Kathryn Tappen, Patrick Sharp, and Anson Carter give their early season impressions to begin the year. They break down the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade situation in Columbus and talk about Bobby Ryan’s hot start in Detroit. Plus, they give their picks to win the Central Division.Start-13:45 Early season impressions13:45-18:30 What to do with Pierre-Luc Dubois?19:00-21:30 Central Division odds breakdown21:30-25:30 Is this finally the year in Buffalo?25:30-29:10 Bobby Ryan's Red Wings Renaissance 29:10-end Anson's reflection on diversity in hockey

Our Line Starts

E39: Early season impressions; the Dubois saga; Bobby Ryan's resurgence

Kathryn Tappen, Keith Jones, and Eddie Olczyk discuss the top storylines ahead of the new NHL season. They break down odds for the Stanley Cup, and Edzo gives you his sleeper to win it all. Plus, what to make of Zdeno Chara on the Caps, and how much will the Blackhawks miss Jonathan Toews?Start-8:45 Thoughts on condensed schedule and new division format08:45-16:25 Chara, Thornton among big names in new places16:25-19:25 Is this finally the year for the Sabres?19:25-24:00 Impact of Toews, Kucherov, Lundqvist absences24:00-29:00 Favorites to win the Stanley Cup

E38: 2020-21 NHL Season Preview; Stanley Cup Odds; Chara on the Caps

Liam McHugh, Keith Jones, and Patrick Sharp react to the reports that the NHL and NHLPA are nearing the completion of a massive agreement that would not only cover this year's Return to Play protocols, but also serve as an extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The guys discuss Edmonton and Toronto emerging as hub city favorites, as well as what it would mean for the NHL to return to the Olympics. Plus, a breakdown of the Qualifying Round series in both conferences.Start-4:45 Edmonton, Toronto new hub city frontrunners4:45-8:45 NHL, NHLPA Nearing CBA Extension, including Olympic Participation               8:45-13:00     Other return to play details14:00-23:00 Eastern Conference Qualifying Round preview23:50-End Western Conference Qualifying Round preview

E37: NHL, NHLPA Nearing Massive Agreement: Hub Cities, Olympics, CBA, and More

Liam McHugh, Keith Jones, and Patrick Sharp break down this year's Hockey Hall of Fame class. Sharpie tells a hilarious Jarome Iginla story from their 2009 playoff encounter, while Jonesy explains how he helped Kevin Lowe to his 6th and final Stanley Cup in 1994. Plus, a conversation on which non-HOF members deserve to be elected the most. The show wraps up with a 3-round fantasy draft, as the guys try to build a team to win the Cup in this year's modified format.Start-11:08 - Reaction to this year's HOF class (Holland, Hossa, Iginla, Lowe, St-Pierre, Wilson)11:10-16:45 - Who should be in the HOF that is not? Mogilny? Alfredsson? Tkachuk?16:45-End - Fantasy draft for this year's 24-team playoff tournament 

E36: 2020 Hockey Hall of Fame Class: Reactions, Surprises, Snubs, and More

Liam McHugh, Patrick Sharp, and Keith Jones address the big news out of Buffalo yesterday, as GM Jason Botterill and numerous others in the hockey operations department were let go. Can the new regime under Kevyn Adams finally build a winning team around Jack Eichel and Rasmus Dahlin? Plus, the guys pick their winners for the Hart, Vezina, Calder, Jack Adams, and Norris trophies - a discussion that includes Jonesy calling John Carlson "miles ahead" of any other d-man.Start-12:45 Breaking down the front office overhaul in Buffalo12:45-16:35 What will life in the "bubble" be like?19:10-22:50 Discussion on potential hub cities as the official announcement nears22:50-34:30 Handicapping some of the major awards

E35: Reaction to Sabres Cleaning House; Handicapping Major Awards

Liam McHugh hosts a conversation between Jamal Mayers, Blake Bolden, and Anson Carter - three members of the NHL's soon-to-be-announced Player Inclusion Committee. Their wide-ranging discussion includes their goals for the committee, the powerful "In Union There Is Strength" social media video that Anson produced, their recommendations for fostering change at all levels of hockey, and much more.2:40-5:35 Anson's inspiration for producing his powerful video5:35-8:50 Jamal, Blake, and Anson discuss their new role with the NHL8:50-12:55 How can NHL players make a difference beyond offering support on social media?12:55-17:10 Ways to foster a more inclusive environment at the youth level17:10-20:45 Examples of how diversity can lead to positive change in the sport20:50-24:30 Importance of making people feel comfortable to speak up 24:30-End Anson's passionate closing remarks

E34: Jamal Mayers, Blake Bolden, and Anson Carter discuss race, diversity, and inclusion in hockey

Liam McHugh, Keith Jones, and Patrick Sharp break down the NHL's return to play format. They focus on a few intriguing Qualification Round series in each conference, discuss the hub city process, and debate the merits of bracket-style vs. re-seeding once the playoff field is down to 16 teams. 3:55-5:40 Is the Return to Play format fair? 6:45-8:05 Hub city discussion 8:05-10:50 Can Montreal upset Pittsburgh?10:50-13:40 Intriguing Hurricanes-Rangers matchup 13:40- 15:50 Bracket vs Re-seed debate16:30-18:45 What to make of Oilers vs Blackhawks18:45-21:05 Coin flip between Coyotes & Predators

E33: Return to Play Breakdown: Key Matchups, Re-Seeding vs Bracket, the Carey Price Factor, and more

Full audio from last week's announcement on the NHL's return to play format. Hosted by Mike Tirico, this show features interviews with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr, plus analysis from the NHL on NBC broadcast team.

E32: NHL Return To Play

On the heels of live sports returning over the weekend, Liam McHugh, Keith Jones, and Brian Boucher provide their perspective on those events and what they might expect from hockey games with no fans. With the 24-team playoff appearing to be the frontrunner, the guys debate the pros and cons: is it fair? do Montreal and Chicago deserve to be in? Could this be the gateway to a permanent change to the system? Plus, a reaction to Matt Duchene's comments about wanting to maintain the integrity of the traditional playoff format.0-0:45 Intros              0:45-4:30    Live sports are back!4:30-8:10 What to expect from hockey games with no fans 12:00-21:00   24-team playoff: fair or not?21:00-24:00     Reaction to Duchene’s comments

E31: Evaluating fairness of 24-team playoff; Reaction to Duchene's "COVID Cup" comments

Liam McHugh and Keith Jones are joined by NHL Insider Darren Dreger, who provides updates on all the major topics of interest two months into the NHL's pause. How soon will players return to their home cities and resume training in their facilities? Are there frontrunners for "hub" cities or potential playoff formats upon return? Will the draft come before or after the season resumes?0:30-4:45 When will Phase 2 of NHL's return begin? 4:45-7:35 Importance of testing, integrating families into restart plan7:35-10:20 Long term future of salary cap, player compensation 11:15-13:35 Latest on hub city plan13:35-14:35 24-team playoff format appears to be the frontrunner14:35-17:00 Realistic target date to resume the season?17:00-20:47 Will draft occur before season resumes, or after?

E29: Darren Dreger chats Phase 2 timing, potential hub cities, and playoff formats

This week, Liam McHugh and Anson Carter are joined by New York Rangers head coach David Quinn. Among the topics: the incredible performances of Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad this season, how Henrik Lundqvist handled a reduced role, and lessons learned from Bill Belichick while he was coaching at Boston University. Quinn also remembers his summer job delivering soda as a 1st round draft pick.3:20-4:55 Quinn's assessment of NYR's season4:55-7:30 Zibanejad & Panarin's 2nd half push for MVP7:30-9:45 Lundqvist's demotion & the dilemma in goal9:45-11:40 Learning from Bill Belichick11:40-13:15 Taking over for the legendary Jack Parker15:25-19:45 Quinn's memory of his draft day in 198419:45-24:10 Fallout from Quinn's hemophilia diagnosis25:40-28:00 BU's crushing loss in 2015 NCAA title game

