Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network joins me for our weekly “Essey Tire” hockey podcast. Are we finally seeing some movement when it comes to restarting the National Hockey League?

According to Metzer, a lot of talk is percolating about important topics, such as unified destinations and dates for when players can start working out again. The NBA may be a few steps ahead in that regard. Is that a path the NHL can follow?

The NHL may also want to follow in the footsteps of the NFL when it comes to its televised draft. It was a big hit for football. It could be for hockey as well. The big question is, when will that draft occur?

There has been some discussion that the draft may take place in June, before the attempted relaunch of the season. In my opinion, that’s dumb. In fact, I think some factors make it impossible. We’ll see what Metzer says.

If there is a rebooted playoff format, are the Penguins the kind of team that will be susceptible to getting tripped up early, given the circumstances at hand?

I think so. And I’ll tell you why. And I’ll tell you why Boston Bruins player Brad Marchand disagrees with me.

There’s also the small matter of opening up the border between the U.S. and Canada. I’m being sarcastic, of course. That’s a big deal. But it’s also one that I think can be more easily rectified than, say, maybe some of the Florida teams trying to get to North Carolina.

We’ll explain.

Then we examine the unending parade of Penguins flashback games and some issues with the “podding” sites for a renewed season. Maybe Pittsburgh shouldn’t be considered out of the mix after all.

Listen: Tim Benz and Brian Metzer discuss the latest developments on restarting the National Hockey League

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