The FAN Hockey Show

Mike Futa returns to The FAN Hockey Show alongside Matt Marchese. They break down yesterday’s blockbuster trade between the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets with thoughts on Matthew Knies’ opportunity in Columbus and what Kirill Marchenko can bring to Toronto. After the break, Matt and Mike make their predictions for this season’s division winners, award recipients, and Stanley Cup champions (25:32). Later, Sportsnet’s Eric Engels (49:56) joins the boys in-studio to dive deeper into the Knies-Marchenko deal, before looking back on Montreal’s near acquisition of Knies at last year’s trade deadline. Eric then outlines the Canadiens’ outlook heading into tonight’s season opener against Toronto, Martin St. Louis’ impact with the group, and the keys to maintaining the momentum of last season. Finally, Sportsnet panelist and former NHLer, Luke Gazdic (1:15:38) joins the conversation to reflect on Knies’ time in Toronto and the Maple Leafs’ roster identity, before setting the stage for tonight’s loaded opening night schedule. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Matt Marchese and guest host Luke Gazdic begin this episode with some NHL training camp stories, before being joined by EJ Hradek (12:54) of NHL Network. He discusses the latest on the reigning Stanley Cup champions in Carolina, the appeal of Columbus’ Kirill Marchenko, and what’s next for Dylan Larkin in Detroit. The guys also chat about which roster raises the most concern around the league, if the Maple Leafs’ offseason moves will be enough to move the needle, and the intrigue surrounding the Capitals entering this season. Later, George Richards (45:40) of Florida Hockey Now sets the stage for the Panthers entering this season with a  look at the team’s new additions and opportunity to bounce back. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Matt Marchese and guest host Luke Gazdic open the show alongside Elliotte Friedman (7:09), Sportsnet NHL insider and host of 32 Thoughts. They discuss David Pastrnak being named the 28th captain in Bruins franchise history and debate if he is a no-doubt Hall of Fame candidate, before checking in on the latest Alexander Nikishin news. Friedge also looks into some waiver candidates to watch out for, the physical intensity we’ve seen through the condensed preseason, and where Henri Jokiharju might fit around the league. The guys wrap up with thoughts on Nikita Kucherov’s contract negotiations and what his next deal might look like, Logan Stanley’s one-year deal with the Islanders, what’s next for Vladimir Tarasenko and Kirill Marchenko, and the Isles’ $3 billion valuation. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Jason Bukala, Sportsnet NHL analyst and former Director of Amateur Scouting with the Panthers, joins Matt Marchese and Gord Stellick to look ahead to the 2027 NHL Draft class and identify some players to keep an eye on. Jason also checks in on some recent top-end draft talent to project who’s in line for a breakout season. Later, Producer Mike Gentile (16:59) joins the guys for another edition of The Candy Jar featuring questions about coaches waiting in the wings, the teams on the fringe of being competitive, the NHL playoff format, and more! The guys wrap up today’s show by responding to your texts as we ramp up towards opening night (50:04). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Matt Marchese and guest host Gord Stellick begin today’s show with takeaways from the Maple Leafs’ final pair of preseason games, along with Mark Messier’s on Mike Babcock’s hiring in Edmonton. Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet NHL insider and host of 32 Thoughts, shares his take on Messier’s critique of the Oilers, before looking into Adam Fantilli’s negotiations with the Blue Jackets. The guys also discuss which conference is deeper heading into this season, Michael Andlauer’s comments about Brady Tkachuk’s move to Florida, and much more! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Matt Marchese and Gord Stellick open this episode with a deeper conversation about the teams facing the most pressure around the league, as well as who’s catching their eye before the season officially begins. Darren Pang (16:45), NHL on TNT analyst and former netminder, stops by to chat about the young talent in Chicago, what would quantify as a successful season, if the depth on the roster can support their top-end talent, and Patrick Kane’s return to the Madhouse on Madison. Finally, Mike Zeisberger (41:09) of NHL.com checks in on the Maple Leafs ahead of tonight’s preseason finale in Ottawa. He discusses how the top line is shaping up, Jim Hiller’s early impressions with the group, William Nylander and Auston Matthews’ opportunity ahead, how Darren Raddysh has slotted in, and what to expect from Morgan Rielly. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Matt Marchese and guest host Gord Stellick kick off today’s show with an early look at the injury report as the preseason winds down, as well as Bill Guerin’s extension in Minnesota. Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet NHL insider and host of 32 Thoughts, joins the guys from the streets of Manhattan to share the latest news from the NHL Board of Governors meetings. The guys discuss the status of the league’s expansion plans, who’s in the mix for Connor Hellebuyck, the hierarchy within the BOG, and Sergei Bobrovsky’s first impressions in Toronto. They wrap up with thoughts on which teams are facing the most pressure to get off to a good start, which group is most intriguing, and who has the biggest potential to surprise us this season. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Matt Marchese and guest host Sam Cosentino open the show with thoughts and prayers for the Futa family following the passing of Mama Futes. The guys then break down some early storylines from the pre-season including Bowen Byram’s strong first impression in Chicago and Stuart Skinner’s shutout debut in Winnipeg. They also take a look around the league to define which netminders are certified number one options. Andrew Brewer (28:28), GM and Chief of Staff of the Michigan Wolverines, joins the guys to discuss the talent in NCAA hockey, his journey of working with Hockey Canada and the NHL, top prospect Landon DuPont, and more! Luke Gazdic (49:45), Sportsnet panellist and former NHLer, stops by to chat about the value of pre-season play and what to expect from the Oilers this season. The guys also debate which conference is stronger at the top, the momentum behind the Canadiens, and who qualifies as a top 50 player in the league. Matt and Sam wrap up the show with thoughts on Nikita Kucherov’s career, Beckett Sennecke’s opportunity ahead, and the new landscape of junior hockey (1:26:11). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Sportsnet.ca Leafs reporter Luke Fox joins Matt Marchese and Sam Cosentino after Toronto's first pair of preseason games against Montreal. He shares his early impressions of Gavin McKenna, expectations for the Leafs' season, the Auston Matthews question, and the different tone at camp under new coach Jim Hiller. Later, Matt and Sam discuss whether the San Jose Sharks should make the swing for Connor Hellebuyck, the next step of the Canucks' rebuild, the Oilers' improvements, Washington's physical roster, the Red Wings' and Sabres' place in the Atlantic, and the overall strength of the Eastern Conference (18:30). Matt and Sam wrap up with Brent Wallace (47:43), host of the Coming in Hot podcast, to discuss who may be the next captain of the Senators, Ottawa's goaltending situation, where William Eklund fits in the group, Drake Batherson and Tim Stützle stepping up in Brady Tkachuk's absence, and more. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Matt Marchese and fill-in host Sam Cosentino share some impressions from the first NHL preseason games before welcoming in Elliotte Friedman (6:12), Sportsnet NHL insider and host of 32 Thoughts. They go over the early trends of the shortened preseason, the latest expansion talk at the Board of Governors meeting in New York, and where Vladimir Tarasenko, Patrik Laine, Logan Stanley and other current UFAs might land before the start of the season. Then, Friedge checks in with the situations for Connor Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin and Kirill Marchenko. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.