Love the NHL? This episode is for you! Former NHL’er, JT Brown, who played a total of 365 career regular season games - plus 41 in the playoffs - between the Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks and the Minnesota Wild, jumped on the Pod to dive into a bevy of hockey topics.

(0:00) Andrew starts by discussing what is to come over the next week at blogsofsteele.substack.com with the NHL Trade Deadline a week away.

(08:00) We start with JT by diving into what has made Kraken forward Matty Beniers so special in a rookie year that could end with winning the Calder Trophy.

(10:55) We talk Shane Wright’s development and do we put too much pressure on highly-rated prospects too soon?

(15:00) What will the Kraken do at the Trade Deadline and what do they need to do down the stretch in order to make the postseason?

(17:40) JT shares in-depth insight into what the NHL Trade Deadline is like for a player.

(21:00) Will the way the Kraken play and the way they are built act as an advantage during the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

(22:40) JT opens up on his transformation from NHL’er to team broadcaster and how the transition has been, breaks down his prep for the role day-to-day, plus what his gameday routine now looks like as an analyst. And why taking a nap is still an important part of his routine!

(28:45) JT played with Tampa Bay Lightning Captain Steven Stamkos for a long time. JT gives us an insight into what makes Stamkos tick, and why he’s very much an underrated star in the NHL.

(32:27) Connor McDavid isn’t human. JT shares his admiration for one of the most uber-talented players to have graced the NHL.

(33:50) We quickly discuss Ryan O’Reilly’s trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and we also offer a quick preview of the upcoming NHL Trade Deadline.

(36:00) We finish by JT reflecting on the changing role of tough guys in the NHL - a job he knows all too well - and what the future looks like for energy guys in the league.

Get full access to The Steele Sports Bar at steelesportsbar.substack.com/subscribe