The Athletic Hockey Show Which NHL offseason moves have aged the best and worst?
Nov 24, 2025
Joining the conversation are Murat Ates, a Winnipeg Jets reporter, and Jesse Granger, an NHL analyst for The Athletic. They discuss Connor Hellebuyck's knee surgery and the Jets' chances without him. Murat evaluates Jonathan Toews' performance while examining potential Team Canada players for the Olympics. The duo also ranks offseason moves, highlighting misses like John Gibson in Detroit and regrets from St. Louis. Conversely, they celebrate successful acquisitions like Chris Kreider in Anaheim and Buffalo's trade for Josh Doan.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Winnipeg's Depth Masks Bigger Team Issues
- The Jets' strong backups suggest system and coaching can buoy goaltending beyond one star goalie.
- Connor Hellebuyck's absence will test whether Winnipeg's defense and decision-making sustain results.
Don't Rush A Goalie's Return
- Treat midseason injury returns like jumping onto a moving train; timing matters for goalies.
- Give Hellebuyck time to regain form and avoid rushing his workload after recovery.
Decision Speed Can Offset Low Foot Speed
- Winnipeg's lack of foot speed increases reliance on precise decisions and transitions.
- Efficient puck management must compensate for slower skating or margins vanish.