The Athletic Hockey Show

On today’s Prospect Series episode, the guys discuss early season standouts in the NHL, including Isles 2025 No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer, Red Wings 2023 No. 201 pick Emmitt Finnie, as well as Ducks and Blackhawks who have impressed so far. Plus, a look at how some prospects outside the NHL have fared at the start of the year and a bunch of listener questions in the mailbag to close things out.Hosts: Max Bultman, Corey Pronman, and Scott WheelerExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Chris FlanneryGot a question? Ask it here: t.co/fYieuQEg14Watch 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.

Hailey and Sean welcome Kevin Kurz to discuss the Flyers opening two weeks under Rick Tocchet and the slow sophomore start for Matvei Michkov.  They talk about the red hot start for the New Jersey Devils, the Flames slow burn and who Calgary should put on the trade block, the Islanders firing their goalie coach already, Matthew Schaefer's ridiculous speed bursts per game and pending UFA Martin Nečas' monster start to his season in Denver with the Avalanche.Hosts: Hailey Salvian and Sean GentilleWith: Kevin KurzExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Jeff DometWatch 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.

Gentille, McIndoe and Corrado dissect The Athletic's front-office rankings, with Florida, Dallas, Tampa, Winnipeg and Vegas rounding out the top five, the surprise ranking of the Oilers at No. 11, and no votes at all for Steve Yzerman and his staff, once regarded as one of the top front-offices in the NHL. The guys get Frankie's perspective on the Sens without Brady Tkachuk, the Oilers snapping their three-game losing streak, Anthony Stolarz’s criticism of his teammates in Toronto and they stick tap Brad Marchand's return to Boston and Alex Ovechkin approaching career marks of 900 goals and 1,500 games played.Hosts: Sean Gentille and Sean McIndoeWith: Frankie CorradoExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Jeff DometWatch 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.

The theme of this week’s episode is “returns”. Joel Quenneville made his return to Chicago last night as the head coach of the Anaheim Ducks. ESPN’s NHL insider Emily Kaplan joins the show to talk about Brad Marchand making his return to TD Garden when his Florida Panthers take on the Boston Bruins tomorrow night. And, Jesse Granger helps close out the show discussing the goalies who have returned to form this season.Hosts: Max Bultman and Mark LazerusWith: Jesse Granger and ESPN’s Emily KaplanExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Chris FlanneryWatch 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.

With Carter Hart signing a contract in Vegas, Hailey Salvian and Sean Gentille welcomed Jesse Granger, hours before the deal became official to discuss why the Golden Knights are taking a chance on Hart, Adin Hill's injury, and the inexperience of Akira Schmid in net. Arpon Basu joins from Montreal to talk about the Habs' tidy bit of business, locking up Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson and the front office duo of Gorton and Hughes as well. Plus, Hailey and Sean discuss the rink delays in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics and what NHL players have to expect at the Olympic village.Hosts: Hailey Salvian and Sean GentilleWith: Jesse Granger and Arpon BasuExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Jeff DometWatch 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.

In possibly the earliest 'tankathon' debate in NHL history, Gentille, McIndoe and Corrado discuss the never ending rebuild in Buffalo, the winless Sabres early season defensive and offensive struggles and if there will ever be light at the end of the tunnel. The guys take a trek around New York state, and talk about the Rangers goaless record to start the year at home, the promising upside of Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer before they head west to discuss the darkhorse Seattle Kraken and Anaheim Ducks. Plus, Gentille gives his scouting report on Gavin McKenna and McIndoe presents his NHL prediction contest findings.Hosts: Sean Gentille and Sean McIndoeWith: Frank CorradoExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Jeff DometWatch 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.

On a special edition of The Athletic Hockey Show, the guys discuss Jesse’s 2025-26 NHL Goalie Tiers, a comprehensive ranking based on an anonymous poll of some of the brightest minds in goaltending in an attempt to sort the league’s netminders by true talent.Hosts: Max Bultman and Jesse GrangerExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Chris FlanneryWatch 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.

Rob Rossi, a veteran hockey reporter known for his sharp analysis and contrarian views, joins to dissect the NHL's opening week. They dive into Matt Boldy's potential as a Hart Trophy candidate and the surprising resurgence of the Bruins. Rossi questions Connor McDavid's choice to stay in Edmonton, suggesting it might hinder his Cup ambitions. The panel also discusses Todd McLellan's striking message to the Red Wings, Frank Nazar's impressive start with the Blackhawks, and the troubling outlook for the struggling Buffalo Sabres.

The 2026 Olympics are still months away, but the work to build gold medal caliber teams has already begun, with the final roster deadline set for New Year’s Eve. And so, on today’s episode, the guys have a mock preliminary roster meeting, gaming out the locks, the frontrunners, bubble players, dark horses, and long shots for both Canada and the United States.Got a question? Ask it here: t.co/fYieuQEg14Hosts: Max Bultman and Corey PronmanWith: Scott Wheeler and FloHockey’s Chris PetersExecutive Producer: Chris FlanneryProducer: Chris FlanneryWatch 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.

Data-driven hockey analyst Dom Luszczyszyn joins the hosts to break down Jack Eichel's impressive long-term extension with Vegas and its implications for the team's future. They discuss Mitch Marner's promising debut alongside Eichel, assess Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke's development for the Kings, and evaluate Morgan Rielly's standout performance for the Maple Leafs. Plus, the trio shares their award picks, highlighting the competition for the Hart, Norris, Vezina, Calder, and Selke trophies, and how recent deals are reshaping market expectations.