The Big Show

The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss more big topics in the NHL and beyond. Here’s what former NHLer Drew Shore, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed: 1:00: Who are the top Stanley Cup contenders right now? 5:00: How many Canadian teams will make the playoffs? 10:50: What kind of player should the Toronto Maple Leafs target if they are going to make a trade? 15:00: Thoughts on Patrick Roy going off on Mikko Rantanen for boarding Alexander Romanov? What do you think of the hit? 19:25: Has Drew ever had a coach like Roy? 20:35: Will Jamie Benn hit 1,000 points by the end of the season? He’s currently at 956. 25:15: Will the Art Ross Trophy go to Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Macklin Celebrini or Connor Bedard? 30:15: Who’s your pick for the Hart Trophy a quarter of the way through the season? 31:40: Vezina Trophy? 34:00: Norris Trophy? 36:00: Jack Adams Award? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here for a new week of discussing big topics in the NHL and beyond. Here’s what Ryan Kennedy, former NHL goaltender Devan Dubnyk and Michael Traikos discussed: 0:36: The Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers had a bench-clearing scrum after the final buzzer when Mason Appleton shot the puck in the net. Was he out of line? 4:00: Jack Hughes will be out eight weeks after undergoing surgery on his finger for an injury he suffered at a team dinner on Thursday night. How does this affect his likelihood of making USA’s Olympic roster? 6:03: Should Hughes play center or on the wing on Team USA? 7:50: Jim Rutherford said if the Vancouver Canucks can stay the course and keep getting younger players, they can become a consistent playoff team, and Quinn Hughes’ future won’t affect that. Agree or disagree? 11:21: Would this be a good trade between the New Jersey Devils and Canucks: Dougie Hamilton and a couple of first-round draft picks for Quinn Hughes? 14:56: Will Troy Stecher at least move the needle for the Toronto Maple Leafs' defensive problems? 18:25: The Los Angeles Kings and Adrian Kempe agreed to an eight-year extension at $10.625 million annually. Thoughts on this deal for the Kings? 21:17: Devan Dubnyk shares his thoughts on Jesper Wallstedt and his development so far? 23:38: Can the Minnesota Wild be a threat in the playoffs or make the playoffs? 25:26: Stuart Skinner moved ahead of Cam Talbot for fifth on the Oilers' all-time wins list. Does this change how we think about Skinner? 28:48: What's a storyline in the CHL you think more people should know about right now? 31:05: What's an unusual off-ice injury you can think of? 33:16: Which NHL player had the best week on the ice? 34:41: Red Wings and Rangers both wore their Centennial uniforms, making it a red-versus-blue matchup. Do you like how the jersey matchup looked on the ice? 37:00: Charlie McAvoy took a slapshot to the mouth in a game against the Habs. Where’s the worst place a puck has hit you? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss more big topics in the NHL and beyond. Here’s what Gary Pearson, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed: 2:00: There is now a three-way tie for the top of the Atlantic Division between the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators. Which team(s) will stay in the top three? 5:55: Toronto's winless streak has stretched to four games after Thursday's overtime loss against Los Angeles. How concerned are you about them? 8:50: Who will be the player to drag this team out of the slump? 10:41: After a poor start, the Los Angeles Kings are now second in the Pacific. Are the Kings looking legit again? 13:20: Are these Kings a better team than last season? 16:27: New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec is now up to 12 points in 17 games after a hat trick against Chicago. Is the 21-year-old finally coming into his own after going second overall in the 2022 draft? 21:08: Trade rumors continue to swirl for the Blues, with Jordan Kyrou and Brayden Schenn's names being at the forefront. Who, if either, is more likely to be traded for the Blues? 25:31: Jack Roslovic has points in eight of his last 10 games. Should any teams be kicking themselves for not signing him? 31:00: BetMGM Playbook: The Sabres are the worst team in enemy rinks, sporting a .200 point percentage. How could at least a few wins on the road help them out? 32:45: Can any of the other teams at the bottom, like the Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks and Calgary Flames, overtake the Sabers for last in the league? 36:55: Name a player that's thriving on their new team this season. 38:09: The NHL Global Series is taking place this weekend in Sweden between the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins. What country do you want to see it being held in next? 41:08: In four games since shaving his head, Artemi Panarin has three goals, six assists and nine points. Should he just stay bald at his point? 43:25: What quote from this week caught your eye? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss more big topics in the NHL and beyond. Here’s what Drew Shore, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed: 01:05: Does the NHL have a Nikita Zadorov problem after Auston Matthews hit? 04:40: Whose injuries will impact the team more: the Toronto Maple or Vancouver Canucks? 07:30: What contributes to rookies staying in the NHL or going back to junior? 12:30: Is it more beneficial to remain with an NHL team without bouncing back and forth between leagues? 14:20: Who's more of a Stanley Cup contender: the New Jersey Devils or Anaheim Ducks? 19:30: How concerned should Team Canada be about Brayden Point's start? 22:15: What did Drew do when he got into a slump? 24:10: How much change do you think there will be from Team Canada's 4 Nations team and the Olympic team? 28:15: What would you like to see next year when NHL All-Star Weekend returns? 31:00: What was your favorite moment from the Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony? 33:15: Who gets traded first: Ryan O’Reilly or Nazem Kadri 36:00: Who will win the “hockey Cy Young,” a.k.a. the player with the most goals and fewest assists? 37:15: Who is on more of a hot seat: Craig Berube or Kris Knoblauch? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss more big topics in the NHL and beyond. Here’s what Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos and Ken Campbell discussed in this episode: 0:40: What's wrong with the Edmonton Oilers, and what can be done to fix it? 3:52: Are the Oilers really missing Corey Perry right now? 5:55: Do the Toronto Maple Leafs have a goaltending problem or does most of their struggles fall on the defense? 9:18: How do you think Joseph Woll’s return will affect Anthony Stolarz’s performance? 11:18: Did people get concerned about Connor Bedard too early? 16:48: How important is Year 3 in a career for Bedard and NHL players in general? 18:37: Name a player you think has jumped into the superstar category this season. 22:30: Hockey Hall of Fame talk: where does Zdeno Chara rank all-time among NHL defensemen? Is he up there with Bobby Orr and Nicklas Lidstrom? 28:50: Boston University icon Jack Parker coached the Terriers for 40 years, even when he had NHL offers. With how often NHL coaches get fired, did he have it right? 32:36: Could we see David Carle as an NHL coach in a couple of years? 34:00: Ken Campbell spent some time in Czechia recently and interviewed Dominik Hasek. He discusses that and whether Prague is still incredibly underrated as a city. 38:54: Who will get inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame next year? Candidates include Carey Price, Ryan Getzlaf, Patrice Bergeron, Phil Kessel and Eric Staal? 43:04: Should the NHL retire Alexander Ovechkin's number? 43:58: Who's your Hart Trophy front-runner? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss more big topics in the NHL and beyond. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 0:36: Only six points separate first place and last place in the Eastern Conference. In the West, there are six different teams within three points of the second wild-card position. Is this the tightest NHL standings you've seen at this stage of the season in years? 4:05: Of the breakout teams appearing near the top of the standings, which one do you "believe in" the most to be there (in the playoffs) at the end of the season? 8:16: One month into the season, which coach or GM is on the hot seat? 12:50: What did you see out of the Calgary Flames last year when they almost made the playoffs? 14:45: The Utah Mammoth reportedly were interested in trading Nick Schmaltz in the summer, but with the hot start he's having, should they make signing the pending UFA sooner than later a top priority? 19:39: Joe Thornton, Duncan Keith and Alex Mogilny are among the people being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame this weekend. What are some of the best stories about one of the inductees? 24:14: Gary Pearson joins us for the BetMGM playbook. If the Penguins' goaltending duo of Tristan Jarry and Arturs Silovs can sustain their elite play, could that improve their playoff odds? 26:39: The Ottawa Senators sit at -120 odds to make it into the playoffs. Will they be able to put themselves in a good-enough spot until Brady Tkachuk returns from injury? 28:50: The New York Rangers are at +150 to make it into the playoffs, yet they sit tied for last in the Eastern Conference. What has to change for those odds to make more sense? 30:44: Can the return of Patrick Kane help the Red Wings reinforce their +150 odds to make the playoffs? 34:48: Now that Mogilny is finally being inducted, who is the next "player that is long overdue" to get into the Hockey Hall of Fame? 37:59: Who is the biggest bargain off-season signing so far? 39:50: Could this be the last season we see the Crosby-versus-Ovechkin rivalry? 43:51: Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (who infamously stuffed Ovechkin’s 900th-goal puck in his pants and got caught) said he had the full intention to give it back to him. Do we believe him? 45:13: Following meetings at the NHL offices in NYC between the CHL, Hockey Canada, the USHL and USA Hockey, it's rumored the USHL could possibly be making the move to join the CHL umbrella. Ryan - what have you heard? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss more big topics in the NHL and beyond. Here’s what former NHLer Drew Shore, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 01:00: Do the New York Islanders need an enforcer to protect Matthew Schaefer? 04:30: Is there a difference when a team has a designated enforcer? 07:20: The Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild game had a bizarre ending when Marcus Johansson was awarded the overtime-winner for shooting the puck over the goal line after the netminder knocked the net off. Thoughts? 09:40: Are the Pacific-leading Anaheim Ducks for real? 17:00: What do you think about the Leafs' nuclear duo of Auston Matthews and William Nylander? 23:40: How big is it for the Winnipeg Jets to get back Adam Lowry? 