The Chirp with Daren Millard: Recent Episodes
National Hockey League
The Chirp with Daren Millard will feature free-flowing conversations with NHL players, coaches, executives and respected media members. Daren will cover the biggest NHL topics like only he can, drawing on his and his guest’s unique perspective on the best sport in the world. Smart takes, spirited debates and plenty of laughs, The Chirp is a must-listen for any NHL fan.
Daren is joined by Dan Rosen and Shawn Roarke of NHL.com and the NHL @TheRink podcast (3:36) to put a bow on the 2023-24 NHL Season and look ahead to what will happen during free agency. The guys try to describe the importance of what this season has been to the NHL and why the League is seemingly in a great place. Plus, they discuss the possibilities surrounding Steven Stamkos, Sam Reinhart, Jake Guentzel & Jonathan Marchessault. They chat about the potential for the Utah Hockey Club to make a big splash in free-agency and try to predict who the favorite will be to win the Stanley Cup next season. Daren starts the episode looking back at an amazing Stanley Cup Final and the reasons for its incredible success across North America.
Daren is joined by Rick Tocchet (8:43) to talk about winning the Jack Adams Award, the Stanley Cup Final matchp, life in the off-season and adjustments he expects the Vancouver Canucks will make to continue their success on the ice. He talks about the process he goes thru each offseason to re-group and prepare for the upcoming season and takes us behind the curtain on the importance of assistant coaches. Rick looks back a little bit on the Canucks season and playoff run and looks ahead at how things will be harder for his team as they won't take anyone by surprise next season. Daren starts the episode looking at the Stanley Cup Final and the Panthers 3-0 series lead and wraps up by discussing the Capitals acquisition of CapFriendly.
Daren is joined by ESPN lead analyst Ray Ferraro (1:57) to dive deep into the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. What's the biggest storyline of the Cup Final that stands out to Ray? He answers that question and looks at every angle of the coaching matchup and explains why he's been so impressed with Kris Knoblauch. Plus, he talks about some of his interactions with Paul Maurice throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs and why he thinks Maurice is having the time of his life coaching the Florida Panthers. How do the Panthers slow down McDavid? Ray looks at how the Panthers will go about defending the best player in the world and why it's so hard to slow him down consistently. He thinks the two best teams are in the Final and is looking forward to what he says will be a GREAT series.
Daren is joined by TNT lead analyst Eddie Olczyk (1:00). Edzo dives deep into both Conference Finals. He explains why Roope Hintz is so important to Dallas and what changes the Oilers might have to consider the rest of the way. What team in the Finals is feeling the most pressure to win now? Edzo answers that question and also takes a trip down memory lane as he recalls the run that the Rangers went on in 1994 to win the Stanley Cup. He wonders if the Rangers can continue to win with their style of play, but points to Igor Shesterkin's brilliance as to why the Rangers have been so dangers during this run. Plus, the guys go back and forth on some of the coaching practices we've seen in the NHL this cycle and Edzo discusses some of the changes he'd like to see with the way coaches are hired in the League.
Daren is joined by his old pal and former NHL coach and GM Doug MacLean (1:20). Doug dissects the tough goalie decision that Kris Knoblauch faced and explains why he wouldn't be afraid to play McDavid and Draisaitl as much as possible. He looks at some of the different motivational styles that coaches have employed, including Paul Maurice's rants and Jim Montgomery's theatrics behind the bench. He weighs in on what's going on with the Toronto Maple Leafs and discusses the pressure that managers and coaches feel once the Stanley Cup Playoffs arrive. Of course, he shares a few great stories as he reveals his biggest coaching rival and tips his cap to Nick Kypreos for a premonition he had about Sam Bennett years ago.
Daren is joined by John Shannon (1:36) to discuss all things Toronto Maple Leafs, including his reaction to Friday's press conference, the coaching change, the future coach, the decisions surrounding the roster and the stability of the franchise. He goes in-depth about what he believes Brendan Shanahan and Brad Treliving should do as far as hiring a new coach and what moves might make sense to get the team to perform in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He also chats about the Canes inability to score goals, Igor Shesterkin's superb play, the intrigue surrounding the Oilers/Canucks series and the future of Rod Brind'Amour. Daren wraps up the show with a playoff edition of "Mallard's Best!"
Daren is joined by Martin Necas (5:35) to talk about how the Carolina Hurricanes matchup with the NY Rangers, the intensity of Rod Brind'Amour during the playoffs, the personality of the group, including how Seth Jarvis and Brent Burns contribute to keeping the mood in the room lite. He talks about how the team has unfinished business after losing in the Eastern Conference final and explains how the Club understands that this roster will face a lot of turnover in the offseason. Plus, he shares thoughts on Jake Guentzel, Freddie Andersen and Andrei Svechnikov. Daren starts the episode asking an important question surrounding Alexander Ovechkin and reflecting on the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Daren is joined by New Jersey Devils goalie Jake Allen, fresh off his stint moonlighting as an analyst on Sportsnet (10:20). Allen touches on all the relevant goalie storylines of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he shares his thoughts on Casey DeSmith, the Bruins' rotation, Alexander Georgiev's confidence, the Maple Leafs situation and Jake Oettinger. Daren opens up the episode remembering the great Bob Cole.
Daren is joined by TSN's Darren Dreger to discuss the most intriguing off-season storylines, including the coaching carousel, and what teams like the Senators, Sabres, Blues and Devils will do in the offseason. Plus, he talks about Sidney Crosby's future in Pittsburgh and weighs in on the pressure that's being felt in Toronto and Edmonton as the Stanley Cup Playoffs get underway. He shares his approach to voting for the Hart Trophy and looks at what Canadian team has the best shot to win the Stanley Cup. Millard wraps up the show by making a few postseason predictions and talking about why this year could be the year that a lot of lower seeds make noise.
Daren is joined by Dr. Alicia Naser -- @doctoralicianaser on Instagram. Alicia works with pro hockey players to optimize performance and handle pressure. She dives deep into her area of expertise as Daren peppers her with many questions about her profession and how she exactly goes about helping hockey players. She looks at some of the challenges that hockey players come to her with, the techniques she employs to help and talks about the busy schedule that she's faced with. Plus, she provides a glimpse into the evolution that the hockey world has seen in this area and explains why she doesn't just deal exclusively with players. It's a fascinating and enlightening discussion for hockey fans and beyond.
You can reach Alicia Naser at contact@alicianaser.com
Follow her on Instagram @doctoralicianaser and on LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/DKMR8
Daren is joined by Dave Goucher, the TV play-by-play voice of the Vegas Golden Knights (7:00). Goucher discusses where the Golden Knights are at this point in the season, explains what potential playoff matchup would intrigue him the most and talks about his journey from getting cut by BU's JV hockey team to an NHL broadcast booth. He goes back in time to talk about his days as the Boston Bruins radio announcer and how it prepared him for joining the Vegas Golden Knights for their first season as the TV voice of the team. Daren wraps up the episode discussing his top 5 Cinderella teams as the Stanley Cup Playoffs near.
Daren is back and is joined by Nashville Predators coach Andrew Brunette (6:02). Brunette talks about the Predators season thus far, being in the playoff hunt, working with Barry Trotz, his coaching philosophy and his approach when communicating with players. After Brunette, Daren goes through the trade deadline moves and breaks down the teams he thinks positioned themselves best for the stretch run and the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Daren is joined by former St. Louis Blues coach and Stanley Cup champion Craig Berube (2:45). Craig talks about the highly competitive Western Conference, the trade that the Vancouver Canucks made for Elias Lindholm, the challenges of taking over a team during the season, the goalie decisions being made with the NY Rangers and the issues going on with the Los Angeles Kings. He discusses his relationship with Rick Tocchet and what's made him successful in Vancouver and tries to explain the intensity that Rick brings to a team everyday as a coach. Plus, he raves about the Four Nations Face-Off and provides insight into why NHL players love international competition. He talks about his desire to coach again, and how he's staying busy scouting the NHL landscape during his downtime.
Daren is joined by Nick Kypreos to talk about NHL All Star weekend in Toronto, the evolution of the Skills Competition and what he's looking forward to most with Toronto hosting the festivities. He chats about the playoff odds for the Maple Leafs, the Florida Panthers, the Edmonton Oilers, the LA Kings and New Jersey Devils. He reminisces about past All Star Skills events and gives his opinion on the revamped competition.
Daren is joined by Alexandre Daigle (3:09). Daigle is featured in a new documentary,
‘Chosen One: Alexandre Daigle’ to launch Jan. 26 on Prime Video in Canada and ESPN + on Jan. 27. Daigle chats with Daren about how the documentary came about and why the process of participating in the film was therapeutic for him. He looks back on his NHL career and looks at many of the contributing factors that led to him being out of the NHL at just 25 years old. He explains how his love for hockey ultimately returned after stepping away from the game and still remains years later. He chats about the importance of mental health, media training and goal setting for players and lays out what the perfect conditions would be for a top draft pick starting in the NHL. He provides advice and perspective to young NHL stars, including Connor Bedard. Daren closes the episode with thoughts on Patrick Roy's return to the NHL as coach of the NY Islanders and what Corey Perry's impact could be for the Edmonton Oilers.
Daren is joined by US Olympian and PWHL Minnesota player Kelly Pannek (3:13). Kelly talks about the start of the PWHL, the record crowds being drawn in Minnesota for Women's hockey and the change in lifestyle that's occurred for her as a professional hockey player. She discusses just how important the PWHL has been for her, her teammates and aspiring women's hockey players throughout the world. She looks forward to her participation at the NHL All Star Game in Toronto and takes some time to pump up her fellow PWHL players and talk about the high end skill that exists in the League.
