The Athletic Hockey Show

Every hockey fan knows that teams in playoff position at Thanksgiving usually stay in and teams outside playoff position at Thanksgiving usually stay out. In fact, nearly 80 percent of playoff teams at Thanksgiving actually make it to the postseason. And so, on today’s episode, the guys break down both the Eastern and Western Conference playoff pictures and try to figure out which bubble teams are destined to defy the odds and which ones will become just another statistic. Plus, The Athletic’s own Julian McKenzie joins the conversation about the Eastern Conference playoff race and closes out the show discussing his upcoming book, “Black Aces: Essential Stories from Hockey's Black Trailblazers”. Hosts: Max Bultman and Mark LazerusWith: Jesse Granger and Julian McKenzieExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Chris FlanneryPre-order “Black Aces: Essential Stories from Hockey's Black Trailblazers”: https://www.triumphbooks.com/black-aces-products-9781637278628.phpWatch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshowJoin our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkFSubscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frank Corrado, a former NHL defenseman and insightful contributor, joins the hosts to dissect the Oilers' shocking start, highlighting their defensive woes and goaltending struggles. They tackle the serious prospect of Connor McDavid seeking a trade if the team falters. Corrado also sheds light on the Vancouver Canucks' openness to trading veterans like Quinn Hughes, explaining the complexities behind such moves. Additionally, they discuss USA Hockey's future roster choices, specifically focusing on Cole Caufield's growing value.

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.

Chris Peters, a FloHockey analyst and prospect specialist, dives into the intricacies of the World Juniors roster debates for Canada and the USA. He discusses crucial player availability, highlighting the chances of forwards like Beckett Seneca and Berkeley Catton. The conversation also covers Canada's defensive depth and the complex goalie situation, contrasting Carter George with Ivan Kovic. Lastly, the USA's center depth concerns and potential forward lines are assessed, underscoring the challenges and strengths each team may face in the tournament.

Hailey Salvian, a dedicated reporter covering the PWHL from Vancouver, shares insights on the league's expansion and team previews. She discusses the eight teams, highlighting Vancouver's standout roster and Montreal's offseason improvements. In addition, the hosts dissect the NHL's quarter mark, focusing on unexpected performances from teams like the Anaheim Ducks and players such as Connor Bedard and Shane Pinto. The conversation offers a mix of optimism and critique, setting the stage for a thrilling season ahead.

Patrick Roy's on-mic threat to Mikko Rantanen sparks a heated debate about coaches crossing the line in hockey's unwritten code. The hosts assess the repercussions Roy might face from the league and discuss potential payback dynamics in an upcoming rematch. They also spotlight the remarkable performances of young stars Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini, highlighting their historic achievements. Additionally, JT Miller's lackluster backcheck garners criticism, leading to a conversation about accountability in leadership. An engaging mix of drama and youthful brilliance!

NHL reporter Eric Stephens dives into the Los Angeles Kings' significant contract extension for Adrian Kempe, exploring its implications for the team and the shifting dynamics of free agency. He discusses how rising salary caps are keeping stars from testing the market. Meanwhile, Shayna Goldman addresses Jack Hughes' unfortunate injury, analyzing its impact on the New Jersey Devils and evaluating potential line shifts. Both reporters highlight teams that are struggling early in the season and what that could mean for their playoff hopes.

Chris Peters, a FloHockey analyst, offers keen insights into the world of college hockey and draft prospects. The discussion kicks off with concerns surrounding Gavin McKenna's play at Penn State despite a strong start. Alexis Joseph shines at the U17 Challenge, raising eyebrows for future drafts, while U20 performances from Sweden and Finland are dissected. Plus, the hosts explore the pressure on McKenna to find his footing amid challenging games ahead. Valuable perspectives on upcoming talent enhance the conversation.

In this discussion, veteran hockey journalist Michael Russo shares insights on the Minnesota Wild's slow start and their potential interest in trading for Jordan Kyrou. He evaluates Shane Pinto's chances for Team USA at the Winter Olympics and highlights standout performances from the Canada–USA Women's Rivalry Series, notably Abbey Murphy and Caroline Harvey. Russo also addresses the Wild's roster struggles and compares young talents like Zeev Bouyem and Connor Bedard, shedding light on their development trajectories.

Frankie Corrado, a former NHL defenseman known for his player-perspective insights, joins Scott Powers, a Chicago-based hockey reporter, to discuss the Maple Leafs' ongoing struggles. They dive into Toronto's defensive chaos, evaluating the impact of injuries and systemic flaws. The conversation shifts to the Chicago Blackhawks, where Powers highlights the evolution of Connor Bedard in his third season, showcasing his growth and the team's unexpected resurgence. Speculation about Steven Stamkos's potential trade adds an intriguing layer to the discussion.