Does the NHL's Hart Trophy race involve eight players? Who is the biggest name on the trade block? Can Vegas go back-to-back? Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos have all that and more.

Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos look around the NHL and beyond in The Hockey News Pre-Game Show on the Game+ Network, presented by Upper Deck.

Today's guest is Paul Delos Santos, editor of The Hockey News' Vegas Golden Knights site. Plus, the hosts discuss the Hart Trophy Race and the trade rumors that are heating up as we approach the March 8 NHL trade deadline.

All that and much more, so let's get started. Find the show on TV with the Game+ Network on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 6 p.m. ET.

2023-24 Upper Deck Series 2 cards hit store shelves March 6 and features some of the biggest young names out there like Connor Bedard. Keep an eye out for the series’ Young Guns cards, which include special Outburst Gold 1-of-1. Find them at your local hobby shop at March 6.

Segment 1: Hart Trophy Conversation

- Has Auston Matthews become the front-runner?

- Is this actually an eight-man race, with standouts such as Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, David Pastrnak, Artemi Panarin, Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes? 

Segment 2: NHL Trade Rumors Heat Up

- Who is the biggest name out there?

- Is Phil Kessel able to contribute?

- The goalie market will be a must-watch leading up to the trade deadline.

- Which teams could go all-in?

Segment 3: Paul Delos Santos on the Vegas Golden Knights

- How likely will the Vegas Golden Knights repeat as Stanley Cup champions?

- How different is the lineup when Jack Eichel is healthy?

Segment 4: Future Watch, Upper Deck

- Ryan talks about Upper Deck Young Guns and the upcoming Series 2 release on March 6.

- Who are the top five players currently not in the NHL?

- Which team has the best pipeline right now?

Segment 5: Rapid Fire

- Do the hosts agree or disagree with Morgan Rielly's suspension being upheld at five games?

- Will Auston Matthews hit 70 goals this season?

- What is the worst cliche hockey answer?

- When could we see the first NHL player to permanently wear full face protection?

- Who is the nicest player the hosts have talked to?

Check out The Hockey News Pre-Game Show on the Game+ Network at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Here's where to watch:

- Rogers: Channel 499

- Bell: Channel 1425 HD, 430 SD

- Telus Alberta and B.C.: Channel 924

- Videotron: Channel 778

- Cogeco: Channel 482 HD, 430 SD

- SaskTel: Channel 427 HD, 127 SD

Subscribe to the audio version (The Hockey News Podcast) on your preferred platform.