Locked On NHL - Daily Podcast On The National Hockey League

Ross Levitan and Mike DiStefano break down Steve Yzerman's exit as Detroit GM, Anthony Mantha's new deal with the Devils, NHL home opener matchups, and changes in New Jersey's goalie situation. Full schedule release and season storylines also discussed.

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Elias Pettersson’s $11.6M contract looms large as the Vancouver Canucks eye a rebuild—will contending teams circle back for the star center, or is this deal impossible to move? Seth Toupal and JD Young break down Vancouver’s strategy, potential destinations like the Pittsburgh Penguins, and why a fresh start could reignite Pettersson’s career. With J.T. Miller and Evander Kane gone, the Canucks face pivotal decisions about their future, cap space, and whether top prospects will step up as the team projects a bottom-three finish.

Can the Chicago Blackhawks overcome Connor Bedard’s shoulder injury and...

The Chicago Blackhawks got bad news late last week when star center Connor Bedard suffered a freak shoulder injury during an offseason workout. 

Jack Bushman of Locked On Blackhawks joins us to discuss the impact of the injury on the team, who could help pick up the slack in Bedard's absence and the negotiations on a new deal between Bedard and the team after the Leo Carlsson offer sheet.

The Detroit Red Wings still haven't moved captain Dylan Larkin and we don't know if GM Steve Yzerman will be able to accommodate his captain's trade w...

The Anaheim Ducks matched the Philadelphia Flyers offer sheet for Leo Carlsson but where do the Flyers go from here in their quest for a legitimate top line center and how does this impact their future? 

Plus, Connor Bedard is one of the next stars expected to sign a new contract as he is an RFA this offseason. How does his recent shoulder injury impact negotiations and the Chicago Blackhawks upcoming season and how will the Carlsson contract impact Bedard's salary and term?

Dylan Larkin adds a fourth team to his list of clubs he's w...

The Anaheim Ducks have officially matched the staggering offer sheet for Leo Carlsson. What does this mean for the future of the franchise, the Philadelphia Flyers' next big move, and the shifting balance of power in the NHL? In this episode of Locked On NHL, Nick Zararis and Hunter Hodies break down the massive implications of the Leo Carlsson offer sheet situation. They dive deep into the Ducks' salary cap future, Danny Briere's aggressive hunt for a true number-one center, and why NHL superstars are wielding more power than ever before. Plus, they discuss how soon we might see...

Ross Levitan and Mike DiStefano discuss Daniel Alfredsson joining the Leafs, Claude Giroux re-signing in Ottawa, and top remaining NHL free agents.

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Offer Sheet chaos rocks the NHL as the Philadelphia Flyers target Anaheim Ducks star Leo Carlsson, triggering a high-stakes GM rivalry between Danny Briere and Pat Verbeek. Will the Ducks match the record-breaking offer, or is Carlsson Philly-bound in exchange for four first-round picks? The uncertainty fuels major questions about team-building, player loyalty, and bold front office strategies across the league.

Seth Toupal and JD Young break down the dynamics of the Ducks-Flyers standoff, spotlighting contract missteps, the fallout for stars like Cutter Gauthier and Mason McTavish, and the domino effect on emerging talents including Connor Bedard...

The Philadelphia Flyers sent shock waves through the NHL by signing Leo Carlsson to a record-setting offer sheet worth $18 million AAV. 

Rachel Donner of Locked On Flyers joins us to discuss why this offer sheet was made, the impact it has on the Flyers and the rest of the NHL and where the Flyers go from here if the Ducks match or if they don't match. 

The Los Angeles Kings surprised a lot of people by signing veteran forward Mats Zuccarello to a one-year free agent contract. 

Eddie Garcia of Locked On Los Ang...

Alexander Ovechkin signed a one-year contract with the Washington Capitals to play in 2026-27. The NHL's all-time leading scorer will be back. The Capitals did a lot this offseason to entice him and now have a contending team after missing the playoffs a year ago. We discuss Ovi's legacy and what to expect from him this season.

Plus, while salaries are going up across the league, goalie salaries are not keeping pace. Do you need an elite goalie to win a Stanley Cup, or does overpaying your goalie make it tough to put a talented team around...

