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:

Who Will Make Up The Canadiens' Goalie Tandem Next Season? Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

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

1:00: How important is it for the Montreal Canadiens to have so many core players locked down?

5:37: After re-signing Jakub Dobes, what will happen to Samuel Montembeault and Jacob Fowler?

8:15: Thoughts on the Minnesota Wild picking up Blake Coleman and Olli Maatta?

10:10: How does Jake Middleton fit into the Calgary Flames' lineup?

11:03: Where do the Columbus Blue Jackets fit into the playoff picture with Zach Werenski staying?

15:25: What is the feeling surrounding the Detroit Red Wings?

18:24: If Dylan Larkin stays in Detroit, will he remain their captain?

19:30: Do you think Dyaln Larkin is justified in wanting to leave the Red Wings?

22:35: How would you evaluate the New York Rangers' retool right now?

27:44: Name one other team you think needs a Rangers-style retool.

29:02: Rate the start of Vancouver's rebuild from one to five

30:43: Will we ever see 7-foot-1 San Jose Sharks prospect Alexander Karmanov in the NHL?

33:04: Who is the best UFA still available?

34:22: Predict Alex Ovechkin's goal total this upcoming season

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Reacting To NHL Free Agency So Far Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

Here's what Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos and Michael Augello discussed in this episode:

1:00 What did you make of John Chayka's moves on July 1 so far?

6:04: Do you think the Leafs' additions give them flexibility in their lineup?

10:26: Will the San Jose Sharks make the playoffs next season?

12:11: How would you grade Mike Grier's job on July 1 for San Jose?

13:30: Are the Florida Panthers the team to beat in the Eastern Conference?

15:24: Is it Cup or bust for the Florida Panthers?

17:20: How does the goaltending in the Atlantic Division change who goes far in the playoffs?

18:45: Do you think Stuart Skinner will be the backup goalie in Winnipeg or the starter if Connor Hellebuyck is traded?

20:10: What team makes the most sense for Hellebuyck?

21:59: Thoughts on Edmonton picking up goalie Devon Levi?

24:10: Are we disappointed in the Oilers' free agency so far?

25:40: What is happening with the rumors surrounding Zach Werenski?

28:48: Who are your biggest winners from today so far?

31:40: Who were your biggest losers from the day so far?

33:28: Which team was quiet today but we should keep an eye on?

34:30: Yay OR Nay: Ivan Demidov has signed an eight-year extension with Montreal at $9.125 million annually

35:26: Who is the best player still available?

36:10: Yes or No: Are we surprised that Alex Ovechkin didn't re-sign at noon?

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How Pavel Dorofeyev Fits In The New York Rangers' Lineup Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

Here's what former NHL goalie Devan Dubynk, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode:

1:00: What are the San Jose Sharks still missing at this point?

3:10: Does it take time to become a true threat in the NHL?

5:11: What were some of the habits Devan had to change going from the minors to the pros?

8:52: Reacting to the New York Rangers acquiring Pavel Dorofeyev

10:50 How will Dorofeyev's play be affected by playing for the Rangers?

13:15: What does the addition of Mason McTavish and Brandon Carlo do for the St. Louis Blues?

15:10 What is the feeling surrounding the direction the Blues are headed?

16:35: How are you feeling about the Ottawa Senators right now?

18:55: What effect does losing a captain have on the dressing room?

21:13: The Buffalo Sabres continued a youth-focused approach under GM Jarmo Kekalainen by drafting Daxon Rudolph instead of trading the fourth overall pick and adding Olen Zellweger. Is this a smart approach?

25:55: Do you think the Sabres need a goaltending upgrade?

29:31: Which team made the best trade over the past week?

31:52: Which team has been quiet during the off-season so far and needs to improve?

33:50: Which RFA is most likely to sign an extension on July 1?

35:16: Which free agent do you think will be the best bargain?

36:37: Like or dislike: The Canadiens traded Brendan Gallagher to the Vancouver Canucks

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2026 NHL Draft Day Special Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

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

0:00: Breaking down the top five prospects ahead of the 2026 NHL draft

2:27: Is Gavin McKenna ready for the NHL spotlight?

