NHL @TheRink

Dan and Shawn are joined by Minnesota Wild head coach John Hynes (20:05). They discuss Marc-Andre Fleury’s impact, Marco Rossi’s development, and the chemistry between Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello. Hynes also shares insight into building Team USA’s roster for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off. Shawn reports from the 2024 NHL Global Series in Finland and highlights Finnish players from the Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers. The guys also discuss Fleury’s return to Pittsburgh, the struggles of the Islanders and Bruins, and the rebuilds of the Ducks and Sharks.

Dan and Shawn are joined by Predators TV analyst Chris Mason (16:29). They discuss Nashville’s rough start to the season and their recent win against the Bruins. Mason breaks down the challenges for new Predators Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault. Later in the show the guys talk about the impressive starts from the Wild, Capitals and if the Colorado Avalanche are turning things around with wins against the Ducks, Sharks, and Kraken. They also preview the 2024 Global Series in Finland. 

Dan and Shawn are joined by NHL Network's EJ Hradek (15:14) to discuss the early highlights of the 2024 NHL season. They analyze the slow starts of the Oilers and Avalanche, while Calgary continues to surprises with a strong opening. The episode also covers Filip Gustavsson's remarkable goalie goal, the Blue Jackets' heartfelt tribute to Johnny Gaudreau, Igor Shesterkin's contract situation, and an update on their Stanley Cup predictions.

Dan and Shawn are joined by San Jose forward Macklin Celebrini (16:20) and Calgary Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (40:00). Celebrini shares his excitement about preparing for his first NHL game, the challenges that come with it, and what it’s going to be like to live with Joe Thornton. Weegar discusses his trade to the Flames, the intensity of the Battle of Alberta, and his minor role in securing a new arena for the team. In addition, Dan and Shawn talk about Jessica Campbell becoming the first woman to be on an NHL bench as an assistant or head coach, make bold predictions for the upcoming season, recap Utah’s opening night, and more.

Dan and Shawn were joined by Clayton Keller (20:40) and Nathan MacKinnon (44:03). 

Keller discussed getting started with the Utah Hockey Club, the journey from Arizona, the uniforms, experience so far and what the team could do this season. Before the interview with Keller, Rosen talks about his on-the-ground experience in Prague covering the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils in the 2024 NHL Global Series. They also went in depth on the Swayman contract stalemate. MacKinnon talked about trying to build on last season, his focus and determination to try to win the Stanley Cup, and more things like having a personal chef and the benefits of that. The episode finishes with Rosen and Roarke debating the topic of preseason games versus regular season games, and if the League should play fewer preseason games and more regular season games.

Dan and Shawn are joined by Jack Hughes (15:33) and Jon Carlson (36:40). Rosen and Roarke open the show discussing the Buffalo Sabres and their European adventure. They talked about Rasmus Dahlin being named the Sabres new captain and Buffalo's chances of ending what is now a 13-year playoff drought. Auston Matthews' chances of one day owning the NHL goal record, the Capitals chances of making the playoffs, the excitement around Philadelphia Flyers rookie forward Matvei Michkov and the impact the Utah Hockey Club is already making in Salt Lake were also topics discussed.

Dan and Shawn are joined by Leon Draisaitl (14:28) and Bill Daly (40:08) for this week's episode. The guys recap the player media tour in Vegas, along with breaking down freshly signed contracts from Sidney Crosby (02:17) and Lucas Raymond (09:25). They discuss the Edmonton Oilers chances at a Stanley Cup this season (28:18). Lastly, they dive into the NHL rookie faceoff (54:02) touching on Utah's first skate and Cutter Gauthier new look with the Anaheim Ducks.

Dan and Shawn are joined by NHL.com columnist Nick Cotsonika (09:06), who is in Columbus covering the candlelight vigil in remembrance of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau. Nick, who recently wrote about that tragedy and its impact on hockey, shares his thoughts on the news. The conversation shifts to other hockey news, including Leon Draisaitl's eight-year, $112 million contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers and its implications for Connor McDavid and the team. They also discuss Tomas Hertl's potential impact with the Vegas Golden Knights now that he's healthy and expected to join training camp. After chatting with Nick, Dan and Shawn delve into restricted free agents, focusing on Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman and what the Montreal Canadiens can expect from Patrik Laine. They also touch on Brad Marchand's recovery from injury and the ongoing talks regarding Sidney Crosby's contract extension.

Dan and Shawn discuss a potpourri of offseason moves and start by talking about the splash made by the Nashville Predators, who signed Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei on July 1. Does this make the Predators the best team in the Central Division and a real Stanley Cup threat? They wonder why the Lightning did not re-sign Stamkos, instead opting to sign Jake Guentzel. They hit on the Maple Leafs and their main moves, including signing Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson to bolster their defense. Does it make the Maple Leafs better? If so, how much better? They discuss the Boston Bruins signing Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov, and why both are perfect fits. They also talk about the Carolina Hurricanes and the hit they took on July 1. They banter about Jake DeBrusk's seven-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks and the Seattle Kraken hiring Jessica Campbell to be the first female assistant coach on the bench.

Dan and Shawn are joined by NHL.com's own draft guru, Mike Morreale (16:18), who is the NHL.com Senior Draft Writer and co-host of the "NHL Draft Class" podcast. Morreale answers questions about Celebrini, the projected No. 1 pick to the San Jose Sharks. He discusses what makes him special, his rehab from shoulder surgery he had five months before beginning this season as a freshman at Boston University, and why we should expect to see him in the NHL with the Sharks as soon as a few months from now. In addition, Morreale talks about the other players in the draft, reasons why he thinks defenseman Artyom Levshunov from Michigan State University should be the No. 2 pick to the Chicago Blackhawks. He also touches on forward Tij Iginla from Kelowna in the Western Hockey League potentially being the player who steals the draft if he's selected by the Calgary Flames. Prior to chatting with Morreale, Rosen and Roarke breakdown the Panthers winning the Stanley Cup, how Game 7 played out, the viewership and the impact of that 2-1 win.  They also talk about the future of the Panthers, who have 11 pending unrestricted free agents and what will come of the Edmonton Oilers now that they need a new general manager and should be trying to sign forward Leon Draisaitl to a contract extension. Following the interview with Morreale, Rosen and Roarke dive into some of the bigger names that could make it to the free-agent market Monday, including Steven Stamkos, Jake Guentzel, Jonthan Marchessault and Patrick Kane. They close with their thoughts on the Hockey Hall of Fame's Class of 2024, with some differences of opinion on if Jeremy Roenick and Shea Weber should be included in the class.