The Big Show

Latest Episodes:

What Should The New York Rangers Do At This Pont? Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

The Hockey News Big Show is back to discuss some big topics in the NHL and beyond.

Here's what former NHL goalie Devan Dubnyk, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Augello discussed:

0:50: With Johnathan Kovacevic returning to the New Jersey Devils' lineup, Dougie Hamilton is a healthy scratch. Is he on his way out?

3:11: What are the pros and cons of acquiring Dougie Hamilton?

5:34: Dubnyk was asked how players feel about teams asking them to waive their no-trade clause.

8:08: Philip Broberg signed a six-year contract worth $8 million annually with the St Louis Blues. Thoughts on this extension and what he can be long-term?

10:04: Your thoughts on what we've seen from Broberg so far?

11:59: Nashville is just two points out of the second wild-card spot in the West. Is it time to believe in the Predators?

15:52: What do you do if you're the New York Rangers? Should they retool?

18:27: Are the Rangers just not built properly?

20:35: James Reimer signed a one-year contract with the Senators. Thoughts on the signing?

21:44: Thoughts on the draft being in Buffalo this year?

23:28: The test event is complete for the new Olympic rink. How do you feel now about the quality?

25:40: What would players be willing to put up with just to play at the Olympics?

29:08: Alex Ovechkin surpassed Ron Francis for the second-most 20-goal seasons in NHL history and moved within one of Gordie Howe's league record. Where is he among the best players of all-time?

31:39: Who are the top Norris Trophy contenders?

33:55: How important is having a veteran goalie mentoring a younger one?

36:10: Another week, another chance to name a player who had a hot or cold week.

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Can The Senators Still Save Their Season? Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

Here's what Katie Gaus, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed:

0:50: The Toronto Maple Leafs have been playing better as of late. Is it too early to say this is the Leafs' comeback?

4:25: Where would you add a component to this Leafs team?

5:19: Can the Senators' season still be saved?

9:01: Which of the Penguins, Sabres, Sharks and Kings can stay strong enough to hang on to a spot in the playoffs? Which teams do we see falling out of the mix?

12:50: Which team will start selling before the Olympic roster freeze?

16:15: Where would you like to see Nazem Kadri land if the Flames were to let him go?

17:20: Do you agree with Wayne Gretzky that Canada should start Jordan Binnington to open the Olympics and let him play until he falters?

18:52: How much do you think international experience matters coming into the Olympics?

20:49: A three-day test event in Milan is being held over the next three days that will include seven games during that span. How crucial will this event be to determine where things stand?

BETMGM Playbook

25:34: Strengths or players to watch out for on Team Canada and Team USA?

27:18: Between Sweden and Finland, who has the best shot at upsetting one of the Teams with higher odds?

30:26: Who are you picking as your gold medal winner?

Rapid Fire

33:22: Jim Montgomery couldn't find Joel Hofer the other night to replace Binnington. Name another all-time weird/funny moment.

35:43: Will Patrick Kane go down as the greatest American-born player ever?

38:12: Which player from Canada's world juniors team will make the best NHLer?

40:11: Did this world juniors change your opinion of Gavin McKenna?

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Do The New Jersey Devils Need To Make Major Changes? Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

Here's what Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos and Drew Shore discussed:

02:00: Whose draft stock rose the most at the world juniors?

06:30: Did Zayne Parekh need to apologize for comments about saying NHLers are robots and that some folks with the Flames told him to give simple answers?

09:40: Will Parekh need to do anything to gain trust back from his teammates?

11:00: Did the Toronto Maple Leafs actually have a chance to land Brad Marchand?

14:15: How many goals will Auston Matthews finish the season with?

18:20: How scary are the Oilers without Tristan Jarry?

21:00: What has changed most about Trevor Zegras' game this season?

24:00: Do the Devils need to make major changes?

30:20: Yay or nay: Latvia will win a world junior medal in the next five years?

33:20: Best and worst off-season acquisition halfway through the season

37:40: Would you like to change your Stanley Cup prediction from the start of the season?

