In this episode of Wut The Puck?!, Sean Baligian and Mike Iavasile preview what could be the most tightly contested series of the 2025 playoffs as the high-octane Edmonton Oilers take on the stifling Dallas Stars. They debate Stuart Skinner’s veteran poise against Jake Oettinger’s breakout brilliance, dissect McDavid’s evolution into a 200-foot force and weigh Edmonton’s speed and depth versus Dallas’s defensive grit. Plus, they shine a light on Toronto’s playoff woes, touch on the Panthers–Canes rematch potential, share listener takes, and flip a metaphorical coin to predict who’ll advance—just in time for your Memorial Day puck fix.

On this edition of Wut The Puck?!, Sean Baligian and Mike Iavasile dissect Florida’s relentless forecheck that has Toronto looking lost, pile on the mounting scrutiny of Poppy’s playoff pedigree, and preview Game 5 of the Panthers–Leafs series. We also weigh Ken Holland’s new challenge in L.A. against Pat Verbeek’s Anaheim rebuild, unpack the mental game behind today’s hottest goaltenders, and deliver rapid-fire picks—from Panthers vs. Leafs to Oilers vs. Vegas—plus answer your burning fan questions. Tune in for the chatter, the takes, and everything hockey!

Sean and Mike can’t believe the NHL lottery turned into a math nightmare—should picks just go by finish? They then debate a controversial hit and suspension standards in today’s fast-paced game, before breaking down the Leafs-Panthers series and the grit that could swing it.

Sean Baligian and Mike Iavasile unpack Steve Yzerman’s testy season-ending presser—echoing the GM’s blunt verdict that Detroit lacks a true game-changer and won’t mortgage the young core just yet. The guys debate where the Wings can actually find star power, why free-agency splashes may wait, and how a brutal Atlantic Division compounds the rebuild. Then it’s a tour around a chaotic first round: Tampa wilting, Edmonton-LA on a knife-edge, and Toronto’s Core Four wearing that thousand-yard stare as Ottawa smells blood. Grab your headphones (and maybe a jalapeño-cheddar sausage) for 45 minutes of unfiltered puck talk.

With the Stanley Cup playoffs about to drop, Sean Baligian welcomes Northville head coach, Coaches‑Association president, and Team Michigan co‑GM Ryan Ossenmacher for a rink‑side preview of this weekend’s Juniors‑vs‑Seniors showcase in Novi. They break down the selection gauntlet (400+ try‑outs), spotlight future stars such as Ian Castamore, Owen Hall, Callan Ray, and Aiden Cook, and explain why Michigan high‑school hockey is deeper than ever—catch the broadcast on State Champs and Local 4 Plus.

Then Sean and analyst Mike Iavasile lace up for a coast‑to‑coast playoff round‑table:

• Can Toronto finally silence the Senators—or will Craig Berube’s crew bruise its way to an upset?

• Why the Lightning might out‑grind Florida, and how Vasilevskiy still owns the big‑save spotlight.

• Dallas vs. Colorado: late‑night must‑watch or insomnia cure?

• Kings’ last stand against McDavid’s Oilers, plus dark‑horse paths for Winnipeg and Vegas.

Expect brisk banter, watch‑party barbecue plans (Tuesday and Saturday—BYO wieners!), and plenty of sponsor shout‑outs to Legacy Partners, Wealth Advantage Group, and Broadwell Homes. Popcorn ready? Pull up a seat—this episode of Wut The Puck?! serves sizzling Michigan talent and playoff predictions hotter than rink‑side nacho cheese.

Sean Baligian and Mike Iavasile pull no punches in a brutally honest breakdown of where the Red Wings stand. From wondering if Lucas Raymond is the guy, to debating if Mo Seider has another level—or if we've already seen his ceiling—they dissect the core and the cracks. Is it time to go all-in for a star like Pastrňák or Nylander? Can the Wings survive another year without an impact forward? Plus: Demidov arrives, the Maple Leafs' annual implosion is imminent, and the guys revisit Detroit’s five-year plan (spoiler: it's now year six). It's a full hour of hard hockey talk—cynical, smart, and straight from the heart.

Sean Baligian and Mike Iavasile hold nothing back in a brutally honest look at the Detroit Red Wings’ crumbling playoff hopes and the deeper issues plaguing the franchise. From Dylan Larkin's post-Four Nations free-fall to the mystifying goalie pipeline and the locker room's lack of fire, the guys dissect it all. They compare rebuilds across the NHL, debate whether Suzuki > Larkin (spoiler: they think yes), and question if the Wings are even in the rebuild timeline yet. Plus, love for Lane Hudson, Calder Trophy chatter, and an unholy amount of sausage talk as they gear up for playoff feasts. Hockey fans, this one pulls no punches.

On the anniversary of one of hockey’s most iconic moments—March 26, 1997—Sean Baligian and Mike Iavasile look back on the night Darren McCarty became a Detroit legend. From where they were when the gloves dropped to how that moment shaped a generation of fans, it’s a celebration of hockey history and all things gritty. Plus: a candid take on the Red Wings’ March collapse, why the NCAA hockey playoffs are must-watch TV, and some love for underrated gems like Toledo hockey and classic hot dog bar stories. Oh, and yes—Don Cherry talk included.

With just one month to go before the Stanley Cup playoffs, Sean Baligian and Mike Iavasile examine who's hot, who's not, and who might shock the hockey world. Are the Washington Capitals legitimate contenders, or will their strong season fade in the postseason? The guys also get brutally honest about the Detroit Red Wings' slim playoff hopes, Steve Yzerman's strategy, and whether the team's rebuild is truly on track. Plus, playoff dark horses, potential trades, and some bold predictions as the NHL postseason picture becomes clearer. It's all hockey talk—no dump and chase—on this edition of Wut The Puck?!

Sean Baligian and Mike Iavasile dive deep into the aftermath of the NHL trade deadline, unpacking the Detroit Red Wings' puzzling moves—or lack thereof. Did Steve Yzerman just troll the entire fanbase with his playoff comments? The guys debate the team's current trajectory, potential offseason shakeups, and whether the Wings are truly on track or falling behind rivals like Ottawa and Montreal. Plus, insights into the league's playoff contenders, underrated teams like Washington, and predictions for what's shaping up to be a cinematic playoff run. Grab your helmet (preferably not the Wings' new ones), and let's talk hockey on another spirited edition of Wut The Puck?!