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The Conversation Line

Author: Detroit Red Wings

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Red Wings players, coaches, and alumni sit down with broadcasters Daniella Bruce, Ken Daniels, and Ken Kal to discuss their origin stories every week throughout the season.
23 Episodes
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  Red Wings hockey is back for its Centennial season, and the captain Dylan Larkin joins Ken and Daniella to discuss his 11th year in Detroit. How has the game changed since his rookie season? Larkin also opens up about the arrival of his daughter in the off season and shares the mental challenges he faced near the end of last season. What has he learned about managing both the mental and physical sides of the season? What was his experience in the Four Nations tournament and how did he manage coming from a high-intensity environment back to the regular season in a short window? He discusses what has impressed him about the youth joining this team and what he saw in training camp from players and coaching alike.
Daniella Bruce sits down with longtime Detroit sportscaster John Keating in this special edition of The Conversation Line. As Keating prepares to retire at the end of the Red Wings season, the two reflect on his remarkable career— from covering iconic Detroit sports moments to becoming a staple of Red Wings broadcasts. He shares how it felt to be honored on Opening Day, relives the 1997 Wings-Avs brawl, and talks about the Tigers’ 2003 turnaround. Keating also discusses on his chemistry with Chris Osgood, the infamous Keating-themed ties, and what might be in store for his final home game. Don’t miss his heartfelt message to Detroit fans and what’s next on his horizon. Presented by Fieger Law. 
Ken Kal sits down with Red Wings forward Austin Watson. Known for his physical style of play, Watson discusses his role as an enforcer, his mindset when dropping the gloves, and the importance of standing up for his teammates. He reflects on his journey to Detroit, sharing experiences from his time in Nashville and what it means to join the team he grew up watching as an Ypsilanti kid. Also in this episode, hear about some of toughest opponents Watson has squared up against throughout his career. Presented by Fieger Law.
Daniella Bruce sits down with Red Wings goaltending prospect and current Michigan State Spartans netminder, Trey Augustine. The two discuss Augustine’s standout season, including being named Big Ten Goaltender of the Year and a finalist for the Mike Richter Award, as well as his growth from year to year. What has he improved on the most? How has playing in high-pressure games, including back-to-back World Juniors gold medal runs, shaped his development? Augustine also shares insights on Michigan State’s team culture, the Spartans’ push for a Big Ten championship, and how he stays focused with the NCAA tournament on the horizon. Presented by Fieger Law.
Daniella Bruce and Ken Kal sit down with Red Wings assistant general manager and director of amateur scouting, Kris Draper. The trio dives into Draper’s transition from player to front-office leader, his approach to scouting, and how he’s helping shape the future of the Red Wings. How has player development evolved since his playing days? What does he look for in the next generation of NHL talent? Draper also shares stories from his playing career, including his journey from a $1 trade to a key piece of the Red Wings’ championship teams. Plus, hear about his impressive collection of hockey memorabilia, including a vintage Grind Line tee-shirt Presented by Fieger Law.
Daniella Bruce and Ken Kal sit down with one of the newest members of the Red Wings, Craig Smith. The trio discuss Smith’s transition to Detroit following the trade deadline, his excitement about joining the team, and his first impressions of the locker room. How is he adjusting to his new teammates? What makes Detroit feel like home for the Midwesterner? Also in this episode, Smith shares stories from his time in Nashville, his love for Big Ten hockey, and why his dog has become the social media star of the family. Presented by Fieger Law.
Daniella Bruce sits down with Red Wings massage therapist Britta Ottoboni and Red Wings dietitian Lisa McDowell in honor of Women’s History Month. Britta shares her journey from athletic training to working with Olympic athletes before joining the Red Wings, while Lisa discusses her role in optimizing player nutrition and hydration. What’s the most unusual food request a player has ever made? How do these two women navigate a male-dominated industry while traveling with the team? Also in this episode, what’s the story behind the infamous “chicken cutlets”? Presented by Fieger Law.
Ken Kal sits down with Red Wings defenseman Albert Johansson who shares insights about growing up in Karlstad, Sweden and his family’s deep hockey roots. He discusses being drafted by Detroit, the challenges of adapting to the speed of the NHL, and his time with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Also in this episode, hear about the impact of coaching changes and his experience defending some of the league’s top players. 
Ken Kal sits down with Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan to explore his journey from small-town Saskatchewan to the NHL. McLellan reflects on his early playing days and his transition into head coaching in San Jose after winning the Stanley Cup with Detroit as an assistant coach in 2008. Also in this episode, McLellan shares his philosophy on team building and why a good coach always starts with great players.
Alex Lyon: Lyon Eyes