25:36: Are we underestimating the Jets? 27:36: Is Macklin Celebrini a legit Art Ross Trophy candidate? 31:49: Who's your pick for the Calder Trophy so far? 33:54: How many points will Nikolaj Ehlers get after scoring his first goal with the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday? 36:54: Yay or nay: an outdoor NHL game at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys? 39:36: What’s your favorite story about Jordin Tootoo, who’s the subject of a new documentary about his life on and off the ice? 41:14: What’s the craziest story you've heard about a player's fitness or diet? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s time to kick off a new week with more big NHL and hockey topics on The Hockey News Big Show. Here’s what former NHL goaltender Devan Dubnyk, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 0:41: What's more heartbreaking: the Oilers' Game 7 loss, or the Blue Jays' Game 7 loss? 2:35: Is this just a hot start to the season for the Pittsburgh Penguins, or can they sustain this? 4:25: What is contributing more to the Penguins' success: the goaltending or the scoring? 6:24: Who can step up to fill in Chris Tanev's spot if he's gone for an extended period of time? 9:15: Is losing a defensive defenseman like Tanev worse than losing an offensive defenseman? 10:33: How much should Ottawa Senators fans be concerned about Linus Ullmark's play? 12:55: Is Ullmark likely to turn things around quickly based on what you've seen from him in the past? 14:50: What kind of trade value does Edmonton Oilers D-man Troy Stecher hold on the market? 16:30: Is there a hole the Oilers are trying to fill in their lineup? 18:50: The New Jersey Devils agreed to terms on a two-year contract worth $6 million annually with Jacob Markstrom. Thoughts on this deal? 20:40: Who is the starter for New Jersey if the playoffs were to start today? 23:08: What goes into being a good backup goalie on and off the ice? 25:48: The Montreal Canadiens are the first team in NHL history to win five of their first 12 games in overtime. Does it matter if they're going to overtime often if they continue to win? 28:34: What is making Montreal so good in overtime? 30:10: Are you starting to come around on whether the Habs are real contenders? 34:00: Yay or nay: wearing dark helmets with white uniforms, as the Senators and Capitals did over the weekend? 35:20: Free-agent goaltender Ilya Samsonov signed in the KHL. Will he ever return to the NHL? 37:30: Name one player you think is on a hot streak right now and one player who is on a cold streak. 40:40: Has Father Time finally come for Alex Ovechkin? 42:40: How much Halloween candy did you eat over the weekend? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Halloween, hockey fans. It’s time to discuss more big NHL and hockey topics ahead of the weekend on The Hockey News Big Show. Here’s what former NHL player Drew Shore, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 00:40: Were the New York Islanders justified in making Mathew Barzal a healthy scratch for arriving late to the bus? 04:15: What is Tyler Seguin's legacy after his 1,000th game? 08:30: Is Nikita Kucherov a top-three player in the NHL? 14:00: Jonathan Toews faced off against Chicago for the first time. Is he the greatest Blackhawks player ever? 19:00: What exactly is “putting money on the board” when a player or coach faces their former team? 22:30: Who are some players who left the NCAA to go back to the CHL? 26:40: Why might players make the jump from the CHL to NCAA or vice-versa? 30:00: Which new NHL coach do you think is the best fit so far? 34:25: BetMGM playbook: Gary Pearson joins Michael and Ryan to discuss the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2025-26 Stanley Cup odds, predictions and best bets. Are the Leafs still considered a Cup favorite without Mitch Marner? 46:50: After the Anaheim Ducks freaked out their players with a Halloween prank, how do you feel about haunted houses? 50:00: Will Martin Necas get over or under 89.5 points? 51:20: What’s the best Halloween candy? 52:30: Best Halloween costume you've had 54:00: Blue Jays Game 6 prediction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s time to discuss more big NHL and hockey topics on The Hockey News Big Show. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 0:54: Reacting to the Utah Mammoth signing forward Logan Cooley to an eight-year contract extension at $10 million annually 6:25: With the NHL Frozen Frenzy taking place Tuesday, what matchup stood out to you the most and why? 10:04 Of all the East-West matchups we saw last night, which one could possibly be a Stanley Cup final? 13:56: The Edmonton Oilers got one of their best wins of the season and some much-needed scoring in their 6-3 victory over the red-hot Mammoth. Could this game serve as a turning point for what's been a pretty slow start to the Oilers' season? 17:30: Connor Bedard scored his first-career hat trick with the Blackhawks. Are we seeing something different from the Blackhawks so far this season that suggests their rebuild is taking some positive steps forward? 19:20: With a strong personal start to this season for Bedard, what does it mean to him? 22:51: Dallas got a big deal done, signing Thomas Harley to an eight-year contract extension at $10.5 million annually. Thoughts on the deal? 27:29: With the rising salary cap, will we see more players sign larger contracts than the top players on the team? 32:17: The Utah Mammoth’s hot start has them in the conversation of upgrading before the trade deadline. We've heard the rumors of Montreal looking for a center, and Carolina is always looking to add a star after their last few attempts fell short. Which teams do you have your eye on, and what should they be looking for? 32:17: Yes or No: Cole Caufield has played himself onto Team USA for the Olympics? If yes, who is he bumping out? 36:09: Which pending free agent for this summer has had the most impressive start to the season: Nick Schmaltz, Adrian Kempe, Shane Pinto or Evgeni Malkin? 38:20: John Tavares is still sitting at 499 goals. Does he get 500 tonight versus Columbus? 40:55: Who's to blame for the Leafs' middling start: the GM, the coach or the new guys? 44:11: Who will win Game 5 between the Blues Jays and Dodgers? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former NHL goaltender Devan Dubnyk is back on the Monday edition of The Hockey News Big Show. Here’s what former Dubnyk, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 0:41: What will be key for the New Jersey Devils to continue like this as the season goes on? 3:34: What do you make of how the Devils are built, and can they sustain this style win in the playoffs? 6:50: So much for the sophomore slump: Macklin Celebrini is third in NHL scoring after finishing with 63 points last year. Will he have a better sophomore season than McDavid (100 points) or Crosby (120 points)? 11:26: The Minnesota Wild have lost six of their last seven games. Can they turn it around? 14:16: Are we starting to see signs that Minnesota is too top-heavy and doesn't have enough depth? 17:23: In the upcoming off-season, Laine will be a UFA. Will Montreal want to bring him back? If not, which other team would want him? 22:11: What was it like for Dubnyk to face Laine? 24:21: Could the return of Joseph Woll be the spark the Maple Leafs are looking for? 26:25: Should Anthony Stolarz and Woll still be in a 1A, 1B tandem situation for the Leafs? 29:11: How important is it to a goalie's confidence level to have a strong first outing? Is there an advantage to teams being unfamiliar with a new netminder? 33:44: Sam Montembeault has an .842 save percentage after five games. How can the team help a goalie rebound from a slump? How can Montembeault help himself? 36:20: Is it a good idea to play a struggling goaltender against a non-playoff team to rebuild confidence? 38:06: Evgeni Malkin: over/under 70 points? He's currently at 14 in nine games. 39:33: Yay or nay: Linus Ullmark skates across the ice to join a scrum in the Senators and Capitals game 43:50: Who would be your two goalies for Canada's Olympic men's team right now? 46:42: The Raptors, Leafs, Argos and TFC have all changed their logos to support the Jays in the World Series. Is it a bad thing if teams don't root for the other teams in their market? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode of The Hockey News Big Show features a special guest, Nate Ewell, the former media relations manager for the Washington Capitals. He was around when the Capitals drafted Alex Ovechkin and changed the atmosphere and mindset about the team. Here’s what Nate Ewell, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 01:10: Nate shares some stories about Ovechkin in his early days as an NHLer. 04:50: When did Sidney Crosby and Ovechkin become friendlier toward each other? 06:50: How much pressure did Ovechkin put on himself to win the Cup after watching Crosby win again and again? 10:30: At what point do the Tampa Bay Lightning press the panic button? 15:40: Does Matthew Schaefer need serious looks for Canada's Olympic team? 20:00: What does the latest boom in college hockey mean for the sport? 25:30: How hard is it to build a college hockey program? 27:00: Are the Utah Mammoth a playoff team? 30:30: What is Macklin Celebrini's ceiling for this season? 35:30: What’s your favorite restaurant in Las Vegas? 38:00: The Milwaukee Admirals will be trotting out a special jersey with a skating refrigerator mascot on the front. Yay or nay? 39:00: Over/Under: 30 goals for Ovechkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is back to discuss some hot topics across the NHL and beyond. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 0:57: Thoughts on what Tuesday’s Devils and Leafs game showed (good or bad) for both teams? 7:15: Mitch Marner's off to a solid start in Vegas, with 10 points in seven games and a four-game multi-point streak. Will he be more dangerous in Vegas than in Toronto? 10:38: How much will it cost the Avalanche to keep Martin Necas? Mikko Rantanen got $12 million. How much would Necas get on the open market? 15:22: No. 1 picks Matthew Schaefer and Macklin Celebrini go head-to-head for the first time in their young careers. Which player will have the greatest long-term impact? 19:21: Lane Hutson, Thatcher Demko and Brock Boeser were added to Team USA's preliminary roster last week after not being invited to the two-day orientation camp in August. Of the three, who has the best chance of actually making the Olympic team? 22:45: Goalies often take longer to develop, but could Spencer Knight be the next big-time starter that Chicago desperately needs? 24:50: Do you think teams are picking goalies less in the top round of the draft? 30:05: Which division do you think will be the first one to experience a changing of the guard at the top? 35:28: Sidney Crosby officially passed Mario Lemieux for the most regular-season and playoff points in Penguins history. Who is the greatest Penguin of all-time: Crosby or Lemieux? 