Advertise on podcast: Hockey Lifers

It's a loaded episode of The Hockey Lifers, as Jeff Marek and Tarik El-Bashir react to breaking news that the 2026-27 season will be Alex Ovechkin's last in the NHL. Then, Jeff is joined by legendary play-by-play broadcaster Doc Emrick to reflect on some of the greatest moments of Ovechkin's rivalry with Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis joins Jeff Marek for a wide-ranging discussion about the state of hockey fandom and how it's grown, Alex Ovechkin's legacy and the era of one-team players in the NHL, as well as his return to the Capitals for the 2026-27 season. Later, they talk about Washington's front office structure and what makes their group special compared to other organizations. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner stops by The Hockey LIfers to talk about all the big-money extensions going to young players in the NHL, takes a look at the 2026-27 Capitals and gives his Stanley Cup prediction before the regular season begins. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's a Capitals-centric episode of The Hockey Lifers, as Jeff Marek is joined by head coach Spencer Carbery and free-agent acquisition Vincent Desharnais to get fans ready for the 2026-27 season. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jeff Marek talks to two-time Stanley Cup champion Aaron Ward, who shares stories from his 15-year career playing with legendary players like Zdeno Chara, Marian Hossa and Jaromir Jagr, and talks about the state of hockey today and whether he'd be able to adapt to the modern game. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jeff Marek is joined by prominent hockey prospect analyst Cam Robinson for a wide-ranging discussion on the game's top young players both in the league now and coming in via the NHL Draft. Robinson and Marek also break down top prospects within the Washington Capitals' organization, headlined by Ryan Leonard and Cole Hutson. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Go between the pipes on this episode of The Hockey Lifers, as Jeff Marek is joined by Kevin Woodley, also known as the "Goalie Whisperer," to talk all things goaltending. From the state of the position to how the United States has become the new goalie factory, Woodley also makes his case for goalie coaches to be inducted into the Hall of Fame See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Washington Capitals legend Devante Smith-Pelly joins Jeff Marek to look back on his emotional 2018 Stanley Cup run with the team, becoming a household name in the organization, what it was like playing in Siberia during COVID, and how much it means seeing Alex Ovechkin run it back for at least one more season. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jeff Marek welcomes The Athletic columnist Barry Svrluga to break down Alex Ovechkin's decision to return to the Washington Capitals for a 22nd NHL season and reflect on The Great 8's legacy as the greatest athlete Washington, D.C. has ever seen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jeff Marek is joined by Monumental Sports' studio host for the Washington Capitals, Alexa Landestoy, to reflect on a very busy offseason for the organization, Ovi's exciting decision to return for a 22nd NHL season and her life being embedded into the game of hockey. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Part II of Olaf Kolzig's interview with Jeff Marek on The Hockey Lifers, the two look back on the Capitals' first Stanley Cup run in 1998 and fast forward to the winning run in 2018, Kolzig winning the NHL's Vezina Trophy in 2000, and his role in the organization's development staff. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Legendary goalie Olaf Kolzig joins Jeff Marek for the first of a two-part interview, covering his thoughts on Alex Ovechkin's return to the Washington Capitals, his take on Ovechkin vs. Alexander Semin, and recounts his earliest memories as a hockey player. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

T.J. Oshie and Alan May join Jeff Marek on The Hockey Lifers to talk about Alex Ovechkin's decision to return to the Washington Capitals for a 22nd NHL season. Oshie, May and Marek share Ovi stories, reflect on his legendary career and how he'll contribute to a talent-laden Capitals roster. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jeff Marek is joined by long-time NHL broadcaster, Pierre McGuire, to reflect on the 2026 NHL Draft class, the 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, and what it was like to be between Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby during their iconic rivalry. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jeff Marek is joined by Capitals insider Tarik El-Bashir to react to some thrilling news around the NHL and give his latest on Alex Ovechkin's future. The show also welcomes in Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell to discuss his busy offseason and preparing for the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.