Photo credit: Sportsnet X

It appears as though 32 Thoughts the Podcast finally has its new co-host, as Elliotte Friedman has introduced Kyle Bukauskas as Jeff Marek’s replacement.

Fans were abuzz when Jeff Marek mysteriously vanished from ’32 Thoughts the Podcast’. Things got even crazier, however, when it was revealed that Marek had been let go by Sportsnet due to some possible allegations of insider trading.

Jeff Marek was let go after he was accused of leaking NHL draft picks before they had been announced. In a report by the Toronto Star, it is stated that Marek, during the 2024 NHL Draft, told his friend Mark Seidel, a scout, who the picks were before they were publicly made. That set off a series of correct predictions by Seidel on social media, setting off alarms about possible betting advantages. The NHL informed the Nevada Gaming Control Board of the incident, but no connection to gambling was found. Marek’s exit left a gaping hole in the world of hockey broadcasts.

Mark Seidel was then let go by the OHL’s Barrie Colts at the end of his contract, which led to further speculations that he and Jeff Marek definitely engaged in certain activities that haven’t been made known to the public, at least as of yet.

Fast forward a little over a month, and Sportsnet has finally spilled the beans on who’s stepping in as Elliotte Friedman’s new co-host: Kyle Bukauskas.

The first episode featuring Kyle Bukauskas and Elliotte Friedman is out tomorrow morning, and fans can’t wait to see this new pairing click. Of course, many went to social media to raise their concerns, as plenty still wanted Jeff Marek to return.

No one knows how the ratings of this new show are going to be, but if it’s any indication based on some of the recent comments, the network could be in trouble if fans refuse to listen.