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Are Canada's Days Of Dominating The World Juniors Over? Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

Here's what Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed:

0:39: Thoughts on the offense that Team USA picked for its Olympic roster?

2:00: Will the U.S. regret leaving Adam Fox off the roster?

4:00: Was the U.S. looking at the Canadian roster when picking theirs?

6:20: Biggest snubs from Sweden's roster?

8:18: Thoughts on how the Finnish team is looking?

9:39: Who is Sweden's superstar?

11:50: Favorite story of David Branch, who died on Sunday at 77 years old?

World Juniors

14:56: Has Czechia-versus-Canada become one of the best rivalries at the world juniors?

17:00: Are the days of Canada dominating the world juniors over?

19:56: Thoughts on Sweden and Czechia in the gold medal game?

24:25: How would you evaluate the crowd and attendance in Minnesota at the world juniors?

NHL

28:41: The Colorado Avalanche have seemed unstoppable this season. Do they have an Achilles heel?

31:13: Are we at the point where we can safely say the Toronto Maple Leafs will miss the playoffs?

35:08: Fans showed disappointment on social media with the Winter Classic being held in Miami. Should the Winter Classic be held in a colder climate?

37:16: Top Hart Trophy candidate right now?

39:19: Another week, another chance to name a player who had a hot or cold week.

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World Juniors And Olympic Talk In Minnesota Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

Here's what Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed:

0:38: Thoughts on the Canadian men's Olympic roster?

2:45: Was keeping Connor Bedard off the Olympic roster the right choice?

4:04: What player was the biggest surprise to make the Team Canada Olympic roster?

5:00: Was Anthony Cirelli a good choice for Team Canada?

6:11: How is Canada's defense looking?

9:40: Thoughts on Canada goaltender choices?

World Juniors

11:27: How has Sweden played so far at the world juniors?

14:00: What have we seen so far out of Team USA?

16:00: Is Canada better than they were last year?

19:03: Is Czechia a serious threat going into the medal round?

20:59: Should Finland fans be concerned about placing third in Group B in the preliminary round?

22:45: Predictions for the Latvia and Sweden quarterfinal?

24:05: Predictions for the Switzerland and Czechia quarterfinal?

25:27: Predictions for the USA and Finland quarterfinal?

26:43: Predictions for the Canada and Slovakia quarterfinal?

29:00: Who will be relegated: Germany or Denmark?

29:58: How has Gavin McKenna performed so far?

33:20: Who has had the best performance so far at the world juniors?

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NHL Year In Review And Predicting 2026 Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

Here's what Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos and Drew Shore discussed:

00:55: Most memorable moment of the year?

04:00: Most surprising moment of the year?

07:40: Biggest breakout player of the year?

11:30: Which player or team was the biggest disappointment?

16:30: Funniest moment of the year?

19:00: Play of the year?

22:20: Player of the year?

25:20: Team of the year?

29:50: If you could flip the result of one game, which game would it be?

31:25: One player to keep an eye on in 2026

34:00: Hottest take for 2026

37:00: Who wins the Stanley Cup in 2026?

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What Have We Seen So Far From Canada At The 2026 World Juniors? Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

Here's what Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos and Andrew McInnis discussed:

0:58: What have we seen so far out of Team Canada at the world juniors?

6:18: Canadian captain Porter Martone apologized for unsportsmanlike behavior against Czechia. How important should it be for these players to show class and let their play do the talking?

10:12: Are Porter Martone's actions viewed differently because he's the captain?

11:23: What other teams or players have caught your eye so far at the world juniors?

13:48: The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers combined for 136 penalty minutes on Saturday, second-most in the NHL this season. Has this become one of the best rivalries?

17:49: Does Tampa or Florida benefit from this rough style of hockey more?

20:45: New York Islanders forward Mat Barzal laid a big slash on Columbus Blue Jackets Mason Marchment after Marchment tried to take out Matthew Schaefer. Thoughts on this play?

24:48: Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark took a leave of absence for personal reasons. What do they need to do to have success in Ullmark's absence?

27:50: Olympics roster reveals are underway. Which country's roster are you least certain about before their reveal?

