
The Chris Johnston Show
Leading NHL insider, Chris Johnston, is joined by The Athletic’s Julian McKenzie to discuss the biggest stories from around the hockey world.
Latest episodes

Jun 20, 2025 • 53min
The McWaiting Game | The Chris Johnston Show
On this episode of The Chris Johnston show, Julian McKenzie and Chris Johnston go over a variety of topics including:
(00:00) Does McDavid want to stay in Edmonton? Leave? Short term deal? What's going on with Connor?
(16:00) Dealing with the LTIR issue
(19:00) Sam Bennett's remarking of him not leaving
(26:00) Who do the Panthers end up keeping?
(33:00) Do the Dallas Stars still keep Jason Robertson? What parts do they trade away?
(36:00) Leafs Corner & why everyone should stop panicking on Matthew Knies' contract situation
(41:00) The Islanders direction with Dobson and what the Senators could be up to after Zetterlund signing
(45:45) Stick Taps
Pre Order Julian's book BLACK ACES here: https://www.amazon.ca/Black-Aces-Essential-Stories-Trailblazers/dp/1637278624
Links for Get Real Virtual 5K fundraiser to support Rainbow Railroad:
SDPN Team Donate: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/team/sdpn
Steve's personal donation page: https://www.zeffy.com/fundraising/steve-dangle-glynn
Follow us on Instagram: @sdpnsports
Reach out to https://www.sdpn.ca/sales to connect with our sales team Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 16, 2025 • 1h 13min
First Six | The Chris Johnston Show
On this episode of The Chris Johnston show, Julian McKenzie and Chris Johnston go over a variety of topics including:
(00:00) The first six players announced for each Olympic team
(11:15) Though recorded earlier, Chris is bang on with Canada's Olympic picks
(17:00) Team USA and no Hellebuyck
(21:15) Highlighting other teams
(22:30) Latest on Jonathan Toews with Jets & Avalanche possible landing spots
(27:00) Will Claude Giroux stay in Ottawa?
(34:00) John Tavares positive talks with Maple Leafs & what's a realistic deal
(38:00) The cap could go up to astronomical numbers & other CBA talks that could be in the next deal
(42:30) Corey Perry weighing his options for free agency, wants to keep playing
(45:00) Brad Marchand career renaissance, every game he plays his price goes up
(49:00) Playoff MVP
(51:15) Do Oilers go back to Stuart Skinner?
(53:30) Connor McDavid;s Cup Final play
(57:30) Ask CJ including Nik Ehlers, Auston Matthews future and more!
Pre Order Julian's book BLACK ACES here: https://www.amazon.ca/Black-Aces-Essential-Stories-Trailblazers/dp/1637278624
Links for Get Real Virtual 5K fundraiser to support Rainbow Railroad:
SDPN Team Donate: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/team/sdpn
Steve's personal donation page: https://www.zeffy.com/fundraising/steve-dangle-glynn
Follow us on Instagram: @sdpnsports
Reach out to https://www.sdpn.ca/sales to connect with our sales team Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 6min
Quack Quack | The Chris Johnston Show
On this episode of The Chris Johnston show, Julian McKenzie and Chris Johnston go over a variety of topics including:
(00:00) The latest on Chris Kreider
(10:00) Ownership shakeup in Pittsburgh
(20:00) Atlanta hockey revival
(30:00) Possible trade targets this offseason: Marco Rossi
(35:00) Elias Pettersson's future in Vancouver
(38:00) Aaron Ekblad's commitment to Florida
(42:00) John Tavares' options this offseason
(45:00) Jason Robertson's trade rumors
(48:00) Brad Marchand's continued impact and how it will shape July 1st
(55:00) Game 4 Preview: Oilers vs. Panthers
(60:00) Stick Taps: Father's Day
Pre Order Julian's book BLACK ACES here: https://www.amazon.ca/Black-Aces-Essential-Stories-Trailblazers/dp/1637278624
Links for Get Real Virtual 5K fundraiser to support Rainbow Railroad:
SDPN Team Donate: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/team/sdpn
Steve's personal donation page: https://www.zeffy.com/fundraising/steve-dangle-glynn
Follow us on Instagram: @sdpnsports
Reach out to https://www.sdpn.ca/sales to connect with our sales team Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 9, 2025 • 59min
Old Guy Summer | The Chris Johnston Show
On This episode of The Chris Johnston show Julian McKenzie and Chris Johnston go over a variety of topics including:
00:00 Impressions of the Cup Final
4:30 McDavid is out of this world
8:15 Travel between Florida and Edmonton is a nightmare
11:30 Perry, Marchand & teams taking more shots at the old guys in free agency
20:00 Game 3 lookahead
27:00 Pete DeBoer firing in Dallas
37:40 Chat GPT
40:00 Ask CJ including Utah, Vegas summer plan , big contract for Marchand & Rasmus Andersson on the move?
