The Big Show

Latest Episodes:

What Should We Expect From Auston Matthews' Return To Leafs? Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

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

Here’s what Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos and ex-NHLer Drew Shore discussed:

0:55: The Vancouver Canucks are open for business. Pending UFAs Evander Kane, Kiefer Sherwood, Teddy Blueger and Derek Forbort are reportedly available. Which one would you pursue?

3:50: What do you make of the Canucks, and what direction would you pursue with them?

5:33: Are you surprised that we haven’t seen a big trade happen yet this season?

7:05: Other Names floating around the trade rumors are Jordan Binnington, Rasmus Andersson, Nazem Kadri and Alex Tuch. Out of the players listed above, who do you think is most likely to get traded and where could they go?

10:40: Barry Trotz denied a report that there are culture issues within the Predators dressing room, saying, "I know what toxic is." Obviously, something is wrong there. How concerned are you about what's going on in Nashville?

12:58: How important is the dressing room culture to the success of a team?

15:12: With the NHL standings being so tight, there are a few teams that are stuck in the middle. The Capitals and Bruins are the two wild-card teams in the East. The Pens are one point behind. Of these three, who do we expect to land a playoff spot when all is said and done?

18:10: Ottawa Senators coach Travis Green said on Monday that captain Brady Tkachuk is on track to return to the lineup “sooner than later.” How will this help the Senators getting him back earlier than expected?

20:20: Auston Matthews is expected to make his return when the Toronto Maple Leafs travel to play the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday. What do we expect from Matthews?

24:30: What happens if the Leafs’ road trip goes poorly? Does a trade or coaching trade happen?

27:25: The USA Hockey National Team Development Program won 4-2 against the CHL. Impression of the game?

30:30: How much would Drew Shore have liked to play in this type of showcase?

32:30: Who is your dark horse pick to make Team Canada?

33:53: Nashville has said that the price for moving Ryan O'Reilly would be a first-round pick plus an A-level prospect. Is he worth that?

35:52: Like or Dislike: Dallas Stars' new alternate jerseys that are inspired by their 1999 Stanley Cup championship sweaters.

37:07: Who do you blame most for the Oilers' rough start: Stuart Skinner or GM Stan Bowman?

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How Competitive Are The Jets Without Hellebuyck? Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

Here’s what Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos and former NHL goaltender Devan Dubnyk discussed:

1:00: Connor Hellebuyck will be out for four to six weeks after having knee surgery on Saturday. How competitive can the Jets be without their No. 1 goaltender?

2:20: How does a goalie's mindset change going from being the backup to the starter?

4:50: Will Hellebuyck’s injury affect his chances of playing for the United States in the Olympics?

7:30: Since Joseph Woll's return, he has a 1-2-1 record, .905 save percentage and 3.27 goals-against average. How would you evaluate Joseph Woll's play in net since his return?

12:32: The Montreal Canadiens signed Alexandre Texier to a one-year, $1 million contract.Thoughts on this signing?

14:13: How are you feeling about Montreal’s depth right now?

15:58: Mikko Rantanen has been in some trouble recently, being suspended for one game following his hit on Matt Caronato. What are your thoughts on his play as of late?

17:50: How difficult is it to walk the line between clean and dirty play when you're a player of Rantanen’s size?

20:22: The Colorado Avalanche have now won nine games in a row and sit at the top of the Central Division with a 16-1-5 record. Can anyone stop the Avs?

24:40: The Seattle Kraken sit second in the Pacific Division and have the second-best defense in the NHL right now. Do we believe in the Kraken yet, or is it a mirage?

27:20: Jesper Wallstedt has won five straight, with three shutouts for Minnesota. He also leads the NHL in save percentage at .935 and is second for GAA at 1.94. Is it time to fear the Wild?

32:17: Movember is coming to an end. Who has the best mustache in the NHL, currently or all-time?

34:26: Another week, another chance to name a player who had a hot or cold week.

36:18: Artists Jordon Bourgeault, Travis Michael and Dave Fried have been using iPads to design goalie masks for Anthony Stolarz, Thatcher Demko, Dustin Wolf and more. What was Devan's process like when David Gunnarsson was designing his masks?

