Wed. Apr. 15: Best NHL teams in salary cap era | Nuggets vs. Timberwolves TV schedule | Nikola Jokić’s defense

In this episode of Hot Takes with Goodman and Haertl, the hosts dive into a spirited debate about the greatest NHL team in the salary cap era, centering on the Colorado Avalanche's 119-point regular season. They argue that despite multiple high-scoring teams in the cap era failing to reach the Stanley Cup final, the Avalanche’s 2022 championship win gives them a strong claim as the best team of that era—especially if they surpass 119 points and win the title again. The conversation expands into broader comparisons across sports, questioning whether dominance in a salary cap era is more impressive than in the pre-cap era due to financial constraints. The hosts also critique the NBA’s fragmented streaming model, highlighting how scheduling conflicts and platform fragmentation hurt fans, particularly in the Mountain Time Zone and for families with shared team loyalties. They express frustration over the lack of consideration for fan experience in favor of maximizing TV revenue. The episode closes with a nuanced discussion on Nikola Jokić’s defense, challenging the narrative that he’s a poor defender. Former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy’s endorsement of Jokić as a 'solid' and 'smart' defender is highlighted, with the hosts agreeing that while Jokić isn’t an elite rim protector, his defensive intelligence, positioning, and playmaking make him a functional and valuable asset, especially given his offensive dominance and the team’s overall defensive limitations.