100% Hockey

John Shannon and Daren Millard are joined by longtime NHL coach, former general manager, and current Nashville Predators advisor Barry Trotz on 100% Hockey for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, winning culture, and his evolving role in the game.

After stepping away from the GM's chair in Nashville, Trotz reflects on the transition to an advisory position and the challenge of moving from making decisions to offering perspective. He discusses the Predators' direction under new management, the importance of establishing a strong organizational culture, and the role veterans like Ryan O'Reilly and Roman Josi play in setting the standard.

The conversation explores how hockey organizations have evolved, including the growing emphasis on player health, wellness, and mental health support. Trotz also compares the demands of coaching and management, sharing lessons from his decades of experience in both roles.

Barry reflects on his relationship with Alex Ovechkin, the impact the legendary goal scorer has had on the NHL, and the character behind one of hockey's most recognizable figures. He also shares his admiration for Pekka Rinne, discussing the former Predators goaltender's humility and his upcoming induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

After the interview, John and Daren turn their attention to the latest around the NHL, including Vegas' comeback against Toronto, Tampa Bay's recent performance, and a debate about the potential impact of a major offer sheet on the Philadelphia Flyers' dressing room.

John Shannon and Daren Millard are joined by former NHL goaltender and Clear Sight Analytics CEO Steve Valiquette for a deep dive into the position and some of the biggest goaltending questions around the NHL.

With Connor Hellebuyck’s future in Winnipeg uncertain, Steve breaks down what makes the three-time Vezina Trophy winner so valuable and why he believes Carolina could be an ideal fit. The guys examine Hellebuyck’s numbers, the teams that could benefit most from adding him, and what an elite goaltender can change for a contender.

Steve also gets into the details of modern goaltending, explaining the importance of positioning, angle control and playing off the old crease line. He breaks down how a goalie’s depth changes as a rush develops and why seemingly small positional decisions can have such a significant impact.

The conversation then dives into the numbers behind scoring. Steve explains the work being done by Clear Sight Analytics, how the company evaluates scoring opportunities, and what the data can tell us about where and how goals are being created across the NHL.

Plus, John, Daren and Steve discuss some of the major stories around the league, including the latest injuries and Alex Ovechkin’s announcement that this season will be the final one of his legendary NHL career.

John Shannon and Daren Millard are joined by New Jersey Devils General Manager Sunny Mehta on 100% Hockey for his first conversation with the show since taking over in New Jersey.

Mehta discusses the transition from helping build a championship organization in Florida to being the person ultimately responsible for the decisions in New Jersey. Despite years spent preparing for an opportunity like this, he explains why the reality of sitting in the GM’s chair has been even more demanding than he anticipated.

The conversation dives into Mehta’s unconventional path through hockey, including his background in analytics, poker, and financial trading, and how those experiences influence the way he evaluates risk and makes decisions as an NHL executive.

Mehta also discusses bringing longtime Florida executive Bryan McCabe into the organization, the different perspectives they bring to player evaluation and development, and the importance of surrounding himself with people whose strengths complement his own.

John and Daren also ask about Mehta’s relationship with head coach Sheldon Keefe and how the front office and coaching staff work together as the Devils try to establish the identity of this new era in New Jersey.

Plus, the guys work through some of the early stories around the NHL, including injuries, the first impressions of the new season, and whether the league’s shortened training camp is already having an impact.

John Shannon and Daren Millard are joined by NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly on 100% Hockey for a wide-ranging conversation about the business of the league and some of the biggest issues shaping its future.

Before Daly joins the show, John and Daren work through the early headlines of the NHL season, including Igor Shesterkin scoring the first goalie goal in New York Rangers history, Matthew Knies making an immediate impact in his Columbus debut, the latest surrounding Aleksander Barkov, and the early questions facing Edmonton.

Daly then joins the conversation to discuss the NHL’s new shortened training camp and preseason format, why the league doesn’t view the condensed schedule as a player health or conditioning concern, and the adjustment teams are making as they transition into the new structure.

The discussion turns to the business of hockey, including the NHL’s rising salary cap and the changing financial environment around the league. Daly explains the transition away from the flat-cap years and offers his perspective on how the league’s economics continue to evolve.

John, Daren and Daly also debate the increasing importance of no-trade and no-move clauses in player contracts before looking toward the possibility of future NHL expansion, the level of interest from prospective markets, and the importance of ensuring the league has enough talent to support additional teams.

The conversation concludes with a broader look at how the NHL tells its stories, the importance of showcasing the personalities behind the players, and why human-interest storytelling remains an important part of growing the game.

John Shannon and Daren Millard are back on 100% Hockey as the NHL regular season gets underway, with Columbus Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell joining the show.

The guys begin with Jared Bednar’s new four-year extension in Colorado and look back at the first night of the NHL season, including Montreal’s win over Toronto and Vancouver’s overtime victory against Edmonton.

Then, Waddell takes John and Daren inside one of the biggest trades of the young season. Columbus acquired Matthew Knies, Emil Andrae, Steven Lorentz and a conditional draft pick from Toronto in a major deal that sent Kirill Marchenko, Elvis Merzlikins and Miles Wood to the Maple Leafs.

Waddell discusses the thinking behind the deal, what made Knies an attractive addition for Columbus, and the circumstances surrounding Marchenko’s departure. He also breaks down how the move changes the Blue Jackets’ roster and where the organization stands as a new season begins.

With significant changes in Columbus, the conversation turns to expectations for the year ahead and how Waddell sees the new pieces fitting into a Blue Jackets team looking to take another step forward.

Plus, John and Daren break down the early returns from opening night and some of the first storylines of the 2026-27 NHL season.

