TSN Analysts Make Predictions & Festivities Around The League
March 24th, 2025
The regular season is over and the playoffs are finally here! Hockey analysts at TSN Studios are here to give their first round predictions. Let’s dive right in.
(1) Rain City Bitch Pigeons vs. (8) Long Beach Ice Dogs
MELROSE: This is probably the most interesting first round series. Two-time Stanley Cup Champion, Lucas Main, takes on the three-time (defending) Stanley Cup Champion, Jason Henley. The defending champs dominated all season finishing with the best record in the league to capture another President’s Trophy. But Rain City closed the season with a pedestrian loss to Shawinigan. If Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl return from injury, maybe that changes things, but the Bitch Pigeons just don’t seem to be playing well without their top two players to come away victorious. Long Beach wins 6-5.
LEBRUN: Everyone loves an underdog story, and what Lucas Main has done with the Ice Dogs is nothing short of remarkable. After winning back-to-back Cups in 2017 and 2018, Lucas decided to step down and take over the worst team in the league. Now, five years later, hed has made his triumphant return to the playoffs. The roster doesn’t have the sexiest names, but don’t count out one of the smartest GMs this league has ever seen. Long Beach wins 8-2.
(2) Laval Nomads vs. (7) Antigonish X-Men
MELROSE: Maybe life in Antigonish will come full circle and the X-Men will do their best impression of the 2024 X-Men, defying the odds just a little longer. More likely than not, though, this series will end exactly as everyone expects: With the Nomads using it as a tune-up toward a more worthy challenge. Laval wins 7-3.
LEBRUN: Although the X-Men are playing great hockey lately, this team does not have the same fire power they boasted last year. They’re matched up with a Laval squad that knows what it takes to win and has the motivation of last year’s Stanley Cup Finals loss to fuel them. It’s easy to count out Antiognish with the odds completely in Laval’s favor — the Nomads have been a favorite all season long and it’s their series to lose. Laval wins 8-1.
(3) Shawinigan Vikings vs. (6) Manhattan Supermen
MELROSE: If any team has the potential to do some damage now that they’re in the playoffs, it’s the Supermen. But that won’t be easy against a contender like the Vikings. Shawinigan likes its group for a reason. With the greatest goal scorer in history of hockey in the mix, the Vikings should be the team to beat. Shawinigan wins 7-5.
LEBRUN: This is big-boy hockey. Shawinigan and Manhattan are two heavyweight teams with serious championship aspirations and it wouldn’t be a shock to see either team go all the way when all is said and done. If Manhattan wins this series, you can assume how it’ll play out; Sorokin, Andersen, Stolarz will stand on their heads, and the skaters will score enough to get by. If the Vikings win, it’ll be treated as another example of Nikita Kucherov and company exorcizing their playoff demons. Manhattan wins 5-4.
(4) Boston Giants vs. (5) Sarnia Sting
MELROSE: This series is a star-studded showdown between two teams that most expected to make the postseason. With how both teams play, the entertainment should be sky-high for what will likely be a sneaky-fun series. Both teams have a real shot in this series, but only one can prevail. That’s probably Auston Matthews and the Giants. Boston wins 6-3.
LEBRUN: Sarnia can score with the best teams in the league, but can it keep the puck out of its net? The blue line is diminished from what it once was and goaltenders other than Kuemper have been inconsistent. Not exactly the combo you want against a team that can come at you in waves. The Giants get the edge because their top offensive players are that special. Boston wins 7-3.
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PLAYOFF FESTIVITIES AROUND THE LEAGUE:
Rain City Bitch Pigeons
The Playoff Plaza Party presented by Pepsi begins at 3:30pm featuring live music and fan activations such as airbrush hats, cotton candy, inflatables, gaming truck, Kids Zone and more. All fans who attend Game 1 will receive a Pigeons Gold t-shirt, and there will be additional activations from Pigeons partners Icee, Nestle, and Pizza Pizza.
Long Beach Ice Dogs
The Smash Car will make its debut in Long Beach for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Fans will have the opportunity to take a hit at the car, painted in Rain City’s team colors, with a sledgehammer in exchange for a small donation to the Ice Dogs Foundation.