Alex Lyon: Lyon Eyes

2025-01-2222:13

Daniella Bruce and Ken Kal sit down with Red Wings goalie Alex Lyon this week. The netminder talks about his adjustment from living in a rural Minnesota town with no stoplights to playing Ivy League college hockey at Yale. At what point of his career did he start his trademarked "Lyon Eyes" stare-down? Also in this episode, Lyon explains how the pressures and stress of the position may have something to do with the interesting nature of goalie psychology. Presented by Fieger Law. 
Daniella Bruce and Ken Kal are joined by Red Wings defenseman Moritz "Mo" Seider this week. The three talk about his track from Zell, Germany to Detroit, Michigan and his favorite parts about the city. How was Seider exposed to the game of hockey in a country that's known for soccer? Also in this episode, Seider remembers taking a trip to the U.S. to watch his first NHL game. Presented by Fieger Law. 
Daniella Bruce and Ken Kal are joined by Red Wings right winger Alex DeBrincat this week. The Michigan native goes back to his days in Farmington Hills and Traverse City and talks about playing for the team he grew up rooting for. Which former Red Wings player did he try to model his game after? Also in this episode, DeBrincat shares his thoughts on what it's like to be booed as a visiting player. Presented by Fieger Law.
Ken Daniels is joined by the television and radio voices of the Detroit Tigers, Jason Benetti and Dan Dickerson, respectively, this week to share broadcasting memories from the various booths they've called games from. How did they each find an affinity for the art of play-by-play? The trio also preview the upcoming "Hot Stove Stories! Rounding the Bases with Mike Tirico" event which will feature engaging sports discussions hosted by seasoned broadcasting pros.
Daniella Bruce and Ken Daniels are joined by three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane this week. Now in his 19th season in the NHL, Kane is still able to remember the details of his 474 (and counting) career goals and reveals which individual trophy means the most to him. What happened to the infamous puck shot by Kane that clinched the 2010 Stanley Cup? Also in this episode, the former first-overall pick talks about his experience being welcomed to Chicago as an 18-year-old. 
Daniella Bruce and Ken Kal are joined by Detroit Red Wings assistant GM / Grand Rapids Griffins GM Shawn Horcoff this week to talk hockey development and management. The trio discuss the difficulty jumping from the AHL to the NHL. How did Horcoff go from competing against Steve Yzerman to working alongside him? Also in this episode, Horcoff shares his thoughts on some up-and-coming rookies like Sebastian Cossa. Presented by Fieger Law.
Daniella Bruce and Ken Kal sit down with Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson this week to talk about his childhood memories growing up near Gothenburg, Sweden - from fishing with family to playing in competitive soccer tournaments all over Europe. Which Red Wings teammate is the best soccer player? Also in this episode, Edvinsson shares his thoughts on goalie communication, chemistry with Mo Seider, and the infamous Swedish dish of Surströmming. Presented by Fieger Law.
Daniella Bruce and Ken Kal sit down with Red Wings goalie, Cam Talbot this week as he approaches a career milestone. With 498 career games under his belt, what will number 500 mean to him? From a small town in Ontario to the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Talbot explains when the possibility of playing in the NHL sank in. Also in this episode, we learn the origins behind Cam’s Ghostbusters goalie masks, his take on the 4 Nations Face-Off, and what it’s like balancing hockey with dad life.
Daniella Bruce and Ken Daniels are joined by newly minted Red Wings Hall of Famer, Pavel Datsyuk. As Datsyuk reflects on his impressive 14-year NHL career, what stands out the most to him? Daniels recounts some of his favorite Pavel memories, including moments with Brett Hull, Brendan Shanahan, and Igor Larionov. For Pavel, what was it like to play one season with Dylan Larkin? Also in this episode, we learn about Datsyuk’s memorable Hall of Fame week, life after retirement, and what it’s like to watch his son play hockey.
Daniella Bruce and Ken Daniels sit down with Red Wings equipment managers Brady Munger and John Remejes, as the duo share their unique behind-the-bench perspective. Does a broken stick really make a distinct sound? How long does it take to pack all team gear post-game? Also in this episode, the story of one NHL goalie accidentally locking himself in a locker room closet. Presented by Fieger Law.
Daniella Bruce and Ken Daniels are joined by Red Wings center Marco Kasper this week. The three discuss Kasper's path from Austria to Sweden to the NHL in Detroit and how playing in different overseas leagues helped shape his game. What was the transition to American hockey like? Also in this episode, Kasper explains his brief acting career and lets us in on his cheat meal of choice. Presented by Fieger Law.
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