4:45: How will the San Jose Sharks handle the second overall pick?

6:39: What is Chase Reid's ceiling as a prospect?

8:15: Who will the Buffalo Sabres target with the fourth overall pick?

9:38: How much undecidedness is there among the top five prospects?

13:58: Which prospect will be the biggest riser and faller of the draft?

19:45: Bold trade predictions for the NHL draft

21:38: What are the Toronto Maple Leafs looking to get in return for Morgan Rielly?

25:20: Reacting to the Columbus Blue Jackets' acquisition of Valeri Nichushkin

28:53: Is Alex Ovechkin more likely to return to the Washington Capitals after their recent trades?

32:10: Could Jason Robertson end up earning more than $15-million per season?

35:50: Who are the top remaining free agents to target this summer?

38:15: Reflecting on funny moments when star players leave a city

39:50: Will there be a goaltender drafted in the first round?

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Reacting To Some Big NHL Trades On 2026 Draft Week Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

Here's what former NHL player Drew Shore, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode:

1:30: Overall thoughts on the Bowen Byram trade?

9:00: What are the St. Louis Blues going to do with their four first-round picks after trading Jordan Kyrou to the Washington Capitals?

14:00: Thoughts on the Ottawa Senators acquiring William Eklund?

19:00: Where do you think is the best fit for Zach Werenski?

24:00: How long until there is an incident with Mike Babcock as Edmonton Oilers coach?

25:40: Do you expect any kind of change in Connor McDavid's game under Babcock?

29:50: Thoughts on the Florida Panthers being linked to Connor Hellebuyck?

33:30: What's your hottest NHL draft take?

35:30: Over or Under: 1.5 U.S. Olympians to get traded?

38:15: Who will emerge from the rebuild first: the Chicago Blackhawks or San Jose Sharks?

39:30: Where's a better fit for NHL expansion between Austin and Houston?

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Breaking Down The Tkachuk Blockbuster And What Happens Now Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

Here's what Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos and Michael Augello discussed in this episode:

1:20: Thoughts on Brady Tkachuk heading to the Florida Panthers?

2:48: What do you do if you're an Ottawa Senators fan seeing your captain leave?

5:30: Are the Ottawa Senators going to find a Tkachuk replacement in the draft?

9:17: Who should be the next captain of the Senators?

10:11: Thoughts on the Oilers re-signing Jason Dickinson and Connor Murphy?

12:35: Is the Bobby McMann signing a part of something bigger for the Seattle Kraken?

13:43: What else does Seattle need to do this summer?

17:33: Where does Artur Akhtyamov land on the Leafs' goalie depth chart?

22:30: Should the San Jose Sharks take a winger or a defenseman at pick No. 2?

25:50: Are more teams talking about deals ahead of this year's draft?

27:02: On a scale of 1 to 10: How likely is it that Sergei Bobrovsky is Florida's starting goaltender next season?

29:21: Should fans expect to see more U.S.-born players asking out of Canadian markets over the next few years?

33:10: Andre Tourigny signs a multi-year extension in Utah. Do we like it?

34:56: Opening Night: Which team is Jason Robertson playing for?

36:20 Better new name in the ECHL: Trenton Ironhawks or New Mexico Goatheads?

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Reacting To Raddysh Trade, Babcock News, Trade Rumors And More Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

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

1:30: What made Darren Raddysh an important trade target for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

6:30: Ryan Kennedy's final draft rankings are released. Keaton Verhoeff was ranked first earlier in the season but not anymore. What changed?

10:30: How much does a team affect who is drafted when?

12:54: Which players from this year's draft could play in the NHL right now?

15:00: What are your thoughts on Mike Babcock being cleared to coach?

16:31: The Edmonton Oilers will have had six coaches since 2015 once they name the new one. Is that too much change for a team?

20:07: What are some possible destinations for Anaheim's Mason McTavish?

23:15: Should the Ducks target a defenseman?

24:34: Bowen Byram has resurfaced in trade rumors. Should the Sabres trade him?

29:25: What will you remember most from Jonathan Toews' career?

34:00: The Boston Bruins will retire Patrice Bergeron's jersey number this upcoming season. What was your favorite memory of Bergeron?

