The Big Show

Here's what former professional hockey player Madison Packer, Katie Gaus and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 0:50: How much of the Maple Leafs’ season relies on Auston Matthews getting back to his Rocket Richard Trophy-winning self?  3:01: What step does Matthews have to take to get back to his best? 6:11: How do the Detroit Red Wings keep Dylan Larkin’s situation from becoming a distraction?  7:47: Will Larkin’s trade request impact his standing in the Red Wings’ locker room? 11:57: Is Adam Fantilli worth the same amount as Cutter Gauthier?  14:50: Where do you see the Columbus Blue Jackets finishing in the standings?  15:55: Which PWHL rookie are you most excited to see this year?  19:49: Can the youth on the Boston Bruins take another step this season?   23:30: Reacting to Sportsnet’s NHL power rankings before the start of the season 29:20: Will anyone take a chance on Patrik Laine or Vladimir Tarasenko?  30:58: WIll Connor Bedard score over or under 40 goals this season? 33:34: Like or dislike: The San Jose Sharks signed coach Ryan Warsofsky to a multi-year contract extension 35:29: Which young player is due for a breakout this upcoming season?  37:35: What is your biggest hot take for the 2026-27 NHL season?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's what was discussed in this episode: 0:00: Recapping Jaxon Cover’s dominant weekend with the Ottawa Senators at rookie camp 5:09: What are expectations for Viggo Bjorck as Winnipeg Jets main camp approaches 9:11: Does Maple Leafs prospect Alexander Bilecki have some untapped offensive potential in his game? 13:49: Reacting to the Maple Leafs’ decision to not send Gavin McKenna to the team’s rookie tournament in Gatineau 16:07: Could James Hagens push for a top-six role with the Boston Bruins during training camp? 20:00:  Breaking down the blockbuster OHL trade involving Tanner Adams 25:21: Biggest storylines to follow ahead of the upcoming CHL season 31:47: Should the CHL have more inter-league games? 34:07: Ryan Kennedy previews his weekly Prospect Watch column Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's what former NHL goalie Devan Dubnyk, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 0:37: Breaking down Chris Kreider’s decision to join the Montreal Canadiens?  3:42: Did the Canadiens get good value on Zachary Bolduc’s extension?  5:40: Expectations for Bolduc this season  7:12: Thoughts on the Canadiens’ decision to extend Martin St. Louis as head coach 8:45: Devan Dubnyk reflects on playing against Martin St. Louis 10:48: Has Kent Hughes done a good job at locking down Montreal's core players? 14:52: If Mark Stone stays healthy, can the Golden Knights make another deep playoff run?  19:00: Could Carson Soucy or Nick Blankenburg stick with their franchises after signing PTOs? 20:30: Are PTO contracts signed to push other players at training camp?  22:45: Would Alexander Nikishin be a good fit with the Nashville Predators 26:00: Reacting to players 30-21 from the NHL Network’s top 50 players list 28:03: Devan Dubynk reflects on preparing for training camp each season 30:27: If you could build around one current NHL goalie for the next five years, who would you choose?  32:23: Will Macklin Celebrini put together another 100-point season? 34:25: Were the New York Islanders right to select Bo Horvat as their next captain? 36:16: Which team will be stuck in the mushy middle this year?  37:58: Which NHL rivalry are you most excited to watch this season?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 0:52: Michael Traikos recaps the NHL Player Media Tour in Las Vegas 2:37: Will rumors about players leaving their current teams stop once the season starts? 3:30: Reacting to the Red Wings’ decision to strip Dylan Larkin of his captaincy 6:05: Does Larkin have to be flexible with the destinations he gives Detroit?  7:34: Why haven’t the Tampa Bay Lightning extended Nikita Kucherov? 9:51: Could Kucherov take a discount to help the Lightning stay competitive?  11:48: Is there a chance Connor Hellebuyck could end up starting the season with the Winnipeg Jets? 17:22: Do the Carolina Hurricanes make sense as a destination for Hellebuyck? 20:17: Will Mason McTavish thrive with the St. Louis Blues?  24:00: Breaking down dark horse candidates for the NHL’s individual awards 27:44: Remembering the life and career of Barry Melrose 30:19: Reacting to John Klingberg’s retirement announcement  32:25: Which goalie is about to have a Vezina-level season? 34:35: Which up-and-coming team is most likely to win the Cup first? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's what Eric Cruikshank, Ryan Kennedy and Tony Ferrari discussed in this episode: 0:48: Breaking down the top prospects from the 2027 NHL Draft 5:40: Who will be the most exciting NCAA freshman to watch this season? 9:25: Reflecting on the CHL-NCAA agreement one year later 14:21: Who are some recent first-round picks with the most to prove this season? 18:24: Early outlook on the 2026-27 Calder Trophy race 23:16: Which players will benefit the most from the NHL’s new AHL eligibility rules? 26:45: Ryan Kennedy previews his weekly Prospect Watch column Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices