Advertise on podcast: The Chirp with Daren Millard

Daren is joined by former St. Louis Blues coach and Stanley Cup champion Craig Berube (2:45). Craig talks about the highly competitive Western Conference, the trade that the Vancouver Canucks made for Elias Lindholm, the challenges of taking over a team during the season, the goalie decisions being made with the NY Rangers and the issues going on with the Los Angeles Kings. He discusses his relationship with Rick Tocchet and what's made him successful in Vancouver and tries to explain the intensity that Rick brings to a team everyday as a coach. Plus, he raves about the Four Nations Face-Off and provides insight into why NHL players love international competition. He talks about his desire to coach again, and how he's staying busy scouting the NHL landscape during his downtime. 

Daren is joined by Nick Kypreos to talk about NHL All Star weekend in Toronto, the evolution of the Skills Competition and what he's looking forward to most with Toronto hosting the festivities. He chats about the playoff odds for the Maple Leafs, the Florida Panthers, the Edmonton Oilers, the LA Kings and New Jersey Devils. He reminisces about past All Star Skills events and gives his opinion on the revamped competition. 

Daren is joined by Alexandre Daigle (3:09). Daigle is featured in a new documentary,  ‘Chosen One: Alexandre Daigle’ to launch Jan. 26 on Prime Video in Canada and ESPN + on Jan. 27. Daigle chats with Daren about how the documentary came about and why the process of participating in the film was therapeutic for him. He looks back on his NHL career and looks at many of the contributing factors that led to him being out of the NHL at just 25 years old. He explains how his love for hockey ultimately returned after stepping away from the game and still remains years later. He chats about the importance of mental health, media training and goal setting for players and lays out what the perfect conditions would be for a top draft pick starting in the NHL. He provides advice and perspective to young NHL stars, including Connor Bedard. Daren closes the episode with thoughts on Patrick Roy's return to the NHL as coach of the NY Islanders and what Corey Perry's impact could be for the Edmonton Oilers. 

Daren is joined by US Olympian and PWHL Minnesota player Kelly Pannek (3:13). Kelly talks about the start of the PWHL, the record crowds being drawn in Minnesota for Women's hockey and the change in lifestyle that's occurred for her as a professional hockey player. She discusses just how important the PWHL has been for her, her teammates and aspiring women's hockey players throughout the world. She looks forward to her participation at the NHL All Star Game in Toronto and takes some time to pump up her fellow PWHL players and talk about the high end skill that exists in the League. 

Daren is joined by three-time Stanley Cup winner and current Sportsnet analyst Justin Williams (7:41). Williams touches on William Nylander's new contract, the awkward Cutter Gauthier situation, the high-end skill of the Vancouver Canucks, Max Pacioretty's return from injury. He talks about his transition into broadcasting, advice he's received from Erin Andrews and Rod Brind'Amour, Rich Tocchet and Keith Jones. Daren starts the episode breaking down the Flyers/Ducks trade and looks at Calder contenders now that Connor Bedard will be missing time due to injury. 

Daren is joined by John Shannon in an episode that covers a bunch, including the contract situations of Steven Stamkos and William Nylander, the prospects of another goalie reaching 1000 games played, the revamped All Star Skills competition, the depth in the Western Conference and Evgeni Malkin's legacy. Plus, Shannon provides some insight into the TV presentation of NHL games, what works and what doesn't. 

Daren is joined by Vegas Golden Knights D-man Zach Whitecloud (4:08). Zach's journey to the NHL and to a Stanley Cup Champion is fascinating and he gets into all the details, from growing up in Manitoba to his love for outdoor hockey, playing college hockey, Zach takes you behind the curtain on what it means to be an NHLer. Plus, he discusses the Winter Classic, the best part of playing outdoors, what the Golden Knights biggest advantage this season is and he reminisces about the quirky rinks he played on as a kid in Manitoba. Daren wraps up the episode with an assessment of the NHL at this point in the season. 

Daren is joined by Red Wings D-man Jake Walman (10:18). Jake discusses why getting traded to Detroit has been good for his development and his daily interaction with Red Wings' Hall of Famers, including Steve Yzerman and Nick Lidstrom. Plus, he explains why Alex Ovechkin was his favorite player growing up and how his goal celebrations were inspired by Ovechkin. He dives deep into his Griddy Dance celebration, how it came about and some of the tweaks he's made to it over time. He's not shy about admitting that he's developing future celebrations and chats about why he's embraced the attention that has come along with his outgoing celebrations. Plus, he chimes in on playing with Patrick Kane, his favorite music artists, his upcoming bobblehead night and why he pays attention to football and basketball. Daren opens the episode going through the ins and outs of the St. Louis Blues coaching change. 

Daren is joined by Clayton Keller (7:43). Keller talks about the Coyotes start to the season, playing for André Tourigny, Connor Ingram's unbelievable return to the NHL and the prospects of playing an in-season international tournament. Daren riffs on the LA Kings remarkable road success, his early choices for the Jack Adams Award and ponders some of the roster construction for international competition.  

Daren is joined by Sean Walker of the Philadelphia Flyers (8:00). Sean talks about making the move from LA to Philadelphia, getting traded in the midst of getting married, his honeymoon to Italy, playing under John Tortorella and the expectations of the team moving forward. He also discusses the on-ice skills he'd steal from Owen Tippett and Bobby Brink, two young players that have left an impression on him. Plus, how does he work on his golf game during the season? and how did the challenge of being an undrafted player ultimately lead to his NHL success? Daren provides his opinion on Patrick Kane signing with Detroit and weighs in on the challenges Kane faces trying to come back from hip resurfacing surgery and he chimes in on Minnesota moving on from Dean Evason and hiring John Hynes. 

Daren is joined by his old pal and former NHL executive, coach and commentator Doug MacLean (3:05). Doug is happily retired and shares some hilarious stories, including how he failed to recognize a Hall a Famer on the golf course and just how a fire on a golf cart got him into some hot water. Plus, he talks about his book Draft Day... go buy it now! And of course he weighs in on what's currently happening in the League right now, including William Nylander's emergence, the Oilers early struggles, the sustainability of the Bruins and the importance of culture in NHL dressing rooms. This conversation casts a wide net... Happy Thanksgiving from The Chirp with Daren Millard and this week's guest Doug MacLean! 

Daren is joined by former NHL goalie and current NHL Network analyst Cory Schneider (6:04). Schneider discusses his new role with NHL Network, provides first-hand insight into what Jack Campbell is dealing with and talks about teams that right now are insulating their goalies very well, including the Boston Bruins and Dallas Stars. He looks back at some of the best shots he's ever faced and discusses the "art" of defending Ovechkin's slapshot. Daren opens the episode providing his opinion on the Oilers making a coaching change and closes the episode looking at potential new overtime rules.