39:35: The Hurricanes and Avalanche will wear Whalers and Nordiques uniforms. Is this one of the best jersey matchups of all-time? 41:49: The NHL reportedly cancelled the "Olympic sendoff event" at UBS Arena. The Islanders and UBS Arena will now host the traditional All-Star Game and skills competition in February 2027. Yay or Nay to this decision by the NHL? 43:50: Predicting the World Series between the Blue Jays and the Dodgers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show kicks off the week by discussing some hot topics across the NHL and beyond. Here’s what former NHL goalie Devan Dubnyk, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 0:52: Vegas, Seattle, Colorado, Carolina are all undefeated in regulation. Which team looks like the biggest threat? 5:20: After starting the season 5-1-0, are the Detroit Red Wings for real? What's been different so far this season? 11:45: Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola left Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres with an upper-body injury. How many more injuries can Florida take? Who on the team needs to step up? 16:00: Anthony Stolarz spoke out in the post-game scrum following the Maple Leafs overtime loss to the Seattle Kraken. How did Dubnyk feel as a goaltender on Storlarz’s comments? 22:09: The Sharks and Flames sit at the bottom of the NHL tied with just two points. Which team could turn it around? 23:40: Have teams figured out Flames goalie Dustin Wolf? 27:01: Matthew Schaefer is the youngest player in NHL history to start his career with a five-game point streak. Did we think this was the kind start he would have to his rookie season? 30:27: Will Schaefer join Team Canada at the world juniors? 32:49: Montreal Canadiens goalie Samuel Montembault revealed he not only knows what hand every player shoots with — but also the color of their stick tape. Is this normal? What other quirky things do goalies have to notice to help give them an edge? 36:26: Yay or Nay: Marchand's $5,000 fine for ripping apart Dahlin's helmet 38:46: Clean or Dirty: Tom Wilson's hit on Filip Chytil 41:45: Would you rather: a clear-cut starter and backup, or a 50/50 tandem in net? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here on Friday to dive into significant topics across the NHL and beyond. Here’s what former NHL player Drew Shore, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 00:40: Reacting to Carter Hart joining the Vegas Golden Knights organization on a tryout 03:30: How much of an impact will the layoff be for Hart? 06:20: Are you worried about the Minnesota Wild's offense? 08:30: Are there any concerns that Connor McDavid has yet to score? 11:00: Can Scott Wedgewood become the No. 1 goalie for the Colorado Avalanche? 16:40: The NHL announced a media partnership to broadcast games in Australia. How else can the NHL expand its presence internationally? 21:30: How much talk is there about players in Europe who make an NHL team? How much do European 22:20: How many points will Connor Bedard get this season? 25:00: Do the Chicago Blackhawks need to go after Artemi Panarin? 28:00: Revisiting the Dylan Cozens-Josh Norris trade from last season between the Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres 33:30: Who had the better overtime goal this week: Auston Matthews or Cole Caulfield? 35:40: How concerned are you about Evan Bouchard's defensive play for the Oilers? 38:30: Will next summer's off-season be a snooze fest? 40:40: Who are you most impressed with and disappointed with so far? 43:00: Can the Ottawa Senators make the playoffs despite Brady Tkachuk's injury? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss the big topics in the NHL and elsewhere. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 0:43: Is it time to start worrying about the Toronto Maple Leafs' top six forwards needing help? 4:45: Thoughts on Easton Cowan’s start to his NHL career? 7:36: How concerning is it that Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk is hurt again? 10:09: Which team with a "bad" start will turn it around first? 12:55: Are Kevyn Adams' days numbered as Buffalo Sabres GM? Can any GM fix the Sabres? 18:00: The New York Rangers surpassed the 2001-02 Pittsburgh Penguins for the longest season-opening streak without a goal on home ice. Is this just an unlucky home start – or is something bigger wrong with the Rangers? 21:19: Which team or player with a "good" start will fall apart first? 24:24: Which team has had the most surprising start? 28:04: Could this be the year we see the Seattle Kraken find their identity? 29:29: Will Cam Talbot be the Detroit Red Wings' bona fide starter by the end of the month? 33:05: Yes or no: after 6-foot-9 forward Curtis Douglas fought Kurtis MacDermid in his first NHL shift last week, is the enforcer role trying to have a resurgence? 36:37: Yes or no: Nashville scratches rookie and Ontario kid Brady Martin against Toronto – Andrew Brunette says it was all part of the plan, but should they have sat him against a different team? 39:30: Minnesota Wild rookie Zeev Buium went 12th overall in the 2023 draft. Should he have been drafted higher? 41:25: The Anaheim Ducks gave away some sick old-school Duck masks at their home opener – is this one of the best giveaways ever? 42:34: Will the Toronto Blue Jays get a win tonight against the Mariners? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show breaks down the opening week of the NHL season so far and more big storylines. Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and former pro player Drew Shore discussed in this episode: 01:20: What are reasonable expectations for Matthew Schaefer after his NHL debut? 04:50: How many points will Schaefer end up with? 06:30: Are the Pittsburgh Penguins being underestimated? 07:40: Thoughts on Jonathan Toews' debut with the Winnipeg Jets? 11:00: Are the Boston Bruins back to being a competitive team? 13:00: Did the Toronto Maple Leafs make a mistake letting go of Fraser Minten? 14:30: How much should the Detroit Red Wings worry about the goalie situation after Thursday’s 5-1 loss? 17:00: What have you liked about the start of Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights? 20:20: How much will Pavel Dorofeyev benefit from the new-look Golden Knights? 21:40: Is Nathan MacKinnon the favorite for the Hart Trophy? 24:00: Will the Maple Leafs benefit more from depth scoring this year? 26:00: How much will having Brandon Carlo for a full season benefit Morgan Rielly? 27:15: Who are the early favorites for the Jack Adams Award? 31:30: Which pending free agent will have extension questions hanging around them throughout the season? 36:20: What team are you most interested in watching after seeing their start to the season? 39:00: Who’s the biggest sleeper team early in the season? 41:00: Which player will make the biggest jump this season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show breaks down the opening day of the NHL season and more big storylines. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 01:05: Chicago Blackhawks @ Florida Panthers reaction 03:15: New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins reaction 06:55: Colorado Avalanche @ Los Angeles Kings reaction 10:50: Who were surprising names on the NHL’s opening day rosters? 14:00: Which youngster who made an opening day roster could make a big impact? 17:40: What are the expectations for Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan, who was called up? 21:00: The Maple Leafs claimed Sammy Blais and Cayden Primeau off waivers. Yay or nay? 22:10: Reacting to Alex Pietrangelo being on season-ending long-term injured reserve 24:30: Thoughts on Kyle Connor’s eight-year contract extension with the Winnipeg Jets? 27:45: Who’s the most interesting player left in contract extension talks? 32:50: How much pressure does Connor McDavid's contract put on other star players to leave money on the table to try and win? 37:40: Thoughts on Mattias Ekholm’s three-year contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers? 39:50: Stanley Cup predictions 43:00: Is Sidney Crosby the greatest captain of all-time? 45:20: Thoughts on the Boston Bruins going captainless to start the season? 46:50: Reacting to the Los Angeles Kings’ new third jerseys 48:30: Is Gavin McKenna already the real deal in the NCAA? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here with former longtime NHL goalie Devan Dubnyk to preview the 2025-26 NHL season for each team in the Pacific Division. But first, they have big news to discuss on the contract front. Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Devan Dubnyk discussed in this episode: 0:59: Connor McDavid signed a two-year contract extension with the Oilers worth $12.5 million annually. Thoughts? 5:19: What must happen in Edmonton for McDavid to sign a long-term contract after that? 7:30: The Oilers also re-signed Jake Walman for seven years at $7 million annually. Do we like this deal? 8:56: What are some other expectations for the Oilers? 11:40: Where do you slot the Vegas Golden Knights into the Pacific Division? 14:43: With an aging roster, what do we make of the Los Angeles Kings? Is this their last hurrah? 19:20: Was last year an anomaly for the Vancouver Canucks? Can they make a real push for a wild-card spot? 22:15: What will Dustin Wolf's season look like with the Calgary Flames? Will it become harder for him this year? 24:48: Is there any reason to believe the Flames wouldn’t be in a race for a playoff spot? 27:15: In Anaheim, will we see Ducks forwards Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Mason McTavish reach the next stage of their evolution? 30:00: The San Jose Sharks finished last in the last two years, but they had some positive vibes last year with Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and other youngsters in the lineup. Should the outlook be as positive if they finish last again? 35:00: Ryan went to Mullett Arena for Gavin McKenna’s Penn State debut, and he shares what he saw. 38:11: Should the Seattle Kraken blow it up and go for Gavin McKenna, or is a shot at a playoff berth more important for the market? 41:17: Which rookies will stay for just nine games, and who will be there all year in the Pacific Division? 45:00: Which team and player are under the most pressure this season? 46:30: Name one player who is pretty significant to his team who could be traded before Thanksgiving. 48:16: John Tortorella returns to ESPN as an analyst: favorite ‘Torts’ moment? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is back to discuss the NHL pre-season and preview the campaign ahead. Stay tuned for Friday’s episode of The Wraparound, which will preview each team in the Pacific and Metropolitan Divisions Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 00:50: Reacting to Kirill Kaprizov signing an eight-year, $136-million contract with the Minnesota Wild 04:20: The New Jersey Devils signed Luke Hughes to a seven-year deal with a $9-million cap hit. 07:00: What does Aleksander Barkov’s injury do to the Florida Panthers’ three-peat hopes? 10:50: What are the Toronto Maple Leafs’ expectations in their first season since losing Mitch Marner and Brendan Shanahan? 14:45: How long can the Tampa Bay Lightning remain a legit Stanley Cup contender? 