High Motor Hockey

Just before recording, the Anaheim Ducks announced that prospect Nikita Klepov would rejoin the Saginaw Spirit for the remainder of the 2026-27 season. The announcement comes during a particularly rough stretch for the Ducks, as they've struggled defensively lately and wins have been hard to come by. Derek Lee and Patrick Present discuss all the latest in the world of the Anaheim Ducks.

0:27 Klepov sent back to OHL

6:26 Breakdown of the past week's games

16:35 How to fix things?

32:05 Goaltending analysis

35:37 Ducks prospects overview

49:01 Hellebuyck trade, Larkin fallout

56:36 Olen Zellweger's return to Anaheim

1:03:03 Listeners Q&A

The Anaheim Ducks are in an early-season skid, losing each of their last five games in regulation. Derek and Patrick discuss possible solutions to both on-ice strategy and roster construction.

0:57 Recap of the past week's games and what's going wrong
17:06 Thoughts on McQueen and Klepov's play
20:46 Fourth line stands out in Jersey, how to generate more offensively?
28:36 LaCombe carries as much responsibility as Carlsson/Gauthier
32:35 Discussing the rest of the young blue line
37:35 Special teams going cold
41:59 Goaltending discussion
46:28 Hometown Remix jersey tease
49:40 Matthew Schaefer is very good
54:26 Hellebuyck/Larkin discussion
58:15 Attendance down around the league due to pricing
1:03:00 Listener Q&A

The Ducks went 2-1-0 in their last week of games, but lost a pair of centers (Ryan Poehling and Mikael Granlund) to injury in the process. They'll be replaced by much younger options, as the Ducks hope to hold on to a playoff spot early in the season.

1:22 Recap of the past week's games
5:49 Ryan Poehling injury and long-term impact
9:03 McQueen's debut and potential impact
14:13 Thoughts on recent line combinations
20:41 What's the plan for Klepov?
29:35 Mikael Granlund's injury and Cutter Gauthier at center
40:31 Thoughts on the blue line
49:26 Thoughts on goaltending
54:03 Previewing the upcoming week's slate
57:48 Mason McTavish and how much a change of scenery can help
1:03:04 The Flyers' poor start
1:09:01 Discussing major injuries around the NHL
1:12:34 VGK's sell-out streak ending
1:16:23 Listeners Q&A

Derek and Patrick discuss Tristan Luneau's big contract extension, the Ducks' first three games of the season and more!

1:08 Luneau extension
7:42 Evaluation of first three games
43:21 Bouchard, Sharks, Panthers, Red Wings, Ovechking retiring
1:07:22 Ducks Players Goal Songs
1:09:20 Listeners Q&A

The Preseason is over, and the NHL regular season is underway, with Anaheim Ducks hockey soon to follow. Derek and Patrick take a look at the projected Ducks roster as well as preview the NHL season with superlatives for several categories.

1:28 Ducks roster moves and potential line combinations
13:39 Hellebuyck and Dostal discussion
17:52 Leo's letter to Orange Country
25:11 NHL predictions (first coach/GM to be fired, breakout players, most overpaid, etc.)
1:38:19 Listener Q&A

With the 2026-27 preseason nearly over, the Ducks named Mikael Granlund as the franchise's 10th captain. Training camp and preseason ensue, position battles heat up, and the team signs center Tim Washe to a four-year contract extension. Derek and Patrick discuss every aspect of the last week in Anaheim Ducks hockey and several in the realm of the NHL.

1:15 Mikael Granlund named captain
9:27 Tim Washe contract extension
15:47 Camp injuries and roster cuts
23:36 Preseason player evaluation
38:52 Blue line depth concerns
43:43 Fantilli extension and future salary cap outlook
53:56 NHL goaltending, analytics and jerseys discussion
1:07:23 Listener Q&A and wrap-up

The Anaheim Ducks announced on Tuesday that they signed third-year RFA star goalscorer Cutter Gauthier to a six-year contract that carries an AAV of $13.5 million. How does this change the present and future outlook of the Ducks franchise?

Welcome to High Motor Hockey! In this pilot episode, meet Derek Lee and Patrick Present, Anaheim Ducks reporters, writers, and editors for thn.com/anaheim. They recap the offseason for the Anaheim Ducks, break down the team's decision to waive Chris Kreider, and discuss some of the NHL offseason's biggest stories.