour during the anthem. How is the NHL going to handle social injustice in months and years to come. There are lap dances that happened in the locker room? What!!!!