Reacting to the Wildest Moves of NHL Free Agency Day 1! Welcome to this Thursday edition of Locked on NHL with Nick Zararais and Hunter Hodies! In today's episode, we are reacting to, analyzing, and evaluating all the massive transactions from the first day and a half of NHL free agency. From absolute masterclasses by front offices to confusing overpays that might ruin rebuilds, we cover it all

03:25 Analyzing recent NHL trades

07:06 Utah's decision on matching offer

10:58 Sharks' impressive draft and free agency

12:55 Questioning Sharks' spending decisions

18:20 Toronto's playoff prospects...

Jason Robertson’s contract standoff with the Dallas Stars sends shockwaves through the NHL offseason. Could the All-Star winger land with a new team, or will the Stars meet his lofty demands? Seth Toupal and JD Young debate the fallout from the failed Seattle Kraken trade, analyze Dallas’s roster strategy, and reveal why Robertson’s future remains the summer’s hottest storyline.

Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers scramble to solve their goaltending crisis, securing Akira Schmid but leaving fans questioning if a true No. 1 is still on the horizon. The show also explores cap-strapped contenders like the Vegas Go...

The San Jose Sharks made three selections in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft and pulled off a major trade of William Eklund to boot.

J.D. Young of Locked On Sharks joins us to discuss the impact of the picks, the trade and what the realistic expectations are for the team this season as they continue their rebuild. 

The New York Rangers pulled off a major trade for Pavel Dorofeyev to boost their offense and then concentrated on defense at the NHL Draft.

Jon Chik of Locked On NY Rangers joins u...

With the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators select Jonas Lagerberg Hoen of Leksands IF Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the 32nd pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators have selected forward Jaxon Cover of the London Knights Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the 23rd overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft, the Detroit Red Wings select forward JP Hurlbert of the Kamloops Blazers Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the 31st overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Nashville Predators select centre Tommy Bleyl from the Moncton Wildcats Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the 27th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers select defenceman Maksim Sokolovskii of the London Knights Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the 24th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Vancouver Canucks select forward Adam Novotný of the Peterborough Petes Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the 26th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Montreal Canadiens select winger Gleb Pugachyov of Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the seventeenth overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft, the Utah Mammoth select Ethan Belchetz of the Windsor Spitfires Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the 22nd overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins select Liam Ruck of the Medicine Hat Tigers Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the eleventh overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the St Louis Blues take centre Tynan Lawrence from Boston University, and with the sixteenth overall pick, Maddox Dagenais of the Québec Remparts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the 21st overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft, the San Jose Sharks select Ryan Lin from the Vancouver Giants Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the 20th overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres select Ilia Morozov of Miami University Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the nineteenth overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft, the LA Kings select Elton Hermansson of Modo Hockey Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the eighteenth overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals select Oliver Suvanto of Tappara Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the fourteenth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the Columbus Blue Jackets take winger Oscar Hemming from Boston University Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the thirteenth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the New York Islanders take defenceman Malte Gustafsson of HV71 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the twelfth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the New Jersey Devils take centre Alexander Command of Örebro HK Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the Seattle Kraken take defenceman Chase Reid of the Soo Greyhounds Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the third overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the Vancouver Canucks take centre Caleb Malhotra from the Brantford Bulldogs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the tenth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the Nashville Predators take winger Wyatt Cullen of the USNTDP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the San Jose Sharks take defenceman Keaton Verhoeff of the North Dakota Fighting Hawks Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the eighth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the Winnipeg Jets take forward Viggo Björck of Djurgårdens IF Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the New York Rangers take defenceman Alberts Šmits of EHC München and Jukerit Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the Buffalo Sabres take defenceman Daxon Rudolph from the Prince Albert Raiders Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs take winger Gavin McKenna from Penn State University Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the second overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the San Jose Sharks take winger Ivar Stenberg from Frölunda HC Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The NHL Draft is here and we look at the chaos and surprises that are expected to follow. We discuss the lack of consensus after the Toronto Maple Leafs take Gavin McKenna first overall and the way the first round is likely to unfold.

Plus, we break down teams like the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, and San Jose Sharks who have multiple first round picks and how they can control the course of round 1 while teams without a pick like the Detroit Red Wings and Vegas Golden Knights could be trying to trade back in to...

On today’s episode of Locked on NHL, hosts Nick Zararis (Locked on Oilers) and Hunter Hodies (Locked on Penguins) break down a truly historic week in the National Hockey League. With the salary cap soaring to a projected $104 million, teams suddenly have the financial flexibility to weaponize cap space—and star players are officially taking control of their own destinies. 

We dive deep into the shocking Bowen Byram trade to the Chicago Blackhawks for the 4th overall pick. Did Chicago GM Kyle Davidson give up way too much for a tantalizing defensive project? Plus, we react to th...