Advertise on podcast: The Big Show

01:30: What is going on between Jim Hiller and Gavin McKenna 06:00: How could McKenna's role change if Tavares is out for a significant amount of time? 08:15: How do you view the Montreal Canadiens’ goalie situation? 11:00: Is Devon Levi the goalie the Edmonton Oilers have been looking for? 15:00: Is this the version of the Florida Panthers people envisioned pre-season? 18:30: Reacting to the Winnipeg Jets’ reported interest in not having Connor Hellebuyck return 23:50: Joe Bowen joins to discuss retirement, his favorite Toronto Maple Leafs moments, and more Rapid fire 35:30: What has been the best play of the 2026-27 season so far? 36:50: What has been the most pleasant surprise of the season? 37:50: What has been the most negative surprise of the season? 39:00: When will the Philadelphia Flyers pick up their first win 40:00: What players with low stock are you buying right now? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00: Do the Winnipeg Jets really need a goaltender back in a Connor Hellebuyck trade with how well Stuart Skinner is playing? 4:10: Do the Toronto Maple Leafs have a potential goalie controversy? 7:00: Is Evan Bouchard’s reputation as a poor defender going away? 12:30: Where does David Pastrnak rank among the top forwards in the NHL? 19:00: Do the Florida Panthers need to change their style of play with their injury struggles? 22:50: What’s the ceiling for the San Jose Sharks this season? 25:00: Breaking down Darnell Nurse’s early performances with the Sharks 26:30: How many wins will the Calgary Flames finish with this season? 30:00: Will Alexander Ovechkin or Sidney Crosby finish with more goals this season? 31:20: Which of the new PWHL jerseys are your favourite? 34:00: Will Dylan Larkin or Simon Edvinsson be traded first? 36:40: Which team has been flying under the radar in the early part of the season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00: Reflecting on Alex Ovechkin’s career after his farewell tour announcement 06:45: What are the chances Washington is a contender in his final season? 09:30: If Elias Petterson keeps his level of play up do you think the Vancouver Canucks will keep or trade him? 14:00: Will the Anaheim Ducks compete for top spot in the Pacific Division? 16:20: Is Cutter Gauthier a sleeper candidate to win the ‘Rocket’ Richard award? 18:30: Can the Florida Panthers be competitive without Aleksander Barkov in the lineup? 22:20: What is the ceiling for the Seattle Kraken this season? 25:00: Is Igor Shesterkin already the front-runner for the Vezina? 27:27: Will Matvei Michkov or Porter Martone finish with more points this season? 30:30: How many AHL games does Gavin McKenna play this season? 35:50: Oilers or the field: Who will win the Art Ross Trophy this season? 37:40: Which NHL team needs Landon Dupont the most? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's what Katie Gaus, Ryan Lambert and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 0:00: What can fans expect from Matthew Knies on the Columbus Blue Jackets this season? 05:20: Where does Jack Hughes rank in terms of star power in the league? 09:40: Where does Igor Shesterkin rank among goaltenders in the NHL? 11:00: How will Pavel Dorofeyev fit on the New York Rangers this season? 15:15: How will Barkov’s injury potentially impact the Florida Panthers’ outlook? 19:20: Breaking down Mike Babcock’s first two games behind the bench with the Edmonton Oilers 26:20: How could the NHL change the structure of contract clauses? 33:10: Favourite example of a superstar fighting? 34:30: Biggest overreaction from the first few days of the season? 37:40: How many points will Connor McDavid end up with this season? 39:00: How many goalie goals will we see this season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's what Ex NHLer Devan Dubynk, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 2:11: Do the Toronto Maple Leafs have a strong enough defensive core to make a playoff push?  4:38: Should Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller be worried about Matthew Knies’ pre-season performance? 8:20: Has Sam Montembeault done enough to cement himself as the Montreal Canadiens’ second-string goaltender? 11:33: Dylan Larkin has reportedly expanded his trade list. Will it help him get moved any faster?  16:11: Which remaining UFAs will end up on a team this season? 19:40: Who has been the most interesting player on waivers?  22:50: Which player impressed you the most this pre-season?  25:15: Reacting to the NHL Network’s top 10 players list 28:25: Like or Dislike: David Pastrnak named as the next captain of the Boston Bruins 30:27: Will Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg have a better rookie season? 32:44: Buy or Sell: Jack Eichel will finally break 100 points this season 34:06: Like Or Dislike: Shortened pre-season format? 36:29: Reacting to TheHockeyNews.com’s pre-season Stanley Cup predictions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's what former professional hockey player Madison Packer, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 1:15: Reacting to the NHL’s projected salary cap increase 2:41: Does this news change how we view the contracts that were signed this summer? 4:54: Breaking down Adam Fantilli’s extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets  6:25: What are the expectations for Fantilli throughout this upcoming season?  9:33: Suggesting trade proposals for Connor Hellebuyck 14:40: Is this a make-or-break year for Kirby Dach with the Montreal Canadiens? 