Early this summer, fans were shocked to learn that Sportsnet had quietly cut ties with longtime host and analyst Jeff Marek. The move was also preceded by reports emerging that Marek had leaked private information pertaining to players in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Although Marek hasn't yet resurfaced in the world of hockey media, he did issue a statement earlier in the offseason, confirming his departure from Sportsnet and suggesting his next pursuits are on the horizon. He was also seen in Europe at one point reporting.
With the 2024-25 season on the horizon, co-host Elliotte Friedman is ready to bring back the 32 Thoughts podcast. On Thursday, Sportsnet announced that Kyle Bukauskas, a familiar face as an in-arena host, will join the show as Jeff Marek's replacement.
By Friday morning, Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas had already dropped their first episode as the new podcast duo. During the podcast, Friedman did speak about his experiences working with Marek but avoided discussing the details of his on-air partner's termination from Rogers. He did reveal that Sportsnet had given him the opportunity to exit the program after Marek's exit. Friedman opted to stay with the show, first producing one solo episode in mid-August before pairing up with Bukauskas.
The new co-hosts then broke down each team's offseason moves, talked about heartfelt tributes to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, speculated at a possible Sidney Crosby contract extension in Pittsburgh, and a look ahead at what might be in store for Mitch Marner in Toronto.
Source: Hockey Feed
Elliotte Friedman addresses Jeff Marek's firing on first episode of 32 Thoughts with new co-host
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 6 | 280 ANSWERS Jeff Marek's firing finally addressed by Elliotte Friedman on the newest episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast Are you happy with the choice being Kyle Bukauskas? | ||
| Yes | 118 | 42.1 % |
| No | 162 | 57.9 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
|
LIVE
OCTOBER 26, 2025
| ||||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Mason Lohrei | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Viktor Arvidsson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Michael Eyssimont | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Morgan Geekie | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Arseny Gritsyuk | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jack Hughes | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Nathan MacKinnon | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Valeri Nichushkin | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brenden Dillon | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Tanner Jeannot | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Artturi Lehkonen | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Cale Makar | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Timo Meier | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Casey Mittelstadt | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Simon Nemec | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Victor Olofsson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| David Pastrnak | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Devon Toews | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jack Ahcan | - | - | - | |
| Jake Allen | - | - | - | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Canadiens | 10 | 7 | 3 | - | 14 | |
| Red Wings | 9 | 6 | 3 | - | 12 | |
| Panthers | 10 | 5 | 5 | - | 10 | |
| Sabres | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 9 | |
| Senators | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 9 | |
| Maple Leafs | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 9 | |
| Bruins | 10 | 4 | 6 | - | 8 | |
| Lightning | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 6 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Devils | 8 | 7 | 1 | - | 14 | |
| Penguins | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 13 | |
| Hurricanes | 8 | 6 | 2 | - | 12 | |
| Capitals | 9 | 6 | 3 | - | 12 | |
| Islanders | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 9 | |
| Flyers | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 9 | |
| Blue Jackets | 8 | 4 | 4 | - | 8 | |
| Rangers | 9 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 8 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Mammoth | 9 | 7 | 2 | - | 14 | |
| Avalanche | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 13 | |
| Jets | 8 | 6 | 2 | - | 12 | |
| Blackhawks | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 10 | |
| Predators | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 10 | |
| Stars | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 9 | |
| Blues | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 7 | |
| Wild | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 7 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 12 | |
| Kraken | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 12 | |
| Ducks | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 9 | |
| Oilers | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 9 | |
| Kings | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | |
| Canucks | 9 | 4 | 5 | - | 8 | |
| Sharks | 8 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 4 | |
| Flames | 9 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 3 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||