The Flying Octopus

By sabourin91

An all new Red Wings hockey podcast hosted by Tony Wolak, Devin Little and Evan Sabourin... more

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FAQs about The Flying Octopus:

How many episodes does The Flying Octopus have?

The podcast currently has 89 episodes available.

The Flying Octopus episodes:

April 17, 2026Episode 79: Red Wings’ 2025-26 Season Ends In Disappointment + Looking Forward to the Offseason
In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas take a high-level view of the Red Wings’ 2025-26 season, including what went wrong, what went right, and what needs to change. There were certainly some successes from this season, but, at least for now, are overshadowed by the failure of the collapse. There is hope, though, and the guys preview how the Red Wings can right the ship in the offseason and continue their ascension in the standings heading into 2026-27.
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29min
April 10, 2026Episode 78: Making Sense of the Red Wings’ Late-Season Collapse + Impressive Win vs. Philadelphia
In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas dive into Detroit’s late-season collapse and what comes next for the organization. The discussion ranges from offseason priorities, to potential targets, to a confidence check on Steve Yzerman’s ability to guide the team moving forward. The guys also recap the week that was, which included three painful losses and a breakthrough win on Thursday. The guys discuss becoming Red Wings therapists to cap it all off!
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34min
April 04, 2026 Episode 77: Here comes April, Playoff Worthy, Future Core, and Yzerman Madness
Description:
On episode 77, Evan and Devin compare the Red Wings season to a movie - horror or comedy? The Red Wings leave March behind and start April with a win, but what's behind the issues with this lack of offense and are they even playoff worthy? Goals have been hard to come by, we'll discuss why and what we think the fix is. Devin breaks down the future core of this team and the guys debate who stays and who goes. We'll look into goaltender John Gibson's presence and discuss whether he's overworked or not. Plus the latest on prospects Max Plante and Trey Augustine. All that and more on episode 77 of The Flying Octopus podcast.
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43min
March 27, 2026 Episode 76: Do or Die Time for the Red Wings + Griffins Update
In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas dive into Detroit’s playoff push - or lack thereof. All of the other wild card-contending teams have caught fire, while the Red Wings have fallen back to Earth. What needs to happen for the Red Wings to break through and reach the playoffs? Who do they need to count on to get them across the finish line? The conversation then turns to the Grand Rapids Griffins and their historic season. The boys discuss Grand Rapids clinching the Central Division and key contributors, like Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Carter Mazur, Amadeus Lombardi, and John Leonard. The guys also share an update on Eddie Genborg who made his AHL debut this past week. Finally, the show wraps up with news and notes, including Jacob Bernard-Docker’s contract extension, the Frozen Four, and Detroit’s goaltending situation with Cam Talbot going down with an injury right before a back-to-back.
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43min
March 20, 2026Episode 75: Critical Win vs. Montreal, Rule of 3 & Prospect Updates
In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas recap Detroit’s playoff-style win against the Montreal Canadiens, and what the regulation victory versus an Atlantic Division foe means in terms of the playoff race. With how the Eastern Conference is shaking out, it was truly a must-win game for the Red Wings. The guys also highlighted players who stood out, and gave J.T. Compher and Emmitt Finnie their flowers for stepping up in Dylan Larkin’s absence. The show then turns to Tony’s most recent article for The Hockey Writers and how the three-goal threshold will determine Detroit’s fate in the coming weeks. The show ends with prospect talk, including notes on Eddie Genbord, Anton Johansson, Trey Augustine, and Max Plante, plus the Griffins looking like a juggernaut as they approach the Calder Cup Playoffs.
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36min
March 13, 2026Episode 74: Red Wings Injuries & How to Move Forward
In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas recount Detroit’s last couple games and recent injuries, and then how they can take positives from those outings and apply them moving forward. The guys also give Marco Kasper and Justin Faulk their flowers as the two have stood out over the last couple games. Finally, the show ends with a surprise mid-game trade between the Red Wings and Lightning, and why such a move is allowed after the trade deadline.
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33min
March 07, 2026Episode 73: Trade Deadline Recap & Larkin Injury
In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas recap a roller coaster of a day, including Detroit’s trade deadline moves and Dylan Larkin suffering a knee injury in the game immediately after the deadline. The guys dive into Detroit’s three trades: bringing back David Perron, shipping out Elmer Soderblom, and landing Justin Faulk in a blockbuster deal with the St. Louis Blues. The episode wraps up with notes on other discussions the Red Wings had with teams leading up to the deadline and the other trades around the league that stood out.
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40min
February 27, 2026Episode 72: We Are So Back, Red Wings Win & Trade Deadline Preview
In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas welcome Tony back from paternity leave and the Red Wings back from the Olympic break. They recap the week that was, including Detroit’s top players shining bright at the Olympics and the Red Wings’ 2-1 win Thursday night in Ottawa. The discussion then turns to the March 6 trade deadline. The guys cover recent rumors surrounding Tyler Myers, Robert Thomas, and MacKenzie Weegar, and open the discussion to Detroit’s overall needs, which players fit the criteria, and the trade chips available.
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45min
February 07, 2026Episode 71: Tate McRae, Power Play Woes, Gavin McKenna Allegations & Panarin Heads West
Summary:

In this episode of the Flying Octopus Podcast, hosts Evan Sabourin and Devin Little discuss various topics ranging from the confusion surrounding pop culture figures in sports to the inconsistent performance of the Red Wings. They delve into the recent incident involving prospect Gavin McKenna, exploring the implications of social media reactions and public perception. The conversation shifts to the upcoming Olympic hockey games, highlighting team dynamics and expectations. Finally, they analyze the recent trade of Artemi Panarin to the LA Kings, discussing its impact on the NHL landscape and the Red Wings' future prospects.

Follows up on X: @FlyingOctopod and check us out on YouTube: @TheFlyingOctopod
You can also listen to us on Itunes, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Takeaways:
Evan expresses confusion about the influence of pop culture on sports.
The Red Wings' performance has been inconsistent, affecting fan expectations.
Gavin McKenna's incident raises questions about social media's role in shaping narratives.
Olympic hockey is anticipated, with discussions on team strategies and player dynamics.
The trade of Artemi Panarin to the LA Kings signifies a shift in NHL strategies.
Social media can lead to quick judgments without full context.
Hockey culture emphasizes the importance of family, particularly mothers.
The hosts reflect on the emotional connections players have with their families.
The Red Wings are in a competitive position despite recent struggles.
The podcast highlights the need for deeper analysis in sports discussions.
Chapters
00:00 - Understanding Social Media and Pop Culture
04:04 - Red Wings Inconsistency and Performance
16:11 - Gavin McKenna Incident and Its Implications
26:51 - The Impact of Celebrity and Legal Issues in Sports
30:03 - Societal Reactions and Media Responsibility
31:49 - Olympic Hockey: Anticipation and Roster Changes
39:10 - NHL Trades and Team Strategies
47:10 - Looking Ahead: Red Wings and Olympic Reflections
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44min
January 30, 2026Episode 70: Ben Chiarot, Eye Test vs Analytics and Ring of Honor?
SUMMARY:
In this episode of The Flying Octopus podcast, hosts Evan Sabourin, Devin L., and George Malik discuss the recent performance of the Detroit Red Wings, including game recaps, player injuries, and the implications of Ben Chiarot's new contract. The conversation delves into the ongoing debate between analytics and the eye test in evaluating player performance, as well as the potential for a ring of honor to honor past players. The hosts also touch on future prospects for the team and upcoming games before the Olympic break.

TAKEAWAYS:
The Red Wings had a tough week with mixed performances.
Ben Chiarot's contract has sparked debate among fans and analysts.
The importance of both analytics and the eye test in player evaluation.
The potential for a ring of honor to honor significant players.
Injuries are impacting the team's performance and roster decisions.
The Red Wings are in a competitive Atlantic division.
Future prospects are looking promising for the Red Wings.
The upcoming Olympic break may affect team dynamics.
Fans are eager for recognition of past players' contributions.
The hosts emphasize the need for a balanced approach to team building.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Game Time Goals and Team Performance
00:47 Buffalo's Winning Streak and Red Wings' Competition
00:49 Introduction and Initial Thoughts on Larkin's Commercial
03:27 Recap of Recent Red Wings Games
06:09 Discussion on the Red Wings' Performance Against the Kings
08:53 Analysis of the Game Against the Capitals
11:21 Patrick Kane's Milestone and Its Impact
14:27 The Strange Goal Incident and Its Aftermath
16:57 Overtime Loss and Team Dynamics
19:23 Ben Chiarot's Contract Extension Discussion
22:14 Final Thoughts on Team Performance and Future Outlook
33:53 Evaluating Axel Sandin Pelika's Role
36:35 The Analytics vs. Eye Test Debate
39:22 Impact of Veteran Signings on Young Prospects
42:00 Trade Strategies and Future Moves for the Red Wings
46:52 Honoring Red Wings Legends: The Ring of Honor Discussion
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1h 5min

FAQs about The Flying Octopus:

How many episodes does The Flying Octopus have?

The podcast currently has 89 episodes available.