The Athletic Hockey Show

They debate whether Toronto should sell off talent amid a brutal home skid and fading playoff hopes. They argue the team may be fundamentally broken and explore who could be traded or kept in a retool. Buffalo’s scorching run and New Jersey/Islanders roster moves get praise and breakdowns. They also flag top American goal scorers surprisingly left off the Olympic roster.

They pick the eight NHL teams they believe can actually win the Stanley Cup this season and explain why the trade deadline could reshuffle that group. They debate whether Nathan MacKinnon measures up to Connor McDavid and assess teams’ goaltending, depth and top-line firepower. They also spotlight squads that could vault into contention with the right deadline moves and preview Olympic tournament storylines.

Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators captain and NHL forward, talks making Team USA for Milano Cortina and wearing the national sweater. He reflects on playing with his brother Matthew and dreaming of a gold medal. He breaks down lessons from the Four Nations and the intensity of the U.S.-Canada rivalry. He also discusses pressure, representation, and the thrill of NHL players returning to the Olympics.

Julian McKenzie, a sports journalist and author of 'Black Aces,' joins to discuss the Ottawa Senators and their goaltending struggles. The conversation dives into Team USA's selection of Jackson Lacombe over Lane Hutson, exploring the reasoning behind choice and the implications for roster construction. McKenzie also sheds light on Linus Ullmark’s leave of absence, the team's dynamics, and Brady Kachuk's likely role in the upcoming Olympics. Additionally, insights from McKenzie’s book preview Black hockey narratives enhance the discussion.

Frankie Corrado, a former NHL defenseman and current media contributor, joins the discussion with Sean McIndoe and Shayna Goldman. They celebrate Cole Caufield's last-minute winner while debating his Olympic omission by GM Bill Guerin. Frankie highlights Caufield’s dangerous quick release and the need for better officiating in the NHL, especially after a phantom trip incident. The conversation takes a fun turn with a rare goalie fight between Nedeljkovic and Bobrovsky, and they analyze the potential missed value in the Kiefer Sherwood trade.

Vince Mercogliano, a New York hockey reporter, dives into the Rangers' recent retool announced by GM Chris Drury. He discusses fan skepticism and the need for change, emphasizing potential trade candidates like Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. Vince highlights untouchable core players like Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin, while analyzing strategies for attracting suitable trade partners. The conversation also touches on the criticisms of past trades and the importance of improving the team's drafting and development processes.

Join Flow Hockey analyst Chris Peters, who dives into the hotly debated under-23 NHL rankings. They discuss the rise of San Jose's Macklin Celebrini as a potential franchise cornerstone and explore differing opinions on players like Matthew Schaefer and Matvey Michkov. The conversation covers emerging talents from the 2024 draft class and the promising prospects on teams like Montreal and Chicago. Additionally, they tackle concerns around organizational depth for franchises like Philadelphia and Winnipeg, making for a lively and insightful discussion.

Dominik Luszczyszyn, a hockey writer and analytics specialist, dives into the Rangers' tumultuous season, where 'Fire Drury' chants resonate amidst their struggles. He analyzes Dougie Hamilton's resurgence with the Devils and the Sabres' impressive 14-win streak, highlighting the excitement around their playoff hopes. The conversation also shifts to comparing Connor McDavid's current 20-game point streak with Sidney Crosby's historic achievement, exploring the nuances of attention and impact in the game.

Aaron Portzline, a seasoned beat writer for the Columbus Blue Jackets, joins the discussion surrounding the implications of Brayden Point's injury on Team Canada for the Olympics. The conversation dives into potential replacements like Connor Bedard and the strategic fit with McDavid. Portzline also sheds light on the Blue Jackets' struggles under new coach Rick Bowness, highlighting issues like blown leads and underperformance. The hosts further analyze Mitch Marner's adjustment in Vegas and question the Bruins' playoff legitimacy.

Chris Johnston, an NHL insider from The Athletic, shares on-the-ground insights from Milan, revealing ongoing challenges with Olympic arena construction and ice quality. Despite these woes, he reassures that hockey can proceed. Joined by Arpon Basu, they delve into the competitive Atlantic Division, discussing team rebuilds and the impact of parity in standings. The guys also touch on the implications of false rumors surrounding player departures, highlighting the negative effects on players and fan perceptions.