John Shannon and Daren Millard are joined by longtime ESPN hockey host and play-by-play commentator John Buccigross on 100% Hockey to look ahead to a new NHL season and some of the biggest stories around the league.

With opening night approaching, Buccigross shares what has his attention heading into the season as the guys work their way through the teams, players, and coaches facing some of the biggest expectations.

The conversation covers the outlook in Washington, questions surrounding Connor Hellebuyck and Winnipeg, Buffalo’s situation in goal, and the uncertainty facing Detroit. They also discuss Edmonton under Mike Babcock, Peter Laviolette’s latest opportunity behind an NHL bench, and what to make of the always difficult-to-define Toronto Maple Leafs.

John, Daren, and Bucci also discuss which teams could take a significant step forward, the challenges created by a shortened training camp, and what the opening weeks could tell us about contenders around the league.

The conversation also turns to the late Barry Melrose, with Buccigross reflecting on his former ESPN colleague, their years covering hockey together, and Melrose’s lasting contribution to growing the game’s presence in the United States.

With the preseason coming to an end and the regular season about to begin, Buccigross helps set the table for another year of NHL hockey.

John Shannon and Daren Millard are joined by Washington Capitals President of Hockey Operations Brian MacLellan on 100% Hockey as the NHL regular season approaches.

Before the interview, John and Daren dig into Adam Fantilli’s new contract with Columbus and what it says about the rapidly changing market for young NHL stars, as teams increasingly pay for what they believe a player will become rather than simply what they have already accomplished.

Then, MacLellan joins the show to discuss the state of the Capitals and why he believes Washington has the depth to compete in a difficult Eastern Conference. After a busy offseason, he shares his perspective on the roster, the club’s goaltending depth, and how a rising salary cap is changing the way teams approach building and maintaining a contender.

The conversation naturally turns to Alex Ovechkin and his place within a deeper Washington lineup. MacLellan discusses how Ovechkin remains an important part of the Capitals’ identity while explaining why ice time could be distributed differently this season. He also talks about Ovechkin’s approach at this stage of his career and his focus on helping Washington win rather than chasing individual numbers.

MacLellan, who spent a decade as Washington’s general manager and helped build the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup championship team, also offers a front-office perspective on managing expectations, maintaining depth, and keeping Washington competitive as the organization continues to evolve around one of the defining players in franchise history.

John Shannon and Daren Millard are back on 100% Hockey as the NHL preseason gets underway, with Seattle Kraken captain Jordan Eberle joining the show.

John and Daren start with a look at the value of the NHL preseason and whether teams really need as many exhibition games as they currently play. They also discuss Seattle’s approach to training camp, the value of continuity behind the bench, and what the Kraken need to establish before the regular season begins.

Eberle then joins the conversation to discuss his role as captain and the responsibility that comes with helping set the standard in Seattle. He talks about the Kraken’s emphasis on playing with speed, generating more offence, and adapting as the pace of the NHL continues to increase.

The conversation also gets away from the rink, with Eberle discussing his family, his connection to Seattle, and what the city has come to mean to him. He also offers his perspective on the Pacific Division and what the Kraken are facing as another season gets underway.

Later, John and Daren turn their attention to the future of the league, including the possibility of NHL expansion and potential markets such as Houston and Atlanta, before wrapping up another edition of 100% Hockey.

John Shannon sits down with Stanley Cup champion Taylor Hall at Carolina Hurricanes media day for a conversation about finally reaching hockey’s summit, the evolution of his game, and the challenge of doing it all over again.

Hall looks back on a summer unlike any other, including 13 hours with the Stanley Cup at his cottage in Muskoka and taking the Cup out for a boat tour on Lake Muskoka. After 17 years in the NHL, he reflects on what it meant to finally become a champion and how much he has changed since entering the league.

Once known for the “flash and dancing” in his game, Hall discusses his transformation into a more physical power forward and the veteran role he now embraces alongside younger teammates like Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake. He also explains what makes Rod Brind’Amour such an effective motivator and how the Hurricanes maintain their intensity over the course of a long season.

With Carolina now entering the season as defending champions, Hall talks about going from the hunters to the hunted in a competitive Eastern Conference and the challenge of matching the standard that carried the Hurricanes to the Cup.

The conversation also turns to the next generation, with Hall offering advice to Gavin McKenna on handling enormous expectations and the pressure that comes with playing in Toronto.

Daren Millard joins John for the top and tail of the show as 100% Hockey gets ready for another NHL season.

John Shannon and Daren Millard are joined by Mike Zeisberger on 100% Hockey to set the stage for a new NHL season and break down some of the biggest stories emerging around the league.

Fresh off the NHL Media Tour in Las Vegas, Zeisberger shares what he heard from players as another season approaches, including candid comments from Tom Wilson about the changes in Washington and Mark Scheifele’s perspective on the situation surrounding Connor Hellebuyck in Winnipeg.

The conversation also dives into the NHL’s rapidly changing contract landscape. With young stars commanding increasingly significant deals, the guys discuss what that means for teams trying to build sustainable contenders and the decisions facing organizations like Montreal and San Jose as their young cores develop.

From there, they tackle some of the league’s biggest individual storylines, including Quinn Hughes’ contract situation, Mike Babcock beginning a new chapter behind the bench in Edmonton with Connor McDavid, and the expectations surrounding Gavin McKenna in Toronto.
The group also looks at which teams could make noise this season, including an improved Washington roster and Carolina’s chances of defending its Stanley Cup championship, while examining the questions still facing Detroit and Edmonton as opening night approaches.

The offseason is almost over. Now the expectations, pressure, and biggest questions around the NHL are about to be answered.