The new year begins with a wide-open hockey conversation as Sean Baligian and Mike Iavasile kick off the episode by diving straight into what’s making this season so compelling. From unexpected contenders to divisions that refuse to settle down, the discussion centers on why January is when the league starts to reveal who’s real and who’s just riding momentum.

The Red Wings become a focal point as the guys debate winning versus sustainability, playoff expectations, and whether success can outpace structural flaws for much longer. The conversation expands to the broader NHL landscape, including teams that quietly demand respect, others that are impossible to trust, and why Colorado has become can’t-miss viewing.

They also dig into international hockey, World Juniors buzz, and roster decisions that spark loud opinions every time they happen. The episode closes with classic hockey banter, league-wide perspective, and the kind of unscripted debate that only happens when two people genuinely love the sport.

Fast-moving, opinionated, and perfectly timed for the start of January. This one sets the tone for the hockey conversations ahead.