Daren is joined by three-time Stanley Cup winner and current Sportsnet analyst Justin Williams (7:41). Williams touches on William Nylander's new contract, the awkward Cutter Gauthier situation, the high-end skill of the Vancouver Canucks, Max Pacioretty's return from injury. He talks about his transition into broadcasting, advice he's received from Erin Andrews and Rod Brind'Amour, Rich Tocchet and Keith Jones. Daren starts the episode breaking down the Flyers/Ducks trade and looks at Calder contenders now that Connor Bedard will be missing time due to injury.
Daren is joined by John Shannon in an episode that covers a bunch, including the contract situations of Steven Stamkos and William Nylander, the prospects of another goalie reaching 1000 games played, the revamped All Star Skills competition, the depth in the Western Conference and Evgeni Malkin's legacy. Plus, Shannon provides some insight into the TV presentation of NHL games, what works and what doesn't.
Daren is joined by Vegas Golden Knights D-man Zach Whitecloud (4:08). Zach's journey to the NHL and to a Stanley Cup Champion is fascinating and he gets into all the details, from growing up in Manitoba to his love for outdoor hockey, playing college hockey, Zach takes you behind the curtain on what it means to be an NHLer. Plus, he discusses the Winter Classic, the best part of playing outdoors, what the Golden Knights biggest advantage this season is and he reminisces about the quirky rinks he played on as a kid in Manitoba. Daren wraps up the episode with an assessment of the NHL at this point in the season.
Daren is joined by Red Wings D-man Jake Walman (10:18). Jake discusses why getting traded to Detroit has been good for his development and his daily interaction with Red Wings' Hall of Famers, including Steve Yzerman and Nick Lidstrom. Plus, he explains why Alex Ovechkin was his favorite player growing up and how his goal celebrations were inspired by Ovechkin. He dives deep into his Griddy Dance celebration, how it came about and some of the tweaks he's made to it over time. He's not shy about admitting that he's developing future celebrations and chats about why he's embraced the attention that has come along with his outgoing celebrations. Plus, he chimes in on playing with Patrick Kane, his favorite music artists, his upcoming bobblehead night and why he pays attention to football and basketball. Daren opens the episode going through the ins and outs of the St. Louis Blues coaching change.
Daren is joined by Clayton Keller (7:43). Keller talks about the Coyotes start to the season, playing for André Tourigny, Connor Ingram's unbelievable return to the NHL and the prospects of playing an in-season international tournament. Daren riffs on the LA Kings remarkable road success, his early choices for the Jack Adams Award and ponders some of the roster construction for international competition.
Daren is joined by Sean Walker of the Philadelphia Flyers (8:00). Sean talks about making the move from LA to Philadelphia, getting traded in the midst of getting married, his honeymoon to Italy, playing under John Tortorella and the expectations of the team moving forward. He also discusses the on-ice skills he'd steal from Owen Tippett and Bobby Brink, two young players that have left an impression on him. Plus, how does he work on his golf game during the season? and how did the challenge of being an undrafted player ultimately lead to his NHL success? Daren provides his opinion on Patrick Kane signing with Detroit and weighs in on the challenges Kane faces trying to come back from hip resurfacing surgery and he chimes in on Minnesota moving on from Dean Evason and hiring John Hynes.
Daren is joined by his old pal and former NHL executive, coach and commentator Doug MacLean (3:05). Doug is happily retired and shares some hilarious stories, including how he failed to recognize a Hall a Famer on the golf course and just how a fire on a golf cart got him into some hot water. Plus, he talks about his book Draft Day... go buy it now! And of course he weighs in on what's currently happening in the League right now, including William Nylander's emergence, the Oilers early struggles, the sustainability of the Bruins and the importance of culture in NHL dressing rooms. This conversation casts a wide net... Happy Thanksgiving from The Chirp with Daren Millard and this week's guest Doug MacLean!
Daren is joined by former NHL goalie and current NHL Network analyst Cory Schneider (6:04). Schneider discusses his new role with NHL Network, provides first-hand insight into what Jack Campbell is dealing with and talks about teams that right now are insulating their goalies very well, including the Boston Bruins and Dallas Stars. He looks back at some of the best shots he's ever faced and discusses the "art" of defending Ovechkin's slapshot. Daren opens the episode providing his opinion on the Oilers making a coaching change and closes the episode looking at potential new overtime rules.
Daren is joined by head coach of the Anaheim Ducks Greg Cronin (5:35). Greg starts by talking about the Ducks surprising start, the expectations he has for the team, the adjustments that he had to communicate to the young players in training camp, how he landed the job and some of his past experiences as a hockey coach. Greg is 60 years old and his stories encompass a lot, including his time in the AHL and as a NHL assistant. This conversation is quite a journey and branches into many areas, including how Greg's philosophy toward life changed, the evolution of his demeanor and the realization of achieving his dream of being a head coach in the NHL.
Daren Millard is joined by Nick Kypreos (5:38). Kypreos discusses the Senators turning the page on Pierre Dorion and provides the player's perspective on adopting neck protection and why the process of adopting equipment changes is a little more complicated than what's on the surface. He looks at the impressive starts by the Boston Bruins and the Vegas Golden Knights and is pretty clear why he believes the start Vegas has had is more impressive. Plus, Daren admits he's wrong... a complete shocker!
Daren is joined by Evan Bouchard (8:05) and Jack Hughes (22:00). Bouchard talks about the Oilers difficult start to the season, the excitement surrounding the Heritage Classic, the adjustments he's anticipating having to make for an outdoor game and the intensity of the Battle of Alberga. Hughes is living the dream and he's not afraid to talk about it, he tells Daren about his epic summer of activities, including attending an F1 race with Cole Caufield. He talks about how excited he is to play outdoors at Metlife Stadium this season, explains why Lindy Ruff has been a great coach for him and looks back at his first experience in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Daren dives deep into some of the NHL EDGE stats provided to fans and tries to draw some conclusions based on the numbers. Plus, he looks at some of the surprising starts (good and bad) that teams are having across the NHL.
Daren is joined by Brian Boyle (3:05) to go around the NHL and touch on some of the early season storylines, including the impact that Peter Laviolette has had on the NY Rangers, the approach the Lightning have to take to win games with Vasy out due to injury, the Golden Knights avoiding an early season Stanley Cup hangover and some of the feisty play seen throughout the league. A lot of attention has been given to Evgeny Kuznetsov's super slow shootout move and Brian is here to discuss why Kuzy's move is all above board and why goalies should stop complaining about it. He also shares a few of his favorite John Tortorella stories and explains his approach to coaching his 8 year old hockey team.
Daren is joined by Kevin Cheveldayoff (2:25) & Connor McDavid (19:38). Cheveldayoff provides an inside look on how the Jets went about signing two of the franchises most important players at the same time, offers an outlook on the season and discusses the expectations surrounding the Jets as the season gets underway. McDavid discusses the intense focus that the Oilers have to win the Stanley Cup, the growth of the core group of players, and the lessons learned from previous early exits in the playoffs.
Kenny Albert takes a little time out from his busy broadcast schedule to join Daren (2:02) to talk about his new book A Mic for All Seasons. The book chronicles Kenny's charmed yet unlikely journey in the broadcasting business. He recalls stories from his days calling minor-league hockey and discusses his unique relationship with Barry Trotz. Plus, he talks about working alongside Wayne Gretzky, Eddie Olczyk, Joe Namath, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Walt "Clyde" Frazier. Kenny goes in detail about life in the booth, game preparation, travel hijinks and much more. Plus, he looks ahead to the upcoming NHL season and chats about Connor Bedard, the Edmonton Oilers and the up and coming Senators & Sabres.
Daren is joined by Cole Caufield (3:30) and Tom Wilson (25:17). Caufield talks about his F1 experience over the summer, his favorite nickname and his connection to Marty St. Louis. Wilson chats about the unique role he's taken on as Alex Ovechkin continues to chase Wayne Gretzky's goal record, his ability to play the villain and his vivid memories of winning the Stanley Cup in Las Vegas. Daren looks at 5 teams that are capable of either winning their Division or can completely miss the playoffs. The Kings, Jets, Flames, Penguins and Bruins are being considered by Daren as 'all or nothing' teams.
Daren is joined by Robert Thomas (4:45) and Bill Daly (22:45). Thomas talks about taking boxing classes with the Tkachuk's and bringing his new puppy out on the golf course for 18 holes. Daly touches on the NHL's trip to Australia and the chances of the NHL participating in the next Winter Olympics. Daren dissects the controversy surrounding Mike Babcock in Columbus and looks ahead to the challenges that the Blue Jackets will face on the ice as the season gets underway in three weeks (18:35). Plus, what are Daren's 3 top storylines heading into the season ? (40:00).
Daren is joined by Vegas Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon (2:50) to talk about winning the Stanley Cup, the key moves that were made to accomplish the goal and the journey from expansion team to champion. Plus, he looks ahead to building a roster for 2024 and the challenge of quickly turning the page to preparing for the NHL Draft. Meghan Duggan, the NJ Devils Director of Player Development, joined Daren (40:27) to discuss how her role with the Devils has progressed since being hired, the influence of Tom Fitzgerald on her career and the exciting upside of this Devils roster. She also took some time to talk about the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition and the goal of those involved to advance equality and inclusion on and off the ice.
Daren is joined by Mike Bolt, one of the Keeper's of the Cup to share some of his best Stanley Cup stories (1:30). Bolt takes some time to discuss some of the details of his job, the rules surrounding the Stanley Cup, the celebrity run-ins he's had over the years and a crazy story that happened when he was in Afghanistan with the Stanley Cup. Bolt has held the job for 23 years and he looks back to discuss some of the most memorable parties with the cup, his favorite photos of the Stanley Cup and the magnetism that the trophy has had for many years.
Daren is joined by Bruce Cassidy (1:50) and Eddie Olczyk (21:44). Cassidy talks about his team's journey to the Stanley Cup Final, including a very satisfying series wins over the Edmonton Oilers and the Dallas Stars. Bruce says the victory over the high powered Oilers team will be remembered if they go onto win the Stanley Cup and talked about Adin Hill's emergence as the team's goalie, William Karlsson's offensive surge and Jack Eichel's game throughout his first appearance in the playoffs. Cassidy explains why he's taking a more "business" like approach this time around compared to his trip with the Boston Bruins in 2019. Olczyk breaks down the series from every angle and touches on a variety of intriguing storylines, including the Florida Panthers unlikely run to this point, Sergei Bobrovsky catching fire and Matthew Tkachuk's unique ability to always be involved in winning hockey games. Plus, he talks about Jack Eichel's performance, Paul Maurice's steady hand and the toughness of players like Sam Bennett and Radko Gudas. Edzo talks about his approach to calling Stanley Cup Final games, his relationship with Keith Jones and how he came up with Keith Tkachuk's nickname.
Daren is joined by Dallas Eakins (1:20) to talk about the Conference Finals and how the Golden Knights and Panthers have taken surprising 3-0 series leads. Eakins discusses why he'd prefer to coach teams that feature depth rather than a few star players and why Paul Maurice has had success wherever he goes. He looks at the undisciplined play by Jamie Benn and tries to explain why NHL players sometimes lose their cool even in crucial situations, such as the playoffs. Plus, thoughts on how the Golden Knights are winning with their 3rd string goalie and what has stood out from Jack Eichel's play. He talks about what his future looks like in coaching and why he loves working in television . He says he doesn't have many superstitions, but he makes sure he has a certain type of beverage with him when he's on the bench... what is it and how did the routine begin?
Daren is joined by Colby Armstrong (1:15) to discuss all the surrounding storylines of the Conference Finals. They talk about the four coaches remaining, their styles and the fact that 3 of the 4 are new coaches to their respective teams. Plus, what do the remaining teams have in common? Armstrong points to grit, toughness and overall nastiness that he believes is still needed for a team to win a Stanley Cup. Plus, a look at the Conn Smythe race and the unique goalie situations that are a bit abnormal for this time of year. Colby tries to handicap each series, but admits that it's so difficult to predict with all the teams being so evenly matched.
Daren is joined by Nick Kypreos to discuss all the Second Round storylines, including the Leafs avoiding a sweep against the Panthers, the reasons for their struggles and management's future if they ultimately lose the series. Plus, he explains why the Oilers/Golden Knights series has been so nasty and discusses just how in-depth scouting reports are during the playoffs. Kypreos looks at Rod Brind'Amour and thinks he's the best coach in the NHL, with the ability to motivate and make tactical adjustments to give his team an edge.
Daren is joined by TNT analyst Darren Pang (1:00) to talk about how the balance of power in the playoffs have shifted with the Boston Bruins being eliminated in the first round and who he thinks the favorites are now to win the Stanley Cup. Pang thinks the playoffs are wide open and could make a case for every team. They talk about the Oilers star power vs. the Golden Knights depth, and Pang tells some great stories about Bruce Cassidy as he was a teammate of his on 5 different teams. The guys discuss how the power play is determining games and wonder if it's having too much influence in the outcomes of playoff games. Plus, Pang shares his thoughts on the pressure that's mounting on Gerard Gallant, Matthew Tkachuk's gritty style of play, and Leon Draisaitl's knack for managing heavy minutes on the ice.
Daren is joined by Kevin Woodley of InGoal Magazine and NHL.com to discuss the intricacies of the goalie position and some of the goalie storylines developing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Who has been the best goalie in the playoffs thus far ? You will be surprised by Kevin's answer. Plus, a look at Andrei Vasilevskiy and Derek Lalonde's comments about him struggling with shots from the point, the emergence of Akira Schmid, the brilliance of Jake Oettinger and the issues surrounding the Minnesota Wild's goalie tandem.
Daren is joined by Sportsnet lead play-by-play voice Chris Cuthbert (2:07). Cuthbert talks about the ins and outs of the series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning and touches on the tense vibe that exists in Toronto at this time of year. Who has a better chance of winning the Stanley Cup, Toronto or Edmonton? Cuthbert is a believer in the Oilers and thinks they have less pressure on them than Toronto does. He discusses the luxury of getting access to NHL coaches during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and how his pre-game meetings with coaches often lead to very critical information that he weaves into broadcasts. He reminisces about some of his early days in broadcasting, a funny flub the first time he was on the air and talks about his favorite venues to call hockey games from.
Daren is joined by ESPN lead analyst Ray Ferraro (2:50) to talk about a bunch of the intriguing storylines ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He points out some of the issues that are plaguing the NY Rangers (19:00), the goalie dilemma that may capture everyone's attention in Toronto (15:00) and the pressure that the Boston Bruins are facing after their record-breaking regular season (10:00). He also breaks down why the Edmonton Oilers power play gives opponents fits (24:00) and handicaps what NHL coach could match up with Dean Evason in a scrap (26:30). Ray is excited to see Jack Eichel make his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut (27:00) and also believes that a lot more teams will be utilizing goalie tandems than in the past (32:00).
Daren is joined by Jarret Stoll (4:22) to discuss his transition to television, his role in the Kings player development department and the success that the Kings have had this season. They talk about Anze Kopitar's Selke Trophy candidacy, Jonathan Quick moving to the Las Vegas Golden Knights and how dangerous the Kings can be in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Daren wraps the episode (22:50) breaking down the playoff races around the NHL and he makes a few predictions for Jack Eichel and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Daren is joined by John Shannon to talk about the many storylines heading in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including the Minnesota Wild's torrid stretch of play (2:00), the many faces of Dean Evason and the starting goalie decisions that need to be made around the NHL. What's going on in Winnipeg? and what buttons is Paul Maurice pushing in Florida to get the Panthers over the hump? Shannon, a longtime TV producer and executive, also explains what goes into a former player becoming a successful broadcaster. They also discuss the strategy that the Boston Bruins should employ down the stretch run of the season to make sure the Bruins are ready for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Daren is joined by former NHL coach and current NHL Network/TSN analyst Bruce Boudreau (2:00). Bruce talks about the many people who reached out to him after he was let go from the Vancouver Canucks and shares a story about how the actors from Slap Shot lifted his spirits when he needed it most. He breaks down the Western Conference playoff races and tries to determine who out of the West is the most dangerous team. He handicaps the Toronto Maple Leafs chances of making noise in the playoffs and wonders what, if anything, can slow down the Boston Bruins come April. He discusses the evolution of goalie strategy in the NHL, Ovechkin's 13th 40 goal season and the likelihood of some upsets in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Plus, a look inside his legendary performance in TSN's Trade Deadline promo that captivated hockey fans.
Daren is joined by Sarah Nurse (3:55) & Brandon Tanev (19:16). Nurse talks about her involvement in the documentary Ice Queens,the growth of women's hockey, her CHEL rating and Romeo, her dog. Tanev talks about this bobblehead giveaway, the Seattle Kraken's recent success and provides the entire backstory to Daren about his famous "he saw a ghost" face.
Daren is joined by Dallas Stars head coach Pete DeBoer (4:16). DeBoer discusses how his team has spent most of the season in first place, his relationship with Joe Pavelski, the unique qualities of Jason Robertson and why he thinks the Colorado Avalanche are still the team to beat in the NHL. He explains why he thinks Barry Trotz going into management is a big plus for the League and how he feels about possibly moving into the front office when his coaching career is over. He shares his thoughts on the Eastern Conference arms race, Connor McDavid, the Western Conference playoff races and adjusting to the Dallas lifestyle.
Daren is joined by Darren Dreger to talk about all the Trade Deadline rumors and machinations leading up to March 3. Does Patrick Kane want to be moved? What are the Coyotes doing with Jakob Chychrun. Plus, a look at what moves make sense for the Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, NY Rangers, Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning and Minnesota Wild. Who are the teams lurking in the weeds? It's all covered on this episode.
Daren is joined by Seth Jarvis (2:02) of the Carolina Hurricanes and Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde (20:23). Jarvis is from Winnipeg and reminisces about his outdoor hockey experience as a kid, discusses what makes Rod Brind'Amour's speeches so powerful and explains some of his unique pre-game rituals. Lalonde gives a lesson on how to pronounce his last name and talks about his love for IPAs, his relationship with Steve Yzerman, the Red Wings young core and his assessment of the team's growth this season.
Daren is joined by Keith Tkachuk to talk about the amazing All Star Weekend that the Tkachuk family had in Florida (2:30). Big Walt discusses the growth of both Matthew and Brady, the transition process that Matthew had to make when he was traded, his struggling golf game and what he thinks the future will be for both the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators. He looks back at some of his favorite moments of the All Star experience and discusses what it meant to the family.
Daren is joined by head of the Vegas Golden Knights Bruce Cassidy. Cassidy talks about how he got his start in coaching, the transition to Vegas, dealing with injuries, and how he goes about fostering relationships with his players. He's a big golfer, but explains why he hasn't been on the course a lot and he also discusses some of the dynamics that go into coaching at the All Star game . Plus, thoughts on Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Alex Pietrangelo and Jim Montgomery, who he gave advice to while Montgomery was interviews for the coaching job in Boston.
Daren is joined by Dave Goucher and Gary Lawless for a roundtable that covers a heck of a lot, including the state of the Vegas Golden Knights and whether or not the injury bug will once again keep the club from reaching its full potential. Goucher and Lawless are both convinced that the Bruins will represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final and they look at potential players that they could add at the deadline to bolster the roster. They discuss the winning formula in Winnipeg, the struggling Islanders, this year's trade market and try to project what Connor McDavid's numbers will look like when it's all said and done.
