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100% Hockey
100% Hockey
Author: 100% Hockey
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100% Hockey is your go-to podcast for all things NHL, delivering three fresh episodes every week - Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Hosted by hockey insiders John Shannon and Daren Millard, the show offers unmatched insights, expert analysis, and passionate commentary. With a deep well of connections across the hockey world, they bring you the latest news, sharp opinions, and behind-the-scenes stories straight from the rink. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual follower, 100% Hockeykeeps you in the game.
162 Episodes
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Legendary NHL coach Scotty Bowman joins Daren Millard and John Shannon for a wide-ranging conversation on coaching elite talent, making difficult decisions, and building winning cultures in the NHL.Bowman reflects on coaching Sergei Fedorov, one of the most versatile and unique players the league has ever seen, and what it takes to manage greatness at the highest level. From trust and communication to adaptability and accountability, Bowman shares insight into how elite teams are built and sustained.The discussion also explores:The challenges of coaching exceptional players with unique skill setsTough decisions that shape teams and culturesLessons from the NHL’s expansion era through modern hockeyHow winning environments are created — and maintained — over timeBowman’s perspective on the evolution of the game and today’s NHL
Stanley Cup champion Alec Martinez joins Daren Millard and John Shannon for a wide-ranging conversation on life in the NHL, the value of experience, and how players navigate the ups and downs of a long season.Martinez shares perspective from his time with the Vegas Golden Knights, touching on how teams handle slumps, why winning without your best game still matters, and what a true veteran mindset looks like over an 82-game grind.They also explore:The mental and physical challenges of staying sharp all seasonHow players adjust to different stages of life on and off the iceWhy veteran players are often underappreciated around the leagueThe balance between preparation, routine, and the unexpectedReflections on today’s NHL, young talent, and shifting league dynamicsTransitioning from player to fan and seeing the game differently.
Former NHL coach Rick Bowness joins Daren Millard and John Shannon to break down what is really going on with the Winnipeg Jets. From secondary scoring concerns to execution and consistency, Bowness offers a candid perspective on the team’s recent struggles and what needs to change.They dive into:• Why secondary scoring is becoming a real problem• Execution, structure, and where things are slipping• Confidence, communication, and managing player concerns• Coaching challenges in tough stretches• Lessons from high-scoring recent games, including the New York Islanders matchup• The balance between accountability and support behind the bench
Darren Pang joins Daren Millard and John Shannon to talk hockey, life, and everything happening around the NHL. Pang shares personal reflections on his career, time with the Chicago Blackhawks, and experiences at marquee events like the Winter Classic, before diving into the league’s biggest storylines.
They break down:
• Tyler Bertuzzi’s resurgence and how coaching has reshaped his game
• The evolution of Chicago’s play style and development approach
• Connor Bedard’s impressive maturity in his third NHL season — and his contract value conversation
• Rising prospects and international tournament buzz
• The state of the league and the continued growth of 100% Hockey
Did Bill Guerin get it right with Team USA’s Olympic hockey roster? Mike Harrington and Mike Zeisberger join John Shannon to break down every major roster decision ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
They dive into:
• Who deserved a spot… and who should have been there
• The balance between skill, toughness, and identity
• How Team USA stacks up against Canada and the rest of the field
• Whether this team is built for speed, structure, or star power
• Goaltending confidence level heading into the tournament
• The pressure and expectations facing USA Hockey on the world stage
Is this Team USA roster good enough to win gold — or will the decisions come back to haunt them?
It is “gold medal or bust” for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, and Chris Cuthbert joins Ken Hitchcock and John Shannon to break down Canada’s finalized men’s Olympic hockey roster. They go position by position through the 14 forwards, 8 defensemen, and 3 goaltenders and dig into the biggest decisions the selectors made.
They discuss:
• The surprise exclusion of Sam Bennett and what it means
• Why Canada kept the same defensive group from the Four Nations tournament
• Hitchcock’s emphasis on versatility, identity, and trust
• Cuthbert’s thoughts on chemistry and adjusting lines if needed
• Goaltending strategy and why Jordan Binnington is likely the Game 1 starter
• Managing egos, expectations, and ice time in a short Olympic tournament
Team Canada is built to win. The only question is… did they get it right?