38:50: Fair or foul: Connor Bedard getting pressured by autograph hounds for his signature on copies of The Hockey News' magazine?

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Examining The NHL's Playoff Picture At The Quarter Mark Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

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

Here’s what Ryan Kennedy, Katie Gaus and Gary Pearson discussed:

0:45: We’ve reached the quarter mark of the NHL’s regular season, and some of the teams in a playoff position (and out of one) are a big surprise. Which team not in this current playoff picture is the biggest surprise?

4:40: Which series would you love to see actually happen?

8:15: Stuart Skinner's save percentage is now at .882, among the worst in the NHL. Do the Oilers have a goalie problem or a defense problem? Or both?

12:43: The Winnipeg Jets gave prospect Brad Lambert's representation permission to find a trade partner. Will he ever become a top-six forward? Where would Lambert be a good fit?

16:16: Elliotte Friedman reported the Ottawa Senators are looking to hit a home run on the trade market. In what scenario should Ottawa swing for a home run in a trade?

20:02: Thoughts on Matthew Schaefer being added and his chances of earning a spot on Team Canada?

24:00: Which players on Canada's 4 Nations Face-Off squad should not be on the Olympic team?

28:01: Conversations have started circulating about whether or not Gavin McKenna is the undisputed No. 1 overall pick at this upcoming draft. So, is he?

BetMGM Playbook

33:52: What are you seeing from the Colorado Avalanche that makes them such a powerhouse?

36:07: Have the Carolina Hurricanes done enough to start to show that they have that potential to make it past the Eastern Conference final?

37:39: Between Florida and Vegas, who do you feel more confident in?

Rapid Fire

39:15: Who should be the three goalies for Canada’s men’s Olympic team?

40:55: Calgary Flames backup Devin Cooley said this: "You really have to ground yourself... I just go, 'Nothing matters, nobody cares, we're all going to die,' I just say that over and over again." What's the weirdest goalie quote you can think of?

42:32: What will be the best Californian NHL team in three years: Los Angeles, Anaheim or San Jose?

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Predicting The NHL’s Major Award Winners At The Quarter Mark Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

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

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

1:00:Who are the top Stanley Cup contenders right now?

5:00: How many Canadian teams will make the playoffs?

10:50: What kind of player should the Toronto Maple Leafs target if they are going to make a trade?

15:00: Thoughts on Patrick Roy going off on Mikko Rantanen for boarding Alexander Romanov? What do you think of the hit?

19:25: Has Drew ever had a coach like Roy?

20:35: Will Jamie Benn hit 1,000 points by the end of the season? He’s currently at 956.

25:15: Will the Art Ross Trophy go to Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Macklin Celebrini or Connor Bedard?

30:15: Who’s your pick for the Hart Trophy a quarter of the way through the season?

31:40: Vezina Trophy?

34:00: Norris Trophy?

36:00: Jack Adams Award?

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Reacting To Red Wings And Rangers’ Big Scrum, Kempe’s Re-Signing And More Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

The Hockey News Big Show is here for a new week of discussing big topics in the NHL and beyond.

Here’s what Ryan Kennedy, former NHL goaltender Devan Dubnyk and Michael Traikos discussed:

0:36: The Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers had a bench-clearing scrum after the final buzzer when Mason Appleton shot the puck in the net. Was he out of line?

4:00: Jack Hughes will be out eight weeks after undergoing surgery on his finger for an injury he suffered at a team dinner on Thursday night. How does this affect his likelihood of making USA’s Olympic roster?

6:03: Should Hughes play center or on the wing on Team USA?

7:50: Jim Rutherford said if the Vancouver Canucks can stay the course and keep getting younger players, they can become a consistent playoff team, and Quinn Hughes’ future won’t affect that. Agree or disagree?

11:21: Would this be a good trade between the New Jersey Devils and Canucks: Dougie Hamilton and a couple of first-round draft picks for Quinn Hughes?

14:56: Will Troy Stecher at least move the needle for the Toronto Maple Leafs' defensive problems?

18:25: The Los Angeles Kings and Adrian Kempe agreed to an eight-year extension at $10.625 million annually. Thoughts on this deal for the Kings?

