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 Is The Stanley Cup Favorite Through Four Games? Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

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

1:10: Thoughts on starting Brandon Bussi and making Frederik Andersen a healthy scratch?

3:05: Has Jordan Staal been the best Carolina Hurricane so far?

4:30: What do you make of Jack Eichel's struggles?

6:30: Who do you think is the Stanley Cup favorite after the first four games?

9:20: Thoughts on the Oilers decision to pursue Mike Babcock?

14:45: Favorite memory of Gabriel Landeskog?

18:20: Should Dylan Larkin expand his list of teams he'd want to be traded too and what's the best fit of the three?

22:00: How shocked are you that Larkin wants out of Detroit?

25:20: Is the Blues' price too high for Robert Thomas?

29:00: Biggest surprise through the first four games of the final?

31:10: Do you think we will see Adin Hill at some point in this series?

35:00: Will Cale Makar become the highest-paid NHL player on his next contract?

36:00: Best and worst food Ryan has eaten during the cup final?

37:30: In honor of sewerball, who is winning the World Cup?

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Is Mitch Marner The NHL's Playoff MVP No Matter What? Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

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

1:02: Is Mitch Marner the Conn Smythe winner even if the Vegas Golden Knights lose?

4:20: Is there concern for Vegas about how fast the Carolina Hurricanes came back to tie Game 3?

6:20: Could Brandon Bussi start Game 4, or do you have to go back to Frederik Andersen?

9:02: Which team has the edge going into Game 4?

10:40: Do the NHL scouting combine results solidify Gavin McKenna as the No. 1 pick?

12:14: Michael Augello shares what he noticed in person at the combine.

14:55: Should there be an on-ice component at the combine?

18:10: Could Joe Pavelski become the next Martin St-Louis if he becomes an NHL coach?

19:54: What are the chances we see Pavelski behind the bench in the NHL?

21:04: Who is your ideal candidate for the Toronto Maple Leafs coaching job?

22:04: Thoughts on Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy winning his second career Vezina Trophy?

24:40: Did Connor McDavid deserve the Ted Lindsay Award?

26:29: Yay or Nay: Should the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' men's hockey program be in Div. I?

29:33: If you were drafting a team with players only in the Cup final, how many Vegas players would go before someone on Carolina does?

31:19: Rate this Stanley Cup final so far from 1 to 10

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Was John Tortorella's Coach's Challenge A Bad Mistake? Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

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

0:54: What's been the atmosphere in Carolina's Lenovo Center?

3:35: What did you think the Vegas Golden Knights did well in Game 2?

5:05: What do you think of John Tortorella's unsuccessful coach's challenge that led to a power-play goal against?

8:26: Brett Howden is locked up through 2030 for only $2.5 million, and he leads the NHL in goals this post-season. How impressive has he been?

11:29: What are some keys for the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3? What have they learned?

13:52: What should Vegas be thinking ahead of Game 3?

16:30: Where can we see Dylan Larkin landing after he reportedly requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings?

19:47: Why did Alexander Ovechkin not crack The Hockey News' top 100 NHL players list?

BetMGM Playbook

22:29: Gary Pearson shares his thoughts on the first two games of the Stanley Cup final.

24:55: Who will score the most points in the final?

27:39: Who will score the most goals in the final?

29:37: Dark horse pick for either points or goals?

Rapid Fire

31:50: How would Matthew Knies have looked with the Montreal Canadiens?

33:04: Is Darnell Nurse's time done with the Edmonton Oilers?

34:04: Will Anders Lee be back as the New York Islanders' captain next year?

35:45: Who should crank the siren for Vegas in Game 3?

36:57: Has your opinion changed on how many games it will take for either team to win the Cup?

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How Are The Golden Knights Getting These Comeback Wins? Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

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

0:50: What are the thoughts from Ryan, who was in attendance for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final?

3:30: Thoughts on Brett Howden and the steal of a contract the Vegas Golden Knights have with him?

5:30: What is playing in Vegas getting all these come-from-behind wins?

8:00: How concerned are you about Frederik Andersen after his five goals allowed in Game 1?

10:50: Any predictions for Game 2?

13:00: Who is a better fit as the Toronto Maple Leafs' coach: Patrick Roy or Peter Laviolette?

