The Athletic Hockey Show

The Senators, Penguins and Kings are trending towards being swept in the first round. Hailey and Max discuss disappointing series for Ottawa, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. Shayna Goldman stops by to discuss the Sabres dominating game three win over Boston, and she shares her eight too early takes from the first round. Sean Gentille joins us from Disneyland to talk about Connor McDavid still looking for his first point in the Ducks / Oilers series. Host: Hailey Salvian and Max Bultman With: Shayna Goldman and Sean Gentille Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brandon Hagel led the charge for the Lightning with a Gordie Howe hat trick and Nikita Kucherov snapped a 16-game playoff goal drought as the Lightning tied their series with the Habs. Sean and Sean recap night four of the Stanley Cup playoffs, including Morgan Geekie’s center ice goal vs. the Sabres, a historic win for the Mammoth, and a glass-breaking overtime win for the Avs over the Kings. The boys welcome Josh Yohe to discuss the Penguins’ sluggish start in the Battle of Pennsylvania and forecast a huge game for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in game two for the Oilers vs. the Ducks tonight. Host: Sean Gentille and Sean McIndoe With: Josh Yohe Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Stanley Cup playoffs are back after a weekend packed with series-opening games. The guys give their thoughts on every Game 1 from both conferences, including a thrilling Sabres win in Buffalo, a huge night for Juraj Slafkovsky and the Habs in Tampa Bay, and a statement by the Wild in a rout of the Dallas Stars. Plus, a quick lookahead to tonight’s Ducks-Oilers matchup and what this postseason means for Connor McDavid’s future in Edmonton. Hosts: Max Bultman and Mark Lazerus With: Jesse Granger Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a special edition of The Athletic Hockey Show, the guys preview all four Western Conference Stanley Cup playoff matchups, discuss what to expect when the postseason begins on Saturday, and make their first round picks to close out the show. This episode was recorded live at 11:30am ET on April 17, 2026. Hosts: Jesse Granger and Sean McIndoe With: Mark Lazerus, Michael Russo, Thomas Drance, and Scott Wheeler Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Eastern Conference matchups are set! Hailey, Sean and Max preview all four East first round Stanley Cup playoff series, and are joined by Matt Fairburn from the Sabres beat, to preview the feel good Buffalo Sabres who went from worst to first in the Atlantic Division with the postseason beginning on Saturday. Plus, Hailey, Sean and Max make their first round picks. This episode was recorded live at 12:00pm ET on April 16, 2026. Host: Hailey Salvian, Sean Gentille and Max Bultman With: Matthew Fairburn Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Columbus Blue Jackets lost 6 straight home games to end their season and Rick Bowness unloaded on the character and commitment of the team in his season ending press conference. Sean and Sean react to that, they discuss the yet to be determined Western Conference playoff matchups, and former NHL'er Cameron Gaunce from TSN stops by to share a coaching rant story of his own, they discusses Julien BriseBois and the Lighting being at the top of the NHL agent poll, the dysfunction inside Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and Cam tells us what matchup he wants to see in the first round of the playoffs. Host: Sean Gentille and Sean McIndoe With: Cameron Gaunce Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a special edition of The Athletic Hockey Show Prospect Series, Max and Scott break down Scott’s top 100 drafted NHL prospects ranking, discussing Michael Misa and Porter Martone in a tier of their own at the very top, some of the biggest risers from last year’s ranking, as well as some of Scott’s favorites, the hardest guys to slot, and the goalies to close things out. Hosts: Max Bultman and Scott Wheeler Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Ovechkin very well may have played his final home game in a Washington Capitals uniform Sunday afternoon, but The Great 8 isn’t letting us know one way or another… at least not yet. And so, Max, Laz, and Sean Gentille discuss if we are in fact witnessing the end of Ovi’s storied NHL career. Plus, The Athletic’s own Kevin Kurz joins the show to talk about the surging Philadelphia Flyers and, to close things out, the guys predict which teams will grab the final playoff spots in the East and West during this final stretch of the season. Hosts: Max Bultman and Mark Lazerus With: Sean Gentille and Kevin Kurz Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode, the guys deep dive into Scott’s 2026 NHL prospect pool rankings, an annual list that includes evaluations of roughly 500 prospects and sorts the league’s farm systems from No. 32 to No. 1, and discuss why there were only two teams in the conversation at the top of the list, the rest of the top 10, and some of the biggest risers and fallers this season. Hosts: Max Bultman and Scott Wheeler Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connor McDavid was a one man wrecking crew against the Sharks on Wednesday night. Hailey Salvian and Shayna Goldman praise the unstoppable McDavid, dissect the injury to Connor Ingram and how it affects the Oilers wonky goaltending. They debate Alex Ovechkin's future in the NHL, they stick tap the PWHL's record setting night at Madison Square Garden and welcome Eric Stephens for an in-depth conversation on the San Jose Sharks, LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks Host: Hailey Salvian and Shayna Goldman With: Eric Stephens Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Detroit Red Wings freefall from first in the Atlantic to missing the postseason cut for a tenth straight season is almost complete. Max Bultman, Sean McIndoe and Frank Corrado discuss what went wrong in the Motor City, the Anaheim Ducks six-game losing streak, and what went wrong for Tom Fitzgerald and the New Jersey Devils. Plus, former NHL'er Cameron Gaunce joins to discuss the red-hot Flyers, the unstoppable Sens, the perfect Golden Knights since Torts took over and the boys give their picks for the final playoff spot in the West. Host: Max Bultman and Sean McIndoe With: Frank Corrado and Cameron