21:17: Devan Dubnyk shares his thoughts on Jesper Wallstedt and his development so far?

23:38: Can the Minnesota Wild be a threat in the playoffs or make the playoffs?

25:26: Stuart Skinner moved ahead of Cam Talbot for fifth on the Oilers' all-time wins list. Does this change how we think about Skinner?

28:48: What's a storyline in the CHL you think more people should know about right now?

31:05: What's an unusual off-ice injury you can think of?

33:16: Which NHL player had the best week on the ice?

34:41: Red Wings and Rangers both wore their Centennial uniforms, making it a red-versus-blue matchup. Do you like how the jersey matchup looked on the ice?

37:00: Charlie McAvoy took a slapshot to the mouth in a game against the Habs. Where’s the worst place a puck has hit you?

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Will The Canadiens, Senators And Bruins Continue To Lead The Atlantic? Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

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

Here’s what Gary Pearson, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed:

2:00: There is now a three-way tie for the top of the Atlantic Division between the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators. Which team(s) will stay in the top three?

5:55: Toronto's winless streak has stretched to four games after Thursday's overtime loss against Los Angeles. How concerned are you about them?

8:50: Who will be the player to drag this team out of the slump?

10:41: After a poor start, the Los Angeles Kings are now second in the Pacific. Are the Kings looking legit again?

13:20: Are these Kings a better team than last season?

16:27: New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec is now up to 12 points in 17 games after a hat trick against Chicago. Is the 21-year-old finally coming into his own after going second overall in the 2022 draft?

21:08: Trade rumors continue to swirl for the Blues, with Jordan Kyrou and Brayden Schenn's names being at the forefront. Who, if either, is more likely to be traded for the Blues?

25:31: Jack Roslovic has points in eight of his last 10 games. Should any teams be kicking themselves for not signing him?

31:00: BetMGM Playbook: The Sabres are the worst team in enemy rinks, sporting a .200 point percentage. How could at least a few wins on the road help them out?

32:45: Can any of the other teams at the bottom, like the Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks and Calgary Flames, overtake the Sabers for last in the league?

36:55: Name a player that's thriving on their new team this season.

38:09: The NHL Global Series is taking place this weekend in Sweden between the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins. What country do you want to see it being held in next?

41:08: In four games since shaving his head, Artemi Panarin has three goals, six assists and nine points. Should he just stay bald at his point?

43:25: What quote from this week caught your eye?

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Will Injuries Hurt The Canucks Or Leafs The Most? Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

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

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

01:05:Does the NHL have a Nikita Zadorov problem after Auston Matthews hit?

04:40: Whose injuries will impact the team more: the Toronto Maple or Vancouver Canucks?

07:30: What contributes to rookies staying in the NHL or going back to junior?

12:30: Is it more beneficial to remain with an NHL team without bouncing back and forth between leagues?

14:20: Who's more of a Stanley Cup contender: the New Jersey Devils or Anaheim Ducks?

19:30: How concerned should Team Canada be about Brayden Point's start?

22:15: What did Drew do when he got into a slump?

24:10: How much change do you think there will be from Team Canada's 4 Nations team and the Olympic team?

28:15: What would you like to see next year when NHL All-Star Weekend returns?

31:00: What was your favorite moment from the Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony?

33:15: Who gets traded first: Ryan O’Reilly or Nazem Kadri

36:00: Who will win the “hockey Cy Young,” a.k.a. the player with the most goals and fewest assists?

37:15: Who is on more of a hot seat: Craig Berube or Kris Knoblauch?

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What Are The Oilers Missing Right Now? Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

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

Here’s what Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos and Ken Campbell discussed in this episode:

0:40: What's wrong with the Edmonton Oilers, and what can be done to fix it?

3:52: Are the Oilers really missing Corey Perry right now?

5:55: Do the Toronto Maple Leafs have a goaltending problem or does most of their struggles fall on the defense?

9:18: How do you think Joseph Woll’s return will affect Anthony Stolarz’s performance?

11:18: Did people get concerned about Connor Bedard too early?

16:48: How important is Year 3 in a career for Bedard and NHL players in general?

18:37: Name a player you think has jumped into the superstar category this season.

