The Aiming Five Hole Hockey Podcast

Another week, another NHL superstar making headlines! This time, it's Nikita Kucherov, whose frustration over stalled contract negotiations has reportedly reached a boiling point. With Kucherov telling teammates and management he won't re-sign after the season, could a blockbuster trade be on the horizon?

Meanwhile, the drama in Detroit is heating up as Dylan Larkin raises the stakes, walking away from the team and refusing to return until a trade is completed.

Around the league, the Leafs come crashing back to earth after a tough Western road trip, the Canadiens keep finding ways to win despite injuries to key players, and the Oilers continue their red-hot run.

Trade turmoil, team tensions, and plenty of shifting momentum across the NHL. Phil & Ryan break it all down on this week's Aiming Five-Hole Podcast!

The Hellebuyck saga in Winnipeg is finally over! The Jets send their star goaltender to New Jersey for a solid return, while Nikishin's new deal with Carolina turns up the pressure on Detroit management to resolve the lingering situations with Larkin and Edvinsson.

Meanwhile, Brady Tkachuk's return to Ottawa was anything but a warm welcome! Senators fans made their feelings loud and clear, booing their former star relentlessly as Ottawa cruised past Florida.

In Toronto, the Leafs' offense came alive in a big way, powering four impressive wins and masking some familiar defensive struggles. But the Bruins aren't slowing down either, continuing their red-hot start atop the Atlantic Division. And in Winnipeg, Montreal takes center stage with a Heritage Classic victory!

Big moves, bad blood, and plenty of early-season drama. Phil & Ryan break it all down on this week's Aiming Five-Hole Podcast!

Some teams are coming out of the gate on fire, while others are already feeling the heat! On this week's episode, Phil & Ryan break down the NHL's surprising early-season success stories and the teams stumbling out of the blocks.

In Toronto, the Leafs are still searching for answers as defensive struggles continue and the hunt for the right line combinations goes on. Meanwhile, uncertainty lingers in Winnipeg and Detroit, while the Oilers appear to be finding their groove despite some early injury setbacks.

Who's the real deal, who's in trouble, and who's already hitting the panic button?

All that and more on this week's episode of the Aiming Five-Hole Podcast!

The NHL is BACK — and apparently everyone could’ve used a few more days of training camp. With a shortened camp and reduced preseason, the rust was on full display as teams stumbled, scrambled and tried to find their early-season rhythm. This week, Phil & Ryan break down the new-look Leafs, Ryan’s already losing patience with the Habs after coming into the season with sky-high expectations, the Oilers still have some glaring issues to figure out, and somehow… things in Detroit just keep getting worse.

Overreactions after a handful of games? Maybe. But where’s the fun in waiting? It’s a brand-new NHL season, and there’s already plenty to talk about on this week’s Aiming Five-Hole Podcast!

The preseason nonsense is finally over. The rosters are set, the predictions are flying, and the 2026/27 NHL season is ready to roll! After an offseason packed with big moves, new faces, and plenty of drama, it’s time to see which teams are actually ready to make a run at the Stanley Cup. Phil & Ryan break down what caught their attention, what they’re expecting this season, and — because nothing ever comes back to haunt you like a preseason prediction — make their picks for the year ahead. Who’s rising? Who’s falling? And who will still be standing when the Cup is handed out? Let the games begin!

The NHL offseason had it all — blockbuster trades, massive signings, holdouts, surprising player moves and plenty of drama away from the rink. Phil & Ryan break down the biggest moves, the wildest storylines and everything you might have missed during a summer that reshaped the league. The puck is about to drop on 2026–27. Before it does, get caught up on all the offseason craziness with The Aiming Five-Hole Podcast!

NHL Free Agency exploded out of the gate with blockbuster signings, headline-making trades, and even a few offer sheets that shook up the league. The biggest story? The Anaheim Ducks matched the massive offer sheet for young superstar Leo Carlsson, making him the NHL's highest-paid player with an eye-popping $18 million AAV. But what does that contract mean for the rest of the league? Has the salary ceiling for elite talent been permanently reset? And with several superstars still eligible for extensions, how long will Carlsson hold the top spot? We'll break down all the biggest moves, the winners and losers of the opening frenzy, and take a look at the top free agents still on the board as we follow where they land throughout the rest of the summer.

The NHL offseason exploded into action during Draft Week, with blockbuster trades, superstar trade requests, players refusing destinations they don't view as contenders, and draft picks changing hands at a dizzying pace. While the days leading up to the draft delivered plenty of drama, Draft Day itself was a little more predictable, highlighted by the Toronto Maple Leafs selecting Gavin McKenna first overall and the San Jose Sharks landing two potential franchise cornerstones in the Top 10. With free agency set to open on July 1, the fireworks are far from over as teams across the league continue reshaping their rosters in pursuit of Stanley Cup contention next season.

The Florida Panthers wasted no time shaking up the NHL landscape, making a blockbuster move ahead of the draft and free agency by acquiring Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs and new GM John Chayka have been busy reshaping their roster, hiring Jim Hiller as head coach and adding defenseman Darren Raddysh, with reports suggesting even more moves are on the way. Plus, the Hockey Hall of Fame has unveiled its 2026 induction class, and with the NHL Draft just days away, the offseason excitement is only getting started.

The Carolina Hurricanes are Stanley Cup champions, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in six games and leaving Mitch Marner still searching for his first title. While it may not go down as the most technically polished Stanley Cup Final, the series delivered no shortage of drama, momentum swings, and entertainment.

Elsewhere around the league, the Edmonton Oilers’ coaching search continues to resemble a circus, while fresh controversy emerges as the NHL opens an investigation into the situation surrounding Mike Babcock's departure in Columbus. With the NHL Draft just over a week away, all eyes turn to the Toronto Maple Leafs as a pivotal offseason begins.