17:10: What has to happen for the Ottawa Senators to jump from fringe playoff team to legit contender? 20:40: What do the Montreal Canadiens need to break through and make noise in the Atlantic Division race and the playoffs? 23:00: What's more likely in Detroit: the Red Wings break through and make a playoff run or more of the same and we see drastic moves? 26:10: After losing another young player, JJ Peterka, what are the general expectations for the Buffalo Sabres? 28:20: Do the Boston Bruins have what it takes to get back to the playoffs, or is this a team with an impending rebuild? 31:15: Do the Winnipeg Jets need to trust the process and hope to break through, or are there changes that need to be made? 33:30: What do the Dallas Stars need to do to get through the Western Conference final? 35:20: Are the Colorado Avalanche still legit Stanley Cup contenders going into their first full year post-Mikko Rantanen? 37:40: What other moves do the Minnesota Wild need to make to move into a more competitive position after securing Kaprizov? 39:50: What are the expectations for the St. Louis Blues going into the first full season with Jim Montgomery? 41:00: What are realistic expectations for the Utah Mammoth going into Year 2? 42:10: What are the expectations for the Nashville Predators, given the age of some of their players? 44:00: What has to happen in Chicago for Connor Bedard to reach his full potential? 45:40: Which NHL rookies will stay for just nine games into the regular season, and which rookies will be around for longer? 46:45: Who are the top five Stanley Cup contenders from the Atlantic and Central Divisions? 47:30: How many points will Gavin McKenna record this season at Penn State? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is back to discuss the NHL pre-season and preview the campaign ahead. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 01:00: Can William Nylander take a jump and join the 50-goal club? 04:30: Thoughts on Joseph Woll's leave of absence from the Toronto Maple Leafs 07:00: What player has a lot to prove in the pre-season? 10:15: Who can jump into the superstar category this season? 14:40: Which playoff team has the worst depth at forward? 17:40: Which playoff team has the worst defensive depth? 20:50: What team should be on trade watch early in the season? 24:40: What team needs a big season from their goaltender? 28:10: Which team is on fire sale watch early in the season? 35:20: Which division has the best prospects? 40:00: Fighting during the pre-season: yay or nay? 42:00: Predicting the first coach fired 43:00: Reacting to Nikita Zadorov’s Irish exit goal celebration Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show discusses pressing NHL topics as training camps kick off. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 01:30: What is Kirill Kaprizov looking for since he reportedly turned down a contract offer from the Minnesota Wild? 05:15: What teams could potentially trade for Kaprizov if the WIld think they can’t re-sign him? 08:20: Is J.T. Miller the right choice as captain of the New York Rangers? 12:00: Will any team sign Carter Hart? 15:00: Which player missing the start of the season is the biggest blow to their team? 18:50: Who will take the Toronto Maple Leafs’ first-line right winger role? 21:20: What other players should the Maple Leafs target? 23:40: What is Leafs prospect Easton Cowan’s ceiling? 28:15: What are the expectations for Alex Ovechkin as he turns 40 this season? 31:30: What’s the most intriguing team going into training camp? 34:50: Which captain-less team will name a captain first, and who will it be? 37:20: Which opening-day matchup are you most excited to watch? 38:50: What’s your favorite outdoor venue? What stadium would you like to see host an NHL specialty game? 42:00: What’s your favorite example of a player ending their career by returning to their longtime squad? 43:20: If the NHL changed the playoff format so more teams would make it, would Buffalo make the cut? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show discusses some of the biggest topics going on in the NHL and beyond right now, with Ryan Kennedy reporting from the player media tour in Las Vegas. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 1:20: What is Quinn Hughes saying about Jack Hughes mentioning he wants to play with his older brother? 6:50: What did Ryan hear from Sidney Crosby? Are there any potential trade destinations if Crosby does eventually decide to look elsewhere? 12:00: What was Crosby saying about Macklin Celebrini? What is Celebrini’s potential to get on the Olympic team? 14:00: How much does Celebrini going to the World Championship affect his chances of making the Olympic squad? 16:05: Victor Hedman gave a cheeky quote about the Florida Panthers at the tour. What are the chances the Tampa Bay Lightning upset the Panthers this year? 20:00: Linus Ullmark called for video review from the goaltender’s view regarding goalie interference. Do you agree or disagree? 24:00: What can the Nashville Predators do to bounce back this season? 27:20: Do we like Cale Makar's idea for a new defensive award? 30:30: NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly gave updates on the new CBA. 35:40: What’s your favorite NHL player media tour interview of all-time? 38:10: Is Dustin Wolf’s new seven-year contract extension a boom or a bust? 40:30: Aleksander Barkov and tennis star Bianca Andreescu are part-owners of a pro pickleball team. What other athlete duos would you like to see co-own a sports team? 42:25: Thoughts on the CHL not issuing passes to college hockey coaches to get into buildings? 43:35: Glow in the dark jerseys: yay or nay? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show once again brought on longtime NHL netminder Devan Dubnyk, founder of Dubnyk Development. Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Dubnyk discussed in this episode: 01:00: Why hasn't RFA Luke Hughes signed yet? 05:30: How much does the threat of losing both Hughes brothers affect the New Jersey Devils? 06:50: How likely is it that RFA Mason McTavish plays somewhere other than the Anaheim Ducks? 09:00: How much of a rush is Anaheim in to re-sign McTavish? 11:20: What should we expect from Jonathan Toews in his return year? 14:20: What will the health situation look like for Toews? 16:20: Who is affected the most after the NHL fixed the playoff LTIR loophole? 20:30: How much did that cap loophole bother you? 22:30: What are your thoughts on the end of the NHL dress code? 25:20: Which guys will make the most of the end of the dress code? 27:20: Dubnyk discusses the latest news on Mitch Marner’s exit from Toronto 29:20: What’s it like playing in a big market when things are not going well? 34:30: Zach Parise is one of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 inductees 38:40: Who will sign an extension first: Connor McDavid or Kirill Kaprizov? 39:45: What is your favorite summer activity to do during the off-season? 42:50: NHL rookie tournaments: yay or nay? 44:50 How cool is it to see a non-traditional country winning in international hockey? 46:30 What team do you associate Jaromir Jagr with the most, besides the Pittsburgh Penguins? 47:45: Who’s the best backup goalie in the NHL? Watch the full Episode here Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to discuss more big NHL and hockey topics on The Big Show. Here's what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Drew Shore discussed in this episode: 0:00: Is it only a matter of time before Connor McDavid re-signs in Edmonton? 08:50: Who will be the biggest star in the NHL 10 years from now? 12:20: Which NHL team has the best in-arena experience? 17:15: Which second-year coach is on the hot seat? 21:45: Which newly hired coach will have the most success? 28:30: Will Alex Ovechkin break Gordie Howe's age-40 goals record? 29:50: Will the Washington Capitals be able to replicate their success from last season? 33:00: Which of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ biggest assets is most likely to be dealt? 36:50: Which throwback jersey would you most want to see return? 37:45: Which player do you expect to fall off this upcoming season? 38:50: Who is one player not enough people are hyping up going into next season? 41:00: Should the NHL start the season earlier or end the season earlier when it goes to 84 games? 42:30: Picking Team Canada’s 13th forward for the 2026 Olympics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show has a special guest on this summer episode: longtime NHL netminder Devan Dubnyk, who launched Dubnyk Development. Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Dubnyk discussed in this episode: 1:19: Why did Dubnyk start Dubnyk Development? 6:12: Looking back, what are some of the most important bench marks in your career getting to the NHL ? 17:38: How important was Sean Burke (and the role of a "mentor") for Dubnyk midway through his career, when confidence may have been waning? 23:17: Why is the mental side to being a goalie more difficult than the mental side of other positions? 25:49: Which goalies in the NHL does he admire for their ability to process the highs/lows and stay consistent? 29:38: Thoughts on Stuart Skinner and the fact that Edmonton change the goaltending in the off-season? 37:30: How much time did Dubnyk spend on puckhandling during his playing days? 41:44: Which goalie do you want in a do-or-die Game 7? 44:21: Favorite goalie mask? 47:04: Who’s your favorite or the best goalie of all-time? 49:00: Who will win the Vezina Trophy this year? 50:18: Dustin Wolf or Joseph Woll: who would you pick to start a franchise? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show breaks down recent NHL and hockey news as well as some other big topics as the off-season continues. Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Drew Shore discussed in this episode: 00:57: Rating Happy Gilmore 2 3:40: Aug. 13 was supposed to be Johnny Gaudreau's 32nd birthday. What was Drew Shore’s favorite memory of him? 8:30: The Montreal Canadiens made arguably the biggest splash of the summer. What do you make of their off-season? 10:38: What is the challenge for Montreal being in the Atlantic Division? 12:22: The Florida Panthers re-signed all their big free agents. Nate Schmidt left, but Jeff Petry filled his spot. Are they better, worse or the same as last year? 18:58: What qualifies a player as a rat or a pest in the NHL nowadays? 21:25: Who is the best pest in the NHL today? 23:39: Did Drew Shore have any run-ins with pests during his career? 24:31: What are the rats like off the ice? 25:31: Who will be the next rat in the NHL? 26:46: Has there ever been a player like Brad Marchand who broke into the NHL and was a depth player for a long time before turning into a star? 28:27: Why does Team USA not send the USA Hockey National Team Development Program players to the Hlinka Gretzky Cup ? 30:27: How do scouts guess if a kid will grow in height? 34:07: Gerard Gallant's was introduced as KHL Shanghai’s newest coach in a Mortal Kombat style of video. Yay or nay? 37:13: EA Sports' NHL 26 "X-Factors" were revamped. Which NHL player best matches each one? We start with Quick Release: get shots off lightning quick with an extra-fast shot release. 