36:00: Is this year's UFA class the worst ever?

37:14: What will Bruce Cassidy do this summer?

39:40: Who do you think makes the Hall of Fame this year?

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Reacting To Maple Leafs' Trade And Coach Hiring Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

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

1:00: Thoughts on the Toronto Maple Leafs' hire of Jim Hiller?

6:00: Did the Maple Leafs go with a more affordable option as coach?

9:15: Thoughts on the Maple Leafs trading Joseph Woll, and what does it say about GM John Chayka's plan?

14:00: Where is the best fit for pending UFA John Carlson?

18:15: Thoughts on the Ross Colton trade between the Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators?

22:00: The future of the Vegas Golden Knights' coaching staff after parting with John Tortorella

27:30: CBC will no longer carry NHL games. Was this the right decision by Sportsnet and CBC?

34:00: Favorite championship parade moment

35:50: If the Leafs make the playoffs, who will be their No. 1 goalie?

38:20: Biggest name that gets traded this off-season?

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Reacting To A Thrilling Stanley Cup Final Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

Here's what former NHL goalie Devan Dubnyk, Michael Traikos and Michael Augello discussed in this episode:

1:06: How would you rank this Stanley Cup final?

5:10: What Devan thought of Brandon Bussi and Frederik Andersen's play in the playoffs and the switch in the final

9:30: What does this Stanley Cup mean for Taylor Hall? Could he be a Hockey Hall of Famer?

12:22: Do you think Jordan Staal deserved to win the Conn Smythe Trophy? Did anyone else fit more?

16:30: What did you make of Mitch Marner's Cup final, from fastest hat trick in Stanley Cup final history to no points in Game 6?

18:30: Was William Karlsson the glue for Vegas' Marner line?

20:18: Will John Tortorella return as the coach for Vegas after coming in at the end of the regular season?

22:58: What are the thoughts on the NHL first and second all-star teams? Were there any snubs?

26:12: Is there a strong market for Jacob Markstrom? What can New Jersey expect as a trade return?

28:52: Could the Edmonton Oilers be the best fit for Markstrom?

31:12: The Flyers are expected to sign goaltender Dan Vladar to a five- to six-year contract extension worth around $5 million annually. Like or dislike?

35:20: If you could change anything you wanted about the NHL today, what would it be?

38:20: Top trade candidates for the summer?

40:35: Who do you think will win the Stanley Cup next season?

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Are The Hurricanes Finally Wearing Down The Golden Knights? Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

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

0:45: Ryan, which game has had the best atmosphere so far in the Stanley Cup final?

2:00: Was the Jordan Staal storyline something you thought would happen heading into the series?

3:59: Is the Carolina Hurricanes' style finally wearing down the Golden Knights?

5:18: What has been going wrong for Vegas at this stage of the game?

7:13: Why is it a crazy question to ask about the Vegas Golden Knights' goaltending situation?

9:23: How does the absence of William Karlsson affect the Vegas lineup?

11:30: Has Brayden McNabb looked the same since rejoining the lineup?

12:30: What is the key for Carolina to close out the series? What guys need to show up?

14:40: Ranking the four Staal brothers, from top to bottom

16:30: Where do we see this evolving to when it comes to where Elias Pettersson fits?

21:16: Do we agree with the plan of action from Joe Sakic when it comes to the Colorado Avalanche bringing back their entire coaching staff and re-signing all UFA's?

24:20: What are our thoughts about the Toronto Marlies heading for the Calder Cup final?

BetMGM Playbook

28:05: Is Mitch Marner the clear winner if Vegas wins the cup?

29:37: Is Marner still the winner if the Canes win the Cup or is it Jordan Staal?

31:35: Are there any other players on the radar for the Conn Smythe?

Rapid Fire

36:05: Who are the unsung heroes of the game? What is your favorite moment where an equipment manager or staff member did something memorable?

39:02: Nikita Kucherov won his second Hart Trophy. The results were one of the closest ballots ever. Kucherov finished just 10 points ahead of runner-up Connor McDavid. Thoughts?

40:59: Who is the very, very early front-runner for the 2026-27 Calder Trophy?

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