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?
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45:49
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45:49
Who's The Most Interesting Pending NHL UFA Left?
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?
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50:39
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50:39
Breaking Down McDavid’s Extension And Previewing The Pacific
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?
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51:41
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51:41
NHL Atlantic And Central Division Expectations
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?
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50:06
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50:06
Will Leafs' William Nylander Join The 50-Goal Club?
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
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On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, we'll have in-depth analysis and lively discussion about everything happening in the NHL. Whether it’s trade rumors, player development or season predictions, it has expert takes and fresh perspectives on every episode.
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