The Olympics are getting closer… so who makes the cut? Scott Burnside joins Daren Millard and John Shannon to debate and predict the men’s Olympic hockey rosters — with a special focus on Team Canada vs Team USA.
They break down:
• Goaltending battles and blue-line decisions
• Identity vs star power — sandpaper or swagger?
• The cases for young stars like Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini
• Why players like Jakob Chychrun could change the conversation
• How injuries and tournament format complicate every choice
It is all about tough choices, big opinions, and what these rosters should look like when the puck drops.
With the Olympic break approaching, John Shannon and Daren Millard take a big-picture look at the current state of the NHL in a no-guest, all-league conversation.
The guys break down why the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars continue to look like legitimate contenders, while raising concerns about inconsistency from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets. They also dig into the Edmonton Oilers resurgence, what’s clicking for the Buffalo Sabres under new management, and what a potential sale of the Pittsburgh Penguins could mean for the franchise.
Plus, thoughts on goaltending depth around the league, roster decisions teams may face in the coming weeks, and a look at Sidney Crosby reaching another historic milestone.
George McPhee, President of Hockey Operations for the Vegas Golden Knights, joins John Shannon and Daren Millard on 100% Hockey for a detailed conversation about managing a team in today’s NHL. McPhee talks about how the role has evolved, the importance of culture and leadership, and the balance between competing to win and maintaining a strong room.
He reflects on Vegas’ current performance, the impact of injuries, and the roles Jack Eichel and Mark Stone play in setting standards. The discussion also covers the team’s approach to the upcoming Olympic break, player health and workload, the league’s growth in the U.S., and how player development paths across the NHL, CHL, and NCAAcontinue to change.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman joins John Shannon and Daren Millard on 100% Hockey for a wide-ranging conversation on the league’s present and future. Bettman discusses the depth of talent across the NHL, pointing to the balance between established veterans and a growing wave of young players who continue to raise the level of play league-wide.
He also addresses expansion, noting that the talent pool could support additional teams while making clear there are no immediate plans to move in that direction. The conversation turns to the Olympic Games, where Bettman shares both the league’s support for player participation and his concerns around infrastructure and readiness. Other topics include the NHL’s outdoor game strategy — with events planned in Florida and the possibility of a game at Jerry Jones’ stadium — as well as the league’s approach to sports betting, stressing the importance of oversight and responsible engagement. Bettman closes with his assessment of the NHL’s overall health and where he sees the league heading next.
Brian Lawton joins John Shannon and Daren Millard on 100% Hockey to break down one of the biggest moves of the season — the Vancouver Canucks trading Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. Lawton explains why he believes the deal makes sense for both sides, crediting Jim Rutherford for committing to a clear direction in Vancouver while positioning Minnesota, under Craig Leopold, as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
The conversation digs into what Hughes brings to the Wild, how prospects like Ziv Bouilliam and Marco Rossi fit into Vancouver’s future, and why this trade reflects two organizations acting decisively with different timelines in mind. Lawton also weighs in on the separate goalie movement involving Tristan Jarry and Stuart Skinner, questioning whether the deal truly solves either team’s needs while acknowledging Edmonton’s urgency to stabilize the position around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Chris Pronger joins John Shannon and Daren Millard on 100% Hockey to break down which teams are starting to separate themselves from the NHL’s crowded middle — and why. Pronger looks at the Boston Bruins, explaining how leaning into the identity Marco Sturm is trying to establish has given them clarity, and compares that approach to Colorado and Dallas, two division rivals built very differently but with similar playoff expectations. Chris shares what he believes truly translates when the games tighten up in the postseason.
The conversation also turns to the ongoing Jonathan Toews discussion, with Pronger offering perspective on how difficult it can be for a player of Toews’ age and medical history to step back into the league at full speed. The episode takes a timely turn when news breaks mid-interview of the Edmonton Oilers trading Stuart Skinner to Pittsburgh, prompting Pronger to assess the move in real time and explain how — if at all — it helps both teams moving forward.
Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet joins the show to break down his team’s recent matchup with San Jose, highlighting the Flyers’ strong energy level and the scoring chances they generated, while noting areas where he’d like to see more sustained aggression. Tocchet discusses the importance of balanced ice time and improved play without the puck to better support his goaltenders, and shares what he enjoys about living in Philadelphia and working within an organization that provides strong support from top to bottom.
