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.
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42:57
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42:57
The Hockey News Big Show: Where Will Remaining UFAs End Up?
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?
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48:17
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48:17
Very Early 2026 Olympic Hockey Projections And Predictions
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?
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40:46
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40:46
The NHL's Top Players Right Now
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?
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47:28
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47:28
NHL Mailbag Episode – Marner’s Return, Sleeper Team And More
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
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On Tuesdays 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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