32:20: What percentage would you give it that Anthony Cirelli makes Team Canada?

33:33: What are you looking forward to more this week: Olympic roster reveals or the Winter Classic?

34:31: Yay or Nay: Tampa Bay signs J.J. Moser to an eight-year extension worth $54 million?

36:06: Another week, another chance to name a player who had a hot or cold week.

37:45: What was your best Christmas surprise this year?

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2026 World Juniors Special Dec 26, 2025

Show notes

The Hockey News Big Show is here to break down the 2026 World Junior Championship in Minnesota.

Here's what Ryan Kennedy, Tony Ferrari and Michael Traikos discussed:

0:46: Will this year be different for Team Canada after back-to-back early exits?

2:28: What do you think of Gavin McKenna after the beginning of the season?

4:35: If there is a level concern for the Canadians, where's it at?

7:31: What are you looking to see from the Americans this year?

10:49: Can we see the Swedes win a medal this year?

14:16: Could this be the year we see Czechia win a gold medal?

18:30: Which team could be the dark horse for this tournament?

22:07: Which 2026 draft prospects should people be most excited to see?

27:07: Which country is most likely to get relegated?

28:33: Who are your top three picks to medal this year and your MVP pick?

30:19: Quiz time: who in world junior history has the most gold medals?

31:14: Which country has scored the fastest two goals at the world juniors? The goals were only two seconds apart.

32:00: Which player has the most points in a period at the world juniors?

33:12: Only five players have ever led the world juniors and the NHL in points. Who are they?

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How Much Will Jarvis And Slavin's Injuries Hurt The Hurricanes? Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

Here's what former NHLer Drew Shore, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed:

00:40: Is firing Marc Savard the first of many coaching staff moves for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

04:00: How much influence does the power-play coach have on the results, or does it fall mainly on the players?

05:20: Thoughts on the play that caused Seth Jarvis to crash into the net against the Florida Panthers last week?

08:00: How much will the injuries to Jarvis and Jaccob Slavin hurt the Hurricanes?

09:40: Can the New Jersey Devils compete with the Hurricanes now that Jack Hughes is back?

11:20: How sold are you on the Pacific Division-leading Anaheim Ducks?

15:00: Are the Detroit Red Wings contenders or pretenders?

17:30: What should fans know about the ECHL, which is in the middle of a labor dispute?

22:00: What is the best jersey that was released this season?

26:00: Which players eligible for an extension would you like to see re-sign sooner than later?

28:00: Which team or player deserves a lump of coal for their start of the season?

30:00: Top Christmas movies?

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Have The Leafs Given Up On Their Coach? Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

Here's what former NHL goalie Devan Dubnyk, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed:

0:56: Phillip Danault was traded to the Montreal Canadiens by the Los Angeles Kings on Friday for a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft. Thoughts on this pickup?

2:15: How does this Danault trade add to Montreal's depth?

3:38: What does this trade mean for the Kings? Are they just freeing up cap space?

6:07: The Seattle Kraken traded Mason Marchment to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Is this the start of a retool or rebuild in Seattle?

7:27: How does Mason Marchment fit into the Blue Jackets' lineup?

8:31: Is it time to be terrified of the Florida Panthers once again?

10:53: Is missing this amount of time for Matthew Tkachuk an advantage or disadvantage for him?

13:00: What is the word on the return of Aleksander Barkov?

14:07: With the standings being so tight in the Atlantic, is this the year we see the Sabers make a real competitive push toward a playoff spot?

18:11: Do the Toronto Maple Leafs need to make a move?

20:13: Have the Maple Leafs given up on their coach?

23:25: Who is one bubble player you believe has to make Team Canada?

26:04: As the quarter-century wraps up, what were the biggest changes to the NHL and the game since 2000?

29:17: Who's the greatest Penguins player of all-time: Crosby or Lemieux?

33:21: Which team is most thankful for the upcoming holiday break?

35:40: Another week, another chance to name a player who had a hot or cold week.

37:27: Eggnog: yay or nay?

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