The FAN Hockey Show

Matt Marchese and Mike Futa open today’s show with a recap of Tuesday night’s NHL action, starting with the Maple Leafs’ comeback victory over the Predators. Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet NHL insider and host of 32 Thoughts, joins the conversation to reflect on Gavin McKenna’s first career goal, along with the Red Wings’ scrappy first win of the season. The boys also gauge some precarious goaltending situations around the league with Connor Hellebuyck still on the market, look into the recovery timelines for Sasha Barkov and Brad Marchand, and highlight Alexis Lafrenière’s hat trick in the Rangers’ 5-2...

Matt Marchese and Mike Futa open today’s show with thoughts on Linus Ullmark’s injury sustained during last night’s Senators win over the Bruins. Luke Gazdic, Sportsnet panelist and former NHLer, joins the boys to discuss Tim Stutzle’s big night, the Sens’ situation in goal with Ullmark sidelined, the Flyers’ early-season struggles, Cole Perfetti’s go-ahead goal for the Jets, and Nikita Zadorov’s leadership in Boston. After the break, Matt and Mike chat more about Philly’s rough start and set up the Maple Leafs’ matchup with the Predators tonight (32:57). Ken Reid, Sportsnet host and author, drops by the...

Matt Marchese and Mike Futa open this episode with a look back on the first weekend of the NHL regular season on the Futa Five. Justin Williams (16:58), three-time Stanley Cup champion and Monday Night Hockey analyst, catches up with the guys, chats about the impact of the shortened preseason and the ‘Canes path ahead as they look to defend their Stanley Cup title, and shares some stories from his time in the league. Later, Matt and Mike set the stage for tonight’s NHL action (51:24), gauge their concerns for some clubs around the league, take a look at Gavin McKe...

Matt Marchese and Mike Futa kick off a new week on The FAN Hockey Show alongside Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet NHL insider and host of 32 Thoughts. They begin with reaction to Alex Ovechkin’s announcement that this season will be his last in the NHL, with thoughts on his legacy across 22 years in the league. Friedge also weighs in on the top landing spots for Connor Hellebuyck, which teams are already feeling the pressure, and the next steps in Detroit following Simon Edvinsson’s trade request. The boys wrap up with a discussion about Sasha Barkov’s recovery timeline, the state...

Matt Marchese and Mike Futa open Friday’s show with recapping a busy Thursday night in the NHL, starting with the Oilers’ track meet against the Canucks. Mike then looks ahead to the weekend of hockey ahead on The Futa Five. Sam Cosentino (24:22), Sportsnet NHL analyst, joins the boys to joke about Sergei Bobrovsky’s warmup routine not wavering for Gavin McKenna’s rookie lap. Sam also chats about how Kirill Marchenko and Matthew Knies are fitting into their new teams, before diving deep into some potential landing spots for Connor Hellebuyck and what a trade might look like. Matt and...

Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet NHL insider and host of 32 Thoughts, joins Matt and Mike in-studio to break down the latest news around the league. They look into the Oilers’ high-scoring start to the season, Tristan Jarry and Devon Levi’s shaky start in goal, and the Canucks’ keeping pace through the first two games. Elliotte also checks in on the Matthew Knies for Kirill Marchenko trade after Knies’ strong Blue Jackets debut. The boys discuss Tristan Luneau’s payday after only 14 career NHL games and debate if it signifies a trend for signing more young players early. They wrap up with thoug...

Matt Marchese and Mike Futa open today’s show with a look back on all the action from Wednesday night. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman joins the show to chat about the state of the game entering the 2026/27 season. They touch on the rising salary cap, potential expansion, no-trade clauses, Canadian markets, and growing the game for future generations to come (41:41). Later, Jason Bukala (50:53) of the Pro Hockey Group and NHL on Sportsnet joins the program to chat about Easton Cowan’s play in Toronto, the state of the Oilers in goal, the Protas brothers playing alongside Jordan Kyrou in Wash...

Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet NHL insider and host of 32 Thoughts, joins Matt Marhese and Mike Futa to look back on what unfolded on opening night. They begin with thoughts on the Oilers’ 6-5 loss to the Canucks, Mike Babcock’s postgame comments, and Tristan Jarry’s play in goal. The guys also touch on the Maple Leafs’ opportunity to rebound in tonight’s back-to-back and the lack of familiarity within the group, before looking into Elias Pettersson’s potential as a power play option. Friedge wraps up with thoughts on Jared Bednar’s extension in Colorado, Patrick Kane’s hot start with Chica...

Matt Marchese and Mike Futa open today’s show with a look back on all the action from opening night in the NHL! They touch on the Panthers’ OT victory over the reigning champion Hurricanes, the Canadiens’ narrow 3-2 victory over the Maple Leafs, and the Canucks’ back-and-forth contest with the Oilers. Andrew Raycroft (27:06), NESN analyst and former NHL netminder, joins the boys to share his takeaways from the Bruins’ opening night shutout over the Rangers and dive into the team’s identity this season and outlook this season. Later, NHL on Prime analyst and former Islander, Thomas Hickey (51:28) checks in ah...

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 headin...

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 Pa...

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...

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...

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 thos...

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...

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 o...

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...

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...

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...

Matt Marchese opens this edition with former NHL scout Jason Bukala (1:49) to chat about the NHL preseason kicking off this weekend. Jason touches on the size of the Capitals and Sabres, his expectations for Gavin McKenna and Nathan MacKinnon, which youngsters he's most excited about, the messy situation in Detroit, the Canadiens' culture, and more. Then, Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre (33:17) joins Matt, and they discuss the vibe amongst both Canucks players and fans, how the new regime is approaching their rebuild, where Elias Pettersson fits, and when Thatcher Demko could possibly return. Later, Gord Stellick is back in the co-host...