Connor Bedard returns… with trepidation?

Ian and Laz are back on this Monday edition of The Athletic Hockey Show to discuss Laz’s viral moment with Connor Bedard following No. 98’s return to the lineup, Auston Matthews forcing his way into the Hart conversation with back-to-back hat tricks, this week’s Game of the Week, and much more.

Before that, The Athletic’s NHL insiders Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun join the show to give insights on the Canes’ deadline plans, how Jake Guentzel’s injury complicates the trade market, potential replacements for Jarmo Kekäläinen in Columbus, and more.

Plus, the great Down Goes Brown, Sean McIndoe, talks with the guys about the Islanders wearing suits and ties as they arrived to their Stadium Series game Sunday afternoon, Andrew Brunette cancelling the Preds’ trip to see U2 at the Sphere, his “5 teams that should be in the Top 5 but somehow aren’t” article, and a little This Week in Hockey History to close things out. 

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