If the NHL returns to action in the next couple months, there’s a strong chance Edmonton will be a hub city. Mark Spector joins Ryan and Rory to stump for his home, dive into some of the historical pieces he’s written focusing on the 1980s Oilers and a recent story about the under-23 Team North America that sent fans into a frenzy at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

With Sportsnet re-airing a bunch of games from that tournament, Rory took his best shot at what an under-23 team of Canadians and Americans would look like right now. Spoiler alert: even better than four years ago.

Finally, the boys use The Last Dance as a jumping off point to discuss hockey documentaries they’re dying to see. Mario Lemieux in his wine cellar uncorking a fine Italian red and re-living all his ups and downs? Yes, please. Or how about a close look at the bloody rivalry between the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche that defined the back half of the ’90s?

Tape to Tape is powered by the RAM 1500 Sport, built exclusively for Canadians.

Audio Credits: McKeown/McGee Films, The Boys on the Bus, 1987.

This episode is produced and sound engineered by Michael Mayers, and hosted by Ryan Dixon and Rory Boylen.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Nobody knows when the NHL off-season will actually begin. What we can say for certain is, when it does, there will be no shortage of players on the move. Ryan and Rory identify some trade candidates for NHL teams. Josh Anderson? Olli Juolevi? Matt Murray or Tristan Jarry?

They also explore a few alternate universes, including one where Wayne Gretzky finishes his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and some very good teams — including the Ray Bourque-era Boston Bruins and the French Connection Buffalo Sabres — that don’t have the misfortune of bumping up against dynastic opponents.

Tape to Tape is powered by the RAM 1500 Sport, built exclusively for Canadians.

This episode is produced and sound engineered by Michael Mayers, and hosted by Ryan Dixon and Rory Boylen.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Luke Fox joins Ryan this week. Global pandemic or not, the Toronto Maple Leafs blue-line always has the potential to set tongues wagging. GM Kyle Dubas recently made another foray into the European market, inking Finn Mikko Lehtonen to a one-year contract. How does this change the complexion of Toronto’s ‘D’ and what does it mean to have another left-shooting blue-liner in the mix?

Also, there’s a growing sense commissioner Gary Bettman would like the NHL to take advantage of the sporting vacuum by holding the draft before resuming the season. But there are practical considerations that would make it difficult to pull off. The most pressing: What about all those draft-day trades that help teams load up or rebuild? Would the inability to swing deals steal the usual thunder that comes with one of the biggest events on the hockey calendar?

This episode is produced and sound engineered by Michael Mayers, and hosted by Ryan Dixon and Luke Fox.

Tape to Tape is powered by the RAM 1500 Sport, built exclusively for Canadians.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Not all elite talent is found at the top of the board. In fact, the reigning Hart Trophy and Conn Smythe winners — Nikita Kucherov and Ryan O’Reilly — were both selected outside the first round of the NHL Draft. With that in mind, Ryan and Rory go round by round — two through seven — to identify who the biggest steals from each have been since 2005.

You might assume a perpetually competitive team like the Boston Bruins has been unearthing gems throughout the draft, but that hasn’t really been the case. Matt Porter of the Boston Globe joins the show to explain how the Bruins have pieced together such a strong club despite a somewhat-spotty draft record outside Round 1 the past 15 years.

This episode is produced and edited by Michael Mayers, and hosted by Rory Boylen and Ryan Dixon.

Tape to Tape is powered by the RAM 1500 Sport, built exclusively for Canadians.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Nobody played a full 82 this year, but that didn’t stop the writers and broadcasters at Sportsnet from casting awards ballots. Ryan and Rory offer up their personal picks and debate some of the closest races. Nathan MacKinnon over Leon Draisaitl for MVP? John Carlson or Roman Josi for the Norris? And who deserves more credit for Edmonton’s success, coach Dave Tippett or GM Ken Holland?

Then, Eric Engels joins the show for a big-picture look at the Montreal Canadiens. He has conducted extensive interviews with a number of Habs players during the forced hiatus and shares his thoughts on what Montreal might do with several soon-to-be UFAs, where heralded prospect Alexander Romanov fits into the roster and whether Marc Bergevin will be GMing for his job next season.

This episode is recorded and sound designed by Michael Myers, and hosted by Rory Boylen and Ryan Dixon.

Tape to Tape is powered by the RAM 1500 Sport, built exclusively for Canadians.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.