Locked On NHL - Daily Podcast On The National Hockey League

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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The Pittsburgh Penguins made some big changes to their lineup, but are they a better team heading into this season than they were a year ago?

Hunter Hodies of Locked On Penguins joins us to discuss that, the future of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and the biggest concerns facing the team heading into training camp. 

The Colorado Avalanche have lost Valeri Nichushkin due to cap considerations but added Jaden Schwartz. Are the Avs a better team now than they were a year ago?

Chris Micielli of Locked On Avalanche joins us to discuss where the team stands and the latest on the Cale Makar extension negotiations that will not only be huge for the Avalanche but will help set the market for defensemen on big contracts going forward. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs eagerly anticipate the NHL debut of Gavin McKenna this fall, but what can the team realistically expect from him as a rookie and who will he play with?

David Morassutti of Locked On Leafs discusses that and  how new head coach Jim Hiller impacts the Leafs this season and what will it take to return to the playoffs.

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

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The Detroit Red Wings are the only NHL team without a GM although Steve Yzerman is still running the day-to-day operations until his successor is appointed. We discuss how the Red Wings got into this situation and how it impacts the team's rebuild, the Dylan Larkin situation and the upcoming season.

Plus, more expansion buzz across the NHL with either Houston or Austin considered the most likely next team. We'll analyze what it would mean for the NHL, for Texas hockey, a potential rivalry with the Dallas Stars and the possible expansion of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

And the IIHF announced that Russia would not be participating in four tournaments this year but are we getting close to Russia's return to international hockey competition? What would it take for that to happen?

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

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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In this episode of Locked On NHL, hosts Nick Zararis and Hunter Hodies break down the massive fallout from Macklin Celebrini’s record-breaking contract extension with the San Jose Sharks. Making him the highest-paid player in the NHL’s salary cap era at $18.8 million per year, the hosts analyze why this short-term bridge to free agency was the ultimate power move for Celebrini, how the recent Leo Carlsson offer sheet sped up top-market contract values, and what this means for San Jose’s rebuilding timeline around their young core of Will Smith, Ivar Stenberg, and Yaroslav Askarov. 

The discussion shifts to the teams navigating this post-COVID economic boom most effectively, highlighting how the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes capitalized on the flat-cap era to lock down elite core talent like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, and Seth Jarvis on steal-level, long-term deals. Finally, Nick and Hunter examine the flip side of the league’s shifting finances, breaking down teams facing potential cap distress and aging rosters.

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Ross Levitan and Mike DiStefano discuss the latest on Quinn Hughes' contract negotiations, the breaking news of Macklin Celebrini's record-setting NHL extension, and which teams are most likely to repeat as division champions. ** Celebrini news comes in at 11:20 **

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Winnipeg Jets’ playoff hopes face major turbulence as Connor Hellebuyck’s future hangs in the balance. Can Winnipeg reinvent themselves or will their reliance on goaltending continue to stall their rebuild? Seth Toupal and JD Young break down Mark Scheifele’s 100-point campaign, the need for secondary scoring, and the team’s reluctance to give young talent key roles. Odds from FanDuel and a crowded Central Division fuel speculation: is it time for a Jets reset?

Florida Panthers gear up for another postseason push with the high-profile acquisition of Brady Tkachuk and a risky bet on Jacob Markstrom in net. The hosts debate if Florida can regain their championship form or if inconsistency in goal and mounting injuries will derail their run. Plus: Can the San Jose Sharks capitalize on a weak Pacific Division? Macklin Celebrini’s explosive emergence, San Jose’s prospect pool, and big-name blue line additions set up a playoff-or-bust storyline.

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The Kirill Marchenko rumors continue to swirl around the Columbus Blue Jackets as the summer continues.

Jay Forster of Locked On Blue Jackets joins us to discuss the truth behind the rumors, the long-term status of Zach Werenski and the outlook for the Blue Jackets this season.

Rumors continue to swirl around the Minnesota Wild both regarding a potential extension and some blockbuster trades.

Seth Toupal of Locked On Wild discusses the Quinn Hughes extension situation and when a deal could go down and whether the Wild are still in the running for Detroit's Dylan Larkin if and when the Red Wings pull the trigger.

The Boston Bruins made some key additions this offseason with JJ Peterka topping the list but is it enough to compete in the very deep and tough Atlantic Division?

Ian McLaren of Locked On Boston Bruins joins us to discuss where Peterka fits into the lineup, who benefits most from his arrival and what it will take for the Bruins to return to the playoffs this season.

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

FanDuel

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Patrick Kane has signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks, returning to the team he helped lead to multiple Stanley Cups in his prime. But was this the right move for the Blackhawks and for Kane? Should you go home again in this case? We discuss the pros and cons. 

Plus, now that Jason Robertson has signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Stars, what's next for him? Does he stay in Dallas beyond this season or does he hit the open market? What do the Stars have to do to keep him both in salary and in surrounding him with enough talent to contend? And does Robertson reset the market in his next contract, surpassing Leo Carlsson?

And several NHL teams are changing the way they handle their local cable broadcasts this season, joining together for production and other aspects of their telecasts. What does this mean for local NHL coverage and is it the start of a new era?

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

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It might be the offseason, but there are still some burning topics that need to be discussed. Hunter Hodies and Nick Zararis start Thursday's show with a discussion about the Dallas Stars and whether their window has ended, despite signing Jason Robertson. After that, they dive into some teams that missed the playoffs last season that could make it next season and vice versa. They also look at who could be the first coach fired for the 2026-27 season before ending the show with a conversation about whether a Canadian team or an Original Six team will win the Stanley Cup first (yes, there's some overlap).

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New York Rangers overhaul their roster but questions loom: is Chris Drury’s vision enough to spark a real turnaround? Seth Toupal and JD Young dissect the Rangers’ headline-grabbing offseason moves—highlighting the exits of Vincent Trocheck and the expensive addition of Pavel Dorofeyev—while casting doubt on whether tinkering with depth can mask deeper flaws. Can Adam Fox rediscover elite form? Are shifty contracts and locker room tensions signs of a team stuck in neutral?

Toronto Maple Leafs and Seattle Kraken face major crossroads. The Maple Leafs, banking on Auston Matthews’ return to form, aim for playoff redemption under Jim Hiller, while newly acquired Darren Raddysh and Sergei Bobrovsky fuel hopes for stability. Meanwhile, the Kraken struggle to find an identity, with Matty Beniers stagnating and Jason Robertson shunning their advances. Are these teams destined for mediocrity—or poised to surprise the NHL this season?

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Indeed
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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit_ FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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