Daren is joined by the TV voice of the Seattle Kraken John Forslund. John hops on to talk about the reasons for the Kraken's success in year 2, provide a behind the scenes glimpse into Matty Beniers and explain the organization's approach to Shane Wright's development. He discusses his transition from Carolina to Seattle and the great chemistry he has in the TV booth with Ed Olczyk. Plus, he gives a little background on some of his notable catch phrases and shares a heart warming story on the impact his late father had on him as an aspiring broadcaster. Daren wraps up the episode with a prediction for the Florida Panthers and explains why his desire to watch the Buffalo Sabres regularly is a telltale sign that the NHL is currently in a great place.
Daren is joined by TNT analyst Rick Tocchet and they snap it around touching on a number of subjects, including Connor Bedard's potential impact on a franchise, Tage Thompson's development and the defensive issues plaguing the Florida Panthers. They talk about Connor McDavid's status as an all-time great and look at some of the reasons why the Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights have all had success under new coaching regimes. Tocchet explains why he's enjoyed making the transition to television and reveals some of the reasons why the TNT panel has been able to develop great chemistry in such a short amount of time.
Daren is joined by Jim Montgomery (2:00) to talk about the Bruins amazing start to the season, the minor tweaks that he made when he took over, his relationship with Bruce Cassidy and Linus Ullmark's incredible run of play. He touches on Patrice Bergeron's unique leadership qualities and Brad Marchand's hunger to consistently learn. What's he looking forward to most about the Winter Classic at Fenway Park? And what does he remember about the Coach's Cafe during the pandemic.... It's quite the convo with one of the best coaches in the NHL.
Daren is joined by Barry Trotz to discuss Alex Ovechkin's latest milestone and his quest to break Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record. Barry offers great insight into what makes Ovechkin ticks, his growth as a player and person, his unrivaled durability, his Russian background and his drive to be the best goal scorer in history. Barry also discusses how he's been spending his time away from the ice and his coaching future. He also shows off his signed guitar collection from his home in Nashville.
Daren is joined by NHL.com Senior Writer Dan Rosen to discuss a myriad of topics around the League. Are the Devils for real? Dan is convinced that the Devils will win their division. He's concerned about the Winnipeg Jets being able to hold off the Dallas Stars in the Central. They debate who the best player on the Toronto Maple Leafs is and what the best story of the season is thus far. They talk about the Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights. It's a smorgasbord of NHL topics, debates and discussion.
Daren is joined by Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (1:15). Morrissey talks about some of the reasons behind his breakout season, including an important conversation he had with Rick Bowness prior to the season and his off-season training program with Adam Oates. He discusses how Blake Wheeler handled losing the captaincy and why Wheeler has been so important to him throughout his career. Daren plays a little Major/Minor/Let it Go with Josh and hilarity ensues on the topics of being on speaker phone in public and the proper order of cereal preparation.
Daren is joined by ESPN's Ashley Brewer (1:00). Brewer is a huge hockey fan and grew up in Phoenix rooting for the Arizona Coyotes, she reminisces about her favorite NHLers growing up, including Jeremy Roenick, Shane Doan and Mark Messier and talks about who she enjoys watching the most now. She shares some Charles Barkley stories and explains her connection to Auston Matthews. What does she think about the Coyotes playing at Mullett Arena? She was at the first game at Mullett and talks about the unique experience that the college arena provides to Yotes fans. Brewer was pumped to find out that ESPN secured the NHL TV rights and re-lives the elation that she and her fellow ESPN co-workers had when the deal was announced.
Daren is joined by Howard Baldwin (2:00). Baldwin founded the New England Whalers ice hockey franchise in the World Hockey Association (WHA) and retained ownership when the team became the Hartford Whalers and joined the National Hockey League. Baldwin talks about how he was able to secure the franchise, the growth of the WHA, Bobby Hull signing with the startup League, how the Whalers were able to get Gordie Howe and the ultimate merger with the NHL.
The stories Baldwin shares are documented in the Slim and None podcast that details Howard Baldwin's involvement with the start of the WHA.
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Season 1 of Slim and None can be found on NHL.com or wherever podcasts are available: https://bit.ly/3gceXA7
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Visit houseofanansi.com to buy a copy of Slim and None: My Wild Ride from the WHA to the NHL and All the Way to Hollywood by Howard Baldwin, and use promo code SLIM at the checkout to save 15%.
Daren is joined by Alex Tuch (2:00) and Jack Eichel (23:04). Alex talks about the Sabres hot start, playing for his hometown team, the motivation that the Bills success has provided to the Sabres and what he'll do if the Bills win the Super Bowl. Eichel discusses why he's become a fan of the UFC, his skating technique, how he's became more comfortable in Vegas and why his stick pattern hasn't changed in a decade.
Daren is joined by his old friend Nick Kypreos and they go back and forth on the biggest surprises of the early NHL season, the panic surrounding the Maple Leafs slow start, and the reasons why the Buffalo Sabres should be thought of as a real contender. They discuss Jack Eichel's impact on the Golden Knights, the uncanny grit of David Pastrnak and examine the results of some of the rebuilding teams in the NHL.
Daren is joined by Cale Makar (2:00) and Trevor Zegras (18:15). Makar talks about his day with the Stanley Cup, clearing out space for his trophies and learning Nate MacKinnon's sarcasm. Plus, a game of Major/Minor/Let it Go leads to Cale questioning everything he's ever known. Zegras chats Daren up about being on the cover of NHL 22, the moves he's been working on during the offseason, his tattoos and reminisces about some of his NHL firsts. Daren wraps up the episode with thoughts on Phil Kessel, Barry Trotz's desire to get back to running an NHL bench and the teams will likely be in the hunt to draft Connor Bedard.
Daren is joined by Jordan Staal (2:51) and Max Domi (30:30). Staal talks about his favorite fast food options, trying to slow down the League's top goal scorers, his belief in the Hurricanes as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender and an epic trip to California to play Pebble Beach. Domi shares some Rod Brind'Amour stories, talks about playing with his idol Patrick Kane, the growth of his golf game, some of his NHL firsts and his Mount Rushmore of cars.
Daren is joined by Nick Suzuki (2:26) and Mark Scheifele (17:55). Suzuki talks about his new role as the Montreal Canadiens captain, the impact of Martin St. Louis, his favorite golf courses and why anything but white skate laces is a faux pas. Sheifele goes into detail about getting ordained this summer, his experience as a wedding officiant, getting used to being a veteran on his team and playing for Rick Bowness. Daren wraps up the episode explaining who is Calder pick is, Jack Eichel's impact on the Golden Knights and some Over/Under picks for the upcoming season.
Daren is joined by Matthew Tkachuk (3:20) & Jonathan Huberdeau (21:50). Tkachuk talks about adjusting to his new lifestyle in Florida, golf outings with Brady and Keith, and his thought process behind wanting to leave Calgary. Huberdeau discusses signing with Calgary and why he believes Calgary is set up for even more success than Florida may be. He reminisces about his first fight, driving a standard car and explains why he rarely ever breaks his stick. Daren rounds out the episode talking about some breakout candidates for the upcoming season, the pressure on Sheldon Keefe (32:40) and who he thinks is the best offseason signing from a bargain perspective (37:01).
Daren closes out the 2021-22 season with John Shannon (1:00) and Paul Maurice (25:50). Shannon breaks down all the early free-agency moves, including Johnny Gaudreau signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the trades made by the Carolina Hurricanes, the Pittsburgh Penguins re-signing Letang and Malkin, the goalie moves made by the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers, the Islanders inactivity and the potential landing spots for Patrick Kane. Paul Maurice discusses why the Florida Panthers job was so attractive to him, the challenges that he faces taking over a team as successful as the Panthers and the tweaks that he will try to make to allow the Panthers to find victories in the playoffs. He explains why it was time to leave the Winnipeg Jets and pokes fun at his friend Pete DeBoer for being as obsessed with hockey as he is.
Daren is joined by Andrew Cogliano of the Colorado Avalanche to talk about his journey to winning the Stanley Cup, the celebration that immediately followed in Tampa Bay and how a "unique" hotel room number led to Nathan MacKinnon's comfort ahead of Game 6. He also discusses the nifty equipment modification that allowed him to play with an injured finger, the reason he spoke to the team before the clinching game and the suffocating defense the Avalanche played in the 3rd period that shut down the Lightning. He explains a strategy he used that he never used before and talks about some of the details that he's already planning for his day with the Stanley Cup.
Daren is joined by Ray Ferraro to talk about various Stanley Cup Final storylines, working his first Cup Final on television (13:20), trade secrets he's learned from working between the benches and life on the road. Ferraro dissects the goalie decision that Jared Bednar faces ahead of Game 4 and marvels at Andrei Vasilevskiy.... Ray has Vasy pretty high up on his list of goalies that he's seen play since 1980 (9:30). He breaks down the review process for Clubs and the NHL, and tosses out a few tweaks that he's heard from Coaches on how to better streamline the review process (29:00). Daren takes Ray down a winding path to talk about how he got into television and why he never got into coaching or management (17:00). He also touches on the fear surrounding Kucherov's injury in Game 3, Pat Maroon's knack for messing with him as he works and Jon Cooper's keen awareness and ability to take notice of EVERYTHING during games.
Daren is joined by Vancouver Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau to get the coach's perspective on the Stanley Cup Final after Game 1. Boudreau worked for the NHL Network before getting hired by the Canucks so he put back on his analyst hat to talk about the storylines surrounding the Cup Final, the matchups between the Avs and Lightning, the goaltending advantage for the Lightning and the luxury that Jon Cooper has over Jared Bednar with Vasilevskiy in net. He explains why it's so difficult to hold a lead in the NHL these days, the one player that would concern him the most as a coach, the detailed preparation and adjustments made by each team after Game 1, and whether or not home ice advantage matters in a series like this. He also talks about the Golden Knights hiring Bruce Cassidy and the whirlwind that Cassidy is dealing with as he quickly hired after being let go by the Boston Bruins.
