Somehow Mike Babcock has returned. Plus a long discussion of some of the more notable events that occurred in Phase 2 of PWHL expansion.

Benjamin welcomes Emily, Trevor, and Madison to the Neutral Zone Hotel

01:56 Gabriel Landeskog wins the Masterton and the Messier awards

04:54 The Edmonton Oilers may hire Mike Babcock

22:38 Discussing Phase 2 of PWHL expansion


Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined: 
Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord

The PWHL coaching carousel continues to spin and we talk a bit about expansion. Then we switch to some news in the NHL across coaching, front office moves, the tragic death of Claude Lemieux, and more.

SJ welcomes Emily and Trevor to the Neutral Zone Hotel

01:15 Does the PWHL have a coaching problem?

15:20 Alex Carpenter and Sarah Nurse re-sign and expansion process talk

30:24 The Vancouver Canucks hire Manny Malhotra as head coach

37:59 Chris MacFarland goes to Nashville and Joe Sakic steps back into the GM role in Colorado

45:04 Stanley Cup Final

48:35 Claude Lemieux dies - Content warning for discussion of suicide. If you are in crisis and need help, reach out to 9-8-8 or https://988lifeline.org/ for resources.

51:35 Memorial Cup and Men's World Championship results


Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined: 
Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord

This week the NZH crew celebrates the Everett Silvertips winning the WHL Championship! They also discuss PWHL player salaries, GMs and coaches being hired and moving around, and then spend a grand time speculating about who existing teams should protect in expansion.

Benjamin welcomes Madison and SJ to the Neutral Zone Hotel

01:31 Tips Talk

11:45 PWHL player salaries released

29:41 Discussion of PWHL GM and head coach movement

38:02 Who would you protect in PWHL expansion?


Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined: 
Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord

0:00 - Benjamin welcomes Trevor and Madison to the Neutral Zone Hotel.
1:44 - Benjamin deals with SJ's truancy in a fair and just manner.
3:14 - NHL Finals Preview Time!
22:38 - The gang discuss the recent dismissal of Craig Berube & Adam Foote and ramifications for the league, plus Cassidy shenanigans.
30:29 - The crew discusses the PWHL's new cities and ranks the new colour schemes.

Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined: 
Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord

The NZH crew brings you a PWHL-heavy episode, discussing the playoffs and making sense of the PWHL's decision to expand to Las Vegas and Hamilton.

Benjamin welcomes SJ to the Neutral Zone Hotel

1:03 Junior hockey talk because SJ just can't help themself

11:12 PWHL playoffs and Ottawa's move to the Canadian Tire Center

23:30 PWHL expansion to Las Vegas and Hamilton

45:13 NHL playoff predictions, a tangent on PWHL refereeing, and the need for more diversity in hockey


Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined: 
Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord

The Neutral Zone Hotel crew react LIVE to the NHL Draft Lottery! You, too, can experience Trevor's misery in the moment it occurs. After that, they chat about PWHL expansion news. Detroit is getting a team and the expansion process is very complicated!

Benjamin welcomes Trevor, Emily, and SJ to the Neutral Zone Hotel

04:26 The Toronto Maple Leafs hire John Chayka and Mats Sundin

09:34 NHL Draft Lottery live reaction and continued Leafs talk

20:05 Live reaction to second draft lottery draw

27:48 Very brief NHL playoffs talk

29:37 PWHL expansion news and process explainer

54:26 A short discussion of the recent Curl and McAvoy dirty plays


Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined: 
Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord

Some celebration, some speculation, some PWHL playoff and expansion talk. And finally, a tribute to a great one. This episode has everything.

Benjamin welcomes Trevor, Emily, and Madison to the Neutral Zone Hotel

02:47 Anže Kopitar retires

10:38 Will Brady Tkachuk remain an Ottawa Senator?

21:39 PWHL playoffs matchups

35:23 Current reporting on PWHL expansion cities

48:48 Trevor pays tribute to John Garrett after his sudden and unexpected passing


Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined: 
Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord

This week, the crew talks awards and playoffs. 

0:00 Benjamin welcomes SJ to the Neutral Zone Hotel

1:58 SJ gives an updated on the Everett Silvertips

10:17 It's time to announce the winners of the 2026 Neutral Zone Hotel Awards.

17:54 A discussion about the start of the NHL playoffs turns into wide ranging discussion on NHL ownership and history.


Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined: 
Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord

The crew lets you know which teams to bandwagon in the NHL playoffs and then discusses the nominations for the 2nd Annual Neutral Zone Hotel End of Season Awards. You can vote for the winners on discord!

Benjamin welcomes SJ to the Neutral Zone Hotel

01:45 Carney and Stubb skate with the Ottawa Charge

04:35 NHL playoffs bandwagon rankings

21:58 The 2nd Annual Neutral Zone Hotel End of Season Award Nominations!


Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined: 
Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord

The NZH crew contemplates the moon, the PWHL, and what a disaster this season was for a lot of NHL teams.

Benjamin welcomes SJ and Trevor to the Neutral Zone Hotel

01:29 Artemis II has gone to the moon

04:24 PWHL Updates: Carla McLeod, Torrent on the brink, season ticket renewals going out, Charge arena news

20:20 NHL Team Distaster Ranking


Neutral Zone Hotel is a production of the Neutral Zone Hotel Team.
More information is available at https://neutralzonehotel.com
Logo design by Emily Mowbray.
We're available on YouTube and all the major podcast platforms.
You can follow us on social media if you're so inclined: 
Bluesky: @neutralzonehotel.bsky.social
You can join our Discord server at https://neutralzonehotel.com/discord