

The Athletic Hockey Show
The Athletic
The Athletic's flagship hockey podcast delivers daily insights, prospect rankings, betting picks, and much more, Monday through Friday, all season long. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 30, 2026 • 50min
Which top NHL prospects could be dealt by the trade deadline?
A lively debate over which NHL prospects contenders might move before the trade deadline and what teams like Detroit or Minnesota could offer. Deep dives into goalie depth and whether netminders or forwards are more tradable. Contrasting new draft rankings and heated comparisons of wingers versus right-shot defensemen. Short takes on individual prospects' roles, upside, and early-season adjustments.

Jan 29, 2026 • 47min
Previewing the Olympic Women’s hockey tournament
A lively preview of the Olympic women’s hockey tournament with debate over whether Canada or the United States are true favorites. They weigh goaltending matchups, roster choices and Marie‑Philippe Poulin’s role. Discussion covers tournament format quirks, Sweden as a dark horse, and who might challenge for bronze. Quick-fire predictions tease MVP and top scorer picks.

10 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 44min
Why the Maple Leafs should sell on the season
They debate whether Toronto should sell off talent amid a brutal home skid and fading playoff hopes. They argue the team may be fundamentally broken and explore who could be traded or kept in a retool. Buffalo’s scorching run and New Jersey/Islanders roster moves get praise and breakdowns. They also flag top American goal scorers surprisingly left off the Olympic roster.

12 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 1h
The eight true Stanley Cup contenders
They pick the eight NHL teams they believe can actually win the Stanley Cup this season and explain why the trade deadline could reshuffle that group. They debate whether Nathan MacKinnon measures up to Connor McDavid and assess teams’ goaltending, depth and top-line firepower. They also spotlight squads that could vault into contention with the right deadline moves and preview Olympic tournament storylines.

Jan 25, 2026 • 9min
Brady Tkachuk talks Olympics, Canada rivalry, and going for gold
Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators captain and NHL forward, talks making Team USA for Milano Cortina and wearing the national sweater. He reflects on playing with his brother Matthew and dreaming of a gold medal. He breaks down lessons from the Four Nations and the intensity of the U.S.-Canada rivalry. He also discusses pressure, representation, and the thrill of NHL players returning to the Olympics.

Jan 22, 2026 • 47min
Why did Team USA pick Jackson Lacombe over Lane Hutson?
Julian McKenzie, a sports journalist and author of 'Black Aces,' joins to discuss the Ottawa Senators and their goaltending struggles. The conversation dives into Team USA's selection of Jackson Lacombe over Lane Hutson, exploring the reasoning behind choice and the implications for roster construction. McKenzie also sheds light on Linus Ullmark’s leave of absence, the team's dynamics, and Brady Kachuk's likely role in the upcoming Olympics. Additionally, insights from McKenzie’s book preview Black hockey narratives enhance the discussion.

Jan 21, 2026 • 50min
The Cole Caufield revenge game
Frankie Corrado, a former NHL defenseman and current media contributor, joins the discussion with Sean McIndoe and Shayna Goldman. They celebrate Cole Caufield's last-minute winner while debating his Olympic omission by GM Bill Guerin. Frankie highlights Caufield’s dangerous quick release and the need for better officiating in the NHL, especially after a phantom trip incident. The conversation takes a fun turn with a rare goalie fight between Nedeljkovic and Bobrovsky, and they analyze the potential missed value in the Kiefer Sherwood trade.

Jan 19, 2026 • 56min
What to expect from Rangers Retool 2.0
Vince Mercogliano, a New York hockey reporter, dives into the Rangers' recent retool announced by GM Chris Drury. He discusses fan skepticism and the need for change, emphasizing potential trade candidates like Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. Vince highlights untouchable core players like Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin, while analyzing strategies for attracting suitable trade partners. The conversation also touches on the criticisms of past trades and the importance of improving the team's drafting and development processes.

Jan 16, 2026 • 43min
Macklin Celebrini tops Pronman’s latest U23 rankings
Join Flow Hockey analyst Chris Peters, who dives into the hotly debated under-23 NHL rankings. They discuss the rise of San Jose's Macklin Celebrini as a potential franchise cornerstone and explore differing opinions on players like Matthew Schaefer and Matvey Michkov. The conversation covers emerging talents from the 2024 draft class and the promising prospects on teams like Montreal and Chicago. Additionally, they tackle concerns around organizational depth for franchises like Philadelphia and Winnipeg, making for a lively and insightful discussion.

Jan 15, 2026 • 43min
Should the Rangers fire Chris Drury?
Dominik Luszczyszyn, a hockey writer and analytics specialist, dives into the Rangers' tumultuous season, where 'Fire Drury' chants resonate amidst their struggles. He analyzes Dougie Hamilton's resurgence with the Devils and the Sabres' impressive 14-win streak, highlighting the excitement around their playoff hopes. The conversation also shifts to comparing Connor McDavid's current 20-game point streak with Sidney Crosby's historic achievement, exploring the nuances of attention and impact in the game.