Daren welcomes in Mike Rupp to talk about the Avalanche advancing to the Stanley Cup Final (2:50), Cale Makar entering the "top player in the world" conversation (5:00) and the mental challenges that players face when shooting against elite goalies (18:30). He also goes into detail as to why he was double drafted (13:00)... it's quite an interesting story and makes a few analogies related to the NY Rangers and home ice advantage (24:45) that you have to hear. Millard wraps up the episode with an Eastern Conference Final prediction (31:00) and tries to explain what's going on with the Boston Bruins (33:00).
Daren is off the injured list and is joined by his pal Nick Kypreos to talk about the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including the Toronto Maple Leafs failure to advance past the first round, the decisions surrounding the Panthers head coaching position and the potential landing spots for Barry Trotz. The two debate who they'd take right now.... McDavid or Vasilevskiy? and they look ahead to the spectacle that would be a MacKinnon & McDavid showdown in the Western Conference Final. They wonder who the Vegas Golden Knights will hire to be their coach and reminisce about some of their traveling stories from the Sportsnet days.... Who was given the nickname Pedals and why?
Daren is joined by Katie Guay (1:26), the first woman official to referee an AHL game and one of the first four women to officiate at the NHL level, working in an NHL Prospect Tournament. The conversation with Guay covers a lot, including how she got her start in officiating, her style when dealing with players (5:40), and how she balances her regular 9 to 5 job with her officiating assignments. She explains the significance of being the first woman to drop the puck on an AHL game, talks about the intensity of the USA/Canada women's rivalry, and discusses the process of climbing the officiating ranks... What are her long-term goals, and how does she plan on achieving them? She schools Daren on some of ins and outs of refereeing (16:00) and shares a few great stories, including the whereabouts of her first AHL jersey and how working the NHL Prospect Tournament in Anaheim led to an appearance on her favorite game show (40.00).
Daren starts the episode with John Shannon to talk about the legacy of Eugene Melnyk and how the NHL, Ottawa community and the Senators are reacting to his death (1:20). Shannon goes on to talk about teams that he considers contenders and teams that he believes are pretenders (18:30). He dissects some of the goalie issues that are lingering in Edmonton and Toronto, and tries to explain why Martin St. Louis has worked in Montreal and the impact that St. Louis has had on players like Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield (13:50). Andrew Brunette checks in (24:10) and talks about his transition from Florida Panthers assistant coach to head coach, the Club's acquisition of Claude Giroux (35:00), his keys for success as an NHL head coach and what he learned from Bruce Boudreau. He also talks about the personality of this Panthers team, what they learned from last year's playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Aleksander Barkov's impact on his teammates (40:00).
Daren is joined by Minnesota Wild captain Jared Spurgeon (:54). Of course, Spurgeon talks about the Wild's acquisition of Marc-Andre Fleury and some of the "inside" info that Bill Guerin shared with him about Fleury after the trade went down (2:37). Jared goes onto discuss the team's new goalie tandem, his responsibilities as the team's captain to help integrate new players to the team and the expectations that he has as the race to the playoffs is heating up (6:09). What's his favorite part about Minnesota? What's his relationship with Bill Guerin like? and how does he spend his time when he's away from the rink? He candidly answers these questions (10:00) and also talks about the unique skill set of Kirill Kaprizov and the on-bench mannerisms of Wild head coach Dean Evason. Daren shares his post trade-deadline thoughts and the landscape of the League as the playoffs near (20:38).
Daren is joined by Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic and Turner Sports to discuss the latest Alex Ovechkin milestone and put his career accomplishments in perspective. Tarik began covering Ovechkin when he was first drafted by the Capitals and shares a ton of Ovechkin memories and stories throughout the conversation, including the time Ovechkin was angry with one of his stories (49:00) and the interactions he used to have with Sidney Crosby (20:50). Is Ovechkin already the greatest goal scorer in NHL history? Tarik makes a case as to why he is (16:55). He also talks about what the Capitals may do at the Trade Deadline (38:00), some of the intriguing players that may be on the move, the Maple Leafs (44:00) and the hierarchy of the Eastern Conference (41:00).
Daren is joined by his good friend and former colleague at Sportsnet Cassie Campbell-Pascall. Cassie talks about her new role with ESPN and balancing her responsibilities there and with Sportsnet. She explains why she's been so impressed with the Colorado Avalanche, and why she believes the Calgary Flames have made so much progress under Darryl Sutter. She compares the disappointment she's felt as a player to the disappointment Nathan MacKinnon has dealt with in past playoff runs, and explains how it appears to have fueled him this season. She tells Daren who her favorite for the Hart Trophy is and how she feels about Igor Shesterkin being considered for the award. Other topics include Auston Matthews' push for 60 goals, what it's like working with John Buccigross, why playing with Connor McDavid is a challenge and Michael Bunting's breakout season. She talks about her experience working as a female in the hockey industry, some of the broadcasting lessons she learned from Bob Cole and the advice she'd give Wayne Gretzky as he prepares to be in the booth for TNT for this weekend's Heritage Classic.
Daren is joined by Sheri Hudspeth of the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights to talk about her role in growing girl's hockey in Las Vegas. She takes Daren through her journey that started as a young hockey player in Toronto and has taken her to Minnesota, Pennsylvania and now Las Vegas. She talks about the importance of providing girls with the same hockey experience that traditionally is reserved for boys and discusses the challenges and joys that have come with her role in Las Vegas. She looks back and explains who some of her mentors were and talks about how some of her past experiences has helped shape her coaching philosophy and growth strategy in Las Vegas. She talks about what long-term success looks like from her perspective and provides some interesting thoughts on some of the challenges that face Women's hockey right now. She shares some opinions on what needs to happen in order for a professional women's hockey league to flourish and explains some of the issues that she believes will ultimately be overcome regarding women's professional hockey.
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Thanks to the NHL Coaches Association
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For more info: https://www.vegasgoldenknightsjr.com/
Daren is joined by notorious chirper and 3-time Stanley Cup Champion Pat Maroon (:48). He talks about the art of trash talking, his evolution as a chirper and his verbal back and forths with Brad Marchand. He discusses the "Chub Club" and the experience he had with Jon Cooper as a younger player that led him to the "Chub Club".... Pat explains what the "Chub Club" is (7:40). He talks about his past experience playing with very skilled players, including Connor McDavid, Ryan O'Reilly, etc. He's been a media darling since winning the Stanley Cup in St. Louis and it has led to some endorsements, he shares what it was like shooting commercials with Darren Pang and Ryan O'Reilly... He had some issues nailing one of the commercial's key lines that led to some laughs from the crew (21:06). What is Letty Dressing and how did he get involved? (23:00). Plus, he explains the origin of his nickname (26:00) and why he had to leave social media while in St. Louis and how it helped his mental health (28:20).
Daren is joined by Seattle Kraken broadcasters JT Brown & Everett Fitzhugh. Fitzhugh, usually the radio voice of the Kraken, and Brown, the analyst on the Kraken's TV broadcasts will work together in the TV booth this week, it will be the first all-Black TV broadcast in NHL history. They talk about just how special the occasion is and the importance of representation in hockey. They talk about how their friendship started and has grown since joining the Kraken, and some of the nerves that they will surely experience during their first TV broadcast together. Everett isn't shy talking about some of challenges he dealt with as a black male trying to work in hockey. They also discuss the Seattle Kraken's first season, the challenges the team has faced, the expectations within the organization and some of highlights of attending a game at Climate Pledge Arena. Both guys say they are looking forward to calling the game together and are confident that the chemistry that they've built through their friendship comes across on the broadcast.
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Daren is joined by Hockey Hall of Famer Paul Coffey (1:45) & Vegas Golden Knights insider Gary Lawless (33:49). Coffey has high praise for Cale Makar, shares some of his favorite night spots in the NHL, talks about why he respects Victor Hedman and tells an awesome Bobby Orr story. Lawless talks about some of the top NHL storylines, including Eichel's pending return, the makeup of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the issues that are plaguing the Edmonton Oilers. He looks ahead to the 2nd half of the season and talks about some moves that may be made prior to the NHL's trade deadline.
Daren knocks out this episode from Las Vegas at the NHL's Fan Fair during All Star weekend. He's joined by Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly (1:05), Senior VP of Hockey Operations Kris King (22:45) and Vegas Golden Knights President of Hockey Operations George McPhee (48:35).
Daren is joined by John Hynes (1:08) to talk about the success of the Nashville Predators, Matt Duchene's bounce back season, Juuse Saros' seamless transition to being the team's starting goalie and some of his personal experiences with Nashville's country artists. He also talks about the transition from New Jersey to Nashville and some of the reasons why he thinks this team can make some noise this year. Chico Resch also joins (18:45) to share some memories of Clark Gillies and explain to the listeners what made Clark such a unique person and player. All NHL fans should listen to Chico's perspective to get a better sense of what Clark meant to his teammates and the NY Islanders organization.
Daren is joined by Mike Kelly and Dan Rosen for the inaugural Analytics vs. Eye test faceoff challenge!
Topics include: Marc-Andre Fleury's trade value, potential suitors for Fleury, Lightning vs. Panthers, Overachievers/Underachievers, impact of coaching changes, Capitals goalie situation, Edmonton's issues, Juuse Saros' Vezina chances, Auston Matthews' road goal streak, California teams, Igor Shesterkin's value to NY Rangers.
Daren wraps up the episode with a tribute to Willie O'Ree and looking at the Montreal Canadiens hiring of Kent Hughes.
Daren catches up with Elliotte Friedman and the two touch on plenty of subjects, including how the Edmonton Oilers should address their goalie situation, Evander Kane's future, the GM openings across the League, Marc Bergevin joining the LA Kings, the chances of Patrick Roy getting hired in Montreal, John Klingberg's frustration in Dallas, the Nashville Predator's success and the NHL community responding to the tragic death of Teddy Balkind. Elliotte also takes Daren behind the scenes of the new HNIC set and laughs about the trolls on social media.
Daren is joined by Jack Hughes (1:30) and Dave Lowry (22:20). Hughes riffs on his unique goal celebrations, his favorite books, top Netflix shows and the reasons he believes the Devils are building toward something special. He shares a difficult conversation he had to have with his roomate Ty Smith and how he plans to mentor his brother Luke Hughes when he gets to the NHL. Lowry talks about taking over for Paul Maurice in Winnipeg and the shock he felt when he found out that Maurice was resigning. What's it like coaching his son at the NHL level? and how does his wife feel about the situation? Lowry is excited about how the Jets are coming together and raves about the skills of Kyle Connor.
Daren is joined by TNT's lead analyst Eddie Olczyk to talk about broadcasting his 11th Winter Classic, the celebration of hockey in Minnesota and some of his experiences playing outdoors as a child. He's intrigued by the matchup between the Blues and Wild and looks at some of the key players that will participate in this year's Winter Classic, including Kirill Kaprizov. He shares a secret his mother once told him about staying warm in frigid weather and reminisces about his mother's influence on him and shares a few stories about how she supported him as a young hockey player. Edzo explains how John Madden influenced his broadcasting career and talks about the art of telestration as a hockey analyst. Other topics include Tuukka Rask's potential return to the Bruins, the decision to not send NHL players to the Olympics and Paul Maurice resigning as the coach of the Winnipeg Jets.
Daren is joined by David Quinn (2:41) to talk about how he's adjusting to life after leaving the NY Rangers, how he's preparing for his next opportunity and what his responsibilities are now as an assistant coach with the U.S. Olympic hockey team. He admits to watching a lot of NHL hockey and gave his opinion on who he thinks some of the top teams in the NHL are (4:30) and shared his thoughts on the Zegras/Milano goal (18:00). He coached Jack Eichel for one year at Boston University and provided Daren with some insight into what Vegas Golden Knights fans can look forward to with Eichel set to return later in the season (15:00). Other topics include Quinn's coaching future (he's ready for the next opportunity), what he learned in New York, why coaching college hockey is valuable and how it differs from the NHL.
Special thanks to the NHL Coaches' Association, visit them at www.nhlcoaches.com
Daren is joined by Ryan Hartman (6:30) to talk about his multisport prowess (scratch golfer & placekicking extraordinaire) and his sudden uptick in goal scoring... how many goals can Hartman bury this year? He looks forward to the Winter Classic and talks about Kirill Kaprizov's unique personality and the intensity he constantly has on the ice. He talks about why he wanted to stay in Minnesota and how is relationship with Wild GM Bill Guerin has helped his productivity on the ice. What characteristics do the Wild have that he believes make the team a legitimate Stanley Cup contender and how does he feel about the Vegas Golden Knights... the rivalry has blossomed and according to Hartman, so has the hatred. Daren also discusses the turnaround in Vancouver, the NHL's plan if players don't go to the Olympics and the Oilers recent slump.
Daren is joined by Ray Ferraro (2:30) to talk about the Vancouver Canucks' coaching change, their plans for the front-office and Bruce Boudreau's style. He discusses Sid vs. Ovi and who he enjoys watching more from ice-level (5:30). He goes in-depth about the Trevor Zegras/Sonny Milano goal and talks about the progress that has been made in the League from a skills perspective (10:15). He makes a prediction on this year's Rocket Richard race and really wonders what's next for the Philadelphia Flyers (24:08). Other topics include the Vegas Golden Knights (41:00), Team Canada's goalie for the Olympics (26:00), working with Sean McDonough (30:00), airplane etiquette (42:00) and who the best team in the League is right now (36:00).
Darren Pang checks in and talks about the front office shakeup in Montreal (12:00) and explains the challenges that come with trying to re-build that franchise. Pang is asked whether or not Ovechkin will break Gretzky's goal record and his answer is quite surprising and very specific (11:00). What's Pang's take on some of the slew-footing that's been happening around the League and Brendan Lemieux's biting incident... well, he doesn't hold back and shares a few reasons why there's been an uptick in slew-footing (18:00). Pang looks at the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers and shares his opinion on each team, plus he discusses some of the reasons why Zach Hyman has been so good this year (21:00). Should we be impressed with the Maple Leafs or wait until the playoffs? Pang has some thoughts on why what the Leafs are doing right now should be appropriately recognized and will impact their playoff run (23:30). He finishes the conversation talking about Vladimir Tarasenko (36:00) and sharing some memories of being named a Calder Trophy finalist, and shows off a few of his NHL mementos that he's saved throughout the years (28:00).
Daren is joined by Colby Armstrong (1:45) and San Jose Sharks captain Logan Couture (37:00). Armstrong talks about the Calgary Flames, Darryl Sutter's leadership and offers up some thoughts on PK Subban's recent slew-footing controversy. Armstrong played with Subban in Montreal and shares a few Subban stories and explains what a "sifter" shot is. He discusses Jared Bednar's recent contract extension, Connor McDavid vs. Leon Draisaitl, Tristan Jarry and Evgeni Malkin. Couture talks about the San Jose Sharks exceeding expectations, learning from Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau and being mentored by Brian Kilrea. He explains why he has a different perspective on referees than most NHL players and why he ultimately chose to play hockey rather than lacrosse or baseball. Daren wraps up the episode with a personal message to New York Islanders fans.
Daren is joined by Erin Andrews to talk about her clothing line, WEAR and partnering with the NHL to bring a hockey-themed women's clothing line to fans. She explains how she got her start in sportscasting with the Tampa Bay Lightning and why her NHL fandom has grown through the years. Her husband is longtime NHL forward Jarret Stoll and she talks about how his former teammates and their wives have helped bring WEAR to life across the NHL. She compares her golden retriever to Jonathan Quick and talks about Sidney Crosby's charm, Jeff Carter's move to Pittsburgh and why she will forever be a Tampa Bay Lightning fan. Daren chimes in with some of his own NHL fashion ideas, apologizes to the entirety of the Pacific Division, tips his cap to the Islanders and speculates about Ben Bishop's future.
Darren Dreger joins to talk about the impact of the Jack Eichel trade, was it a good deal for Buffalo and how risky is it for Vegas? He explains the process of trying to break the Eichel trade story, and why this particular trade was different than others that he's covered previously (7:00). Dreger also talks about the coaching change in Chicago (28:00) and the pressure that's mounting in Colorado and Montreal (30:00). How patient will Joe Sakic be with Jared Bednar? Will Marc Bergevin be the GM of the Montreal Canadiens at season's end? He answers those questions and also weighs in on the Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes and Mike Babcock (36:00).
Dominic Moore checks in from his building's basement utility closet to talk about his role as this year's Hockey Fights Cancer ambassador. The Former NHL forward seeks to raise awareness of rare cancers in tribute to first wife and he talks about the honor of taking on the role, what it means to him and why his foundation and "Smashfest" event has resonated with current and former NHL players (3:00). He shares a few "Smashfest" stories, including the ultra competitive nature of Marty St. Louis and the desire of Max Domi to showcase his ping pong skills. Moore goes on to discuss the leadership qualities of Adam Fox and the unique style that he plays (15:00). He is also asked if Fox would be a good captain choice for the New York Rangers. Moore is a Toronto native, does he have sympathy for Maple Leafs as they go through a rough start to the season? What does he think is the biggest issue surrounding the Leafs? (26:00). Moore also discusses Ovechkin's scoring pace and why he believe he'd choose McDavid over Ovechkin in his prime (32:00). Finally, he shares his thoughts on the Florida Panthers and the challenge that Andrew Brunette faces moving over to the head coach position (35:00).
Daren is joined by Nick Kypreos (2:15) to talk about the early season issues in Chicago, the pressure that's mounting on Jeremy Colliton and wonders if Marc-Andre Fleury will remain in Chicago if the losing continues. He explains why Leafs fans are angry and why Mitch Marner is taking most of the heat from the fan base. How does Kyper see the Jack Eichel situation playing out? He answers that and looks at all the factors at play surrounding the Sabres and Eichel. Nick also talks about the New York Rangers, Igor Shesterkin, Robin Lehner and the Vegas Golden Knights. Robin Lehner joined Daren (47:55) prior to the start of the season to talk about being the number 1 goalie in Vegas, his love for the UFC, his vacation to the Sahara Desert, his desire to play in the Olympics, mental health, social media and why his goal of winning the Stanley Cup is so important to him.
Daren is joined by Vancouver Canucks coach Travis Green. Green talks about how much different this season is compared to last year and explains why it's important for teams to bond outside of the rink and why the Canucks recently stayed in Detroit during a road trip to go to a Lions game. Green goes back to his youth and talks about how he got started in hockey, when he started playing and then reminisces about his professional playing days and explains why he thinks he's able to relate to younger players. Was he worried when Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson weren't in training camp and negotiating contracts ? He answers that, while also discussing the traits that make both Hughes and Pettersson such great players. He dissects some of the ins and outs of coaching, including the complexities of managing a professional hockey bench, what's said during intermissions, matching lines and how to foster the proper environment for his players. He also talks about the natural rivalry that now exists between the Canucks and Kraken and the excitement surrounding Seattle's first home game against Vancouver. Daren closes the episode by touching on early season injuries, the 3 stars of the season's opening week and the fanbases that are already in panic mode.
Daren is joined by Rick Tocchet (1:30). Tocchet explains how he's preparing for his new role with Turner Sports, talks about his long-time relationship with Wayne Gretzky and why he will be more than happy to disagree with him on television. He shares a story about a secret he had to keep while rooming with Gretzky (8:50) and talks about the "team" atmosphere that they are trying to build on the Turner set. Daren asks him about Tampa Bay's quest for a 3rd straight Stanley Cup, the questions surrounding the Maple Leafs and the Golden Knights having to rely on Robin Lehner as their No.1 goalie (14:00). Rick played with a lot of GREAT players, including Mario Lemieux, Wayne Gretzky and Eric Lindros and he explains what it was like playing with premier players and is asked how Connor McDavid stacks up with those guys (12:00). What's the over/under on Paul Bissonnette slipping up and using foul language on the Turner set? Rick explains how Biz is going to handle the new gig and why the Turner producers have set the entire panel up for success (26:36). Daren wraps up the episode with some BOLD PREDICTIONS for the 2021-22 season and we'll tell you right now, one of his predictions is as outlandish as can be... it's bordering on insane (35:55).
Daren is joined by Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato (42:00) and John Shannon (1:30). Daren hits on a number of topics with Granato, including Jack Eichel's future and Don's long-time relationship with Jack, the approach he took when he was the interim coach, the improvement he saw from players like Casey Mittelstadt and Rasmus Dahlin, how he prepared himself through the years for this opportunity and what he likes about the future of the Buffalo Sabres. Shannon and Daren chat about the coronation of the Tampa Bay Lightning, argue about whether or not Andrei Vasilevskiy is the best player in the world and touch on off-season topics including the Expansion Draft, NHL Draft and decisions surrounding the Winter Olympics. Shannon also touches on the legacy of NBC and ESPN and Turner taking over the broadcast rights in the United States.
Daren is joined by Dave Hakstol to talk about being the first head coach of the Seattle Kraken (5:00). Dave explains how the opportunity came about, the philosophies he shares with Kraken GM Ron Francis and why he's so grateful for another chance to coach in the NHL. He talks about how analytics is incorporated into his coaching style and shares the best advice he's ever got from one of his mentors (it has to do with dogs). He looks back at his experience coaching in the NCAA and with the Philadelphia Flyers and the lessons that he will take with him to Seattle. Dave believes there's an opportunity to be competitive in the first year and is looking forward to building a winning culture in Seattle. Keith Jones (32:00) also joins Daren to talk about the Stanley Cup Final, Nikita Kucherov, Carey Price, Tampa Bay's ability to play multiple styles and joining Turner Broadcasting (he received a special phone call to find out he got the gig). He shares a story about how one of his coaches motivated him to get in shape early in his career and explains how Darren Pang was a key mentor for him during his early days in broadcasting.
Daren is joined by Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour. Rod is the winner of the 2020-21 Jack Adams Award as the NHL's coach of the year. He spends a half hour chatting with Daren about why winning the award is meaningful to him, how his dad impacted his hockey career, the many mentors he had as a player, his relationship with Tom Dundon and Don Waddell, why watching Sebastian Aho's growth as a player has been so satisfying and how he found his coaching style through the years. He explains why he doesn't love iPads on the bench, discusses why he uses his experience as a player in Carolina to motivate players, and shares an awesome story about how playing defense as a young player may have been the best thing that ever happened to him in his hockey career. It's a fascinating conversation and one that will leave you with an appreciation for Rod as a coach and as a person.
Daren welcomes Dan Feeney and Greg Van Roten of the New York Jets (4:20) to this week's episode and is also joined by Columbus Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations John Davidson (23:59). Feeney and Van Roten talk about their love of hockey and how the Jets have come together to support the New York Islanders during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Van Roten is a lifelong Islanders fan and coordinated a few trips to Nassau Coliseum with his teammates (including Zach Wilson). Feeney had a great time, slugged a few beers in the stands and instantly became an Islander fan favorite. The two explain how it all happened and why Feeney (and his LGI mullet t-shirt) will forever be remembered by Islanders fans.
*All proceeds of Feeney's t-shirt sales go to the National MS Society and can be purchased here: https://bit.ly/3pVHg6u
Davidson talks about why he decided to go back to Columbus, what happened with the New York Rangers, the process of hiring a coach in Columbus, working again with Jarmo Kekäläinen, his desire to re-sign Seth Jones and Wayne Gretzky moving into the world of broadcasting.
Daren is joined by Hockey Hall of Famer Brad Park and 4-time Stanley Cup winner Ken Morrow. They take a trip down memory lane to discuss the 1983 Conference Final matchup between the Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders (the last time the teams met in the playoffs). The Bruins came into the playoffs as the top seed and the New York Islanders were a dynasty trying to win their 4th straight Stanley Cup. Park and Morrow talk about Nassau Coliseum and the Boston Garden, share memories of just how dominant Mike Bossy was in the series, the intense and physical style that Billy Smith brought to the rink, the coaching edge the Islanders had with Al Arbour behind the bench and the difference in experience between the two rosters. Park talks about just how tough it was to play against Bryan Trottier and Morrow explains the unique chemistry that Trottier and Bossy had both on the ice and off. It's an awesome conversation between two hockey legends with lots of stories, laughs and mutual admiration.
Daren is joined by Dominic Moore (3:10) to talk about the unlikely series in the North Division between the Jets and Canadiens. How do the teams stack up against each other? Plus, he talks about being a part of 4 teams in his career that came back from 3-1 playoff series deficits and what it does for a team's mindset. He tries to dissect what went wrong with the Maple Leafs and why Jack Campbell can't be blamed for the series loss. Daren is also joined by Meghan Duggan (35:51). She talks about why she's so excited to join the New Jersey Devils in a player development role and how she intends to leave an impact on the organization and its players. Meghan discusses how important it is for women to be represented in hockey and explains why it's always a winning proposition to include people from different backgrounds in hockey.
Daren is joined by Eddie Olczyk to discuss just how the Winnipeg Jets swept the Edmonton Oilers and what adjustments might have to be made to the Oilers roster in the future. Daren and Eddie ponder Connor McDavid's future and also talk about just how important the series win was for the Winnipeg Jets. Edzo dissects the Florida Panthers 3 goalie situation and breaks down why the Minnesota Wild are so tough to play against. He explains why the Colorado Avalanche will miss Nazem Kadri and talks about joining Turner Sports, having the ability to still work on NBC's horse racing coverage and now having a chance to work along side Wayne Gretzky at Turner.
Daren is joined by Mike Kelly of NHL Network and Sportlogiq to take a look at the analytical side of hockey. Mike previews the North Division playoffs and discusses the matchups through an analytical lense. What can the Montreal Canadiens do really well against Toronto? And why does Winnipeg have a shot of slowing down Connor McDavid and the Oilers? Plus, he talks about the Avs, Predators, Wild and Hurricanes. Mike also explains how analytics and certain statistics are used by coaches, players and television analysts to get a competitive edge and to help tell better stories. It's an awesome foray into the world of hockey analytics with one of the sharpest analysts in the game.
Daren is joined by Patrick Sharp at the start of the episode to preview the playoffs. He talks about the tactics Joel Quenneville has implemented with the Florida Panthers, the intrigue that surrounds Zdeno Chara squaring off against the Bruins, the unpredictable nature of this year's playoffs, the pressure the Toronto Maple Leafs face, the responsibility he feels and process he uses when voting for NHL awards, and he tells us the team that he thinks is an absolute lock to get to the semifinals. Renee Paquette joins (40:00) to share some quirky stories about being a Canadian living in Vegas and tries to explain why she had to transform from a Maple Leafs fan to a Golden Knights fan once she moved to Vegas. She talks about her interest in hosting TNT's NHL coverage and tells Daren who her ideal running mates would be on the panel. Who's her Charles Barkley? She discusses what she misses most about working in TV and how she went from hosting at the WWE to now having her own podcast and writing a cookbook (Messy in the Kitchen). She shares some stories about her husband, professional wrestler Jon Moxley, including some details with a run-in they and their dogs had with a few coyotes. How did Moxley scare them off?
Daren is joined by Dave Tippett to talk about Connor McDavid's ridiculous season, the unique nature of coaching McDavid and Draisaitl and what the expectations are for the Oilers as they head into the playoffs. He explains why he prefers to not have so many coaches on his bench and what Mike Smith brings to his team's locker room. He looks back at his Olympic accomplishments and discusses a trick he learned early on in his coaching career to avoid embarassing his family while interacting with referees. Where did his mustache go? The story may surprise you. Daren explains why 100 points for McDavid is going to happen and why the Canadian playoff matchups are so intriguing.
Daren starts the episode chatting with Ray Ferraro. Ferraro explains why the Maple Leafs power play has struggled recently, why voting for the awards this season is very difficult, and how he will lean on analytics more than ever as he determines who to vote for. He talks about how players on the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights can't fall in the trap of looking ahead to a potential playoff matchup and marvels at the depth of coaching in the NHL. Ray gives his picks for the Hart Trophy and the Calder trophy. Sam Bennett also joins Daren (41:00) to talk about getting traded to the Florida Panthers, playing for Joel Quenneville, learning the quirks of his new teammates, and playing more minutes for the Panthers. Bennett explains why it didn't work out in Calgary and discusses what his plans are for his mustache as he's now playing in Florida.
Daren is joined by Nick Foligno (3:00). Foligno talks about the emotions he felt when he found out he was being traded to Toronto and just how excited he is to join the franchise his dad played for and he rooted for as a kid. He discusses the logistics of quarantining and explains what it was like for him and his family on Trade Deadline day. He looks back on his time in Columbus with fond memories, but also talks about how rejuvenated he feels to be joining a competitive Maple Leafs squad. As a former captain, he talks about playing with veterans and leaders like Tavares, Thornton and Spezza and describes how pumped up he is to play with such top-not talent in Matthews and Marner. He shares some of his memories of rooting for the Maple Leafs as a kid, and explains how excited his father is for him to be joining the franchise. Ever wonder what happens on team text chats when a player is traded? Nick also discusses that, as well as so much more.
Daren is joined by Steve Brill (35:00), the creator and producer of The Mighty Ducks franchise and the new Disney+ series The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, Brill talks about how he came up with original idea for The Mighty Ducks, why the time was right for a new Mighty Ducks series, what it was like writing and shooting the new series and how he views some of the classic Mighty Ducks characters. Before Brill, Daren wraps up the Trade Deadline with Dan Rosen, NHL.com Sr. Writer and co-host of the NHL @TheRink podcast (3:13). Rosen breaks down the Bruins acquisition of Taylor Hall and explains why the Capitals were comfortable with making the deal for Anthony Mantha. He also talks about how Jeff Carter helps the Penguins, why Nick Foligno made perfect sense for the Maple Leafs, and whether or not any of the deadline deals shifted the power rankings in the League.
Daren is joined by his old pal Darren Dreger for a trade deadline primer (3:15). Dreger talks about who he thinks are buyers and sellers across the 4 divisions and explains what teams are in the market for who and how this deadline is a little different than those of the past. The Minnesota WIld GM Bill Guerin (37:00) stops by to talk about his team, their development, the West race, how he will approach the trade deadline, the challenge of changing a team's culture and his dynamic rookie star Kirill Kaprizov. Guerin was recently named the Assistant GM for Team USA for the 2022 Olympics, he also talks about how pumped he is for the opportunity and how he's looking forward to working with Team USA GM Stan Bowman on constructing the Olympic team.
Daren welcomes in his old partners from Sportsnet's Hockey Central, Nick Kypreos and Doug MacLean. They reminisce about their time working together, and share their opinions on why the show worked, the importance of building chemistry and the connection they made with many hockey fans. They banter about who the top teams in the NHL are, Brian Burke's return to the front office, the challenges that Kevyn Adams is facing in Buffalo & how the Club should handle Jack Eichel. Doug explains just how difficult it is to find premier players, and points out the importance of having bonified centers on your team (he points to McDavid, Matthews & MacKinnon). Nick believes that Eichel isn't in that class of players just yet, but could be in the right situation. Doug & Nick also offer their opinions on the Tim Peel incident, the importance of being cautious around hot mics, the role that referees play in game management and why the NHL had to take action in this case.
Daren is joined by Jon Hamm (2:30) to talk about a variety of subjects including fan gear etiquette (3:00), partying with the Stanley Cup (3:50), Jordan Binnington's new contract (4:15) the Blues reverse retro jerseys and his theory on why the Blues have struggled while wearing them (7:52). He explains how he became so connected with the Blues and how he forged relationships with players, specifically Chris Pronger, as a young bartender in St. Louis (10:30). He talked about turning 50 and his philosophy on birthday celebrations (18:30). He explains where he's at with Alex Pietrangelo since he left for the Vegas Golden Knights (20:30) and shares his opinion on this year's Blues team (29:40). He's been quite busy during the pandemic and discusses some of his upcoming projects and tells us what the best part of working on Maverick with Tom Cruise was and why he wasn't able to fly in a fighter jet (33:00). After the interview, join Daren for the after party as he reacts to Hamm's comments, while also explaining why he has officially declared the Hart Trophy race over (37:19).
Daren is joined by Katie Townsend and Kendall Tyson, two leaders with the Seattle Kraken (1:47). Katie is the Senior VP of Marketing and Communications and Kendall is the VP of Strategy & Business Intelligence. They discuss a wide range of subjects, including diversity & inclusion, the challenges of starting a professional sports brand during a pandemic, the obstacles faced and progress made by women in sports and the benefits that come with being a part of a diverse work environment. They also provide an inside glimpse of what's next for the NHL's newest franchise and give an overview of some of the excitement that's surrounding the team in Seattle. Following that conversation, Daren welcomes in Seattle Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke (41:08) to talk about his hiring philosophy, the importance of hearing from a variety of voices within the organization, and the excitement and anticipation he has as the expansion draft nears. He also gives an update on the arena and explains why Seattle is primed and ready for an NHL Franchise.
NBC's Mike Tirico joins Daren Millard (2:30) to talk about how a dinner led to him calling NHL games, his preparation prior to calling his first NHL game, the thrill of working the Lake Tahoe games & being able to navigate the weather delay in Lake Tahoe on the fly. He discusses why he's always been a fan of hockey, the uniqueness of calling hockey games compared to other sports, his relationship with Eddie Olczyk, the prospect of NHL players participating in the Olympics and the pros and cons of a 3 person broadcast booth. He tells us his favorite NHL uniform, what his nickname is, and what he prefers to munch on during a late-night hockey game. After chatting with Mike, Daren talks about the Calgary Flames hiring Darryl Sutter, and what he thinks the key is for the Flames to turn it around. He also makes a pretty bold prediction when looking at the North Division (47:30). He ends the episode with some thoughts and a unique perspective on the passing of Walter Gretzky (54:40).
Daren is joined by the captain of the Vegas Golden Knights Mark Stone and the two have an awesome conversation (4:26). Stone took the time on his off-day to talk about why he loves golf and what part of his golf game is holding him back from being a scratch golfer. He talks about what shooting an Apple commercial with Marc-Andre Fleury was like and discusses his desire to play in the Olympics, the reason he wasn't always the greatest skater and the part of his hockey game that has led to him being dubbed the "Larry Bird" of hockey. He describes the moment he decided to switch to a longer hockey stick and what it was like growing up with his brother and fellow NHLer Michael Stone (and why his parents had their hands full).... After the chat with Stone, Daren talks about Patrick Kane scoring his 400th goal, whether he will score 600 goals and why Kane is being overlooked as a potential Hart Trophy winner... his odds to win the Hart are quite JUICY (35:00). Daren also shares his thoughts on the Montreal Canadiens and whether the lofty expectations surrounding the Club this season were justified, and why it was time to make a coaching change in Montreal (41:30).
Daren is joined by the newly named Captain of the New Jersey Devils Nico Hischier (7:40). Hischier talks about playing his first game of this season and coming off of injury, how he found out about being named the Devils captain, the reaction from his teammates and opponents to the news, training with the Swiss military, his relationship with Lindy Ruff, how battling with Zdeno Chara ended up for him, why he doesn’t keep track of his statistics and what the expectations are for the New Jersey Devils. He discusses his love for traveling and why he forces himself to take a break from playing video games during the off-season. Daren talks about the escapades and deadly shot of David Pastrnak, the charm of Lake Tahoe and the consistency of the Boston Bruins (3:00). Daren also engages his Twitter followers by providing a snapshot of the league (32:30).... What jumps out to you? Hit us up using the hashtag #ChirpMallard
Daren Millard is joined by Brian Burke (5:40). Burke was recently hired by the Pittsburgh Penguins as the President of Hockey Operations and he talks about how the opportunity materialized, his relationship with Ron Hextall, his plans for the team, how he views the job at hand, how excited he is to work with Sidney Crosby and what he'll miss most about working in television. After chatting with Burke, Daren explains what he would do to if he was hired to remake the Penguins (45:38) and discusses Marc-Andre Fleury's renaissance (51:15) and whether he has a chance to win the Vezina. He also banters about the gold helmets that the Golden Knights recently sported (54:20), the superstition displayed by Mika Zibanejad & Brad Marchand (59:15) and why everyone should watch the Lake Tahoe games (1:02:00). Subscribe, rate, review and hit us up using the hashtag #ChirpMallard.
Daren is joined this week by Conor Garland (8:00). Conor explains why he's not a fan of lacrosse-style goal attempts (13:35) and talks about what it was like having Ryan Donato as his neighbor growing up (11:00), his connection to Tom Brady (8:30), how he's cultivating his piano playing skills (26:00), what he did to get more attention as a short hockey player (24:00), and his "welcome to the NHL" moment (23:00). Daren also tries to figure out who the best team is in NY (3:00), explains why he has no issues with lacrosse-style goal attempts (28:00), and discusses some drastic rule changes he'd like to see implemented (32:15). You can hit Daren up with your questions and comments by using the hashtag #ChirpMallard on Twitter. Remember to subscribe, spread the word and rate & review!
Daren Millard is joined by Pierre-Luc Dubois and his two bulldogs (5:17). Dubois talks about the circumstances surrounding his trade to Winnipeg, navigating the move to a new city, his quarantine schedule, and learning the ins and outs of a new system. He also discusses what it means to move to Winnipeg where his parents currently live and why he's looking forward to joining the Jets. Before Daren let him go, he had to see his Pierre-Luc's bulldog who was snoring away throughout the conversation (24:00). Daren also vamps about Connor McDavid's scoring surge (3:00), reverse retro jerseys (3:30), home-ice advantage (30:00) and takes some questions from listeners (33:40). Use the hashtag #ChirpMallard (not a typo, that's Daren's nickname) to submit your questions and thoughts.
It's the NHL debut of The Chirp with Daren Millard and joining in on the fun is reigning Stanley Cup winning head coach Jon Cooper (11:00). Cooper shares some awesome stories (11:30), talks about the maturation of Nikita Kucherov (22:00), reveals which of his players are the best chirpers (30:00), explains how he and his club rebounded from getting upset by the Columbus Blue Jackets and discusses why he heads to Idaho every summer. At the top of the episode, Daren breaks down the Dubois/Laine trade with a hot take and a smart take, and also explains why there's pressure on both the Blue Jackets and Jets to make the trade work (2:00). He talks about a surreal intervievw he once did with Patrik Laine (9:00)... check out the video on YouTube - https://bit.ly/3op0jUs and he salutes the early season offensive production of the Montreal Canadiens (47:00).
The Chirp with Daren Millard will feature free-flowing conversations with NHL players, coaches, executives, and respected media members. Daren will cover the biggest NHL topics like only he can, drawing on his and his guest’s unique perspective on the best sport in the world. Smart takes, spirited debates, and plenty of laughs, The Chirp is a must-listen for any NHL fan.