Laval Nomads
The Nomads have partnered with the City of Laval in celebrating playoff season by installing light pole banners on streets surrounding their home ice arena. In addition, all fans attending Nomads playoff games will be given a special Red & Blue playoff rally towel upon entering the building through the turnstiles.
Shawinigan Vikings
Prior to Game 1, a celebration will be held in front of Shawinigan’s home ice arena to kick off the 2025 Playoff series against the Manhattan Supermen. This celebration will include music from DJ Paulie D, giveaways and photo opportunities with John Tavares and Filip Forsberg beginning two hours ahead of puck drop. Fans can fuel up at Vikings Tap and Kitchen or Stammer’s Hall before the game. During this time, Main Street will become a car-free zone for fans to gather.
Antigonish X-Men
The X-Men will host a special open practice on Monday morning featuring giveaways, opportunities to win playoff tickets and signed memorabilia, a sign-making station, an appearance by X-Men mascot “Xeno” the mutant beast with glowing eyes. Fans are encouraged to attend all X-Men practices throughout the playoffs, which are free and open to the public.
Boston Giants
Fans are invited to pick up free Giants playoff lawn signs at the Giants Iceplex Arena beginning Monday, March 24th. The offer is limited to one item per person, while supplies last, during normal store hours. Also, all babies born in Boston during the Giants postseason run will receive a Giants Playoff Babies gift bag.
Sarnia Sting
A brand new bar named “The Hive” has just opened a few steps away from Sarnia’s home ice arena and it will be buzzing with energy every night during the Sting’s playoff run. The Hive has quickly become the most popular spot for Sarnia fans to swarm and enjoy an electric atmosphere, revel in the spirit of the Sting playoff games, sip on handcrafted cocktails, ice-cold craft beers, or favorite classic beverages along with favorite dishes from Stingers Bistro.
Countdown to the 2025 AFHL Trade Deadline:
February 23rd, 2025
Today is the day that separates the boys from the men in the Amazing Fantasy Hockey League. TheAFHL.com and TSN will be informing us on all of the rumors and speculation as well as providing breaking news and analysis of the deals as they happen. We will hear lots from Pierre LeBrun, Barry Melrose, Scott Burnside and Scott McKenzie who is at TSN’s studios for Tradecentre.
So, feel free to stay on the page and refresh for updates, which begin below:
10:00 am 
Bob McKenzie: Happy Trade Deadline Day!! Buckle up everybody!
10:01 am 
Pierre LeBrun: WOO!!! TRADE DEADLINE 2025 LETS GOOOOO!!!!!
10:03 am 
Barry Melrose: I just watched Pierre Lebrun drink three large Dunkin ice coffees in the last two hours. He’s pretty fired up right now.
10:04 am Pierre LeBrun: YES I AM!!!! LET’S ROCK AND ROLL!!!!
10:29 am Bob McKenzie: I’m hearing most GMs are just starting to wake up and drink their morning coffees but there are already many deals currently in the works.
10:31 am Barry Melrose: Hey, did anybody watch Rain City pregame last night? They finally had their banner raising ceremony. Normally, the banner raising ceremony takes place at the beginning of the season but the team had to do some minor renovations of their arena to make room for the third banner.
10:35 am Bob McKenzie: Yeah that was fun to watch. Rain City GM Jason Henley brought his wife and kids with him onto the ice and wore a new shirt with the number 3 on it, one for each Stanley Cup title. Crowd was chanting “We want four!” as yellow, green and black confetti flew through the air.
10:49 am Pierre LeBrun: I just mentioned this on ESPN – Sounds like the Boston Giants have been searching for a veteran forward to add to their roster for a Cup run this year. We’ll see if they can pull it off over the next 7 hours, but they’re looking.
11:07 am Barry Melrose: The big fish today has got to be Antigonish forward Mikko Rantanen. Several teams have been making a strong push. GM Pat McKenna looking to fetch bluechip prospects and 1st round picks in return for the superstar forward.
11:15 am Bob McKenzie: Keep an eye on Fort Drum today. GM Stryska promised his fan base he will be more active today than in previous years.
11:17 am Barry Melrose: He better be active. The team hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010. That was 15 years ago!! I feel so bad for Killers fans.
11:20 am Pierre LeBrun: Manhattan Supermen are expected to call up Collin Graf. His name continues to swirl around the trade winds, but for now he’s been told he’s going to be called up.
11:25 am Bob McKenzie: Tage Thompson meeting the Laval media via zoom today at 1pm. He was acquired in a blockbuster from Washington a few days ago.
11:30 am Pierre LeBrun: Yeah, that was a great haul for Wolfpack GM Jared Sexton. The full trade was Thompson, Georgiev, Sanderson, and Cuylle to Laval for Leo Carlsson, Sam Rinzel, Jiri Kulich, Dylan Garland, 2025 1st, 2026 1st, 2027 2nd. Wolfpack are now loaded with young, elite talent. Sexton is setting up that team to dominate for many, many years.
11:51 am Barry Melrose: Vikings GM Phil Svoboda looking to make some moves today. He announced Steven Stamkos is on the block. The veteran superstar forward has a number of clubs circling. Manhattan, Boston, Laval to name a few. As of this morning, it seems the Supermen have the inside track with Liam Greentree as a centerpiece in a deal. We will see how the day unfolds.
12:10 pm Bob McKenzie: Just received this text from the reigning champ: “I told every player on my roster to cancel the hotel rooms and buy houses in Rainbow City or wherever we play out of. That said, I get off on lying to my players so who knows what will come to pass.”
12:12 pm Pierre LeBrun: LOL. Jason Henley always makes me chuckle.
12:15 pm Barry Melrose: Source telling me Barrie and Long Beach are nearing a deal.
12:17 pm Barry Melrose: Trade call underway. Long Beach Ice Dogs have acquired Owen Tippett from the Barrie Brigade in exchange for a 2026 1st Round Pick.
12:18 pm Bob McKenzie: First trade of the day! I had a feeling Tippett was being dealt when I read he left practice early today.
12:43 pm Barry Melrose: London forward Casey Mittelstadt sitting out tonight. Asset management ahead of the deadline.
1:16 pm Pierre LeBrun: Hearing that the Sharks and Supermen are very close to a Panarin trade. They are working through the details. Liam Greentree is part of the package. Multiple players are playing tonight which also may complicate timing to some degree. But all signs point to Panarin going to Manhattan.
1:21 pm Pierre LeBrun: Again, just to be clear, the Panarin trade is not quite done yet. Some final details to be ironed out, but all signs pointing to Panarin heading to Manhattan.
1:25 pm Bob McKenzie: Yes, talks between Atlantic City and Manhattan are intensifying. I’m being told “it’s getting close”.
1:29 pm Pierre LeBrun: Trade call just ended. Artemi Panarin is a Manhattan Superman.
1:33 pm Pierre LeBrun: Full trade: Atlantic City trades Artemi Panarin and Brandon Montour to Manhattan in exchange for Charlie McAvoy and Liam Greentree.
2:05 pm Barry Melrose: Alex Ovechkin controls his fate in Antigonish with a full NMC. It sounds like a couple of contenders are interested in adding him as a rental considering his age.
2:12 pm Bob McKenzie: Phantoms forward Sidney Crosby might be sitting out this afternoon’s game. Not sure if trade related or injury related.
2:29 pm Pierre LeBrun: Killers GM Steven Stryska has announced he is listening to offers for Mark Scheifele. Some around the situation have believed there’s a chance he can be moved by the deadline as he will be turning 32 next month and Fort Drum is missing the playoffs this year. We’ll see, but talks are happening.
3:45 pm Barry Melrose: As I mentioned on ESPN Sportscenter, Manhattan has been making traction on another big move for a player on defense. Source telling me the team they are working with is Washington.
4:07 pm Bob McKenzie: Antigonish GM Pat McKenna continues to weigh trade options for Alex Ovechkin, with multiple teams in play. Ovechkin has been told he will be moved by the 7pm ET deadline. #waitinggame
4:11 pm Pierre LeBrun: Jackson Lacombe is believed to be the player Manhattan is close to acquiring from Washington.
4:13 pm Pierre LeBrun: Tommy Novak and Gustav Nyquist have just been scratched from Manhattan’s lineup tonight. Trade is probably happening.
4:21 pm Barry Melrose: Flower City GM Derek Jedamski has been working the phones all day. Looking to add production on the pro roster. Most conversations revolving around Jackson Blake, Erik Portillo, and Alieksei Protas.
4:22 pm Barry Melrose: Jackson Lacombe no longer appears to be on Washington’s roster per WashingtonWolfpack.com
4:35 pm Pierre LeBrun: My understanding: Manhattan and Washington have agreed to the basic framework of a deal that will send Jackson Lacombe to Manhattan and Nyquist/Novak to Washington. Work to do, but well down the track.
4:43 pm Barry Melrose: Correction – Flower City is taking calls on Ilya Protas (not Alieksei Protas).
5:01 pm Bob McKenzie: Chatter is really starting to pick up with only two more hours until the Trade Deadline.
5:10 pm Pierre LeBrun: Manhattan and Washington finalized the trade. Lacombe and Gulyayev to Manhattan. 2027 1st, Novak, and Nyquist to Washington.
5:23 pm Barry Melrose: Here’s Pierre McGuire with a whammy: pending trade call, Flower City acquiring Ivan Barbashev and Blake Coleman.
5:24 pm Barry Melrose: Full trade: Barbashev, Coleman, 3rd round pick to Flower City. Jackson Blake and Damian Clara to Atlantic City.
5:27 pm Bob McKenzie: Ivan Barbashev in the Sharks dressing room right now finding out about the news he’s off to Flower City.
5:48 pm Pierre LeBrun: Antigonish GM Pat McKenna is getting settled in. Makes two trades simultaneously – Tye Kartye to London for a 2025 3rd Round Pick and Ryan Hartman to Barrie for a 2025 3rd Round Pick.
5:59 pm Barry Melrose: McKenna strikes again. Jame Benn is off to Laval in exchange for Victor Mancini and Luke Evangelista.
6:11 pm Bob McKenzie: This is turning into the Pat McKenna Show. X-Men trade Rasmussen and Luchanko to London for Cormier and a 2025 1st Round Pick.
6:20 pm Pierre LeBrun: London has traded Kaapo Kakko to the Boston Giants in exchange for Morgan Frost and a 2025 2nd Round Pick.
6:27 pm Barry Melrose: Take Vincent Trocheck off the market. X-Men have traded Trocheck to Laval for Anthony Cirelli and Drew Helleson.
6:32 pm Bob McKenzie: Shawinigan has won the Ovechkin Sweepstakes. X-Men trade Ovechkin to Vikings for 2027 1st, 2027 2nd, and three 3rd round picks.
6:50 pm Barry Melrose: Call underway. Quebec trades Filip Gustavsson and a 3rd Round Pick to Antigonish for John Beecher and Easton Cowan.
6:51 pm Bob McKenzie: Lethbridge trades Gallagher to Sarnia for a 2026 3rd.
6:55 pm Bob McKenzie: Killers fans are burning their jerseys tonight for another quiet deadline.
6:56 pm Barry Melrose: FIVE MINUTES LEFT!!! WHAT A RUSH!!!
7:00 pm Pierre LeBrun: A flurry of activity at the buzzer including a Rantanen blockbuster!
7:05 pm Bob McKenzie: X-Men trade Rantanen to Rain City for Meier, Othmann, and Kerins.
7:25 pm Bob McKenzie: Waiting a few more minutes to see if any other deals trickle in…
7:30 pm Barry Melrose: And that’s all folks. We saw a grand total of 20 trades today! Our apologies to those who made trades that did not get posted here as we are dead tired from a long day and that flurry of activity at the buzzer would have taken a while to post up.
7:35 pm Bob McKenzie: Another amazing and fun AFHL Trade Deadline! Goodnight all!
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