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Morning Cuppa Hockey
World Cup & Playoff Race ft. Jeff Marek & James van Riemsdyk
Season 3 of Morning Cuppa Hockey continues as Jonny Lazarus & Colby Cohen brew up another massive episode featuring elite insights from the biggest names in the sport.
First, the guys welcome back hockey media powerhouse Jeff Marek. With the NHL and NHLPA officially naming Calgary, Edmonton, and Prague as host cities for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, Jeff breaks down what this "best-on-best" return means for the international calendar. He also provides the latest inside scoop from the NHL GM Meetings in Florida, discussing everything from potential rule tweaks to the fallout of recent league-wide controversies.
Then, 17-year NHL veteran James van Riemsdyk joins the show. JVR shares his perspective on the Red Wings' push for the postseason and his role as a veteran leader in a high-stakes playoff race. From net-front dominance to locker room culture, he brings the pro’s point of view on what it takes to win when the games matter most.
0:00 - Welcome + Tuesday show intro
1:18 - Jeff Marek joins the show
3:06 - International hockey vs NHL viewing experience
5:05 - Olympic gold vs Stanley Cup debate
8:14 - USA Hockey development vs Canada systems
11:52 - “Worst-on-worst” tournament idea (fun segment)
14:01 - Doug Armstrong stepping down discussion
14:58 - Kyle Dubas as a potential replacement candidate
17:42 - World Cup of Hockey host cities revealed
18:20 - Canada vs USA hosting debate
21:06 - Missed opportunity to grow U.S. hockey
24:08 - Prague inclusion + NHL Europe strategy
26:06 - Connor McDavid comments on player safety
28:12 - Role of NHLPA + CBA in discipline
29:31 - Agent influence + player messaging discussion
32:14 - Suspension consistency debate (Radko Gudas example)
32:52 - Trade story + setup for JVR
36:05 - James van Riemsdyk joins the show
36:35 - Net-front scoring + point shot preferences
38:50 - Jeff Marek on why Brian Burke acquired JVR
41:41 - Playing with younger teammates vs veterans
44:17 - Patrick Kane impact + leadership
46:09 - Red Wings playoff race + injuries
47:49 - Late-season intensity + playoff push mindset
48:13 - Scoreboard watching vs controlling destiny
51:31 - Contender evaluation + playoff outlook
1:04:45 - JVR leaves
1:06:00 - Tonight's NHL slate
1:14:05 - College hockey talk
1:24:25 - Outro + bet365
It’s another fast-paced morning covering the players, personalities, and the high-stakes moves shaping the NHL right now. Grab your coffee and start the day with us — and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Morning Cuppa Hockey.
Presented by bet365: http://www.bet365.ca/
👍🏼Proraso USA: http://www.Proraso-USA.com
👍🏼Outwest: https://outwest.us/
👍🏼JP Wisers: http://jpwisers.com
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