Locked On NHL - Daily Podcast On The National Hockey League

The Florida Panthers reload with the Brady Tkachuk trade—are they Cup contenders once again? Alexander Barkov returns healthy, and Jacob Markstrom takes over in net as Florida looks to reclaim Stanley Cup favorite status. Locked on Panthers host Armando Velez joins Eddie Garcia and Shukri Wrights to recap the Panthers’ injury-plagued season, Sergei Bobrovsky’s exit and the impact of key offseason additions like Lars Eller and Radko Gudas. The conversation focused on how the Panthers’ power play units should be elite and whether this retooled roster has what it takes to challenge the Carolina Hurricanes and the rest of the NHL. Are the Panthers primed for another Cup run? 

00:00 Panthers' 2023-24 Season Recap

12:06 Brady Tkachuk Blockbuster Trade

22:31 2024-25 Lineup & Expectations

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The Buffalo Sabres have lost some key players in Alex Tuch and Bowen Byram but they may be better prepared to replace those players than most teams.

Joe DiBiase of Locked On Sabres joins us to discuss the young players set to replace Tuch and Byram and the latest on the rumors surrounding Connor Hellebuyck's possible arrival in Buffalo.

Changes have come to the Vegas Golden Knights including a new coach in Ryan Craig and the departure of Pavel Dorofeyev in the offseason.

Chris Gawlik of Locked On Vegas Golden Knights joins us to discuss the goaltending situation, the impact of the coaching change and the outlook for VGK heading into training camp.

The defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes had a relatively quiet offseason, losing goalie Frederik Andersen but otherwise keeping their roster together.

Zach Martin of Locked On Carolina Hurricanes joins us to discuss the challenges of defending a title, how the team will replace the injured Seth Jarvis early in the season and the biggest concerns for the season ahead. 

All this and more on today's Locked On NHL Podcast with Gil Martin.

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The Minnesota Wild eye a breakthrough season as Quinn Hughes’ arrival signals an transformation and the end of an agonizing playoff drought. Can blockbuster moves and fresh leadership finally push the Wild past their rivals in the Central Division gauntlet? Eddie Garcia and Shukri Wrights spotlight the Wild’s key offseason acquisitions—including Blake Coleman, Olli Maatta, and the emerging Maxim Shabanov—plus the brewing Dylan Larkin trade saga. Insights cover Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek’s new two-way responsibilities, Kirill Kaprizov’s search for a new linemate after Mats Zuccarello’s departure, and how Coach Jon Hynes’ adjustments shape team identity. Locked on Wild host Seth Toupal joins to give a deep dive into the impact of Quinn Hughes on special teams, the evolving goalie tandem of Jesper Wallstedt and Filip Gustavsson, and which prospects might force their way into the lineup. Will Minnesota’s bold strategy finally lead to a deep playoff run?

00:00 Wild 2025-26 Recap & Playoffs

10:01 Offseason Moves & Top 6 Forward Questions

24:29 Season Outlook & Division Predictions

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There are six new head coaches that were hired across the NHL this season and each coach faces a different challenge. Whether it's Jim Hiller in Toronto, Mike Babcock in Edmonton, Peter DeBoer on Long Island, Manny Malhotra in Vancouver, Peter Laviolette in Los Angeles or Ryan Craig in Vegas, we discuss the obstacles they face and who has the best chance to hit the ground running.

Plus, the Pittsburgh Penguins just signed Ville Koivunen, a young winger with two career NHL goals in 47 games, to an eight-year extension with a $4 million AAV. Does this deal make sense for the player or the team and how will it impact future RFA contracts?

All this and more on today's Locked On NHL Podcast with Rachel Donner and Gil Martin.

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Colorado Avalanche face questions after last season’s Presidents’ Trophy run ended in a disappointing sweep by the Vegas Golden Knights. Will Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar’s superstar talent be enough to overcome fresh challenges and silence doubts about the Avs’ playoff mettle? Questions swirl around Brock Nelson and Marty Neces and their ability to deliver in the postseason, critical offseason trades like Valeri Nichushkin’s departure, and what new faces Jaden Schwartz can contribute. Eddie Garcia and Shukri Wrights, with guest Chris Micieli, break down Colorado’s power play woes, the leadership pressures on head coach Jared Bednar, and the blockbuster move of GM Chris McFarland to the Nashville Predators. Lineup projections, contract talks for Makar, and the emergence of young talent like Gavin Brindley add intrigue to the Avalanche’s quest to reclaim Cup glory. Can the Avs grind their way back to the top of the Central Division, or are bigger moves required?

00:00 Avs Season Recap

12:45 Offseason Moves & Roster Changes

22:44 New Season Expectations

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In this Thursday edition of the Locked On NHL podcast, hosts Nick Zararis and Hunter break down the current state of the National Hockey League, starting with insights from a recent fan poll conducted by The Athletic. 

The hosts dive into which franchises made the biggest offseason strides, highlighting the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals as prime candidates for a major bounce-back year. Transitioning to the business side of the ice, Nick and Hunter explore the NHL's overall financial health and how good of shape the league is in. They also discuss NHL expansion potential and whether it's fully needed right now.

After that, they discuss the NHL's playoff format and whether it needs to be changed before even diving into the NHL's Department of Player Safety a bit.

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Coming off a season that was once promising and ended in disappointment, the New York Islanders are in the midst of an odd dynamic ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. Mike Asti and Alex Wiederspiel welcome Gil Martin, host of LockedOn Islanders, on the show to offer his insight and try to set the reasonable expectations for New York in year two of the Matthew Schaefer era.

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Nashville Predators sharpen their roster under Chris McFarland, adding grit and key depth pieces like Maverik Bourque and Nils Höglander in hopes of clinching a playoff spot in the fiercely competitive Central Division. Do Filip Forsberg, Steven Stamkos, and Roman Josi have enough support to propel Nashville past heavyweights like the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars, or is a wild card berth their ceiling?

Seth Toupal and JD Young break down the Predators’ offseason moves, the St. Louis Blues’ uncertain retool with Mason McTavish and the ongoing Jordan Binnington speculation, and the New Jersey Devils’ bounce-back potential after a tumultuous year. The hosts analyze roster construction, health concerns, playoff prospects, and the evolving landscape across the Central and Metro Divisions—posing critical questions about which teams are true contenders and which might fall short.

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The Los Angeles Kings will need Quinton Byfield to step up in the wake of Anze Kopitar's retirement. The Kings had as bizarre a 2025-26 season as you can imagine. They set ignominious records, made the playoffs with only 90 points and lost in the opening round of the playoffs yet again. Now, despite the retirement of long-time captain and future Hall of Famer Kopitar, the Kings are somehow actually older going into 2026-27. In the first of 32 shows, the Locked On Game Night crew talks with a familiar face in Locked On LA Kings host Eddie Garcia about the 2025-26 season, the changes for 2026-27 and the expectations for next year. 

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