Advertise on podcast: BREAKING INTO THE LEAGUE

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this week's episode, the opening segment makes a bit of a lane change. Rather than starting with news, Michael asks Ryan who he thinks will be traded first, Dylan Larkin or Connor Hellebuyck. Then, they take a look at the PWHL jerseys that dropped for the 4 new expansion teams. Another lane change was made after the opening segment. Starting with NHL prospects instead of the usual PWHL. Ryan covers TJ Hughes, an up-and-coming prospect within the Avalanche organization. Michael then gives us a look at recently drafted Caleb Malhotra, of the Vancouver Canucks. Then it is time for the PWHL. Ryan talks about Emma Sofie-Nordstrom, a goaltending prospect just drafted by the expansion franchise, PWHL Hamilton. Michael talks about Makenna Webster, another recent draft pick from this year's PWHL draft.

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this episode, Michael and Ryan open the show with one of the biggest stories in hockey: Alex Ovechkin announcing that the 2026–27 season will be his final year in the NHL. The guys break down what Ovi’s retirement means for the league, his impact on the modern era, and where they personally rank him among the greatest players of all time. Then it’s time for Ladies First, where Michael spotlights elite goaltending prospect Ava McNaughton, and Ryan dives into the game of rising forward Jade Iginla — two players shaping the future of women’s hockey. After that, the show shifts to NHL prospect talk. Michael breaks down Dmitri Borichev, one of the most intriguing young goaltenders in the pipeline, while Ryan covers Tij Iginla, a dynamic forward with top‑end upside. A mix of breaking news, prospect analysis, and long‑term projections — this episode covers the present and future of the game.

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. This week we're covering four rising stars across both the NHL and PWHL prospect pipelines. We start with Finnish two-way defender Nelli Laitinen, PWHL Hamilton's first-ever draft pick (6th overall, 2026) out of the University of Minnesota, breaking down her Olympic pedigree with Team Finland and her transition from steady defender to legitimate offensive threat. Then we shift to Vancouver Goldeneyes' late-round pick Ashley Messier, a former Minnesota Duluth alternate captain and true underdog story fighting for a pro roster spot. On the men's side, we scout Anaheim Ducks second-round pick Mathis Preston, a dynamic WHL winger out of the Vancouver Giants whose draft stock cratered and rebounded within a single season, and Boston Bruins first-rounder James Hagens, the former consensus No. 1 prospect turned NHL rookie center. Full scouting breakdowns, stats, strengths, weaknesses, and outlooks for all four — a can't-miss episode for PWHL draft fans, NHL prospect hounds, and anyone tracking the next generation of pro hockey talent.

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In the latest episode, the guys start things off discussing Connor Bedard being named next captain of the Chicago Blackhawks. Then discussions transition to the Detroit Redwings, how they still don't have an official GM and what that means for the pending Dylan Larkin trade request. Then out of the first break Ryan gives his analysis on prospect Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, and for the first time ever the guys branch out to PWHL prospects and Ryan talks about Leila Edwards. Next, it's time for Michael to discuss prospect Ryan Roobroeck, a promising young talent within the Chicago Blackhawks organization. After that he gives his PWHL prospect, Abbey Murphy.

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this week’s episode of Breaking Into the League, Michael and Ryan kick things off with a busy slate of NHL news. The guys react to Fraser Minten signing his new deal with the Boston Bruins, break down the surprising move of Chris Kreider being waived by the Anaheim Ducks, leading to talks about the remaining free agents including one player Michael really wishes the Chicago Blackhawks would take a swing on. After promising a Canada‑focused episode last week, the boys deliver. Michael opens the prospect segment with a deep dive into Michael Hage, one of the most exciting young centers in the Montreal Canadiens pipeline. Then, after the break, Ryan takes over with his analysis of Artur Akhtyamov, the rising goaltending prospect in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. From breaking news to prospect scouting, this episode is packed with insight, debate, and a full spotlight on the future of Canadian hockey.

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Welcome back to Breaking Into the League — the show where Michael and Ryan dive into the biggest storylines shaping the NHL and the future of the game. In today’s episode, the guys open with a look around the league, starting with the major news out of Anaheim: the Ducks are officially retiring Ryan Getzlaf’s jersey, cementing one of the most respected careers of the modern era. From there, the conversation shifts to leadership — specifically, who should wear the “C” next for the Chicago Blackhawks, and which direction the Colorado Avalanche should go when the day comes to name a captain after Gabriel Landeskog’s retirement. The guys even throw the question back to the fans, asking who they want to see take over the role in Denver. Then it’s prospect time. Ryan breaks down the electric, fast‑rising game of Zayne Parekh, while Michael spotlights Porter Martone, a potential superstar in the making and one of the most exciting young power forwards in the league. To close out the show, the guys tackle a classic debate: Which Canadian team will be the next to win the Stanley Cup? They go through the contenders, the pretenders, and the teams that might be closer than people think. Another packed episode full of insight, debate, and future‑of‑the‑league conversation — let’s get into it.

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this episode, Michael and Ryan dive into one of the biggest storylines in the NHL: Connor Hellebuyck officially requesting a trade out of Winnipeg. The guys break down the most realistic landing spots for the former Vezina winner, including why the Chicago Blackhawks make more sense than people think and why the San Jose Sharks could be a sneaky sleeper team in the mix. Then, the show shifts to prospect talk, spotlighting two emerging young talents. Michael and Ryan dissect the evolving game of Kevin Korchinski, the dynamic, puck‑moving defenseman in Chicago’s system, and Oliver Bonk, the rising two‑way blueliner developing inside the Philadelphia Flyers pipeline. From strengths and weaknesses to long‑term projections, the duo breaks down what makes each player stand out — and what their paths to the NHL might look like. A mix of trade speculation, prospect analysis, and sharp hockey insight — Episode 5 keeps the momentum rolling.