Pre Order Julian's book BLACK ACES here: https://www.amazon.ca/Black-Aces-Essential-Stories-Trailblazers/dp/1637278624
Links for Get Real Virtual 5K fundraiser to support Rainbow Railroad:
SDPN Team Donate: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/team/sdpn
Steve's personal donation page: https://www.zeffy.com/fundraising/steve-dangle-glynn
Follow us on Instagram: @sdpnsports
Reach out to https://www.sdpn.ca/sales to connect with our sales team Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 2min
Testing The Open Market | The Chris Johnston Show
On This episode of The Chris Johnston show Julian McKenzie and Chris Johnston go over a variety of topics including:
00:00 Stanley Cup Game 1 breakdown
20:45 Barkov wins Selke & Chris' ballot
25:00 State of the NHL from Gary Bettman, the CBA and tax free states
36:00 Boston, Pittsburgh find new head coaches
38:30 Marco Rossi trade market
41:15 How Brock Nelson's contract extension influences John Tavares' market/still w anting to stay with Maple Leafs
45:00 Brad Marchand going to garner big money in free agency
48:00 Marner was always going to hit free agency, but Leafs still considered
51:00 Nikolaj Ehlers most likely also going to market
53:00 Stick Taps including shout out to Julian's new book!
Pre Order Julian's book BLACK ACES here: https://www.amazon.ca/Black-Aces-Essential-Stories-Trailblazers/dp/1637278624
Links for Get Real Virtual 5K fundraiser to support Rainbow Railroad:
SDPN Team Donate: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/team/sdpn
Steve's personal donation page: https://www.zeffy.com/fundraising/steve-dangle-glynn
Follow us on Instagram: @sdpnsports
Reach out to https://www.sdpn.ca/sales to connect with our sales team Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 2, 2025 • 1h 2min
Free Agent Favourites? | The Chris Johnston Show
On This episode of The Chris Johnston show Julian McKenzie and Chris Johnston go over a variety of topics including:
00:00 Stanley Cup Final deep dive
25:00 Jake Oettinger's future with the Dallas Stars
35:00 What's next for Carolina, including tie in with Mitch Marner and his suitors
39:00 A juicy Ask CJ including Vegas wanting Sam Bennett over Marner?
41:00 Lane Hutson contract extension?
45:00 Where does Matt Duchene go?
47:00 Are Capitals taking a swing on Marco Rossi?
51:00 Penguins coaching decision imminent
55:30 The new CBA is close to an agreement?
Links for Get Real Virtual 5K fundraiser to support Rainbow Railroad:
SDPN Team Donate: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/team/sdpn
Steve's personal donation page: https://www.zeffy.com/fundraising/steve-dangle-glynn
Follow us on Instagram: @sdpnsports
Reach out to https://www.sdpn.ca/sales to connect with our sales team Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 29, 2025 • 56min
Marner's Future & Leafs Outlook | The Chris Johnston Show
On This episode of The Chris Johnston show Julian McKenzie and Chris Johnston go over a variety of topics including:
00:00 Treliving speaks about Marner's future
13:00 Brad downplays Tavares talk
15:45 What does a Matthew Knies deal look like?
20:00 Jonathan Toews is looking to play next season
26:00 CJ's Trade Board
34:00 Florida advances to the Stanley Cup Final
38:30 Edmonton is one win away from the final
43:00 Amazon announces Season 2 of Face-Off
48:00 Stick taps
Follow us on Instagram: @sdpnsports
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May 26, 2025 • 1h 6min
Handing Over The Keys | The Chris Johnston Show
On This episode of The Chris Johnston show Julian McKenzie and Chris Johnston go over a variety of topics including:
0:00 The dust settles on Brendan Shanahan firing & Keith Pelley's response
6:15 If you're Brendan Shanahan, where do you go next?
10:00 Could Shanahan be the next NHL commissioner?
15:30 Brad Treliving & Craig Berube's new responsibilities
24:15 What to expect to hear at Brad Treliving's next press conference
27:00 Tavares wanting to stay in Toronto & his value on the open market
34:00 Oilers pulling out all the stops
40:00 The Carolina Hurricanes struggles in the conference finals
45:15 USA wins World Championships
52:45 Ask CJ including a Morgan Reilly trade & more
Follow us on Instagram: @sdpnsports
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May 22, 2025 • 54min
Big Decisions Incoming | The Chris Johnston Show
On This episode of The Chris Johnston show Julian McKenzie and Chris Johnston go over a variety of topics including:
0:00 Brendan Shanahan speaking to Islanders about President role3:20 Does CJ think Shanahan should be back?17:00 Chicago Blackhawks about to hire Jeff Blashill as Head Coach20:00 Offer sheet SZN - Should Leafs be worried about Matthew Knies being offer-sheeted? - Bourque Offer-Sheet coming? - Could the Calgary Flames off-sheet someone29:40 Bowen Byram’s time in Buffalo coming to an end?32:00 The Stars steal Game 1 vs Oilers37:30 Panthers blow out the Hurricanes in Game 141:00 World Hockey Championships 46:00 Stick Taps
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Follow us on Instagram: @sdpnsports
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May 19, 2025 • 58min
Atom Bomb | The Chris Johnston Show
On This episode of The Chris Johnston show Julian McKenzie and Chris Johnston go over a variety of topics including:
0:00 The Leafs lose Game 7 & how bad it's become
7:00 Mitch Marner's intent to test free agency
9:00 Matthew Knies extension is easy first move
10:00 John Tavares clear he wants to stay
13:00 Brad Marchand looking for 8 million per year?
17:00 What it would look like going away from the core four & what comes with Mitch's decision?
22:30 What the Leafs need to do with the new cap outlook & Auston Matthews' window
25:45 Management decisions & inaction
34:30 Cuts in Leafs upper management could be pretty steep
39:00 Matthews/Marner post game comments
43:00 Panthers domination
48:00 Mark Scheifele
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