That’s Gross

We’re through a few games in the first round and now it gets real. We start with the Bruins vs Sabres series — what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change right now. Lineup decisions are front and center… do you stick with guys like Hagens or start making tough calls? Do you spread out the scoring and break up the top line? We talk Pasta potentially running with Minten and Khusnutdinov, and whether shaking things up is the only way to get this group going. Then we get into the backend — Peeke, Lohrei, Andrew Peeke, Hampus Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov — who’s holding it down and who might need a change? Do the Bruins adjust pairings or even look at bringing in Henri Jokiharju? After that, we zoom out and hit every other playoff series — where we were right, where we were completely off, and which matchups are starting to feel like real upset territory. Tampa vs Montreal is electric, as is Dallas and Minnesota. Merch updates and some potential fights between the Gross Hockey Guys and the Buffalo Sabres Rollerblade Guys? Playoff hockey doesn’t wait… you either adjust or you’re done.

This league doesn’t care about your résumé, your past, or your excuses. You either win—or you’re out. We dive into the NHL’s latest chaos: Cassidy getting canned, Toronto staying stuck, and why the pressure across the league feels higher than ever. Then we talk Bruins hockey—gritty, resilient, and starting to feel dangerous at the right time. From comeback wins to the Gross Hockey Guys night in Providence with diehard fans and a classic delusional fan bar scene… this is what the game is really about. Some College Hockey updates and insight towards the next wave of Gross Apparel drops. Ruthless league. Resilient Bruins.

On Episode 43 of That’s Gross, we take a deep dive into James Hagens’ game and what his future could realistically look like within the Bruins organization. Hagens is one of the most intriguing young players in hockey right now — a high-skill playmaker with a relentless motor and a feisty edge. One of the most noticeable traits in his game is how he never seems to stare down the puck — his head is always up, surveying the ice and processing the next play before the puck even gets to him. We discuss how that style could translate to the pro level and bring up a Charlie McAvoy comparison — when McAvoy left Boston University, played one pro game, then jumped straight into the Bruins lineup for their playoff push and Round 1 vs Ottawa. Could Hagens follow a similar path? We also talk about the reality young, undersized centers face in the NHL. Matt Poitras is a recent example — highly skilled but forced to keep his head on a swivel to avoid devastating hits and injuries. JB makes the point that Hagens’ quick puck distribution style, as opposed to Poitras’ possession-heavy game, may actually help him avoid some of that danger. From there we transition into the Bruins’ trade deadline strategy. Boston didn’t make a splash, but we break down why the moves — and the moves they didn’t make — may have been intentional. The Bruins essentially treated their own UFAs and internal options as their deadline acquisitions, alongside smaller moves like adding Lukas Reichel. We discuss: Why Andrew Peeke wasn’t moved What Don Sweeney’s long-term strategy might be How last year’s asset-gathering step back quietly positioned the organization well moving forward We also get into some lineup ideas we’d like to see down the stretch, including: Fraser Minten getting regular reps with David Pastrnak and Marat Khusnutdinov The continued emergence of Pavel Zacha, also known as “Somewhat Scared Sasha Barkov” Then we zoom out and talk about future Bruins possibilities. Names like Robert (Bob) Thomas come up, and we float an intriguing Don Sweeney-style reclamation project idea: Elias Pettersson. The Bruins have historically found success bringing in talented players who struggled in other environments. We also talk about the importance of not burning assets too early, especially when you consider the unpredictable nature of the league and the possibility of major players becoming available down the road — names like Auston Matthews or Brady Tkachuk. The ultimate goal?Retool quickly enough to compete while still maximizing the current core of Pastrnak, McAvoy, and Swayman. Later in the episode we talk about one of the most powerful moments in hockey this week:Colin Dorgan’s overtime winner, following the tragedy involving his family at a rink in Rhode Island. A reminder that hockey is always more than just a game. We wrap things up talking about: The Tkachuk brothers’ podcast Stories from Brady and Matthew about the Olympics Biz’s appearance A quick Play Free Bird / Gross Hockey apparel teaser …and send it off.

The boys are back and we recorded this one before the chaos. We break down Team USA’s first three games of the Olympic men’s tournament and what needed to change heading into a do-or-die matchup against Sweden — which ended up going to OT in absolute movie fashion. We talk: – The strengths and identity of Team USA 🇺🇸– Canada’s firepower (and why they quietly resemble the 1980 Soviet machine)– Why we don’t call it a miracle — hard work beats luck every time– The viral moment from Matthew Tkachuk to Leon Draisaitl: “Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, eh?”– Canada nearly slipping against Czech– Playoff previews and who we think survives– Gavin McKenna and the viral punch incident + charges dropped– Beanpot energy and what it means for college hockey– Bruins prospects like James Hagens and Will Letourneau climbing levels every day– And of course… Play Free Bird apparel and what’s next for Gross This episode was recorded before the playoff games kicked off — so if you’re listening after the OT win, enjoy the tension knowing what was coming. Big stage. No excuses.Hard work. Not miracles. Big things coming.