22:30: Hockey Hall of Fame talk: where does Zdeno Chara rank all-time among NHL defensemen? Is he up there with Bobby Orr and Nicklas Lidstrom?

28:50: Boston University icon Jack Parker coached the Terriers for 40 years, even when he had NHL offers. With how often NHL coaches get fired, did he have it right?

32:36: Could we see David Carle as an NHL coach in a couple of years?

34:00: Ken Campbell spent some time in Czechia recently and interviewed Dominik Hasek. He discusses that and whether Prague is still incredibly underrated as a city.

38:54: Who will get inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame next year? Candidates include Carey Price, Ryan Getzlaf, Patrice Bergeron, Phil Kessel and Eric Staal?

43:04: Should the NHL retire Alexander Ovechkin's number?

43:58: Who's your Hart Trophy front-runner?

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Which Breakout NHL Teams Will Stay Near The Top? Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

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

Here’s what Katie Gaus, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode:

0:36: Only six points separate first place and last place in the Eastern Conference. In the West, there are six different teams within three points of the second wild-card position. Is this the tightest NHL standings you've seen at this stage of the season in years?

4:05: Of the breakout teams appearing near the top of the standings, which one do you "believe in" the most to be there (in the playoffs) at the end of the season?

8:16: One month into the season, which coach or GM is on the hot seat?

12:50: What did you see out of the Calgary Flames last year when they almost made the playoffs?

14:45: The Utah Mammoth reportedly were interested in trading Nick Schmaltz in the summer, but with the hot start he's having, should they make signing the pending UFA sooner than later a top priority?

19:39: Joe Thornton, Duncan Keith and Alex Mogilny are among the people being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame this weekend. What are some of the best stories about one of the inductees?

24:14: Gary Pearson joins us for the BetMGM playbook. If the Penguins' goaltending duo of Tristan Jarry and Arturs Silovs can sustain their elite play, could that improve their playoff odds?

26:39: The Ottawa Senators sit at -120 odds to make it into the playoffs. Will they be able to put themselves in a good-enough spot until Brady Tkachuk returns from injury?

28:50: The New York Rangers are at +150 to make it into the playoffs, yet they sit tied for last in the Eastern Conference. What has to change for those odds to make more sense?

30:44: Can the return of Patrick Kane help the Red Wings reinforce their +150 odds to make the playoffs?

34:48: Now that Mogilny is finally being inducted, who is the next "player that is long overdue" to get into the Hockey Hall of Fame?

37:59: Who is the biggest bargain off-season signing so far?

39:50: Could this be the last season we see the Crosby-versus-Ovechkin rivalry?

43:51: Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (who infamously stuffed Ovechkin’s 900th-goal puck in his pants and got caught) said he had the full intention to give it back to him. Do we believe him?

45:13: Following meetings at the NHL offices in NYC between the CHL, Hockey Canada, the USHL and USA Hockey, it's rumored the USHL could possibly be making the move to join the CHL umbrella. Ryan - what have you heard?

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Breaking Down The Wild’s Controversial Overtime-Winner And More Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

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

Here’s what former NHLer Drew Shore, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode:

01:00: Do the New York Islanders need an enforcer to protect Matthew Schaefer?

04:30: Is there a difference when a team has a designated enforcer?

07:20: The Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild game had a bizarre ending when Marcus Johansson was awarded the overtime-winner for shooting the puck over the goal line after the netminder knocked the net off. Thoughts?

09:40: Are the Pacific-leading Anaheim Ducks for real?

17:00: What do you think about the Leafs' nuclear duo of Auston Matthews and William Nylander?

23:40: How big is it for the Winnipeg Jets to get back Adam Lowry?

25:36: Are we underestimating the Jets?

27:36: Is Macklin Celebrini a legit Art Ross Trophy candidate?

31:49: Who's your pick for the Calder Trophy so far?

33:54: How many points will Nikolaj Ehlers get after scoring his first goal with the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday?

36:54: Yay or nay: an outdoor NHL game at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys?

39:36: What’s your favorite story about Jordin Tootoo, who’s the subject of a new documentary about his life on and off the ice?

41:14: What’s the craziest story you've heard about a player's fitness or diet?

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