18:22: When will the Seattle Kraken’s quest for a star player end?  23:24: Thoughts on the PWHL’s All-Star game format 27:31: Did the Chicago Blackhawks get a good deal with Oliver Moore’s extension? 29:15: With Connor Bedard not close to returning, is it too early to write off the Blackhawks’ season? 30:50: Like or Dislike: The Toronto Maple Leafs placing Steven Lorentz on waivers? 32:08: Will the Philadelphia Flyers be a playoff team?  34:39: Is it too early for the San Jose Sharks to name Macklin Celebrini captain? 35:52: Where will Nikita Kucherov finish among the NHL's leading scorers this season? 37:39: Which team’s offense is going to be the most fun to watch this season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's what was discussed in this episode: 0:00: Breaking down Gavin McKenna's pre-season debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs 3:43: Roman Kantserov, Victor Eklund and other notable rookie standouts at NHL training camp 8:00: What role will Nikita Klepov play with the Anaheim Ducks this year? 11:50: What makes Dima Zhilkin a projected lottery pick in the 2027 NHL Draft? 15:19: Reacting to the CHL's first four players named ahead of the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge 20:34: Will top 2027 prospect Nazar Privalov stay in the KHL for the entirety of the 2026-27 season? 24:57: What are the biggest points of development for top 2027 prospect Sergei Skvortsov? 28:03: Ryan Kennedy preview’s his top 100 NCAA players list Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's what former NHL head coach Bruce Boudreau, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 1:11: Sharing initial thoughts on Gavin McKenna’s performance in his first pre-season NHL game?  2:34: Where should McKenna line up on opening night for the Toronto Maple Leafs?  5:37: What does a successful season look like for the Vancouver Canucks this year? 10:03: What does Elias Pettersson need to do to get back to being himself?  12:51: Which players on the Dallas Stars need to take that next step to help push them to a Stanley Cup? 15:40: Are the Stars missing anything from their lineup that would make them true contenders? 19:44: Is Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar entering the season on the hot seat?  23:31: Early predictions for the Jack Adams 27:45: How will Capitals fans and viewers around the league react throughout the season to Alexander Ovechkin’s latest controversy?  30:32: Is ‘hockey IQ’ being lost in the NHL?  33:18: Will the San Jose Sharks make the playoffs? 35:11: Name a younger player other than Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer that you would build your franchise around for the next 10 years 36:37: Kevin Hayes announces retirement after five games in the KHL. Which NHL team do you think of when you think of Hayes? 38:17: If you could bring back one NHL rivalry in its prime, which one would it be? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's what former professional hockey player Madison Packer, Katie Gaus and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 0:50: How much of the Maple Leafs’ season relies on Auston Matthews getting back to his Rocket Richard Trophy-winning self?  3:01: What step does Matthews have to take to get back to his best? 6:11: How do the Detroit Red Wings keep Dylan Larkin’s situation from becoming a distraction?  7:47: Will Larkin’s trade request impact his standing in the Red Wings’ locker room? 11:57: Is Adam Fantilli worth the same amount as Cutter Gauthier?  14:50: Where do you see the Columbus Blue Jackets finishing in the standings?  15:55: Which PWHL rookie are you most excited to see this year?  19:49: Can the youth on the Boston Bruins take another step this season?   23:30: Reacting to Sportsnet’s NHL power rankings before the start of the season 29:20: Will anyone take a chance on Patrik Laine or Vladimir Tarasenko?  30:58: WIll Connor Bedard score over or under 40 goals this season? 33:34: Like or dislike: The San Jose Sharks signed coach Ryan Warsofsky to a multi-year contract extension 35:29: Which young player is due for a breakout this upcoming season?  37:35: What is your biggest hot take for the 2026-27 NHL season?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's what was discussed in this episode: 0:00: Recapping Jaxon Cover’s dominant weekend with the Ottawa Senators at rookie camp 5:09: What are expectations for Viggo Bjorck as Winnipeg Jets main camp approaches 9:11: Does Maple Leafs prospect Alexander Bilecki have some untapped offensive potential in his game? 13:49: Reacting to the Maple Leafs’ decision to not send Gavin McKenna to the team’s rookie tournament in Gatineau 16:07: Could James Hagens push for a top-six role with the Boston Bruins during training camp? 20:00:  Breaking down the blockbuster OHL trade involving Tanner Adams 25:21: Biggest storylines to follow ahead of the upcoming CHL season 31:47: Should the CHL have more inter-league games? 34:07: Ryan Kennedy previews his weekly Prospect Watch column Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's what former NHL goalie Devan Dubnyk, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 0:37: Breaking down Chris Kreider’s decision to join the Montreal Canadiens?  3:42: Did the Canadiens get good value on Zachary Bolduc’s extension?  5:40: Expectations for Bolduc this season  7:12: Thoughts on the Canadiens’ decision to extend Martin St. Louis as head coach 8:45: Devan Dubnyk reflects on playing against Martin St. Louis 10:48: Has Kent Hughes done a good job at locking down Montreal's core players? 