32 Thoughts: The Podcast

In this edition of 32 Thoughts Kyle Bukauskas and Elliotte Friedman welcome in Luke Gazdic and David Amber to compete for the 26-27 In Season Cup.

Kyle and Elliotte discuss the NHL’s unfinished business entering the regular season, including the rising salary cap estimate, Alexander Nikishin’s situation in Carolina, and the Oilers’ search for a right-shot centre. The guys also touch on Nikita Kucherov’s contract, notable goalies on waivers, the Flyers’ Trevor Zegras tribute, and the Hurricanes’ Cup rings before predicting the division winners.

Kyle and Elliotte discuss the future of the NHL salary cap, a major speed bump toward expansion, and Adam Fantilli’s new contract extension. The guys also check in on Dylan Larkin, Simon Edvinsson, and Alexander Nikishin before sharing their preseason observations and discussing the league’s equipment crackdown.

Kyle and Elliotte break down the Canadiens-Maple Leafs preseason matchup, provide an update on Adam Fantilli, and discuss whether GMs are rethinking trade protection. The guys also look ahead to the Board of Governors meetings and the NHL’s looming expansion conversation before revealing a potential change to the podcast in the Final Thought.

Kyle and Elliotte discuss the piece on Matthew Mayich, Connor Hellebuyck’s status, Shawn Horcoff’s arrival in Detroit, and Dylan Larkin’s reaction to his trade request becoming public. The guys also dive into Ryan Leonard’s new deal, the new cap era, Adam Fantilli’s contract situation, and Nikita Kucherov’s comments on the state of hockey before wrapping up with the Final Thought.

Kyle and Elliotte discuss the new CBA deadline, Chris Kreider’s move to Montreal, and why winning can be one of the NHL’s best recruiting tools. The guys also answer your emails and voicemails in the Thought Line before featuring exclusive interviews with Zach Werenski, Jake Sanderson, and Jack Hughes.

Kyle and Elliotte unpack their interviews with Quinn Hughes, Brady Tkachuk, and Zach Werenski before discussing Alex Formenton’s new deal in Edmonton and the latest on Connor Hellebuyck and Winnipeg. They also touch on Chris Kreider’s contract termination and the Detroit GM search, with exclusive interviews featuring Quinn Hughes, Brady Tkachuk, Conor McDavid, and Sidney Crosby.

Kyle and Elliotte open with potential NHL expansion into Texas and Georgia before examining the uncertainty surrounding Detroit and the changing landscape of NHL contracts ahead of the CBA deadline. They discuss the futures of Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes, Elliotte’s theory on Erik Karlsson landing in Toronto, and wrap up with reflections from their summer break.

In this special interview edition of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte sits down with Leo Carlsson’s agents, Matt and Ryan Keator, for an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the process that led to Leo Carlsson signing the richest contract in NHL history via a blockbuster offer sheet.

In this season finale of 32 Thoughts, Kyle Bukauskas and Elliotte Friedman take one final lap around the NHL by breaking down all 32 teams before heading into the summer break. From offseason priorities and roster questions to front office decisions and storylines to watch, the guys put a bow on every club’s 2025-26 season. They also answer your questions and comments in the Thought Line presented by BetMGM before wrapping up another season of the podcast.