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this episode of Breaking Into the League, We break down two standout prospects making noise in their respective systems: Hunter Haight of the Iowa Wild and Nick Lardis of the Chicago Blackhawks. We dig into Haight’s play-driving ability, his growth in the AHL, and how his offensive instincts translate to the next level. Then we shift to Lardis — a speed-first winger with a lethal shot and one of the most intriguing long-term upside plays in Chicago’s pipeline. We also learned that the Hartford Whalers were indeed from Connecticut and NOT Canada. If you’re tracking the future of the NHL, this episode gives you a clear, detailed look at where both players are trending.

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. (apologies for the poor audio on this week's episode. we switched studios and were unaware of the issues until afterward) In this episode of Breaking Into the League, we break down two rising NHL prospects: Taylor Makar and Finn Harding. We dive into Makar’s evolving power-forward game, his development path, and what his ceiling could look like as he pushes toward the pros. Then we shift to Harding — a smart, steady defender whose poise, skating, and decision‑making make him one of the more intriguing blue‑line names to watch. If you’re tracking future NHL talent, this episode gives you everything you need to know about where these two players stand and what might come next.

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In today's episode we cover two emerging prospects; Ivan Stenberg and Beckett Hamilton. We also discuss news from around the league, including Patrick Kane rejoining the Blackhawks, Dylan Larkin trade rumors and predict where we think he will end up.

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. This week we break down two of the hottest names in hockey's prospect pipeline: WHL rising star Brock England and Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Sam Rinzel. We dig into Brock England's blazing top-end speed and shot power with the Seattle Thunderbirds, why scouts love his four-directional edge work, and what he needs to clean up to become a true difference-maker. Then we shift to Sam Rinzel — Chicago's 2022 first-round pick — breaking down his NHL debut, his time in Rockford with the IceHogs, and whether his elite size and mobility can turn into a full-time top-four role in the NHL. Full scouting reports, stats, strengths, weaknesses, and where each player projects for this season and beyond. A must-listen for NHL draft nerds, Blackhawks fans, and anyone tracking the next wave of NHL prospects. Topics covered: NHL prospect rankings, Chicago Blackhawks prospect pipeline, WHL scouting reports, Seattle Thunderbirds, Rockford IceHogs, NHL Draft prospects, hockey scouting analysis, top defensemen prospects, junior hockey breakdown.

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Sam and Ryan are back just in time for the final few weeks left of 2023-2024 NHL regular season hockey. This time, Nashville Right Wing Luke Evangelista (3:50) and Emil Martinsen Lilleberg (10:35). This time around, the two hosts also talked about some memories from their time when they worked in media in South Dakota a few years back and also mentioned the Sioux Falls site for NCAA Hockey Tournament. Ryan and Sam also dive into how unique Emil's NHL introduction has been since there have been only 8 Norwegian NHlers before him! Go Avs and Go Wild! Like, share and subscribe.

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Sam and Ryan are BACK! They are talking everything related to Colorado Avalanche prospect Centerman Ondrej Pavel (8:00) and Minnesota Wild Forward Adam Beckman (13:45). They also talk about the top teams in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff hunt as it lingers only a month away! Like, share and subscribe! Sam and Ryan will have more players listed on future podcasts that the listeners should note as we hit the playoff push.

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. We are now just under 2 months out from the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs! Ryan & Sam have you covered with young prospects in the NHL! On this week's edition of Breaking Into the League Justus Annunen (Colorado Avalanche goaltender) [9:40] and Justin Brazeau (Boston Bruins forward) [22:25]. Sam and Ryan also discuss the Minnesota Wild's recent stretch of wins post NHL All-Star Game and any sort of NHL playoff predictions in the final weeks of NHL hockey. Like, share and subscribe! - #nhl #nhlplayers #minnesotawild #nashvillepredators #coloradoavalanche #AHL #hockeyprospects #hockeyplayers #wildhockey #hockeytonight #hockeyplayoffs #nhlallstar #nhlallstarbreak #NHLAllStarGame #hockeypodcast #nhlpodcast #spittinchicklets #fantasyhockey #Avshockey #yahoofantasyhockey #espnfantasyhockey #hockeytraderumors

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. On this version of Breaking into the League, your hosts Sam and Ryan feature young NHL hockey players-- goaltender Yaroslav Askarov of the Nashville Predators (4:16) and forward Sammy Walker of the Minnesota Wild (14:02). This edition was recorded just as the NHL gets ready for the 2024 All-Star Break. Sam and Ryan discuss the highly competitive Pacific Division along with some jokes about the state of Iowa. Enjoy! Like, share and subscribe! - #nhl #nhlplayers #minnesotawild #nashvillepredators #coloradoavalanche #AHL #hockeyprospects #hockeyplayers #wildhockey #hockeytonight #hockeyplayoffs #nhlallstar #nhlallstarbreak #NHLAllStarGame #hockeypodcast #nhlpodcast #spittinchicklets #fantasyhockey #Avshockey #yahoofantasyhockey #espnfantasyhockey #hockeytraderumors