Royally Quacked: An LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks Hockey Podcast

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Summary

In this engaging conversation, Jesse Cohen, host of 'All the Kings Men,' shares his journey as a Kings fan, the impact of excitement in sports, and the cultural phenomenon of the Mighty Ducks. He discusses the evolution of his podcast, memorable moments in Kings history, and provides insights into the current season's performance, emphasizing the importance of genuine excitement and community in building a fanbase. In this engaging conversation, Jesse Cohen discusses the current state of the Los Angeles Kings, reflecting on their inconsistent performance and the unpredictable nature of the NHL season. The discussion delves into the implications of free agency on the team's strategy, the future of the center position following Andrzej Kopitar's eventual retirement, and the promising prospects within the Kings' system. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities facing the Kings as they navigate their path forward in the league.

Jesse Cohen:
Theroyalhalf.com

https://youtube.com/@royalhalfradio?si=HuxxBqIFi7Evg_QS

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-Links to all our socials and where to find the podcast: https://linktr.ee/royallyquacked

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Gary Spink
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The Pacific Division just got spicy again. A chaotic Orange Friday shootout, an OT heist against Vegas, and a razor-thin loss to Vancouver set the stage for a week where identity and execution mattered on every shift. We break down why Anaheim suddenly scores in waves—Leo Carlsson threading passes, Jackson Lacombe and Olen Zellweger jumping into lanes, and Cutter Gauthier punishing turnovers—and how Troy Terry and Chris Kreider are reshaping the power play into a real threat. With Lukáš Dostál sidelined, we dig into Ville Husso’s timely composure, Petr Mrazek’s steadiness, and the quiet fingerprints of goalie coach Peter Budaj on every key save.

On the other bench, the Kings squeezed out a hard-earned regulation win and pushed the rivalry game to the brink behind Brandt Clarke’s poise and Kevin Fiala’s relentless shot creation. But questions loom: can Quinton Byfield turn posts into points, and when will LA’s power play evolve from careful to dangerous? We talk systems, risk tolerance, and why “playing not to lose” caps the ceiling in a conference that demands more. Add in a lively look around the league—suspensions, signings, trade prices—and an eye on the Ontario Reign’s youth wave, and you’ve got a full snapshot of where both franchises stand.

This episode is also a thank-you note: to the listeners who show up live, to the creators who boost our signal, and to the hockey community that turns a freeway into a bond. Stick around for predictions, a few spicy taco takes, and a tease for a Kings-friendly interview dropping midweek. If you love the Ducks–Kings rivalry, prospect development, and honest talk about coaching and special teams, you’ll feel right at home here.

Enjoyed the show? Tap follow, leave a rating on Apple or Spotify, and share this with a friend who loves a good rivalry. Your support helps keep the quacks and crowns coming.

Support the show

-Links to all our socials and where to find the podcast: https://linktr.ee/royallyquacked

-Check out all ESEN shows and content here: https://linktr.ee/ESENetwork

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/MEx82G9

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Use code ROYALLYQUACKED $20 off your first SeatGeek order:
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Ditch the bulky phone grips, get Ohsnap. Grab yours at https://www.ohsnap.com/RoyallyQuacked

Podcast Socials:
Instagram: @royallyquacked 
Twitter: @RoyallyQuacked
TikTok: RoyallyQuacked

Our Socials:
Cody Spink
Instagram: @spinko1221
Twitter: @spinko1221

Gary Spink
Instagram: @garyspink21

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A franchise declares who it is when it chooses certainty over churn, and that’s exactly what we unpack as the Kings lock in Adrian Kempe on a 10-year deal with a savvy, bonus-heavy structure. We get into why that number and term make sense relative to his two-way value, how the no-move and no-trade protections frame the next era, and what it signals about retool talk. Then the plot twists: Doughty’s toe puts Brant Clarke center stage, the defensive metrics trend up, but timely finishing and special teams decide three razor-thin results.

Across town, the Ducks face a different kind of tension: a promising blue line that doesn’t have enough nightly seats. We lay out the real choices around Pavel Mintyukov—AHL reps to rebuild rhythm, rotation with clear standards, or exploring value—while spotlighting Ian Moore’s poise on his off side and Olen Zellweger’s OT killer instinct. Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlson keep stacking milestones, yet PK leaks against Boston show where precision still matters. It’s a week of last-minute equalizers, gutsy goaltending, and the kind of 3-on-3 reads that show which prospects think the game at NHL speed.

We widen the lens with quick hits from around the league: timely extensions, tough injuries, Hellebuyck’s procedure, and the IIHF’s move to mandate neck guards at the 2026 Olympics. And yes, we make the full case for more color-on-color games after that gorgeous Red Wings vs Rangers showcase—why select matchups pop on TV, how to avoid clashes, and how rituals like Halloween and Black Friday could become visual events in Southern California.

If you care about roster building, development paths, and the tiny details that swing one-goal games, this one’s for you. Tap play, then tell us: should LA keep stacking defense-first minutes, should Anaheim send Minty down for runway, and which color-on-color matchup needs to happen next? Subscribe, share with a hockey friend, and drop a review to help more fans find the show.

Support the show

-Links to all our socials and where to find the podcast: https://linktr.ee/royallyquacked

-Check out all ESEN shows and content here: https://linktr.ee/ESENetwork

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/MEx82G9

Iron+Steel Threads: Use code RQ10 to save 10% on your order.
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Use Promo Code: RQ10 for 10 % off your order.
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Use code ROYALLYQUACKED $20 off your first SeatGeek order:
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Ditch the bulky phone grips, get Ohsnap. Grab yours at https://www.ohsnap.com/RoyallyQuacked

Podcast Socials:
Instagram: @royallyquacked 
Twitter: @RoyallyQuacked
TikTok: RoyallyQuacked

Our Socials:
Cody Spink
Instagram: @spinko1221
Twitter: @spinko1221

Gary Spink
Instagram: @garyspink21

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The pace is up, the hits are down, and the plot is thick. Southern California hockey just delivered a week that flipped expectations: Anaheim punched above its weight behind Leo Carlson’s surge, while LA leaned on Corey Perry’s unlikely spark and Quentin Byfield’s OT touch to steal points in tough buildings. We sift through the noise to find the real signals—why the Ducks look legitimate even in a loss to Colorado, and how the Kings’ home/away split reveals a physical and special teams gap they can still close.

We start with a heater in Vegas and a tidy win over Winnipeg that showcased Anaheim’s maturing habits: controlled entries, smarter shot selection, and a second unit that finally threatens. Then it’s a reality check against the Avalanche that still offered value—discipline matters and details decide. On the Kings’ side, Kuzmenko’s scratch wasn’t drama for drama’s sake; it was a jolt meant to reset a skilled winger. Perry’s edge game changed tone in LA, drawing cheers from fans who once loathed him, and Byfield’s confidence is creeping into decisive moments. That sets up a bigger conversation: extend Adrian Kempe now or risk deadline roulette? We break down comps, leverage, and what a late deal could cost.

League-wide notes round out the picture with injuries and signings that ripple through matchups and power plays. Then we dive into game-by-game breakdowns with what actually moved the needle: Ducks’ special teams swings, Kings’ blocked-shot deficit, and which lines drove momentum. The rivalry stakes are rising, too—there’s a January back-to-back circled in bold. Expect more of what makes this fun: hard minutes for young defenders, elite pace from Anaheim’s top line, and LA’s structure grinding down mistakes.

If you’re here for the story behind the scores—development arcs, contract dynamics, and why standings in mid-November matter—you’ll feel right at home. Subscribe, share with a fellow fan, and drop us your take: are the Ducks ready for a playoff run, and what would you pay to keep Kempe in LA? Your comments drive the show, and we’ll read them live next week.

Support the show

-Links to all our socials and where to find the podcast: https://linktr.ee/royallyquacked

-Check out all ESEN shows and content here: https://linktr.ee/ESENetwork

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/MEx82G9

Iron+Steel Threads: Use code RQ10 to save 10% on your order.
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Use Promo Code: RQ10 for 10 % off your order.
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Use code ROYALLYQUACKED $20 off your first SeatGeek order:
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Ditch the bulky phone grips, get Ohsnap. Grab yours at https://www.ohsnap.com/RoyallyQuacked

Podcast Socials:
Instagram: @royallyquacked 
Twitter: @RoyallyQuacked
TikTok: RoyallyQuacked

Our Socials:
Cody Spink
Instagram: @spinko1221
Twitter: @spinko1221

Gary Spink
Instagram: @garyspink21

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Seven goals. Twice. A hat trick. A shutout. And a fanbase arguing about short-handed goals against. This week gave us everything: Anaheim’s young core exploding for highlight after highlight, Los Angeles flashing brilliance one night and bleeding momentum the next, and a league full of surprises that actually matter when you zoom into the numbers.

We start with Ducks fireworks: Leo Carlsson’s playmaking has turned zone entries into scoring chances on command, while Cutter Gauthier’s release is already dictating penalty-kill coverage and opening space for Vatrano, Terry, and Kreider. Add Dostal’s timely saves and Lacombe’s blue line poise, and you get back-to-back seven-goal wins, and a season sweep of the defending champs. The takeaway is bigger than a hot streak: chemistry and scheme finally match the roster. Keep it intact, target age-aligned upgrades only, and add defensive layers to survive playoff pressure.

Then, the Kings. Kuemper’s shutout over Winnipeg was stellar, Doughty’s record was deserved, and Perry’s energy is real. But the trends you can’t ignore are the shorties against and the identity tug-of-war between a defense-first system and a roster that needs faster, bolder support through the middle. We break down where the power play is leaking, what structural tweaks could fix it, and where the coaching conversation turns from patience to decision.

Around the league, we hit the moments that matter: milestone goals, eye-catching sweaters in Utah, injuries and personal leaves that ripple through standings, and the latest awards watch. If you care about how trends become outcomes—youth acceleration, systems fit, and trade timing—this one’s for you.

If you’re riding the Ducks’ surge or fretting the Kings’ inconsistencies, jump in. Follow, share with a hockey friend, and leave a quick review to help more fans find the show. What’s your fix: tighten the PK, or change the bench voice first?

Support the show

-Links to all our socials and where to find the podcast: https://linktr.ee/royallyquacked

-Check out all ESEN shows and content here: https://linktr.ee/ESENetwork

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/MEx82G9

Iron+Steel Threads: Use code RQ10 to save 10% on your order.
https://ironsteelthreads.com/?ref=rq

Use Promo Code: RQ10 for 10 % off your order.
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Use code ROYALLYQUACKED $20 off your first SeatGeek order:
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Ditch the bulky phone grips, get Ohsnap. Grab yours at https://www.ohsnap.com/RoyallyQuacked

Podcast Socials:
Instagram: @royallyquacked 
Twitter: @RoyallyQuacked
TikTok: RoyallyQuacked

Our Socials:
Cody Spink
Instagram: @spinko1221
Twitter: @spinko1221

Gary Spink
Instagram: @garyspink21

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A week like this doesn’t just hand us headlines; it tests what we believe about two very different SoCal trajectories. We kick off with the Kings’ strange run of banking points without regulation wins and why that stat can hide bigger issues, from penalty trouble to shot suppression. Then we pivot to Anaheim’s surge: a faster, cleaner transition game powered by Leo Carlson’s playmaking, Troy Terry’s finishing touch, and Mason McTavish’s bully-in-traffic mindset. Mix in the emotions of John Gibson’s return and a shootout masterclass in Florida, and you’ve got a fascinating snapshot of where the Ducks are going.

We also zoom out to the wider NHL. Milestones matter—Kucherov at 1,000, Hedman at 800, and Crosby’s march to 1,700—because they frame the standard stars must chase. Meanwhile, long-term contracts for Thomas Harley, Logan Cooley, and Martin Necas tell the real cap-era story: smart teams lock core skill for eight years and build around it. We debate the Frozen Frenzy concept too and make the case for a staggered, all-day slate that actually grows the pie for fans, fantasy nerds, and casual viewers.

Game recaps bring it all home. Ducks-Lightning and Ducks-Panthers show how a sturdy goalie and opportunistic special teams can tilt tight margins. Kings-Predators and Kings-Sharks reveal the tension between LA’s offensive depth and their tendency to sit in the box and bleed shots. Still, there are bright lights: Brant Clark’s confidence, Alex Turcotte’s touches, and yes, Corey Perry’s net-front edge sparking real offense in LA. We end with bold predictions, a standings health check, and a few surprises that might not be flukes.

If you’re here for insight, laughs, and honest takes on what’s real vs. early-season noise, you’re in the right spot. Hit follow, share with a fellow hockey fan, and drop your hot take or favorite Halloween candy in the comments. Want more episodes like this? Subscribe and leave a quick review—it helps more fans find the show.

Support the show

-Links to all our socials and where to find the podcast: https://linktr.ee/royallyquacked

-Check out all ESEN shows and content here: https://linktr.ee/ESENetwork

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/MEx82G9

Iron+Steel Threads: Use code RQ10 to save 10% on your order.
https://ironsteelthreads.com/?ref=rq

Use Promo Code: RQ10 for 10 % off your order.
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Use code ROYALLYQUACKED $20 off your first SeatGeek order:
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Ditch the bulky phone grips, get Ohsnap. Grab yours at https://www.ohsnap.com/RoyallyQuacked

Podcast Socials:
Instagram: @royallyquacked 
Twitter: @RoyallyQuacked
TikTok: RoyallyQuacked

Our Socials:
Cody Spink
Instagram: @spinko1221
Twitter: @spinko1221

Gary Spink
Instagram: @garyspink21

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A week of chaos delivered the most fun kind of hockey: wild momentum swings, unlikely heroes, and a scoreboard that wouldn’t sit still. We open with real life—on-call shifts, long drives, and coffee-fueled nights—then jump straight into the ice where the Ducks and Kings each wrote their own kind of comeback story.

For Anaheim, the road trip turned into a showcase. Cutter Gauthier looks every bit the natural finisher, Leo Carlsson carries himself like a veteran play-driver, and Mason McTavish keeps sniping through impossible windows. Ross “the Boss” Johnston shocked the room with a Gordie Howe hat trick, while Michael Granlund erupted for his first five-point night as a Duck and Nikita Nesterenko piled up four assists in Boston. The power play still needs polish and the backup crease saw too many pucks, but the kids are pushing the pace and answering every mistake with punchback.

The Kings lived on the edge and made it work. Adrian Kempe buried an overtime winner in Dallas with a bold horns-down celebration, Corey Perry got greasy in the blue paint for his first as a King, and LaFerriere found twine at last. The penalty kill has to tighten, and giveaways are flirting with danger, yet the top six keeps creating, right-shot D keep jumping into lanes, and Darcy Kuemper’s steadying hand stole a result they needed.

We also put the spotlight on fan energy. Nashville’s chants reminded us what a loud barn can do. The Ducks’ Coach Bombay jacket as player-of-the-game keeps the vibe playful and specific. We pitch practical ways to make arenas more alive and three-on-three overtime less of a keep-away drill and more of a creativity stage. Add in league-wide beats—throwback sweaters, Marchand being Marchand, injury shuffles, and contract chatter—and you’ve got a full-ice view of a season heating up.

If you’re into honest recaps, sharp takes, and a few laughs between goals, press play now. Subscribe, share with a fellow fan, and drop your three stars of the week in the comments—we’ll read our favorites on the next livestream.

Support the show

-Links to all our socials and where to find the podcast: https://linktr.ee/royallyquacked

-Check out all ESEN shows and content here: https://linktr.ee/ESENetwork

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/MEx82G9

Iron+Steel Threads: Use code RQ10 to save 10% on your order.
https://ironsteelthreads.com/?ref=rq

Use Promo Code: RQ10 for 10 % off your order.
Dubby - Clean Energy To Help You Be Better – Dubby Energy

Use code ROYALLYQUACKED $20 off your first SeatGeek order:
https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/teamseatgeek

Ditch the bulky phone grips, get Ohsnap. Grab yours at https://www.ohsnap.com/RoyallyQuacked

Podcast Socials:
Instagram: @royallyquacked 
Twitter: @RoyallyQuacked
TikTok: RoyallyQuacked

Our Socials:
Cody Spink
Instagram: @spinko1221
Twitter: @spinko1221

Gary Spink
Instagram: @garyspink21

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us Fan Mail

A week of Southern California hockey delivered everything: a Ducks road rollercoaster that turned into a statement OT win, a home-opener surge powered by net-front grit, and a Kings team battling penalties, pairing problems, and a second-period slump. We dig into why Anaheim’s offense looks sustainable—Kreider’s screens and tips, McTavish’s engine, Leo Carlson’s calm playmaking—and how the new alternates split is building a leadership core that matches their identity. When a power play adds a crease specialist and a young distributor, you don’t just score prettier goals, you bank harder ones.

On the LA side, the pieces are there: Byfield’s point pace, Fiala’s creativity, and a faceoff edge even against Crosby. The fixes are clear too. Reduce penalties that hand momentum away, re-balance the blue line so Brandt Clarke can drive transition minutes, and let a sturdier partner calm Cody Ceci’s swings. We talk Doughty–Anderson matchups, blocked-shot gaps, and the small decisions that turn one-goal losses into points.

Around the league, we hit the biggest ripples: Lane Hutson’s team-friendly extension and what it signals in Montreal, the Rangers’ early home scoring drought, a thicket of injuries reshaping contenders, and the familiar frustration of uneven officiating on dangerous stick work. It all ties back to one question: which teams have a plan that survives rough nights?

Come for the game recaps; stay for the line chemistry, special teams tweaks, and honest fixes both clubs can make right now. If you’re riding the Ducks’ momentum or begging for a Kings reset, you’ll leave with clarity, numbers, and a few spicy takes. Like what you hear? Subscribe, share with a fan who needs the therapy or the hype, and drop a review so we can read it on the show.

Support the show

-Links to all our socials and where to find the podcast: https://linktr.ee/royallyquacked

-Check out all ESEN shows and content here: https://linktr.ee/ESENetwork

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/MEx82G9

Iron+Steel Threads: Use code RQ10 to save 10% on your order.
https://ironsteelthreads.com/?ref=rq

Use Promo Code: RQ10 for 10 % off your order.
Dubby - Clean Energy To Help You Be Better – Dubby Energy

Use code ROYALLYQUACKED $20 off your first SeatGeek order:
https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/teamseatgeek

Ditch the bulky phone grips, get Ohsnap. Grab yours at https://www.ohsnap.com/RoyallyQuacked

Podcast Socials:
Instagram: @royallyquacked 
Twitter: @RoyallyQuacked
TikTok: RoyallyQuacked

Our Socials:
Cody Spink
Instagram: @spinko1221
Twitter: @spinko1221

Gary Spink
Instagram: @garyspink21

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us Fan Mail

A rivalry podcast is only fun if the punches land and the hugs do too. We kick off with Ducks and Kings headlines—injuries, waivers, and the Lacombe deal in Anaheim; staffing shifts, IR moves, and Kempe’s price tag in LA—then zoom out to a league buzzing with suspensions, fines, and mega-extensions. Connor McDavid’s short bridge, Jack Eichel’s long bet, and cap gymnastics around LTIR set the tone for a season where windows and wagers matter. We also talk aesthetics, because they always do: third jerseys, chrome-adjacent helmets, and why design can change how a game feels on TV and in the building.

On the ice, the Kings stumble against Colorado before dragging Vegas into chaos and winning a shootout that showcases Eichel’s star power and Dorofeyev’s finishing. The Ducks, meanwhile, outplay Seattle early but get clogged by 26 blocked shots and lose the special teams edge they needed. We break down the details—shot quality, faceoffs, penalty kill form—and make clear-eyed predictions for the week ahead, from home opener vibes to schedule traps.

Then the room goes quiet for the moment that matters most. Trent Sullivan, the Anaheim Ducks’ 21st Duck, shares a life lived at full tilt: a heart transplant at five months old, a kidney transplant in his teens, a pacemaker after COVID-era monitoring, and a terrifying colostomy followed by a hard-won reversal. Through it all, he finds joy in small rituals—The Office quotes, Legos, chocolate milk—and big communities, from concourse meetups to the night Teemu Selanne surprised him with a jersey. His goal is as bold as any Cup run: to set a longevity record with his first transplanted heart and keep showing up for the people and team he loves.