14:52: If Mark Stone stays healthy, can the Golden Knights make another deep playoff run?  19:00: Could Carson Soucy or Nick Blankenburg stick with their franchises after signing PTOs? 20:30: Are PTO contracts signed to push other players at training camp?  22:45: Would Alexander Nikishin be a good fit with the Nashville Predators 26:00: Reacting to players 30-21 from the NHL Network’s top 50 players list 28:03: Devan Dubynk reflects on preparing for training camp each season 30:27: If you could build around one current NHL goalie for the next five years, who would you choose?  32:23: Will Macklin Celebrini put together another 100-point season? 34:25: Were the New York Islanders right to select Bo Horvat as their next captain? 36:16: Which team will be stuck in the mushy middle this year?  37:58: Which NHL rivalry are you most excited to watch this season?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 0:52: Michael Traikos recaps the NHL Player Media Tour in Las Vegas 2:37: Will rumors about players leaving their current teams stop once the season starts? 3:30: Reacting to the Red Wings’ decision to strip Dylan Larkin of his captaincy 6:05: Does Larkin have to be flexible with the destinations he gives Detroit?  7:34: Why haven’t the Tampa Bay Lightning extended Nikita Kucherov? 9:51: Could Kucherov take a discount to help the Lightning stay competitive?  11:48: Is there a chance Connor Hellebuyck could end up starting the season with the Winnipeg Jets? 17:22: Do the Carolina Hurricanes make sense as a destination for Hellebuyck? 20:17: Will Mason McTavish thrive with the St. Louis Blues?  24:00: Breaking down dark horse candidates for the NHL’s individual awards 27:44: Remembering the life and career of Barry Melrose 30:19: Reacting to John Klingberg’s retirement announcement  32:25: Which goalie is about to have a Vezina-level season? 34:35: Which up-and-coming team is most likely to win the Cup first? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's what Eric Cruikshank, Ryan Kennedy and Tony Ferrari discussed in this episode: 0:48: Breaking down the top prospects from the 2027 NHL Draft 5:40: Who will be the most exciting NCAA freshman to watch this season? 9:25: Reflecting on the CHL-NCAA agreement one year later 14:21: Who are some recent first-round picks with the most to prove this season? 18:24: Early outlook on the 2026-27 Calder Trophy race 23:16: Which players will benefit the most from the NHL’s new AHL eligibility rules? 26:45: Ryan Kennedy previews his weekly Prospect Watch column Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's what Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos and Michael Augello discussed in this episode: 0:31: What are your thoughts on Cale Makar's new contract extension?  2:22: Does Makar’s deal change the Stanley Cup window for the Colorado Avalanche?  4:02: Does Makar deserve credit for playing with a team-friendly contract in Colorado for so long?  7:19: Does Makar's contract impact Quinn Hughes’ negotiations with the Minnesota Wild? 8:59: How much should Quinn Hughes earn on his next deal?  11:00: Could Connor Hellebuyck sit out for the 2026-27 NHL season?  16:03: Are there any other American-born players who might want out of their Canadian franchises? 18:46: Could Sam Montembeault be a short-term fix to the Edmonton Oilers’ goalie injuries?  23:32: Can the Carolina Hurricanes remain dominant with Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov as their goaltending tandem? 26:11: Reacting to the first 10 names on the NHL Network’s top 50 players list 28:25: Which NHL teams will be the most intriguing to follow in 2026-27? 32:00: What should the Florida Panthers expect from Aleksander Barkov this season?  33:00: Over/Under: 65 Points next season for Jimmy Snuggerud? 34:25: Yes or No: Will Alex Ovechkin record yet another 30-goal season in 2026-27? 35:26: What is your favourite EBUG story in recent NHL history? 37:11: Jaromir Jagr, 54, says it would take a "miracle" for him to play this season. Will Jagr still suit up? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's what Ex-NHLer Drew Shore, Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos discussed in this episode: 0:56: What would be a successful season for the Toronto Maple Leafs? 3:25: Does it feel like the bottom-six players on the Maple Leafs have a defined role?   4:29: Does Auston Matthews have to score 60 goals this year?  5:27: What is the feeling surrounding the Washington Capitals heading into next season? 6:25: How many points will Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou finish with next season? 9:25: Can Simon Nemec be a strong fit with the Calgary Flames next season?  14:12: What are reasonable expectations for the Winnipeg Jets? 18:01: Who are some rookies who could force their way into NHL lineups during training camp? 21:11: Which teams need to lock up their pending RFAs as soon as possible? 23:32: Which center from the NHL Network's top-20 list will have the biggest jump and biggest fall? 26:04: Is there anyone not on the list right now that will be on it next year? 27:15: Predicting the Rocket Richard Trophy, Calder Trophy and the Norris Trophy winners 29:25: Which team between the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders has the better defensive core? 30:59: How many points will Darren Raddysh finish with in his first season with the Maple Leafs? 32:01: As the Pacific Division grows stronger, will the Vegas Golden Knights make the playoffs next season?  33:50: Which coaches are entering the season under the most pressure? 35:31: Drew Shore discusses his experience in the Alumni game between the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Pioneers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices