Martin Brodeur Q&A: Talking Devils' future, new role and draft day memories

The Hockey News Big Show is here to not only discuss the closing stages of the first round but some of the other biggest topics in the NHL. Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Katie Gaus discussed in this episode: 0:47: Game 6 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators is Thursday night. Are the Leafs still "fine," or could they blow another series lead again? 3:30: How much pressure is on the Maple Leafs in Game 6, and do you expect any lineup changes?  6:06: Even if the Maple Leafs do win the series, have they changed your mind about them being a "contender?" 9:30: The Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals will meet in the second round. Thoughts on this series?  13:28: In Game 5 between the Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights, there was a league review for a kicking motion, which gave Vegas time to watch the goal, and when it was determined there was no kick, Vegas challenged for offside, and the goal was overturned. Many online comments suggest that this is ruining hockey. Do you agree? 16:43: Most surprising series so far? 20:11: First-round MVP candidates so far? 22:07: Player that's been the biggest surprise in the first round, for good or bad reasons? 25:19: The NHL’s coaching carousel is spinning like crazy, with so many open jobs. Where do we see Rick Tocchet and Mike Sullivan landing? Could more coaches lose their jobs? 29:15: The NHL’s Hart Trophy finalists are Leon Draisaitl, Connor Hellebuyck and Nikita Kucherov. Thoughts on no Nathan Mackinnon? Who will win it?  33:16: Taylor Hall signed a three-year contract extension worth $3.167 million annually. Do we like it?  34:25: Utah Hockey Club’s YouTube channel briefly showed "@UtahMammoth"  as the handle... sounds like this is it? Yay or nay? 36:58: Who do you want to see win the NHL draft lottery? Who actually wins it? 39:59: Patrik Laine enters the final year of his contract next season. Do the Habs re-sign him over the summer? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Mai 42min

We have a special guest for a special playoff edition of The Hockey News Big Show. Longtime NHL coach Bruce Boudreau joins Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos to discuss what's going on in the Stanley Cup playoffs, what's happening with the non-playoff squads and some of Boudreau's stories, including his time with the Vancouver Canucks. Here's what they discussed in this episode: 0:00: Which goaltender should start for the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 versus the Los Angeles Kings? 8:14: Has Matthew Knies’ play unlocked a new level of offense for the Toronto Maple Leafs on the power play? 14:58: Have the Washington Capitals proven to be a true Stanley Cup contender? 20:19: With their roster now fully healthy, do the Florida Panthers have the scariest offense in the East? 24:49: Are the Winnipeg Jets proving they don’t need Connor Hellebuyck to play at a top-tier level to be a Stanley Cup contender? 28:36: Breaking down Gabriel Landeskog’s return to the Colorado Avalanche's lineup. 33:50: After signing an extension with the New York Rangers, what should Chris Drury’s off-season plan be? 39:15: Who should take home the Jack Adams Award this year? 41:01: Will Alex Ovechkin retire from hockey before the age of 50? 43:30: Who’s the best goal-scorer that Boudreau ever played with and against? 45:03: Which first-round series is most likely to have an upset? 47:34: Should Jim Rutherford have discussed Quinn Hughes’ contract talks publicly? 49:27: Updated Stanley Cup picks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

24 Apr 51min

The Hockey News Big Show is here to preview the first round of the NHL’s 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Steve Warne discussed in this episode: 0:57: Will the Battle of Ontario have over or under three fights in this series? 3:01: Do the Ottawa Senators hope they can suck the Toronto Maple Leafs into playing a physical style of game?  3:55:  What will playoff Brady Tkachuk look like? 5:45: Who will be the Maple Leafs’ X-factor for them?  7:40: How much of a load will Jake Sanderson face against Toronto's top line?  8:55: Predictions for the Leafs and Sens series 10:34: Do the youngsters in Montreal have enough in them to run the table against the Washington Capitals? 13:59: Prediction for the Canadiens and Capitals series 15:18: In the Battle of Florida, Vasilevskiy and Bobrosky have both been known to turn it on in the playoffs. Will this series turn into a goalie duel? 17:21: Will the physical aspect of Florida match up to the skill of Tampa?  18:45 Predictions for the Panthers and Lightning series 21:04: Predictions for the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils series 21:49: Are there any similarities you see between this year's St. Louis Blues team and the 2019 team that won the Cup?  24:21: Does Jordan Binnington have the edge over Connor Hellebuyck?  25:34: Prediction for the Jets and Blues series 26:43: How do injuries affect the Dallas Stars?  28:52: Will Mikko Rantanen be the X-factor for Dallas while facing his old team?  30:39: How do you see this series between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Minnesota Wild shaking out?  32:13: Are there any similarities you see between this year's Vegas team and the team that won the Cup?  33:38: Predictions for the Knights and Wild 34:02: Are injuries still a big issue for the Edmonton Oilers?  35:03: How will the goaltending matchup look between the Oilers and Los Angeles Kings?  37:08: Predictions for the Kings and Oilers series  37:20: Who do you see in the Stanley Cup final?  40:06: Which player will lead the playoffs in scoring? 41:14: Since the 2014-15 season, only three of the Stanley Cup winners have been from the Western Conference. Will this year's winner be coming from the East or West?  42:16: Which team will go on a Cinderella run? 43:44: Who is an unlikely playoff hero? 44:36: Which Cup "favorite" will go out earliest? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

18 Apr 46min

The Hockey News Big Show is back to discuss some of the biggest NHL and hockey topics. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode: 3:01: The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are locked in for a first-round matchup. Here’s what to expect and the series prediction. 7:48: The Winnipeg Jets clinched the Presidents' Trophy as the regular-season champions. Since 1986, only eight of the 37 Presidents' Trophy winners have won the Stanley Cup. Do you believe in the curse? 11:01: What has impressed you most about Winnipeg's season, and more importantly, can they continue it in the playoffs? 13:55: For the first time in NHL history, the Bruins, Penguins and Rangers have all missed the playoffs. Which team will make it back into the playoffs? What moves do they need to make to get there? 17:14: This year's Stanley Cup playoffs could likely feature five of the seven Canadian teams. It would be the first time five Canadian teams have made it since 2017. Is this the year since 1993 we see the Stanley Cup brought back to Canada? 21:08: Which team has a better chance of winning the Cup between Toronto and Winnipeg? 21:59: We've got a few new faces making it into the playoffs this year. Which player who has never been in the playoffs are you most excited to see get their first taste of playoff hockey? 24:12: Which player is a bigger loss for their team heading into the playoffs: Mattias Ekholm for the Oilers or Oliver Bjorkstrand for the Lightning? 28:07: Reports out of Boston indicate that no changes are expected in the Bruins’ front office, so it looks like Don Sweeney and Cam Neely are here to stay. Is this good or bad for Boston? Could we see any other team making changes at the top and firing a GM?  32:19: Ivan Demidov had an impressive NHL debut, with one goal and one assist. Could he be the next Guy Lafleur? 34:52: Logan Couture is not expected to continue his NHL playing career. He played 15 years, all for the San Jose Sharks. Where does he rank among all-time Sharks greats? 36:37: The NHLPA Player Poll was released today – 630 players were asked to name the league's most complete player. Sidney Crosby finished slightly ahead of Aleksander Barkov. Agree or disagree? 39:29: What’s your favorite NHL Stanley Cup playoff tradition? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15 Apr 42min

We’re nearly one week away from the NHL playoffs, and The Hockey News Big Show is here to discuss some of the biggest topics. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and guest co-host Steve Warne discussed in this episode: 1:03: We have our first Stanley Cup playoff series officially locked in. The Carolina Hurricanes will host the New Jersey Devils. What will we see in this series? 3:31: Will the Hurricanes and Devils have high-scoring battles?  4:56: Predicting the winner of the Hurricanes-Devils series 6:30: The Minnesota Wild got Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek back from injury. How do their returns change Minnesota’s playoff outlook? 10:13: The Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers are once again almost a lock to battle it out in the first round. This would be the fourth-straight year they meet in Round 1. How could this time be different? 13:00: Steve updates his top eight Stanley Cup contenders list. 14:40: Micheal explains his changes to his Cup contenders list and why.  16:59: How does a team balance resting players and making sure they are ready to go for Game 1 of the playoffs?  19:26: What should we know about Ivan Demidov and his game as he joins the Montreal Canadiens? What kind of boost could this give Montreal?  23:34: Brock Boeser said it’s unlikely he’ll re-sign with the Vancouver Canucks. Where could he end up? 26:20: Should Boeser be worried about looking for a higher salary or getting more trem?   28:10: Which team likely to miss the playoffs this year will take an even bigger step backward next season? 31:00: In their rookie seasons, Connor Bedard had 22 goals and 61 points in 68 games, while Macklin Celebrini has 24 goals and 62 points in 66 games and counting. Who would you take? 33:46: The Philadelphia Flyers have won four of five games since firing John Tortorella. Michkov has eight points in five games, and Foerster has seven points, with both getting more ice time. In hindsight, did the Flyers make the right decision to fire their coach with less than a month left? 36:49: Patrick Roy put in 21-year-old AHL goalie Tristan Lennox with the team down 6-1, then pulled him after allowing a goal on two shots in the 9-2 loss. Did this bother you? Is Roy on thin ice after this move? 40:25: The NCAA national championship game is Saturday. Who is your pick to win between Western Michigan and Boston University? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11 Apr 42min

The Hockey News Big Show is back for another week of discussing some of the biggest NHL and hockey topics. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and guest co-host Steve Warne discussed in this episode: 1:04: Now that Alex Ovechkin broke the NHL all-time goals record, what's next for him? How will he add to his greatness? 6:28: Will Ovechkin’s new record ever be broken? 9:50: Where does Ovechkin rank on the NHL's "greatest players ever" list?  11:36: The Ottawa Senators are now just two points behind the Florida Panthers for third place in the Atlantic Division. Could the Senators snag that spot? 14:20: On his 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman discussed what is being called the "Sunshine State Conspiracy" against Toronto. Do we think this "conspiracy" of the Panthers trying to get the first wild-card spot to face the Toronto Maple Leafs is real? 18:07: Both conferences’ second wild-card teams, the Minnesota Wild and Montreal Canadiens, have at least a four-point lead over the teams chasing them to get in. Can any team in the chase actually catch up, or is the playoff picture getting clearer? 22:53: Which trade acquisition who didn't hit the ground running with their new team is due for a hot streak? 26:27: Tage Thompson is up to 43 goals this season, the third most in the NHL. Is he the best value contract in the NHL? Are his prime years being wasted in Buffalo? Would they ever consider trading him? 31:36: Anthony Stolarz is 5-0-0 in his last 5 starts with a .944 save percentage. Is the Leafs’ Game 1 starter debate over? 33:33: Which Canadian forward who got snubbed at the 4 Nations Face-Off should be on the Olympic team? 34:40: Lane Hutson is feeling like a lock for the Calder. Should he also be getting some serious consideration for the Norris? 37:30: When asked about his message to his team following their 5-1 loss to the Lightning, Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said, "I don't have a message right now. I don't go into the locker room after the game." Is it weird for the coach not to go in the dressing room after a game? 40:06: Ovechkin's first posts since breaking the NHL all-time goals record both expressed his love for longtime teammate Nicklas Backstrom. Are they the best bro-mance in hockey? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8 Apr 42min

The Hockey News Big Show is back to discuss more of the biggest NHL and hockey topics. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and guest co-host Steve Warne discussed in this episode: 0:46: We have a new top eight Cup contenders list to dive into this week, as Steve Warne fills in for Ryan Kennedy. Let's kick off with his list and his defense of his choices.  2:26: Michael defends his latest Cup contenders list. 4:08: Steve doesn't have the Toronto Maple Leafs on his Cup contenders list, but Michael does. Steve explains his reasoning behind the decision.  5:29: Is there a team that didn’t make the Cup contenders list but could have if it had an easier path in the playoffs? 9:22: Ottawa Senators coach Travis Green says captain Brady Tkachuk is out "day-to-day" with an upper body injury. He's missed two games so far, so how concerned should Senators fans be?  12:43: Maple Leafs center Scott Laughton has had just two points and a minus-5 rating, the worst on the team since trading for him. How has he played during this stretch? Is he a fit for the Leafs? 16:12: Which trade deadline acquisition has had the best impact with their new team? 19:15: The NHL and Rogers Communications agreed to a 12-year deal worth $7.7 billion. Thoughts on this massive deal? 24:09: Will the St. Louis Blues finish in the first wild-card spot in the West ahead of the Minnesota Wild? Is it over for the Calgary Flames?  28:48: Patrick Roy ripped Anthony Duclair following the New York Islanders’ sixth straight loss on Tuesday night. Was Roy out of line with his comments? Are the Isles' struggles more player problems or coaching problems? 32:47: Which building will be the toughest to win a playoff game in? 34:59: Jalen Chatfield pulled a UFC move to throw Connor McMichael to the ice during a fight. Chatfield received no discipline from the NHL's Department of Player Safety. Agree or disagree with the decision? 37:56: Cale Makar became the first D-man since Mike Green to score 30 goals. Who will be the next defenseman to achieve this lofty goal? 40:33: Ovechkin is three goals away from breaking Gretzky's all-time goals record. He has two games to break the record and tie Gretzky in the number of games needed. Can he do it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 Apr 43min

It’s time for The Hockey News Big Show, where we explore some of the biggest NHL and hockey topics. Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and guest co-host Steve Warne discussed in this episode: 1:07: The Ottawa Senators hold a decent lead on the Eastern wild-card standings. What has allowed this group to nearly seal a spot in the post-season?  4:08: Are there any similarities between this year's Senators and the 2017 team that made it to the Eastern Conference final?   7:24: We could see the Battle of Ontario in the first round if the Toronto Maple Leafs earn the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Who wins it? 10:32: Are the Montreal Canadiens running out of steam? Which team looks likeliest to get the second wild-card spot? 13:38: Leon Draisaitl is up to 51 goals this season. There are now just two active players with four or more 50-plus-goal seasons. Could Draisaitl be a better goal-scorer than Auston Matthews? 16:43: Where do we think Brad Marchand could end up next season? 19:44: Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog was seen this week working on special teams with one of the power-play units. Will he return for the playoffs? If so, what kind of impact would his comeback have on the Avalanche?  23:50: Which team has the most pressure to win in the first round of the playoffs? 27:19: The Seattle Kraken and the Nashville Predators are the newest teams to be "officially eliminated" from the playoffs. What moves would you like each team to make this off-season?  30:08: Only four players from the Senators’ last playoff appearance are still active in the NHL. Can you name them? 31:19: College hockey studs Jimmy Snuggerud (STL) and Ryan Leonard (WSH) are both expected to make their NHL debut Tuesday night. Who do we think will make a bigger impact as an NHL player? 32:59: The New York Rangers' bus reportedly hit San Jose rookie Macklin Celebrini's car. What is a bigger bummer: losing in a blowout to the Rangers or having your car hit? 35:01: The NCAA Hockey Frozen Four is officially set. Denver is back to defend its title and will face Western Michigan. Penn State continues its Cinderella run and will take on Boston University. Who are your picks to win it? 37:10: Gavin McKenna has nine points in just two playoff games. If he was draft-eligible this year, would he go first overall? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Apr 40min