15:30: Are you surprised the Leafs are not looking at younger options for the next coach?

17:40: Thoughts on the All-Star Game going to an international format?

20:30: Thoughts on having the skills competition for players 25-and-under?

23:20: Thoughts on the NCAA potentially changing its eligibility rules?

28:10: Who is your Game 1 MVP?

30:00: Biggest thing you're focusing on throughout the rest of the series?

32:10: Who would you rather have on your team: Leon Draisaitl or Kirill Kaprizov

33:10: Any predictions for the pregame siren for Game 2?

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Previewing The 2026 Stanley Cup Final With Devan Dubnyk Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

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

0:25: Is the Golden Knights' success the reason for the Las Vegas sports boom?

5:30: Where does this playoff run rank in terms of John Tortorella's accomplishments

9:50: What would a Stanley Cup as a coach do for Rod Brind'Amour's legacy?

13:40: Which Hurricanes player has the most pressure on them?

17:30: Do the Montreal Canadiens need to make a change to get over the top?

24:00: Who's a player you wish you saw more of on the Habs?

28:20: Is Finland cemented as the third-best hockey country?

31:50: Should Switzerland be viewed as one of the hockey powerhouses?

35:00: Is Norway a country to watch at future hockey events?

37:00: Which team has the goaltending advantage in the Stanley Cup final?

38:30: Which player's legacy would be affected most if they were to win a Stanley Cup this year?

40:20: Who will be Canada's World Championship captain in 2027?

41:30: Is the OHL the best major junior league in Canada?

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Remembering Claude Lemieux As An NHLer And Agent May 29, 2026

Show notes

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

1:06: What are our expectations from the Carolina Hurricanes going into Game 5?

3:40: Why is the Hurricanes' style of play working in the Eastern Conference final this year?

6:48: Thoughts on Kelly McCrimmon saying he thinks the Edmonton Oilers leaked the news about Vegas not granting Bruce Cassidy permission to interview elsewhere?

8:22: What does Vegas have to gain by not letting Cassidy interview with someone else at this point?

10:33: Who is the most interesting NHL player you heard could be traded this off-season?

15:05: Who are some defensemen the Toronto Maple Leafs could be looking at as possible targets?

17:10: What are some moments or memories that stick out from Claude Lemieux's NHL career?

BetMGM Playbook

20:24: Who is leading the odds to win the Conn Smythe Trophy?

24:10: Your dark horse pick for the Conn Smythe?

27:30: Who is your pick to win the Conn Smythe Trophy?

Rapid Fire

30:06: Who do you have going all the way in the IIHF Men's World Championship?

32:05: Should the NHL do more of what the IIHF is doing with the referee cameras?

34:54: Yay or nay: the Columbus Blue Jackets should re-sign captain Boone Jenner

36:29: Who would you rather have on your team: Wyatt Johnston or Dylan Larkin?

37:40: Who would you rather have: Jeremy Swayman or Igor Shesterkin?

39:27: Will next season be a 'last dance' for the Pittsburgh Penguins with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang?

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Just How Shocking Is The Golden Knights' Sweep Vs. Avalanche? May 27, 2026

Show notes

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

1:15: Reaction to the Vegas Golden Knights' shocking sweep over the Colorado Avalanche. Where does this rank in terms of all-time shocking series?

5:00: Does John Tortorella deserve a contract extension with Vegas in the off-season?

8:20: What must the Montreal Canadiens do to develop more scoring chances?

13:35: Is the Bell Centre atmosphere actually working against the Canadiens?

16:40: What do you think the fit would be between the Los Angeles Kings and Peter Laviolette?

18:00: Of all the other open coaching spots, where would be the best fit for Laviolette?

21:45: Should the Pittsburgh Penguins have moved on from Evgeni Malkin?

26:00: What's the excitement level for the Canada and USA quarterfinal at the World Championship?

29:50: What is your all-time favorite Stanley Cup final matchup?

32:10: Do you think the Kitchener Rangers will win the Memorial Cup?

35:30: Thoughts on Jordan Tourigny's stomp at the Memorial Cup that led to a suspension for the rest of the tournament?