37:48: Elite Edges: Shake off opponents with explosive edge work with increased acceleration and agility. 38:28: One T: Become the ultimate threat with increased one-timer shot power and accuracy. 39:04: Backhand Beauty: Catch opposing players and goalies off guard with increased backhand shot power and accuracy. 39:43: Send It: Spring your teammates by enhancing that pass receiver with a temporary boost of acceleration. 40:51: Tape to Tape: Feather saucer passes and make snappy passes in and out of vision with increased pass power and accuracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Drew Shore discussed in this episode: 1:56: What value they could bring to a team and what the price tag should be: Jack Roslovic. 4:54: Can we see Max Pacioretty back on the Montreal Canadiens? 6:35: Is it surprising that Ilya Samsonov hasn’t been snatched up by another team yet? 10:13: Drew, what's it like trying to find a new team via free agency? 15:48: Is Matthew Tkachuk becoming the face of the league and replacing Auston Matthews as the most recognizable U.S.-born player after being selected as the EA Sports NHL26 cover athlete? Should the NHL lean into marketing the game on Tkachuk's brand of ferocity? 22:37: Did Detroit do enough this summer to finally take the step and grab a playoff spot? Is John Gibson still a No.1 goalie? 26:02: Is Vancouver due for a rebound? 30:42: Olympics rankings: Which country has the best forward corps, defense, and goaltending? 38:35: Is Canada back to being the favorite for the 2026 world juniors? 40:56: Matthew Schaefer or the field: who is winning the Calder Trophy? 42:24: William Nylander or Auston Matthews: who will finish with more goals next season? 43:27: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has partnered with Russian tech company Yande to produce a movie, series, or documentary about his life. What other player (past or present) deserves the movie treatment? 45:10: A bear chased the Kraken troll mascot "Buoy" and forward John Hayden out of an Alaska river during a recent video promo. Is this a sign that the Boston Bruins will have a better record than Seattle this year? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Hockey News Big Show, where the theme for this off-season episode is early projections and predictions for the 2026 men's hockey Olympic tournament. Here's what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 0:00: Will Team Canada make any significant adjustments to its Olympic roster? 5:36: Is Jordan Binnington still Team Canada’s top goaltending option? 08:30: Which nation has the best chance of upsetting Canada at the Olympics? 10:45: Should Team USA still be considered a favorite at the Olympics? 15:50: Is Connor Hellebuyck still Team USA’s No. 1 goaltender? 19:00: Who will be Team USA’s toughest opponent in group play? 22:20: Will Team Finland or Team Sweden end up being a more dangerous team at the Olympics? 25:30: Will Erik Karlsson make Team Sweden’s Olympic squad? 27:45: Can Juuse Saros still be Finland’s top goalie? 30:15: Predicting the medallists for the 2026 Olympics 31:30: Will the host nation of Italy end up scoring over or under 3.5 goals in group play? 33:05: Who finishes the tournament with more points: Leon Draisaitl or David Pastrnak? 34:10: Which defensemen finishes with more points: Cale Makar or Quinn Hughes? 36:00: What should Team Canada's goal song be? 37:20: What should be the mascot for the upcoming Olympic Games? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show discussed the top players in the NHL right now, as ranked in THN’s Top 100 Players issue, and other topics as the off-season continues. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 01:00: Why was Nathan Mackinon No. 1 on the list? 04:00: Thoughts on Cale Makar’s spot on the list? 06:00: What were the criteria for the top 10 of the list? 07:40: How much did championships play a factor? 09:00: Which player in the top 10 who hasn't won the Stanley Cup will win it first? 13:00: Which players who weren’t on the list could jump onto it in the future? 16:30: Who could potentially fall out of the list? 19:00: Who are some young players who could soon join the list? 20:40: Who will be the most improved players? 23:50: Which rookie will make the list first? 26:15: Looking toward the season ahead, which teams could exceed expectations and or disappoint? 30:15: Are the Toronto Maple Leafs worse on paper? 33:00: Which team are you most excited to watch going into next season? 36:30: Did the Tampa Bay Lightning need to do more? 38:45: Should the Florida Panthers still be considered Cup favourites? 40:45: Where does the Tkachuk-Huberdeau deal rank in terms of blockbuster trades? 43:30: Kappo Kakko signed a three-year contract. Yay or nay on the cap hit and term? 44:40: How stoked are you for Adam Fox appearing in an ad for The Naked Gun reboot? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to answer your questions in a mailbag episode as the NHL off-season continues. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 01:20: Will Toronto Maple Leafs fans miss Mitch Marner more than they think? 02:26: Is there anything left for Leafs GM Brad Treliving to do? 05:15: What will Marner's reception be on his return to Toronto? 07:15: Which team will be the biggest surprise next season? 10:00: Will the Pittsburgh Penguins finish last this season? 13:50: Do you think the Sabres will still trade Bo Byram? 16:59: What do you think Connor Bedard's next contract will look like? 20:57: Biggest sleeper team? 23:40: If Arturs Silovs had played better at the beginning of last season, would he still be in the Canucks organization? 26:45: Why did Brian Burke cut Mike Babcock loose after he took the Ducks to the finals? 30:25: How many players from the 2025 draft will start this season in the NHL? 33:30: How many different graphic tees does Ryan Kennedy own? 36:30: Should Stan Fischler be in the Hockey Hall of Fame? 38:00: Will Gavin McKenna win a Frozen Four title? 40:25: Which would you prefer: a heat wave or extreme cold? 41:45: Yay or nay: Nintendo Switch 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss the biggest topics as the NHL off-season is well underway. Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Drew Shore discussed in this episode: 01:30: Are hockey’s enforcers the same off the ice as on the ice? 04:00: Gavin McKenna commits to Penn State. What does it mean for the junior hockey and NCAA landscape? For Drew, what was it like playing college hockey? 06:55: Does college hockey benefit players more than major junior? 09:00: Is the NCAA more difficult than the WHL? 11:30: The Edmonton Oilers traded Sam O’Reilly to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Isaac Howard. Thoughts? 14:30: Where do we see Howard playing? Is it OK when young players call their shots and refuse to sign with the team that drafted them? Why didn't Howard want to play for the Lightning? 16:40: What was Drew’s experience like in rookie and development camps? 18:30: Are there any surprises from the NHL’s summer development camps? 21:00: Summer training: what are the early summer routines like? How long after a season ended should someone start to train? What’s the diet like? What kind of gym work happens? 23:00: Would Drew be on the ice constantly in the off-season? 25:30: How much did Drew’s diet change in the off-season? 28:40: How many players from the 2025 draft could go straight to the NHL? 32:45: What makes you able to tell if players are ready for the NHL level right away? 35:00: Who's the best UFA still on the market? 40:00: In honor of the Nittany Lions signing McKenna, what's your favorite NCAA mascot name? 42:00: What's the best summer food? 42:55: Yay or nay: kids playing organized hockey in the summer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss the biggest topics after the beginning of NHL free agency. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 1:16: Reacting to Mitch Marner explaining why the Vegas Golden Knights were a good fit for him 4:03: Marner and his wife reportedly talked to Vegas players at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Is this all becoming harder to digest for Toronto Maple Leafs fans? 5:55: Are the Leafs better than they were at the end of the season? What else do they need? 9:33: Who will get Mitch Marner's alternate captaincy on the Leafs next season? 10:40: What was the most confusing move of the first day of NHL free agency? 13:15: How do the Montreal Canadiens shape up now? 17:25: The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings faced each other for the fourth straight time in the first round this past post-season. Now after July 1, on paper, how has this matchup changed? 22:00: What team improved the most from each conference? 26:16: What team is having the biggest regrets? 31:54: Are the Boston Bruins on the right track? 36:54: Which team on paper looks like it's embracing the "Miserable for McKenna" campaign? 37:29: Are the Ducks, Canucks and Rangers playoff teams on paper? 39:48: Did the Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers get better or worse? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss the biggest topics heading into the NHL draft and free agency. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 01:06: Mitch Marner – what are we hearing? Where is he going? 02:13: In the rumor mill, are the Vegas Golden Knights looking to move Tomas Hertl? If so, where could he land? Could they be making room for Marner? 05:43: Aside from Connor McDavid, which other NHL player eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1 will be worth following this summer? 08:15: Rasmus Andersson and the Calgary Flames have no extension in place after next season, so if the team looks to trade the 28-year-old, who should be target him? 11:28: Could the Edmonton Oilers target either John Gibson or Thatcher Demko to address their goaltending? 15:30: Top RFAs: among the players most likely to be qualified, who's the most likely to switch teams this summer, whether by a trade or offer sheet? 18:46: Which team do we expect to make the biggest splash in free agency this year? 21:45: Why is Matthew Schaefer the top draft prospect? 25:05: What does Michael Misa bring to the table? 27:11: Could Porter Martone be the next great power forward? 29:58: Who benefited the most from the Florida Panthers winning the Cup the way they did? 33:08: Give us your first-round sleeper in the draft. 35:48: Draft comparables: who's the best comparable for James Hagens? 39:18: Reacting to the Hockey Hall of Fame’s 2025 class 42:25: How would you describe the quality of this draft? 43:22: How many players from this draft will actually play in the NHL next season? 44:08: Of the top 10 players in the 2019 draft, only three are still with the team that selected them (J. Hughes, Seider, Turcotte). Is this a good or bad thing? 45:53: Name one player you think will stay where he is and one who will go. 47:09: The St. Louis Blues announced their new jerseys. Yay or nay? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to break down the Stanley Cup final and look at some big topics around the NHL and beyond, with longtime coach Bruce Boudreau giving his expert insight. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Bruce Boudreau discussed in this episode: 1:13: The Oilers made NHL history in the Stanley Cup final by winning a game after trailing 3-0. How does a win like this change things for Edmonton? 5:23: Was the second period more Florida’s fault or all Edmonton’s doing to get back in the game? 6:52: What does Boudreau make of the officiating? 9:45: Stuart Skinner was pulled after the first period, Pickard went in and shut the door. Were you surprised at all by the goalie pull after the first? And is Pickard the Game 5 starter? 14:34: If you're coaching Florida, what are you saying after that game? How are you ensuring your team is ready to bounce back for a quick turnaround for Game 5? What about Edmonton? 17:11: Do you think Florida is best suited to be unfazed by blowing a 3-0 lead? 20:48: What has stood out to Boudreau in this series, good or bad? 25:36: The last Cup final that had more overtime games was Toronto and Montreal in 1951, when all five games required OT. Will this series match that? 28:01: Predictions for Game 5? 30:53: Thoughts on the Chris Kreider trade, and what else should the New York Rangers be looking to do? 33:17: Should Mitch Marner go to the New York Rangers? 38:14: Jonathan Toews gears up to make his NHL return, so where do we see him landing? 42:08: Connor Hellebuyck wins Hart Trophy as MVP. Do we agree with this? 43:45: Who is more clutch: Leon Draisaitl or Connor McDavid? 45:23: This is the best Stanley Cup final since when? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to break down the Stanley Cup final and look at some big topics around the NHL and beyond. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 0:37: Ryan was at Game 3 of the Cup final and breaks down how things unfolded after the game. 3:01: Was this Edmonton's worst game of the series so far? 4:22: Has the Oilers’ depth disappeared? 5:55: Connor McDavid said post-game he thinks their best has yet to come in the Cup final. Do you agree? 6:15: Was it a gutless move to have the Panthers’ top line out for the power play near the end as the game got chippy? 7:29: There were 140 combined penalty minutes in Game 3. Are we seeing too many calls? 10:18: After many guys were tossed from the game throughout the final frame, rate the hate between these two teams. 14:12: What’s the concern level about Stuart Skinner’s performance? Who starts Game 4? 16:08: Who is more likely to be on Florida next year: Sam Bennett or Brad Marchand? 21:15: Max Pacioretty is leaning toward returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to The Athletic. What's the best use of him in the lineup? 23:51: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman calls Paul Bissonnette's concern about Florida's lack of state tax "ridiculous." Agree or disagree? 29:02: T.J. Oshie announced his retirement on Monday. Could he be a U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer? 30:39: NCAA colleges will soon be able to pay student athletes directly after settling three lawsuits. How will this affect Div. I hockey? Should the CHL do more to compensate players? 36:25: How could the CHL benefit from some of its players heading to the NCAA? 38:26: DJ Khaled was part of the Panthers’ pre-game hype. Name another celebrity you want to see involved in the final. 40:09: Who’s the most surprising player in the Cup final so far? 41:23: Who is the bigger "rat" between Brad Marchand and Corey Perry? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to look around the Stanley Cup final and beyond with former NHL player Drew Shore giving his take. Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Drew Shore discussed in this episode: 1:02: How important is it that the Edmonton Oilers’ stars keep up this level of play? 3:34: What is it like watching Connor McDavid make his passes look so easy? 4:22: Was the Florida Panthers’ first goal the right call, or should it have been goalie interference? 6:50: Are the Edmonton Oilers a more physical team than people give them credit for? 9:50: Do the Oilers need Zach Hyman with the way everyone else is producing? 11:12: If you are Paul Maurice, how do you limit McDavid and Draisaitl in Game 2? 12:49: Will we see Vezina-level Sergei Bobrovsky in this series? 14:20: Does Stuart Skinner deserve more respect for reaching back-to-back finals? 16:40: Sean Monahan wins the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, and Johnny Gaudreau”s widow, Meredith, presented him the trophy. How deserving is he of this trophy? 18:45: Will the NHL do something about the tax imbalance the league is facing? 22:40: With Muse being the next coach for Pittsburgh, are the Penguins aiming toward a tank? 25:52: The Boston Bruins hired the first German head coach in the NHL with Marco Sturm. How does this affect the team’s future? 28:03: The NHL combine is this week. What was Drew Shore’s best and worst event at the combine? 31:51: Will the Calgary Flames get better or worse next season? 32:38: If Edmonton wins the final, who does McDavid pass the Cup to first? 33:21: Will Jeff Skinner see any ice time in the final? 34:49: Was the Colorado Avalanche re-signing Brock Nelson a good move or an overpay? 34:48: Is Pink Pony Club a pass or fail win song? What is the best victory song you've heard? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to look around the NHL playoffs and beyond with former NHL player and coach Bruce Boudreau providing some unique insight. Here’s what Michael Traikos, Katie Gaus and Bruce Boudreau discussed in this episode: 1:10: What are the Florida Panthers' greatest strengths? 5:08: What are the Edmonton Oilers' greatest strengths? 10:22: What areas of the Panthers’ game could be considered a weakness? Is there a particular area of Florida's game that Edmonton should focus on exploiting? 14:42: What matchups should Florida look at to attempt to control the Oilers' star players? 20:09: Is there any advantage the Oilers might have gained from last year's Game 7 Stanley Cup final loss? 26:19: Predicting the Stanley Cup final and how many games it will take 29:24: We saw what happened in Dallas with Peter DeBoer's goalie pull decision. How much coaching comes into play throughout a series? 34:41: Adam Foote is a first-time NHL coach in Vancouver. What are the challenges of going from being an assistant or associate coach to a head coach? 39:00: Where will Mitch Marner end up? 40:28: As a coach, what superstition did you have? 43:40: Why did Bruce Boudreau volunteer to serve minor penalties with the Maple Leafs as a player? 44:39: Boudreau was a part of the “Plumber Line” on the Maple Leafs. Where does that rank among favorite line names ever? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to look around the NHL playoffs and beyond with former NHL player Drew Shore providing some unique insight. Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Drew Shore discussed in this episode: 1:38: Are the Florida Panthers a dynasty team? 3:44: Is this Panthers squad more impressive than the Tampa Bay Lightning team that went to three straight Cup finals? 4:52: If you’re one of the 31 other NHL teams, what are you taking away from Florida? Will we see other teams getting bigger and heavier? 7:10: How should Carolina Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky move on from losing in the Eastern Conference final again? Was this year a success or failure? 9:48: How big of a loss is it to Edmonton to be without Zach Hyman? Who will take Hyman’s minutes? 12:58: Do the Stars need more from Mikko Rantanen in these do-or-die games? 15:44: What would a 100-percent healthy Matthew Tkachuk look like? 18:00: If you were Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving, what moves would you make this summer? 20:21: Whose futures are in doubt in Toronto's Core Four? 23:46: Is it a good or bad thing that Craig Berube will have more to do with the decision-making on the Leafs? 28:18: Are the Stars too loyal to Jamie Benn? Should they re-sign him? 29:47: What is Mathieu Darche's biggest challenge as New York Islanders GM? 32:15: How do players stay healthy and energized as they go further into the playoffs? What’s the balance of practice versus rest? 35:09: What kind of team bonding activities are there during the playoffs? 38:22: Predicting the Memorial Cup semifinal and final 40:40: Mitch Marner or Sam Bennett: who should be the main target in free agency? 41:34: Have Corey Perry and Brad Marchand changed how we should view veteran free agents? 43:09: Paul Maurice told Brind'Amour and Berube that coaches don't belong in the handshake line. Agree or disagree? 44:34: The Panthers didn't touch the Prince of Wales Trophy (again). Are you superstitious? Craziest superstition? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to look around the NHL playoffs and beyond with former NHL player Drew Shore providing some unique insight. Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Drew Shore discussed in this episode: 1:03: What do we think about Brendan Shanahan finding a potential new job so quickly? 2:57: Can the Shanaplan work for the New York Islanders if he leaves Toronto? 3:47: How much blame does Shanahan deserve for what happened in Toronto? 4:36: Who is truly to blame for the Maple Leafs’ lack of success: GMs, coaches, players or Shanahan? 6:15: How do you handle the off-season if you are Leafs GM Brad Treliving? 11:53 How likely is it for the Winnipeg Jets to get Nikolaj Ehlers signed in the off-season? 12:54: Is Brock Boeser a must-get guy in free agency, and where will he end up? 14:36: Will some of the big pending free agents switch teams? 17:48: If you are the Edmonton Oilers, how do you look at the Game 1 implosion, and will this haunt them in what will be a long series? 18:55: Did Matt Duchene embellish a high-sticking penalty? 22:10: Is Stuart Skinner good enough to contend with the Stars' offense? 24:19: How do the Carolina Hurricanes bounce back after a Game 1 loss? 27:34: Does Logan Stankoven need to step up for Carolina, and does Matthew Tkachuk need to show up for Florida? 28:35: Which of the four teams left in the playoffs has the most pressure to win a Cup this year? 31:12 How important is it for Porter Martone joining Team Canada at the World Championship for his development? Does it increase his draft stock? 33:21: Is Frank Nazar putting himself on the map with his play at the Worlds? How excited should Blackhawks fans be? 35:06 How important is it for Macklin Celebrini to be playing with Sidney Crosby, and does he sneak his way onto the Olympic roster? 37:19: Will Jake Oettinger be the starting goalie for the U.S. in the 2026 Olympics? 38:30: We've only really seen one true fight in the playoffs this far. Are we missing this aspect from the playoffs this year? 40:29: The Boston Bruins officially get a first-rounder in the Brad Marchand trade now that Florida is in the conference final. Was the deal worth it for Boston now? 42:16: What's the best food city left in the playoffs? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to look around the NHL playoffs and beyond with former NHL player Drew Shore providing some unique insight. Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Shore discussed in this episode: 1:03: After the Florida Panthers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 in Game 5, how do the Leafs go about forcing a Game 7? 3:15: How do you block out a booing home crowd as a player? 4:44: If the Maple Leafs lose this series, does something drastic have to happen to the Core Four? 7:51: Would you make any changes to the Leafs' lineup in Game 6? 8:16: As a player, do you know when a series is all but over? 9:43: Is this Panthers team better than last year's Cup-winning squad? 11:47: How important is it for the Edmonton Oilers to have scoring depth and not rely on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl for all offense? 14:02: Should a team in win-now mode use more third- and fourth-round draft picks in trades? 16:34: Is there an alternate universe where the Maple Leafs have Mikko Rantanen? 17:31: Does Andrei Svechnikov still go second overall in the 2018 NHL draft, and how is his play this playoffs? 20:20: Is Carolina's recent play too much for Washington to handle? 21:10: Hypothetically, who wins in the Eastern Conference final between Carolina and Florida? 22:16: Have you ever seen a goalie or skater be so different on the road versus at home, as is the case with Connor Hellebuyck right now? 23:08: How much does Miro Heiskanen impact Dallas' chances of winning the Cup? 24:48: Did the Vancouver Canucks make the right move by hiring Adam Foote? 28:25: Is Rick Tocchet a good fit for the Philadelphia Flyers? 31:17: Agree or disagree: will Jonathan Toews land with an NHL team, and if so, which one? 35:36: Should being a Long Island native influence the Islanders' decision to select James Hagens with the No. 1 pick? 39:07: Evan Bouchard or Matthew Knies, if you are a GM, who do you offer a contract to and why? 41:38: Would you rather have Florida's Finnish players or Dallas’ Finnish Mafia? 42:46: Who's to blame for the Leafs this playoffs: Auston Matthews or Mitch Marner? 43:43: Will a Canadian team win the Cup this year? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to look around the NHL playoffs and beyond, with help from a special guest. Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and ex-NHL player Drew Shore discussed in this episode: 0:55: Does Sunrise, Fla., get enough credit for how good of a city and Florida Panthers home crowd it is to play? 1:31: How important are line matchups between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Panthers going to be now that the series is headed to Florida, where Paul Maurice will have the last change? 3:06: Which line should Florida match up against Auston Matthews or William Nylander's line, as the top line? 6:05: Will the Florida Panthers try to slow play down and win with low-scoring games? 7:06: The Mikko Rantanen Show was on full display again. Have we ever seen one player take over like this before? 9:42: How will the Winnipeg Jets stop Rantanen? 10:26: Is Jim Nill the best GM in the Modern Era? 14:28: The Carolina Hurricanes is up 1-0 against the Washington Capitals, but can you see this series going to six or seven games? 16:14: What is it like being coached by Rod Brind'Amour? 17:30: Is there something about Carolina's style of hockey that doesn’t translate into the playoffs? 18:36: Sebastian Aho has the type of slight build that shouldn't work in the playoffs. What makes him so effective as a competitor? 20:46: Will goaltending be Edmonton's Achilles heel, or is it good enough? 24:15: Alex Pietrangelo and Pavel Dorofeyev of Vegas were absent from practice. How big would these losses be? 27:56: World Championship: which players have the most to gain/lose? 32:27: Why has James Hagens dropped so far in the rankings heading into the NHL draft? 34:47: Joel Quenneville is reportedly joining the Anaheim Ducks. Is he the right coach for this team? 36:55: Kraken/Golden Knights/Mammoth: which recent new team has the best name? 37:35: Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel: Regular seasons aside, who has been the better playoff performer? 39:12: Home teams aren’t performing very well in the second round of the playoffs, so is home-ice advantage real? 40:25: Who is your early Conn Smythe pick? Anyone else besides Rantanen? 41:02: Would the Avalanche have been better off with Rantanen or depth? 42:30: What's your current pump-up song? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to not only discuss the closing stages of the first round but some of the other biggest topics in the NHL. Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Katie Gaus discussed in this episode: 0:47: Game 6 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators is Thursday night. Are the Leafs still "fine," or could they blow another series lead again? 3:30: How much pressure is on the Maple Leafs in Game 6, and do you expect any lineup changes? 6:06: Even if the Maple Leafs do win the series, have they changed your mind about them being a "contender?" 9:30: The Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals will meet in the second round. Thoughts on this series? 13:28: In Game 5 between the Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights, there was a league review for a kicking motion, which gave Vegas time to watch the goal, and when it was determined there was no kick, Vegas challenged for offside, and the goal was overturned. Many online comments suggest that this is ruining hockey. Do you agree? 16:43: Most surprising series so far? 20:11: First-round MVP candidates so far? 22:07: Player that's been the biggest surprise in the first round, for good or bad reasons? 25:19: The NHL’s coaching carousel is spinning like crazy, with so many open jobs. Where do we see Rick Tocchet and Mike Sullivan landing? Could more coaches lose their jobs? 29:15: The NHL’s Hart Trophy finalists are Leon Draisaitl, Connor Hellebuyck and Nikita Kucherov. Thoughts on no Nathan Mackinnon? Who will win it? 33:16: Taylor Hall signed a three-year contract extension worth $3.167 million annually. Do we like it? 34:25: Utah Hockey Club’s YouTube channel briefly showed "@UtahMammoth" as the handle... sounds like this is it? Yay or nay? 36:58: Who do you want to see win the NHL draft lottery? Who actually wins it? 39:59: Patrik Laine enters the final year of his contract next season. Do the Habs re-sign him over the summer? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have a special guest for a special playoff edition of The Hockey News Big Show. Longtime NHL coach Bruce Boudreau joins Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos to discuss what's going on in the Stanley Cup playoffs, what's happening with the non-playoff squads and some of Boudreau's stories, including his time with the Vancouver Canucks. Here's what they discussed in this episode: 0:00: Which goaltender should start for the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 versus the Los Angeles Kings? 8:14: Has Matthew Knies’ play unlocked a new level of offense for the Toronto Maple Leafs on the power play? 14:58: Have the Washington Capitals proven to be a true Stanley Cup contender? 20:19: With their roster now fully healthy, do the Florida Panthers have the scariest offense in the East? 24:49: Are the Winnipeg Jets proving they don’t need Connor Hellebuyck to play at a top-tier level to be a Stanley Cup contender? 28:36: Breaking down Gabriel Landeskog’s return to the Colorado Avalanche's lineup. 33:50: After signing an extension with the New York Rangers, what should Chris Drury’s off-season plan be? 39:15: Who should take home the Jack Adams Award this year? 41:01: Will Alex Ovechkin retire from hockey before the age of 50? 43:30: Who’s the best goal-scorer that Boudreau ever played with and against? 45:03: Which first-round series is most likely to have an upset? 47:34: Should Jim Rutherford have discussed Quinn Hughes’ contract talks publicly? 49:27: Updated Stanley Cup picks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is here to preview the first round of the NHL’s 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Steve Warne discussed in this episode: 0:57: Will the Battle of Ontario have over or under three fights in this series? 3:01: Do the Ottawa Senators hope they can suck the Toronto Maple Leafs into playing a physical style of game? 3:55: What will playoff Brady Tkachuk look like? 5:45: Who will be the Maple Leafs’ X-factor for them? 7:40: How much of a load will Jake Sanderson face against Toronto's top line? 8:55: Predictions for the Leafs and Sens series 10:34: Do the youngsters in Montreal have enough in them to run the table against the Washington Capitals? 13:59: Prediction for the Canadiens and Capitals series 15:18: In the Battle of Florida, Vasilevskiy and Bobrosky have both been known to turn it on in the playoffs. Will this series turn into a goalie duel? 17:21: Will the physical aspect of Florida match up to the skill of Tampa? 18:45 Predictions for the Panthers and Lightning series 21:04: Predictions for the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils series 21:49: Are there any similarities you see between this year's St. Louis Blues team and the 2019 team that won the Cup? 24:21: Does Jordan Binnington have the edge over Connor Hellebuyck? 25:34: Prediction for the Jets and Blues series 26:43: How do injuries affect the Dallas Stars? 28:52: Will Mikko Rantanen be the X-factor for Dallas while facing his old team? 30:39: How do you see this series between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Minnesota Wild shaking out? 32:13: Are there any similarities you see between this year's Vegas team and the team that won the Cup? 33:38: Predictions for the Knights and Wild 34:02: Are injuries still a big issue for the Edmonton Oilers? 35:03: How will the goaltending matchup look between the Oilers and Los Angeles Kings? 37:08: Predictions for the Kings and Oilers series 37:20: Who do you see in the Stanley Cup final? 40:06: Which player will lead the playoffs in scoring? 41:14: Since the 2014-15 season, only three of the Stanley Cup winners have been from the Western Conference. Will this year's winner be coming from the East or West? 42:16: Which team will go on a Cinderella run? 43:44: Who is an unlikely playoff hero? 44:36: Which Cup "favorite" will go out earliest? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is back to discuss some of the biggest NHL and hockey topics. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 3:01: The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are locked in for a first-round matchup. Here’s what to expect and the series prediction. 7:48: The Winnipeg Jets clinched the Presidents' Trophy as the regular-season champions. Since 1986, only eight of the 37 Presidents' Trophy winners have won the Stanley Cup. Do you believe in the curse? 11:01: What has impressed you most about Winnipeg's season, and more importantly, can they continue it in the playoffs? 