After a return from Reading Week, The Crunch featuring host Nick Lapenna got off to a blazing start with a full recap of the NHL Trade deadline. Joined via call by the rest of the panel for a portion of the episode, the group discussed some blockbuster trades including star defense man Ryan McDonaugh being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning. This move to the Bolts solidified them as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Boston Bruins. The other panel members got into a spat involving Evander Kane who was also dealt at the deadline to the San Jose Sharks. While panel member Cam Reeves defended Evander and called his alleged issues in the dressing room “overblown”, analyst Evyn Preto came back at him confirming some of the previous spats and labeling him a “cancer in the locker room”. Nick took the position of no matter what he is in the locker room, his skills have been well exagerrated and Nick called it a decent pick up. All analysts also agreed that the biggest loser was Ottawa for the firestorm they created with dangling their captain on the market, while also agreeing that the Boston Bruins overpaid for former star forward Rick Nash.
Nick then recapped the Honda Classic, with star Justin Thomas winning his 3rd tournament of the season. Though the win came with some controversy as Thomas had yelled foul language live on broadcast and also kicked out a fan for “insulting him” during a shot. Nick believed that with all of the prize money Thomas has achieved he should purchase some “thicker skin”. Nick also broke down Tiger Woods’ 12th place finish, and declared that he looks in fine form heading into the upcoming major season.
