The Big Show

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**The Big Show**

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.

Latest Episodes:

Will Ovechkin Close Out His NHL Career With A Stanley Cup? Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

0:00: Reflecting on Alex Ovechkin’s career after his farewell tour announcement

06:45: What are the chances Washington is a contender in his final season?

09:30: If Elias Petterson keeps his level of play up do you think the Vancouver Canucks will keep or trade him?

14:00: Will the Anaheim Ducks compete for top spot in the Pacific Division?

16:20: Is Cutter Gauthier a sleeper candidate to win the ‘Rocket’ Richard award?

18:30: Can the Florida Panthers be competitive without Aleksander Barkov in the lineup?

22:20: What is the ceiling for the Seattle Kraken this season?

25:00: Is Igor Shesterkin already the front-runner for the Vezina?

27:27: Will Matvei Michkov or Porter Martone finish with more points this season?

30:30: How many AHL games does Gavin McKenna play this season?

35:50: Oilers or the field: Who will win the Art Ross Trophy this season?

37:40: Which NHL team needs Landon Dupont the most?

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How Will Barkov's Injury Potentially Impact The Panthers' Outlook? Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

Here's what Katie Gaus, Ryan Lambert and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode:

0:00: What can fans expect from Matthew Knies on the Columbus Blue Jackets this season?

05:20: Where does Jack Hughes rank in terms of star power in the league?

09:40: Where does Igor Shesterkin rank among goaltenders in the NHL?

11:00: How will Pavel Dorofeyev fit on the New York Rangers this season?

15:15: How will Barkov’s injury potentially impact the Florida Panthers’ outlook?

19:20: Breaking down Mike Babcock’s first two games behind the bench with the Edmonton Oilers

26:20: How could the NHL change the structure of contract clauses?

33:10: Favourite example of a superstar fighting?

34:30: Biggest overreaction from the first few days of the season?

37:40: How many points will Connor McDavid end up with this season?

39:00: How many goalie goals will we see this season?

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Which Remaining NHL Free Agents Will Play This Season? Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Here's what Ex NHLer Devan Dubynk, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode:

2:11: Do the Toronto Maple Leafs have a strong enough defensive core to make a playoff push?

4:38: Should Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller be worried about Matthew Knies’ pre-season performance?

8:20: Has Sam Montembeault done enough to cement himself as the Montreal Canadiens’ second-string goaltender?

11:33: Dylan Larkin has reportedly expanded his trade list. Will it help him get moved any faster?

16:11: Which remaining UFAs will end up on a team this season?

19:40: Who has been the most interesting player on waivers?

22:50: Which player impressed you the most this pre-season?

25:15: Reacting to the NHL Network’s top 10 players list

28:25: Like or Dislike: David Pastrnak named as the next captain of the Boston Bruins

30:27: Will Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg have a better rookie season?

32:44: Buy or Sell: Jack Eichel will finally break 100 points this season

34:06: Like Or Dislike: Shortened pre-season format?

36:29: Reacting to TheHockeyNews.com’s pre-season Stanley Cup predictions

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Did The Blue Jackets Get A Fair Deal On Adam Fantilli’s Extension? Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Here's what former professional hockey player Madison Packer, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode:

1:15: Reacting to the NHL’s projected salary cap increase

2:41: Does this news change how we view the contracts that were signed this summer?

4:54: Breaking down Adam Fantilli’s extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets

6:25: What are the expectations for Fantilli throughout this upcoming season?

9:33: Suggesting trade proposals for Connor Hellebuyck

14:40: Is this a make-or-break year for Kirby Dach with the Montreal Canadiens?

18:22: When will the Seattle Kraken’s quest for a star player end?

23:24: Thoughts on the PWHL’s All-Star game format

27:31: Did the Chicago Blackhawks get a good deal with Oliver Moore’s extension?

29:15: With Connor Bedard not close to returning, is it too early to write off the Blackhawks’ season?

30:50: Like or Dislike: The Toronto Maple Leafs placing Steven Lorentz on waivers?

32:08: Will the Philadelphia Flyers be a playoff team?

34:39: Is it too early for the San Jose Sharks to name Macklin Celebrini captain?

35:52: Where will Nikita Kucherov finish among the NHL's leading scorers this season?

37:39: Which team’s offense is going to be the most fun to watch this season?

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The Hockey News Future Watch Show: How McKenna, Other Top NHL Rookies Have Performed In Pre-Season Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Here's what was discussed in this episode:

0:00: Breaking down Gavin McKenna's pre-season debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs

3:43: Roman Kantserov, Victor Eklund and other notable rookie standouts at NHL training camp

8:00: What role will Nikita Klepov play with the Anaheim Ducks this year?

11:50: What makes Dima Zhilkin a projected lottery pick in the 2027 NHL Draft?

15:19: Reacting to the CHL's first four players named ahead of the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge

20:34: Will top 2027 prospect Nazar Privalov stay in the KHL for the entirety of the 2026-27 season?

24:57: What are the biggest points of development for top 2027 prospect Sergei Skvortsov?

28:03: Ryan Kennedy preview’s his top 100 NCAA players list

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Where Should Gavin McKenna Line Up For The Maple Leafs? Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Here's what former NHL head coach Bruce Boudreau, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode:

1:11: Sharing initial thoughts on Gavin McKenna’s performance in his first pre-season NHL game?

2:34: Where should McKenna line up on opening night for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

5:37: What does a successful season look like for the Vancouver Canucks this year?

10:03: What does Elias Pettersson need to do to get back to being himself?

12:51: Which players on the Dallas Stars need to take that next step to help push them to a Stanley Cup?

15:40: Are the Stars missing anything from their lineup that would make them true contenders?

19:44: Is Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar entering the season on the hot seat?

23:31: Early predictions for the Jack Adams

27:45: How will Capitals fans and viewers around the league react throughout the season to Alexander Ovechkin’s latest controversy?

30:32: Is ‘hockey IQ’ being lost in the NHL?

33:18: Will the San Jose Sharks make the playoffs?

35:11: Name a younger player other than Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer that you would build your franchise around for the next 10 years

36:37: Kevin Hayes announces retirement after five games in the KHL. Which NHL team do you think of when you think of Hayes?

38:17: If you could bring back one NHL rivalry in its prime, which one would it be?

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Can Auston Matthews Return To Form With The Maple Leafs This Season? Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

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?

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The Hockey News Future Watch Show: Recapping Standout Prospects From The NHL's Rookie Tournaments Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

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

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Breaking Down The Canadiens’ Signings Of Kreider, Bolduc and St. Louis Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

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?

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What’s Next For Red Wings After Stripping Larkin Of Captaincy? Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

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?

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