13:55: For the first time in NHL history, the Bruins, Penguins and Rangers have all missed the playoffs. Which team will make it back into the playoffs? What moves do they need to make to get there? 17:14: This year's Stanley Cup playoffs could likely feature five of the seven Canadian teams. It would be the first time five Canadian teams have made it since 2017. Is this the year since 1993 we see the Stanley Cup brought back to Canada? 21:08: Which team has a better chance of winning the Cup between Toronto and Winnipeg? 21:59: We've got a few new faces making it into the playoffs this year. Which player who has never been in the playoffs are you most excited to see get their first taste of playoff hockey? 24:12: Which player is a bigger loss for their team heading into the playoffs: Mattias Ekholm for the Oilers or Oliver Bjorkstrand for the Lightning? 28:07: Reports out of Boston indicate that no changes are expected in the Bruins’ front office, so it looks like Don Sweeney and Cam Neely are here to stay. Is this good or bad for Boston? Could we see any other team making changes at the top and firing a GM? 32:19: Ivan Demidov had an impressive NHL debut, with one goal and one assist. Could he be the next Guy Lafleur? 34:52: Logan Couture is not expected to continue his NHL playing career. He played 15 years, all for the San Jose Sharks. Where does he rank among all-time Sharks greats? 36:37: The NHLPA Player Poll was released today – 630 players were asked to name the league's most complete player. Sidney Crosby finished slightly ahead of Aleksander Barkov. Agree or disagree? 39:29: What’s your favorite NHL Stanley Cup playoff tradition? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re nearly one week away from the NHL playoffs, and The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss some of the biggest topics. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and guest co-host Steve Warne discussed in this episode: 1:03: We have our first Stanley Cup playoff series officially locked in. The Carolina Hurricanes will host the New Jersey Devils. What will we see in this series? 3:31: Will the Hurricanes and Devils have high-scoring battles? 4:56: Predicting the winner of the Hurricanes-Devils series 6:30: The Minnesota Wild got Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek back from injury. How do their returns change Minnesota’s playoff outlook? 10:13: The Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers are once again almost a lock to battle it out in the first round. This would be the fourth-straight year they meet in Round 1. How could this time be different? 13:00: Steve updates his top eight Stanley Cup contenders list. 14:40: Micheal explains his changes to his Cup contenders list and why. 16:59: How does a team balance resting players and making sure they are ready to go for Game 1 of the playoffs? 19:26: What should we know about Ivan Demidov and his game as he joins the Montreal Canadiens? What kind of boost could this give Montreal? 23:34: Brock Boeser said it’s unlikely he’ll re-sign with the Vancouver Canucks. Where could he end up? 26:20: Should Boeser be worried about looking for a higher salary or getting more trem? 28:10: Which team likely to miss the playoffs this year will take an even bigger step backward next season? 31:00: In their rookie seasons, Connor Bedard had 22 goals and 61 points in 68 games, while Macklin Celebrini has 24 goals and 62 points in 66 games and counting. Who would you take? 33:46: The Philadelphia Flyers have won four of five games since firing John Tortorella. Michkov has eight points in five games, and Foerster has seven points, with both getting more ice time. In hindsight, did the Flyers make the right decision to fire their coach with less than a month left? 36:49: Patrick Roy put in 21-year-old AHL goalie Tristan Lennox with the team down 6-1, then pulled him after allowing a goal on two shots in the 9-2 loss. Did this bother you? Is Roy on thin ice after this move? 40:25: The NCAA national championship game is Saturday. Who is your pick to win between Western Michigan and Boston University? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is back for another week of discussing some of the biggest NHL and hockey topics. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and guest co-host Steve Warne discussed in this episode: 1:04: Now that Alex Ovechkin broke the NHL all-time goals record, what's next for him? How will he add to his greatness? 6:28: Will Ovechkin’s new record ever be broken? 9:50: Where does Ovechkin rank on the NHL's "greatest players ever" list? 11:36: The Ottawa Senators are now just two points behind the Florida Panthers for third place in the Atlantic Division. Could the Senators snag that spot? 14:20: On his 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman discussed what is being called the "Sunshine State Conspiracy" against Toronto. Do we think this "conspiracy" of the Panthers trying to get the first wild-card spot to face the Toronto Maple Leafs is real? 18:07: Both conferences’ second wild-card teams, the Minnesota Wild and Montreal Canadiens, have at least a four-point lead over the teams chasing them to get in. Can any team in the chase actually catch up, or is the playoff picture getting clearer? 22:53: Which trade acquisition who didn't hit the ground running with their new team is due for a hot streak? 26:27: Tage Thompson is up to 43 goals this season, the third most in the NHL. Is he the best value contract in the NHL? Are his prime years being wasted in Buffalo? Would they ever consider trading him? 31:36: Anthony Stolarz is 5-0-0 in his last 5 starts with a .944 save percentage. Is the Leafs’ Game 1 starter debate over? 33:33: Which Canadian forward who got snubbed at the 4 Nations Face-Off should be on the Olympic team? 34:40: Lane Hutson is feeling like a lock for the Calder. Should he also be getting some serious consideration for the Norris? 37:30: When asked about his message to his team following their 5-1 loss to the Lightning, Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said, "I don't have a message right now. I don't go into the locker room after the game." Is it weird for the coach not to go in the dressing room after a game? 40:06: Ovechkin's first posts since breaking the NHL all-time goals record both expressed his love for longtime teammate Nicklas Backstrom. Are they the best bro-mance in hockey? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hockey News Big Show is back to discuss more of the biggest NHL and hockey topics. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and guest co-host Steve Warne discussed in this episode: 0:46: We have a new top eight Cup contenders list to dive into this week, as Steve Warne fills in for Ryan Kennedy. Let's kick off with his list and his defense of his choices. 2:26: Michael defends his latest Cup contenders list. 4:08: Steve doesn't have the Toronto Maple Leafs on his Cup contenders list, but Michael does. Steve explains his reasoning behind the decision. 5:29: Is there a team that didn’t make the Cup contenders list but could have if it had an easier path in the playoffs? 9:22: Ottawa Senators coach Travis Green says captain Brady Tkachuk is out "day-to-day" with an upper body injury. He's missed two games so far, so how concerned should Senators fans be? 12:43: Maple Leafs center Scott Laughton has had just two points and a minus-5 rating, the worst on the team since trading for him. How has he played during this stretch? Is he a fit for the Leafs? 16:12: Which trade deadline acquisition has had the best impact with their new team? 19:15: The NHL and Rogers Communications agreed to a 12-year deal worth $7.7 billion. Thoughts on this massive deal? 24:09: Will the St. Louis Blues finish in the first wild-card spot in the West ahead of the Minnesota Wild? Is it over for the Calgary Flames? 28:48: Patrick Roy ripped Anthony Duclair following the New York Islanders’ sixth straight loss on Tuesday night. Was Roy out of line with his comments? Are the Isles' struggles more player problems or coaching problems? 32:47: Which building will be the toughest to win a playoff game in? 34:59: Jalen Chatfield pulled a UFC move to throw Connor McMichael to the ice during a fight. Chatfield received no discipline from the NHL's Department of Player Safety. Agree or disagree with the decision? 37:56: Cale Makar became the first D-man since Mike Green to score 30 goals. Who will be the next defenseman to achieve this lofty goal? 40:33: Ovechkin is three goals away from breaking Gretzky's all-time goals record. He has two games to break the record and tie Gretzky in the number of games needed. Can he do it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s time for The Hockey News Big Show, where we explore some of the biggest NHL and hockey topics. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and guest co-host Steve Warne discussed in this episode: 1:07: The Ottawa Senators hold a decent lead on the Eastern wild-card standings. What has allowed this group to nearly seal a spot in the post-season? 4:08: Are there any similarities between this year's Senators and the 2017 team that made it to the Eastern Conference final? 7:24: We could see the Battle of Ontario in the first round if the Toronto Maple Leafs earn the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Who wins it? 10:32: Are the Montreal Canadiens running out of steam? Which team looks likeliest to get the second wild-card spot? 13:38: Leon Draisaitl is up to 51 goals this season. There are now just two active players with four or more 50-plus-goal seasons. Could Draisaitl be a better goal-scorer than Auston Matthews? 16:43: Where do we think Brad Marchand could end up next season? 19:44: Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog was seen this week working on special teams with one of the power-play units. Will he return for the playoffs? If so, what kind of impact would his comeback have on the Avalanche? 23:50: Which team has the most pressure to win in the first round of the playoffs? 27:19: The Seattle Kraken and the Nashville Predators are the newest teams to be "officially eliminated" from the playoffs. What moves would you like each team to make this off-season? 30:08: Only four players from the Senators’ last playoff appearance are still active in the NHL. Can you name them? 31:19: College hockey studs Jimmy Snuggerud (STL) and Ryan Leonard (WSH) are both expected to make their NHL debut Tuesday night. Who do we think will make a bigger impact as an NHL player? 32:59: The New York Rangers' bus reportedly hit San Jose rookie Macklin Celebrini's car. What is a bigger bummer: losing in a blowout to the Rangers or having your car hit? 35:01: The NCAA Hockey Frozen Four is officially set. Denver is back to defend its title and will face Western Michigan. Penn State continues its Cinderella run and will take on Boston University. Who are your picks to win it? 37:10: Gavin McKenna has nine points in just two playoff games. If he was draft-eligible this year, would he go first overall? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices