Episode 34 might be our most all-over-the-map but beautifully connected one yet.

We open with Alex Steeves — the unexpected spark plug for the Bruins — and why it feels fitting, because we also get into the music artist Mike (formerly Mike Stud), a Rhode Island native whose fanbase literally calls themselves Steves. We talk about his Red Rocks show, his cult-like following, why his music hits so hard, and how it somehow fits perfectly into the Gross Hockey universe.

From there, we dive into the Bruins “Moneyball” approach under Don Sweeney. Whether people like it or not, it has worked before (Zacha, Geekie)… and could again with guys like Mittlestadt, Steeves, and Khusnutdinov. We’re seeing real flashes from Fraser Minten, we talk about the pipeline, and we ask the question every Bruins fan is asking: Are they EVER calling up Fabian Lysell or what?

We break down Bedard + Celly for Team Canada, World Juniors buzz, and the early chaos around the Winter Olympics roster battles — spots are shrinking the deeper we get into the season.

Then we talk enforcers in today’s NHL, why the “skilled scumbag” is becoming one of the most valuable archetypes, why fighting isn’t dying anytime soon, and what the future of physical play looks like.

Finally, we get into the advanced analytics vs. eye test debate. Moneyball works… but it isn’t gospel. There’s value in the numbers and in the vibes — and the truth is somewhere in between.

Hockey talk with purpose, personality, strong opinions, and the occasional cult of Steves. Stay gross.