The conversation shifts into leadership, with Tocchet explaining how the Flyers’ identity has developed organically as young players step into bigger roles. He talks about Trevor Zegras embracing the team’s culture and learning from elite players, and offers insight into Matvei Michkov’s progress — particularly his defensive improvements and the developmental steps still ahead. Tocchet also addresses the team’s recent struggles and stresses the importance of building a strong leadership foundation for the Flyers’ younger core.
John Davidson joined John in Daren’s absence for a wide-ranging conversation on 100% Hockey. The two Johns start with a quick look at the Columbus Blue Jackets and the progress the organization has made, before shifting into league-wide topics. They dig into the challenges of the NHL’s “mushy middle,” the timing and philosophy behind bringing prospects into the league, and their preferences when it comes to draft age and development paths. Davidson also reflects on his memories from the broadcast booth and shares what it has been like returning to the screen on Prime’s Monday night hockey broadcasts.
Jeff Gorton, President of Hockey Operations for the Montreal Canadiens, joins the show to discuss the Habs’ progress and direction as their rebuild continues. Gorton talks about the challenges of competing through injuries and market pressure, and why maintaining a long-term focus remains essential in Montreal. He highlights the strides made in player development, the growing impact of the team’s analytics department, and the collaborative dynamic between himself, GM Kent Hughes, and Coach Martin St. Louis. Gorton also touches on the team’s approach to trades and acquisitions, the growth of their young core, and the constant battle within a highly competitive Atlantic Division — all while expressing optimism about where the Canadiens are headed.
Pete DeBoer joins John Shannon and Daren Millard on 100% Hockey to share where he’s at during an unexpected break from coaching — his first real time away from the bench in nearly twenty years. DeBoer talks about adjusting to life without the daily grind of an NHL schedule, how he’s staying connected to the game, and what this pause has taught him.
With his role on Hockey Canada’s staff for the 2026 Olympic Games, DeBoer also gives a detailed look at the early stages of Team Canada’s selection process — from identifying the right mix of players to the timeline leading into February’s tournament. He discusses what fans can expect when Olympic hockey arrives and how the coaching group is shaping its vision for Milan.
Jim Hiller, head coach of the LA Kings, joins John Shannon and Daren Millard on 100% Hockey on a rare day off during a packed stretch of games. Hiller gives a detailed look at the Kings’ surprising split between their strong road play and their struggles at home — the complete inverse of last season — and explains why finding balance has been such a challenge early on.
He touches on the mix of young players and veterans in the lineup, what the group does to reset on off days, and how the ultra-tight Pacific Division has elevated expectations and intensity on a nightly basis. Hiller provides a clear, inside look at the Kings’ day-to-day operations and what he believes will help the team turn the corner at home.
It’s just John Shannon and Daren Millard on this American Thanksgiving edition of 100% Hockey, as the two take stock of an NHL season defined by razor-thin margins. With the standings already incredibly tight — and this point in the calendar often viewed as a playoff indicator — they break down who’s positioned well, who’s in trouble, and why this season feels unusually congested.
John and Daren also touch on the impact of key injuries, the mood around different fanbases, and the storylines shaping the league as teams hit one of the first real checkpoints of the year.
Devan Dubnyk joins John Shannon and Daren Millard on 100% Hockey to talk goaltending across the NHL, starting with a market he knows better than most — Edmonton. Drawing from his own experience between the pipes in a high-pressure environment, Dubnyk gives his perspective on Stuart Skinner, how a goalie handles stretches of doubt, and what might be going through Skinner’s mind right now.
From there, the conversation moves around the league as Dubnyk weighs in on several goalie tandems, offering a candid and uniquely goalie-focused look at their situations. Along the way, he reflects on his own journey, the mental side of the position, and how the role continues to evolve.
Lou Lamoriello joins John Shannon and Daren Millard on 100% Hockey to discuss his transition from longtime NHL general manager to his new role as a consultant. Lamoriello outlines what his day-to-day looks like now, how he supports the organization, and why the shift made sense at this stage of his career.
He also shares his thoughts on the New York Islanders, the evolution of the GM position, and how changes around the league — from cap pressures to player movement — have reshaped the job. Lou talks about why building strong relationships with players was always a priority for him, and weighs in on topics including the new dress code, Olympic preparation, and how the league continues to evolve.



