If you see yourself as a bit more of a hockey analytics guy or gal, The Hockey PDOcast might be a pod you would enjoy checking out. Though, not to fear if you aren’t numbers-driven, this show isn’t necessarily as complex as its name might indicate.
Founded by self-proclaimed “Good Canadian Boy” Dimitri Filipovic, The Hockey PDOcast certainly lays its roots in advanced analytics. However, the modern incarnation of the show is benign in that respect, and Dimitri has accrued quite the list of reputable NHL contacts that bolster his show’s credibility as guests each week.
The Hockey PDOcast: All Hockey All the Time
While some hockey podcasts might stray from strictly hockey talk from time to time, to discuss food or travel or even Star Wars in some cases, The Hockey PDOcast rarely ventures from rink-side conversation.
Now, don’t get me wrong, when a radio broadcaster or TV reporter is willing to discuss their life covering an NHL team and what it is like to be on the road off and on for 6-7 months of the year, I’m all ears. I think the stories of the places they visit and the food they try, which cities are their favorite etc., are fascinating. But for those who don’t seek that type of info, and would rather just listen to a show strictly about hockey-related topics, The Hockey PDOcast fits the bill.
An In-Depth Approach
While The Hockey PDOcast might not be ultra-analytical, the conversation is certainly extensive at times. While there can be a slight skew towards topics revolving around Canadian NHL teams, the show covers essentially all 31 NHL clubs. This means that in order to follow along at certain points, listeners should know at least the basics of every NHL team. That includes top players, what a team’s expectations are, or if there are any big stories involving one or a couple members of the franchise.
There isn’t much time to get listeners up to speed and usually Dimitri and his guest of the week will dive into a conversation without really explaining the context of the story unless it is an obscure topic. For example, this summer there has been a somewhat big development involving Columbus Blue Jackets’ forward Artemi Panarin. Panarin led his team in points during the 2017-18 season by a healthy margin with 82. Now, Panarin is heading into the last year of his contract and has expressed disinterest in staying in Ohio. The 26-year-old Russian phenom could get potentially as much money and length in Columbus as he could on the open market. Seemingly, the one problem Panarin has is that he would rather play in a big city, potentially like New York or Los Angeles.
Now, one could see why a star player wanting to leave a team simply because of the city the team is located in could rub a fan base the wrong way. And because it is the NHL off season, most hockey podcasts are bringing up this controversy in one way or another. No fault to Dimitri Filipovic for not explaining the situation more, in fact, I think the lack of explanation can almost play in the show’s favor.
I imagine, by nature of the show’s setup in the world of statistics, that most listeners are already well informed on stories such as the one with Panarin and don’t need it explained to them. Going through the details again would be repetition for many people, especially during a time in the year where there are few headline-grabbing events to talk about.
Great for Any Hockey Fan
As I mentioned previously, the show can be a bit complex at times, but that doesn’t mean the average hockey fan won’t benefit from tuning in. At the very least I recommend giving The Hockey PDOcast a shot. If it is too much to handle at first then I would recommend looking for a podcast specific to your favorite team, where the information might be more familiar. I am working diligently to provide material for every team around the league on the site, so readers will always know where to go. You can check out what I already have posted for your team by clicking on the “Teams” tab above.
If you are a fan of the Vancouver Canucks this podcast might be up your alley as Dimitri is from British Columbia and often brings them up in conversation. Though he has expanded his coverage to focus less on his hometown team as the podcast has grown, he still finds a way to sneak them into the conversation from time to time.
You can find The Hockey PDOcast on twitter @PDOcast or on its website by clicking here. You can follow Dimitri Filipovic on his personal twitter @DimFilipovic.
