Does NHL overtime need a spark? Do the Leafs need Patrick Kane? Is it playoffs or bust for the Red Wings? Could a 2025 Team USA roster be the best we've seen? Michael Traikos and Connor Somerville discuss all that and more.
Does NHL overtime need a spark? Do the Leafs need Patrick Kane? Is it playoffs or bust for the Red Wings? Could a 2025 Team USA roster be the best we've seen? Michael Traikos and Connor Somerville discuss all that and more.
Follow the NHL season with The Hockey News Pre-Game Show, presented by BetMGM and Northland.
Hosts Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy break down some of the biggest stories around the NHL on the Game+ Network on Saturdays at 6 p.m. ET. Today, Michael and producer Connor Somerville discuss:
Segment 1: Overtime, Maple Leafs
- GMs are contemplating adding an NBA-esque shot clock or half-ice violation preventing players from circling back in their zone during overtime.
- Do the Toronto Maple Leafs really need Patrick Kane? What does a trade package look like for Nikita Zadorov and/or Chris Tanev from the Calgary Flames?
Segment 2: Canucks, Jets, Predators, Devils, Sabres
- The Vancouver Canucks have the top three scorers in the NHL. Does that make them a top-three contender for the Stanley Cup?
- The Winnipeg Jets currently sit in a playoff spot despite average goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck.
- What would the return be for the Nashville Predators on a Juuse Saros trade?
Segment 3: Detroit Red Wings with Sam Stockton
- THN's Detroit site manager Sam Stockton joins Michael and Connor to discuss the Global Series, the play of Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin and whether the Red Wings have to make the playoffs this year.
Segment 4: Projecting the 2025 World Cup of Hockey Rosters
- The NHL repeated its interest in hosting an international hockey tournament in 2025.
- Who would be the favorites? Which players would be retired or too old by then? Is Bedard on Team Canada? Who'd be jockeying for Canada's net?
- Is this the best Team USA we'd ever see?
- What about the Russian factor?
Segment 5: Rapid Fire
- Who should be the next captain of the Colorado Avalanche without Gabriel Landeskog as he recovers from injury?
- Who is the greatest Swedish hockey player of all-time?
- Is Sidney Crosby a Hart Trophy contender?
- Are the Buffalo Sabres in trouble without Tage Thompson?
- Now that Alexis Lafreniere and Quinton Byfield are improving, who between them and Tim Stutzle winds up having the bigger impact from that draft?
Check out The Hockey News Pre-Game Show on the Game+ Network at 6 p.m. ET on 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