On Episode 39 of That’s Gross Hockey, we take a long-lens look at the Boston Bruins, the chaos around the league, and where hockey — and Gross Hockey — are headed next. We start in Boston, breaking down Morgan Geekie’s recent struggles and why shooting percentage regression was inevitable. Slumps happen — the real conversation is about habits, simplicity, and how players respond when things aren’t clicking. With the Olympic break approaching, we talk about why a reset might be exactly what he (and others) need. From there, we zoom out on the Bruins as a whole. This isn’t a perfect team — but it is a well-run organization. We discuss asset management, low-risk/high-reward pickups, and why Boston is positioned to get back to winning faster than most, even if this season isn’t the finish line. We also look ahead at potential playoff matchups and why, in a league full of parity, anything can happen if you get in. Around the league, we touch on the latest drama, distractions, and media frenzies — from Ottawa-style chaos to how rumors and noise can derail teams faster than bad hockey ever could. We wrap the hockey talk with Leafs vs Avs, star power, and perspective — including why the Auston Matthews discourse has gone off the rails, what Toronto’s real playoff problem has been, and why Colorado looks every bit like a wagon. To close, we shift into Gross Hockey mode: Olympics momentum, upcoming merch drops, expanding the Free Bird/USA identity, a potential Canada theme, content strategy moving forward, and how we’re focused on building a real hockey community — not just chasing numbers. As always, thank you for listening, supporting, and helping build this thing with us.Follow us on Instagram @thatsgrosshockeyMerch drops coming soon. Shooters shoot. Puck don’t lie.

Episode 37 of That’s Gross Hockey starts loose and ends honest. We open by shooting the shit and drifting into the future of cars and transportation—self-driving cars, trust issues, and whether technology is actually making life easier or just more complicated. Then it’s back to hockey, and specifically the Bruins, who’ve hit a rough patch at a bad time. Losses to Ottawa and Vancouver, slipping in the standings, and a league where everyone is hovering around the same win percentage means there’s no margin for error. When David Pastrnak calls a December game against Montreal the biggest game of the year, it says a lot about where this team thinks it is. We dig into what’s actually going wrong: a struggling penalty kill, inconsistent goaltending, and a roster that lacks elite scoring outside of 88 and 39—forcing them to win by committee. We get into personnel and roles, including Pavel Zacha’s game and whether he’s essentially a “Walmart version of Sasha Barkov”— no shade though - actually a compliment. We also talk Mason Lohrei, his softness at times, and whether a defenseman in that mold—Ryan Whitney–esque, all due respect—can be justified if the offensive upside isn’t there. On the flip side, we give credit where it’s due: Kastelic earning trust in tough minutes, Sturm’s group fighting til the end, and the small signs that still give this group a chance if they tighten things up. Zooming out, we look at the Atlantic Division dogfight—Detroit on top, Florida heating up even without Tkachuk and Barkov, Tampa striking, Toronto struggling (thankfully, with Boston holding their pick), and Buffalo surging after a front-office shakeup. That naturally leads into a realistic trade deadline conversation: sell, buy, or stand pat—and why the Bruins likely won’t mortgage the future either way. We wrap with a quick Team Canada roster build and close things out with some Christmas vibes—favorite movies, traditions, best gifts, and how the holidays hit differently now than they did growing up. Honest hockey talk, a little chirping, and a reminder to enjoy the game—even when it’s uncomfortable.

In Episode 35 of That’s Gross Hockey, the boys are buzzing and there’s nothing to lose… and something to prove. We open with the Boston Bruins — from Pastrnak’s return and the surprising chemistry with Minten & Khusnutdinov, to the emergence of the depth guys (Kastelic, Jeannot, Steeves, Kuraly), to an early look at the big question every fan is whispering: who should be the next captain — McAvoy or Pastrnak?Neither needs the letter to lead, but if you had to choose… who’s your guy? We also dive into the Bruins prospect pipeline, highlighting the young talent rising across the system and how it ties directly into the team’s identity this season. From there, we’re joined by The Billboard, revisiting his preseason picks, what he nailed, what didn’t age so well, and where he stands now as the NHL picture gets clearer. Dark horses, disappointments, and bold takes — we dig into all of it. JB & Mike also break down their trip to the BC–UML game: seeing James Hagens’ bite, Dean Letourneau’s dominance, and why this year’s World Juniors is stacked with storylines. We expand on Team Canada, Team USA, and the players who could steal the tournament. Then, the headline drama of the week:The Quinn Hughes situation.The rumors are heating up, timelines matter, and his contract (with no trade protection) opens a world of possibilities. We explore every angle — from the obvious fits to spicy hypotheticals… including the wild scenario:Quinn Hughes to Tampa Bay. Could it actually work? Plus all the chaos around the hockey world: Geekie vs. the Blues on social media, the Paige Spiranac x Biz Sandbagger, Jack Hughes’ injury saga, and thoughts on the Diddy and Charlie Sheen documentaries. It’s Episode 35 — chaos, laughs, receipts, rumors, and hockey talk that gets gross.Nothing to lose. Something to prove.