E28: David Quinn talks Panarin, Lundqvist, and crushing loss in '15 NCAA title game

In this 2-part podcast, Bob McKenzie joins the Our Line Starts team to provide updates on a potential restart to the NHL season. Will the regular season get completed? When will the draft take place? Could the 2020-21 season begin as late as December? Following that conversation, Kathryn Tappen conducts the first-ever joint interview with Alex Ovechkin and Wayne Gretzky.0:00-14:30 Bob McKenzie gives an update on resume to play scenarios14:30-18:00 Reaction to Hawks firing their Pres/CEO John McDonough18:00-End Kathryn Tappen interviews Ovechkin, Gretzky

E27: Bob McKenzie with latest NHL restart updates; Ovechkin-Gretzky joint interview

Liam McHugh and Eddie Olczyk are joined by Joel Quenneville, head coach of the Florida Panthers. Q gives his take on this year's team, where they stand at the pause, and his vision for expanding the playoff field. He also reminisces about his time in Chicago, what it was like to coach Dustin Byfuglien, and his experience tailgating at Soldier Field after he was let go by the Hawks. Plus, he and Edzo tell stories about their shared off-ice passion: horse racing.Start-5:40 Edzo becomes a father & Winnipeg Jet on the same day5:40-9:40 Joel Quenneville hopeful hockey returns9:40-11:20 Q wants to expand the 2020 playoffs 12:50-14:25 Q evaluates this year's Panthers15:25-17:20 Coaching Dustin Byfuglien17:20-20:25 Q chats horse racing, Kentucky Derby 20:25-23:25 Tailgating at Soldier Field; other Chicago memories23:25-End The story behind "You Betcha"

E26: Joel Quenneville talks hockey, horses, and tailgating at Soldier Field

Liam McHugh and Keith Jones are joined by Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet for a wide-ranging and entertaining discussion. Tocchet provides updates on the health of the Coyotes who were injured at the pause, and also comments on the future of pending UFA Taylor Hall. Plus, don't miss Tocchet's best stories from his playing career, including an incredible toll-booth prank during his time in Philadelphia, admiring Gretzky and Lemieux, the 1987 Canada Cup, and what it was like participating in the Philly-Pittsburgh 5 OT game in 2000.0-0:30 Intros0:30-2:35 Jonesy tells Dale Hunter's legendary lottery ticket prank 2:35-5:10 Discussing neutral sites for potential playoff games 5:35-7:25 Rick Tocchet remembers an incredible toll booth prank 7:50-11:40 Coaching in self-quarantine; ARI's playoff hopes; team getting healthy11:40-12:55 Tocchet addresses Taylor Hall's future17:05-20:40 Tocchet on Gretzky, Lemieux, and the '87 Canada Cup20:40-23:35 Tocchet & Jonesy playing in a 5 OT game23:35-25:00 Jonesy's broadcasting advice 

E25: Rick Tocchet remembers '87 Canada Cup w/ Gretzky & Mario, a toll booth prank, and Taylor Hall's future

In this episode, Liam McHugh, Brian Boucher, and Patrick Sharp react to Gary Bettman's interview with Mike Tirico from Tuesday afternoon. Bettman addressed the conference call he and other sports commissioners had over the weekend with President Trump, and also said "nothing has been ruled out" regarding a possible return to action. Plus, Bouch and Sharpie remember playing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time.0:40-3:25 Bouch and Sharpie give their first playoff memory3:25-14:40 Mike Tirico interviews Gary Bettman14:40-17:20 Most fair way to build 16-team playoff right now?18:00-24:50 For or against playoff games at a neutral site?

E24: Gary Bettman gives update on NHL's potential return, call w/ President Trump, and more

The NHL on NBC crew reacts to the latest news, debates the hottest topics, and tells the best stories from their playing days. Plus - extended interviews with key figures from around the league.

hubhopper

Our Line Starts

hubhopper