Gaunce Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the second time in a week there has been a major change behind the bench of an NHL team, this time with the New York Islanders firing head coach Patrick Roy and replacing him with Pete DeBoer with just four games left on the schedule. Today, the guys break down the Isles’ surprising decision, assess John Tortorella’s first week of work with the Vegas Golden Knights, and check in on Macklin Celebrini’s Hart Trophy potential as the young phenom keeps his San Jose Sharks in playoff contention. Plus, the Buffalo Sabres are playoff-bound for the first time in 14 years, ending the league’s longest drought, while the Detroit Red Wings are in danger of extending their nine-year postseason absence after another end-of-season collapse. Hosts: Max Bultman and Mark Lazerus With: Jesse Granger Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest episode of Brady and Matthew Tkachuk's podcast, featured a visit from their father Keith. On that show, subtle shots about the toughness of the Sens, Brady's ice time and his free agency in two years were presented by Keith. Neither brother called their pop on those statements. Hailey and Sean debate if this latest distraction in the Senators universe could be detrimental to their already fragile playoff push. After missing out on the playoffs last season, the Bruins on the cusp of another 100 point year are the surprise of the Eastern Conference. Fluto Shinzawa joins to tell us how Don Sweeney's team re-tooled so quickly and we salute Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks who find them back in the playoff race with a week and a half remaining in the NHL season. Host: Hailey Salvian and Sean Gentille With: Fluto Shinzawa Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A lost Linus Ullmark had a night to forget in Tampa Bay, and the Senators playoff push stalled after getting pounded by the Bolts. The guys ask if Edmonton would trade their struggling goalie Tristan Jarry straight up for Ullmark. They discuss the equally bad Red Wings who wrapped up their fourth straight brutal March. The guys dive deep into Keith Pelley's 'strange' press conference in Toronto and the search for a new management team for the Leafs, plus Sean and Sean stick tap another exciting goalie fight and the reigning GM of the year, Jim Nill getting a two year extension with the Dallas Stars. Host: Sean Gentille and Sean McIndoe With: Frank Corrado Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The cutthroat Vegas Golden Knights fired Stanley Cup Champion Bruce Cassidy with eight games remaining in the regular season, replacing him with John Tortorella in an effort to spark the slumping team. Hall of Famer Chris Pronger joins Max Bultman and Sean Gentille to discuss Vegas' gamble, the plethora of capable defensemen in line for a Norris Trophy nomination, the suddenly red hot Philadelphia Flyers and his new book, 'Earned' which comes out on April 14th. Host: Max Bultman and Sean Gentille With: Chris Pronger Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With both the NCAA men’s hockey championship and the CHL playoffs set to begin this week, the guys deep dive into both tournaments and make their Frozen Four and Memorial Cup picks. Hosts: Max Bultman, Corey Pronman, and Scott Wheeler With: FloHockey’s Chris Peters Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 games in the NHL on a chaotic Tuesday night separated the legitimate playoff believers from the dreamers. Sean, Frankie and Sean dissect a disappointing Red Wings home ice loss in regulation against a red hot Ottawa Senators team, they discuss the playoff bound Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators, why Zach Werenski should be considered a Hart Trophy nominee alongside the favorite, Nikita Kucherov and the goaltending failures in Vegas and Edmonton and Cole Caufield having a shot at being the first Hab to ever win the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard trophy as the leading goal scorer in the NHL. Host: Sean Gentille and Sean McIndoe With: Frankie Corrado Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the wake of Florida Panthers forward AJ Greer’s three-game suspension for boarding Calgary Flames forwards Connor Zary, Max and Laz discuss whether the punishment fit the crime, how the NHL could do more to curb these kinds of dangerous hits, and the major obstacle preventing those changes. Plus, The Athletic’s own Aaron Portzline joins the show to discuss the surging Columbus Blue Jackets, who despite a 1-0 loss the New York Islanders on Sunday night, remain one of the league’s hottest teams. And, to close things out, the guys talk about the teams with a lot at stake down the stretch towards the playoffs. Hosts: Max Bultman and Mark Lazerus With: Aaron Portzline Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the guys revisit one of the most interesting, and debated, drafts in recent history, the 2017 NHL Draft, and reflect on how it has panned out nine years later. The class featured some of the best players currently in the league including Cale Makar, Nico Hischier, Nick Suzuki, Miro Heiskanen, and Jason Robertson, as well as some picks that just didn’t pan out like Nolan Patrick and Lias Andersson. Plus, to close things out, the guys break down Scott’s latest NHL Draft rankings. Hosts: Max Bultman, Corey Pronman, and Scott Wheeler With: FloHockey’s Chris Peters Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Chris Flannery Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The General Manager meetings are in the books. Michael Russo joins Sean Gentille and Dom Luszczyszyn for a full recap on the event, including goalie interference clarification, the player safety department getting a vote of confidence, if the NHL has relaxed there standards on head-shots and why the current NHL playoff format will remain. Plus, Sean and Dom discuss Sidney Crosby's return from injury, the Sens and Avs getting goalied last night and Jack hughes clarifying his comments on the Hockey Hall of Fame. Host: Sean Gentille With: Dom Luszczyszyn and Michael Russo Executive Producer: Chris Flannery Producer: Jeff Domet Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theathletichockeyshow Join our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VTm9VjkF Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/hockeyshow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.