37:40: Do the Avalanche need to change their coach or GM?

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What's Going On With The Golden Knights And Avalanche? May 25, 2026

Show notes

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

0:35: How did the Vegas Golden Knights execute a comeback win to take a 3-0 series lead?

1:59: What do you like about the Golden Knights right now?

3:36: Do you have confidence that the Colorado Avalanche will battle back or at least make this a series?

7:23: What are you seeing from Colorado? Are they too deflated?

11:20: Expectations for Game 3 between the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens

14:48: Do the Hurricanes' best players need to do more?

17:45: What would it take for the San Jose Sharks or Chicago Blackhawks to trade their first-round pick?

21:57: Is this year's draft similar to the 2016 draft with the debate between Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine?

26:03: The Toronto Marlies are moving on to the AHL's Eastern Conference final. What have been the keys to getting them there?

30:07: Should the Los Angeles Kings extend Scott Laughton or let him go to free agency?

31:40: Which Round 2 losing team has the most concerning 2026-27 outlook?

34:16: The Tampa Bay Lightning re-signed forward Scott Sabourin on a one-year, two-way contract. Will the Lightning lead the league in penalty minutes again next season?

36:32: Yay or nay: Mark Scheifele deserves to be on Canada's World Cup of Hockey team

38:08: From this weekend, name a player who was hot or cold.

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Canadiens' Caufield And Slafkovsky Find Their Strides In Game 1 May 22, 2026

Show notes

The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss a bunch of big storylines during the NHL playoffs.

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

0:45: Takeaways from Game 1 between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes?

2:24: What were the keys to Montreal's game?

4:25: What were your thoughts on the goaltending battle?

7:12: How important was it for Juraj Slafkovsky and Cole Caufield to find their strides?

9:50: What has to be different for the Hurricanes in Game 2?

12:36: What are your expectations for Game 2 between the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights?

16:30: Should the Pittsburgh Penguins go through an aggressive rebuild with Sidney Crosby still on the team?

19:50: Is there pressure on the San Jose Sharks to make it into the playoffs next season?

BetMGM Playbook

24:24: Who in the Eastern Conference final will finish with the most points?

27:18: Who in the Eastern Conference Final will have the most goals?

29:06: Who in the Western Conference final will finish with the most points?

32:48: Who in the Western Conference Final will have the most goals?

Rapid Fire

35:14: San Jose mayor Matt Mahan is suggesting the new PWHL team be called the Hammerheads. Yay or Nay?

37:00: Who are the top three expansion teams of the past 30 years?

39:12: Who has stood out so far from the IIHF Men’s World Championship?

40:55: Like or Dislike: The new name of the New York Islanders’ AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Hammers

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What Is The Impact Of Cale Makar Missing Game 1? May 20, 2026

Show notes

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

1:05: What is the impact of Cale Makar being ruled out of Game 1?

3:20: How does Makar's absence in Game 1 affect the narrative of Colorado being a big favorite?

4:50: What does Vegas have to do to be competitive in this series?

6:15: Who is the most important player in the Western Conference final?

10:00: Are you buying into the rest-versus-rust theory in the Eastern Conference final?

14:00: Which players are the biggest X-factors in the Eastern Conference final?

18:40: Who will the Vancouver Canucks look to hire after firing Adam Foote, and what's his future in the league look like?

Coach Matchmaking

23:35: Where is the best fit for Craig Berube?

25:20: Best landing spot for Kris Knoblauch

27:20: Will Bruce Cassidy coach for a team next season?

28:20: Will David Carle make the leap to the NHL?

Who Is Better Right Now? Featuring THN's Top 100 Players List

30:30: Lane Hutson (No. 26) or Martin Necas (No. 31)

31:30: Mitch Marner (No. 39) or Sebastian Aho (No. 40)

32:45: Pavel Dorofeyev (No. 91) or Juraj Slafkovsky (No. 94)

Rapid Fire

35:30: Memorial Cup prediction and players to watch?

37:20: Which player in the conference finals has the most pressure on them?

38:25: Yay or nay: Rod Brind'Amour is coaching for his job this series

40:00: Should coaches be allowed to skip media after games?

42:30: Which of the four cities in the conference finals has the best food?

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