Come for the banter and breakdowns; stay for a story that reframes what belonging sounds like in a loud arena. If this episode hits you the way it hit us, tap follow, share it with a friend who needs a lift, and drop a review so more fans can find our little corner of hockey.

Support the show

-Links to all our socials and where to find the podcast: https://linktr.ee/royallyquacked

-Check out all ESEN shows and content here: https://linktr.ee/ESENetwork

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/MEx82G9

Iron+Steel Threads: Use code RQ10 to save 10% on your order.
https://ironsteelthreads.com/?ref=rq

Use Promo Code: RQ10 for 10 % off your order.
Dubby - Clean Energy To Help You Be Better – Dubby Energy

Use code ROYALLYQUACKED $20 off your first SeatGeek order:
https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/teamseatgeek

Ditch the bulky phone grips, get Ohsnap. Grab yours at https://www.ohsnap.com/RoyallyQuacked

Podcast Socials:
Instagram: @royallyquacked 
Twitter: @RoyallyQuacked
TikTok: RoyallyQuacked

Our Socials:
Cody Spink
Instagram: @spinko1221
Twitter: @spinko1221

Gary Spink
Instagram: @garyspink21

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us Fan Mail

Hockey never moves in straight lines, and that’s exactly why this one’s so much fun. We bring two fanbases under one roof and go deep on what actually shifts a season: the Ducks locking in Mason McTavish and Jackson Lacombe as cornerstone pieces, the emotional and tactical fallout from Trevor Zegras landing in Philadelphia, and the precise tweaks the Kings need to finally power past the first round. We’re not hand-waving; we’re talking usage, special teams, depth minutes, and the small edges that become springtime margins.

From there, we zoom out to the league. Who truly improved? Tampa’s spine and continuity vs. Florida’s injury bets, Toronto’s star power vs. goaltending trust, and Carolina adding the top-six finisher they’ve craved. In the West, we weigh Dallas’s regular-season machine against Colorado’s playoff ceiling, and why Vegas keeps finding the exact star archetype to amplify Jack Eichel. The Pacific debate gets spicy: where the Kings’ playable fourth line and calmer PK can buy them wins, why Edmonton’s thinner role players may matter more than anyone admits, and whether Vancouver’s health swings will define their year. Utah’s growth curve, Minnesota’s window, and Winnipeg’s goalie-led floor all get measured against reality, not hype.

We make clear, accountable predictions for every division and plant our flags on Cup paths, then cap it with a clean listener hook: a Celebrini vs. Bedard points bet and why situation often beats raw talent for year-one impact. Along the way, expect candid laughs, honest disagreements, and a stack of receipts you’ll want to revisit in April. If you’re a Kings or Ducks fan—or just a curious NHL diehard—this episode is your roadmap to the season ahead.

Enjoyed this breakdown? Follow the show, leave a quick review, and share your own division winners and Cup picks with us. Your boldest prediction might make next week’s show.

Support the show

-Links to all our socials and where to find the podcast: https://linktr.ee/royallyquacked

-Check out all ESEN shows and content here: https://linktr.ee/ESENetwork

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/MEx82G9

Iron+Steel Threads: Use code RQ10 to save 10% on your order.
https://ironsteelthreads.com/?ref=rq

Use Promo Code: RQ10 for 10 % off your order.
Dubby - Clean Energy To Help You Be Better – Dubby Energy

Use code ROYALLYQUACKED $20 off your first SeatGeek order:
https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/teamseatgeek

Ditch the bulky phone grips, get Ohsnap. Grab yours at https://www.ohsnap.com/RoyallyQuacked

Podcast Socials:
Instagram: @royallyquacked 
Twitter: @RoyallyQuacked
TikTok: RoyallyQuacked

Our Socials:
Cody Spink
Instagram: @spinko1221
Twitter: @spinko1221

Gary Spink
Instagram: @garyspink21

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.