We discuss MJF’s free agency, what it was like to be at the largest attended women’s pro hockey game of all time, and what the hell the Vikings will do this offseason.

Listen at Substack or on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Watch @minnesotafoulplaybyplay on YouTube.

The Bidding War of 2024

It’s 2024, and you know what that means…the bidding war of 2024 has begun. The best wrestling talent in the business over these last few months is officially a free agent. Former Ring of Honor Tag Team Champion, former AEW World Heavyweight Champion, and recent National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Maxwell Jacob Freidman, is a free agent.

• It’s been rumored MJF has already resigned with AEW, but in this business, it’s hard to determine what’s true and kayfabe. 
• AEW has produced some of its best shows of recent memory, thanks to the return of Minnesota’s own, Dante Martin, and the performances of luchadores like Komander and El Hijo del Vikingo.
• Tony Khan also made considerable investments in the women’s division, adding [SPOILER ALERT] former Impact Knockouts World Champion and Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Champion Deonna Purrazzo, as well as Stardom star Mariah May.
  • They might be the two best women’s wrestlers on the roster now, but [SPOILER ALERT] the Woman of 1,000 Holds, Serena Deeb, is also back. 
• The Jan. 5 broadcast of AEW Rampage enjoyed its largest viewership since Oct. 13, according to Wrestlenomics.

PWHL Minnesota Starts Home Schedule with a Hatty from Hometown Hero

Former University of Minnesota star and Minnesota native, Grace Zumwinkle, scored the first ever hat trick in PWHL history, Wednesday, as PWHL Minnesota shutout Montreal 3-0 to move to 2-0 on the season. She used to skate at Parade Ice Garden, where Anthony once again is driving Zamboni.

• The atmosphere was electric. PWHL Minnesota crushed the recent attendance record for a women’s pro hockey game of 8,000+ fans. There were 13,316 of us at Xcel Energy Center.
  • Anthony will be there all season long in row two on the shoot twice side in the corner on the side of the team benches
• The goaltending has been elite for Minnesota
  • Nicole Hensley had 33 saves on 35 chances in the first game of the season at Boston, a 3-2 win.
  • Maddie Rooney stopped all 24 shots on goal in the 3-0 win over Montreal, Wednesday.
  • The goaltender who carried the Whitecaps to the PHF Final last season, Amanda Leveille, is the third goalie on the roster.
    • She used to run goaltending clinics at Parade Ice Garden.
• Watch all games played by PWHL Minnesota for free at youtube.com/@thepwhlofficial
  • Bally Sports+ is also broadcasting games

Fleury Saves Season…and then Saves it Again

The Wild have lost three of four without Jonas Brodin, Kirill Kapirzov, and Filip Gustavson, but Marc-Andre Fleury made two amazing saves to save the season and help the Wild comeback against Columbus, Wednesday.

• Goaltending prospect Jasper Wallstedt was recalled to Minnesota from Iowa, which is indicative of the severity of Gustavson’s injury.
• Jared Spurgeon, Brodin, Kaprizov, and Marcus Foligno are all out for Minnesota against Dallas, Monday.
  • At least they won’t have to face Minnesota native, Jake Oettinger, in goal.

Timber! Wolves Falling Back to Earth

The Minnesota Timberwolves are starting to slip, and there’s a glaring need that’ll need to be addressed by the NBA Trade Deadline.

• The Wolves are struggling to defend in the backcourt against smaller, quicker lineups, or in the case of Luka Doncic, Sunday, elite ball handlers distributors, and scorers.
  • The weak link on the defensive end is, of course, Karl-Anthony Towns, which is why Anthony and his favorite cousin and NBA2K expert believe Towns to be a liability come playoff time.
  • They need a three-and-D guy who can create his own shot off the dribble. Relying on Anthony Edwards to create all the offense in the fourth quarter hasn’t been enough and won’t be in the playoffs.

What Should the Vikings Give Up to Get Michael Penix, Jr.?

Minnesota will have nine draft picks, including the 11th overall pick, and $37 million in cap space for 2024. But Justin Jefferson could get a lot of it…and so could Kirk Cousins. Could they make a move for Michael Penix, Jr. or an affordable veteran (or two), like Justin Fields? 

• Quarterback isn’t the only issue in Minnesota
  • Per Alec Lewis of The Athletic, the Vikings interior defensive line needs considerable help; they rank 27th in defensive success rate against the run.
• Danielle Hunter will be a free agent the Vikings’ can’t afford (career high 16.5 sacks), and replacing him will be impossible. Using a first round pick on a pass rusher for the first time since 2005 might be the best they can do, but there are depth problems at the position, too.
• Give up a second or third round pick for Fields!!! Rumor has it they are asking!!!
• Does the fact that Mike Tomlin just made the playoffs playing three quarterbacks throughout the season and he could have been our coach like two decades ago just make this Vikings’ season hurt more?