The Lead

An investigation into the Chicago Blackhawks, triggered by a lawsuit and allegations of sexual assault against a former video coach, have now turned the narrative around the team’s 2010 Stanley Cup victory on its head. The Athletic's Mark Lazerus, who has reported on former coach Brad Aldrich and his disturbing patterns of behavior, joins us to discuss the investigation, the player who has bravely come forward to tell his story, and all the ways the Blackhawks coaching staff and front office failed him. Plus: are there signs that hockey culture is finally changing?

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Questions are swirling around Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs as they head into a Monday night showdown with the New York Giants. The team many thought would contend for their second Super Bowl win in three years is struggling to get back to winning ways, and it's left a lot of people pointing their fingers at the team's star quarterback. Today, The Athletic's Nate Taylor tells us what teams are doing to slow down the NFL's most high-powered offense and what Mahomes and his teammates need to do to get their season back on track.

Read Nate Taylor's Kansas City Chiefs Coverage: https://theathletic.com/author/nate-taylor/

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The Lakers made a huge gamble this offseason when they traded for Russell Westbrook, sacrificing a lot in the process. But after a winless preseason and a bad start to the regular season, the questions are now piling up. The Athletic's Bill Oram joins us to explain why the Lakers went all in on Westbrook, the role that LeBron James and Anthony Davis played in courting the former MVP, and why Lakers history suggests that the move could be destined to backfire.

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When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed Manchester United manager in December 2018 there were plenty of doubts about the former-striker's ability to lead one of the biggest clubs in world soccer. Three years later, after a drubbing at the hands of United's fiercest rival, many people in and around the club are wondering if Solskjaer's days in charge are numbered. Today, The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell takes us inside the fallout from United's terrible display against Liverpool and tells us what the Red Devils manager needs to do over the next few weeks to avoid getting the sack.

Read Laurie Whitwell's Manchester United coverage: https://theathletic.com/author/laurie-whitwell/

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One of the biggest stories of the NHL season so far involves a guy who hasn't even set foot on the ice -- Buffalo Sabres superstar Jack Eichel. After injuring his neck last season, Eichel and his team have now come to an apparent impasse over what kind of surgery he should have to repair a badly herniated disc. And now, that disagreement has caused the generational talent to be stripped of his captaincy and sidelined indefinitely. The Athletic's John Vogl joins us to explain how things have reached a point of no return, what both sides want, and the larger implications the standoff could have for the sport.

More from John Vogl:

https://theathletic.com/2845419/2021/09/23/vogl-jack-eichel-should-be-allowed-to-live-the-life-he-wants-not-the-life-the-sabres-want-for-him/

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The 2021 World Series gets underway tonight, and the Houston Astros are making an appearance for the third time in the last five seasons. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves are back in the World Series for the first time since 1999. Today, The Athletic’s Britt Ghiroli tells us how these two powerhouses offenses match up, what’s at stake for both teams, and some under-the-radar players who could have a major impact.

Follow Britt Ghiroli’s coverage of Major League Baseball: https://theathletic.com/author/brittany-ghiroli/?source=theleadpodcast

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Coming into this season, the Seattle Seahawks were expected to contend for the NFC West title. However, heading into a Monday night matchup against the Saints, they’re 2-4, with franchise QB Russell Wilson on the sidelines for the first time in his career. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar to consider whether journeyman Geno Smith can keep the team afloat, and what might happen for Wilson — and the franchise — if he doesn’t.

Follow Michael-Shawn Dugar’s coverage of the Seahawks: https://theathletic.com/author/michael-shawn-dugar/?source=theleadpodcast

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The Houston Astros hold a 3-2 lead on the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS, putting them one game away from another World Series appearance. For their manager, the legendary Dusty Baker, another shot at the Fall Classic could give him a chance to rewrite a postseason legacy filled with near misses and tough beats. Today, The Athletic's Jake Kaplan joins us to talk about Baker's tough playoff past and what getting a ring would mean for the man who carried Satchel Paige's golf clubs and palled around with Hank Aaron.

Read all of Jake Kaplans Astros coverage: https://theathletic.com/author/jake-kaplan/

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Two years ago, LSU football coach Ed Orgeron won a national championship and was on top of the college football world. But now, the native Louisianan is on his way out, with the school announcing on Sunday that he will not be back to coach the Tigers again next season (despite having several years left on his contract). Today, The Athletic's Brody Miller joins us to break down the complicated reasons behind Orgeron's departure, including poor performance on the field, questionable behavior with women, political and racial tension within the locker room, and a Title IX lawsuit alleging that he knew about, and failed to properly report, instances of sexual assault and harassment within the team.

Read Brody Miller's full story about Ed Orgeron's downfall:

https://theathletic.com/2891847/2021/10/17/he-lost-track-of-who-he-was-inside-ed-orgerons-fall-from-celebrated-son-of-louisiana-to-lsu-coaching-pariah/

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The Atlanta Braves had the fewest regular season wins of any team in the MLB playoffs. But now, they’re up two games to one on the reigning World Series champions, the L.A. Dodgers — and they’ve shown a knack for winning games in dramatic fashion along the way. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s David O’Brien to look at why these Braves seem to rise to the occasion, whether they can bounce back after a crushing Game 3 loss, and just how far their swagger can take them.

Follow David O’Brien’s coverage of the Braves: https://theathletic.com/author/david-obrien/?source=theleadpodcast

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