In Episode 33, we kick things off with the wild story of Mason West — a first-round NHL pick who’s still playing college football. Could he actually pull off the impossible and become both an NHLer and an NFL player? We break down the odds, the athleticism, and what it would mean for the sport. Then we jump into the photo everyone’s talking about: Jack Hughes and Tate McRae. Could this be the NHL’s version of Travis & Taylor? A real pop-culture crossover that finally pushes hockey into the mainstream? We get into what it could mean for the league and for hockey culture as a whole. We also look at the revenue gap between major leagues, why hockey lags, and where the NHL could level up.Plus: breakdowns of Matthew Schaefer, Gavin McKenna, and a look at the absolute chaos and energy of college hockey right now. We wrap with some Thanksgiving vibes — what we’re thankful for, on and off the ice, and the people who make the Gross community what it is. That’s hockey. That’s culture. That’s Gross.

On episode 31 of That's Gross, the boys break down the Bruins' 7 game heater as well as talk about what's going around the rest of the league. Zadorov hitting everything in sight, Pastrnak leading and breaking the 400 goal mark, Minten showing early signs of becoming an elite two way center, and the entire team finding their identity; are the Big Bad Bruins back? Marco Sturm's locker room speech, and the dismantling of the Leafs, all signs that maybe things are right in the world. Around the League; other than MacKinnon, the young guns are running the NHL. Anaheim is 2nd in the League, Bedard and Celebrini are electrifying and leading the way for their teams. The parity and youth production in the NHL right now are like never before seen. Must watch TV, or listen, as the NHL is the best league in sports and Gross is the next big thing in hockey. New Gross Hockey hats coming soon, dropping Gross beanies for the winter, Puck Don't Lie back in stock, and the B's are buzzing. Let us know in the comments if you enjoyed this episode, what else you want to see from us, or whatever is on your mind. Gross Hockey community to the moon. Instagram: ThatsGrossHockey TikTok: GrossHockey Youtube: Gross Hockey GrossHockey.com That's Gross hockey show available on Spotify, Apple, Youtube and most other podcast listening locations.

On this episode the boys get into news around the league, the youth and up and coming teams buzzing, and the general growth of the game in the last few years. We discuss the difference between retooling and rebuilding, for the Bruins what that looks like, and how other teams have done it. Crosbys dryer, Bedards sick release, and some other topics arise. Tune in.

The boys are back and the Bruins are buzzing to start the year and talk hockey. We break down Boston’s 3–1 start — from Elias Lindholm’s smooth fit to Mittelstadt’s impact, Zacha’s strong play, both goalies holding it down, and the depth finally showing up. Powerplay? Clicking. PK? Locked in. Vibes? Immaculate. Mike’s fresh off an Italian adventure and shares some travel chaos (including the art of not talking on planes), plus we get into the hunt for a new car and some quick hits from around the NHL. It’s a little Bruins therapy, a little life talk, and a whole lotta gross.

The preseason is underway and the boys are buzzing. Mike, JB, and Jake are back – and this time we’ve got our buddy "Meis" joining the show, bringing some stats, betting lines, and plenty of hot takes. We kick things off with early thoughts on preseason action before diving into season predictions across the NHL, including which teams could surprise and who might fall off. We get into the Bruins – what they look like heading into the year, and why there’s definitely “Sum 2 Prove in Boston.” Then we go around the league with breakout player picks, too early Cup Final predictions, and bold calls on teams that haven’t made it recently but could sneak in this year. The guys also chop it up about players labeled as those who “can’t win” – like Matthews and Marner – and debate whether that narrative is fair, if other sports have similar storylines, or if it’s something unique to hockey. On top of that, we mix in some laughs: The biggest scumbags in sports history (inside and outside hockey) The dumbest things we’ve ever done, and the learning moments that came with them Packed with hockey talk, betting chatter, and plenty of Gross humor, this one sets the stage for the season ahead.

In Episode 23 of That’s Gross, Mike, JB, and Jake are joined by Cesar Lucero — better known online as BigCeaz or Cesar Inspires. A passionate Florida Panthers fan and social media personality, Cesar has turned his battle with osteogenesis imperfecta, a rare bone disease, into a platform to entertain, motivate, and inspire thousands. We talk through his incredible journey as a fan and a person: from getting pulled on stage at Miami’s iconic 11 nightclub by Matthew Tkachuk, to partying with the Stanley Cup champions, to his hilarious back-and-forth with Paul Bissonnette. Cesar shares how hockey has given him some of the best moments of his life, all while spreading his message of living strong and taking things “one shift at a time.” This episode has it all — laughs, storytelling, and plenty of inspiration — even if it meant reliving some of Boston’s lowest hockey memories through Cesar’s eyes. 🔗 Check out Cesar: Instagram: @cesar_inspires The Big Ceaz Show & Cats and Rats Podcast (all platforms) Website: cesarlucero.com Sit back, relax, and enjoy this fun, uplifting conversation with a one-of-a-kind hockey fan.