On today's The Athletic Hockey Show with Ian Mendes and me:

– Pierre LeBrun on the Leafs and the coaching carousel

– Which team trailing 3-1 has the best shot to pull off a comeback?

– Ian's realignment plan and why I hate it

– Lots more!

⤵️
pod.fo/e/236bf5

I’ve felt for months Dean Evason makes sense here. Long history with Ron Francis

This is a very well-presented and well-argued idea for NHL realignment from Ian Mendes and I hate it so very much. I'll get into why on The Athletic Hockey Show today, but for now, give it a read and see what you think:

theathletic.com/5431090/2024/0…

Gary Bettman said he didn't have time to think about realignment and geography when they quickly added Utah to the mix.

Lucky for him, I've gone ahead and done the heavy lifting.

The format?

Eight divisions of four teams.

And a schedule that works.
theathletic.com/5431090/2024/0…

What a stunning turn of events in Nashville.

Man that Sissons missed empty netter is going to live for a long, long time.

For a lot of 90s teens, Kurt Cobain and Eddie Vedder were the voice of our generation.

But for me, Bob Cole provided the soundtrack of my youth.

And like a lot of Canadians, I’m deeply saddened by Cole’s passing — because a part of my childhood died too. theathletic.com/5444718/2024/0…

For a lot of 90s teens, Kurt Cobain and Eddie Vedder were the voice of our generation.

But for me, Bob Cole provided the soundtrack of my youth.

And like a lot of Canadians, I’m deeply saddened by Cole’s passing — because a part of my childhood died too. theathletic.com/5444718/2024/0…

“I’m probably not coaching in this league if it wasn’t growing up and having a passion for this game because of the voice of that man.”

Jon Cooper speaks on the passing of Bob Cole.

Severe migraines are not something an athlete can “play through”.

They are debilitating.

Terrell Davis had to step out of the Super Bowl with the Broncos back in the day because his migraine was so bad.

New post: I put together some quick thoughts on the legendary Bob Cole, and my 10 favorite of his calls.

theathletic.com/5445996/2024/0…

After turbulent seasons that have been riddled with uncertainty and drama, the former members of the Arizona Coyotes finally had an opportunity to turn the page on Wednesday in Salt Lake City.

Talk about a shift, writes Ian Mendes.

theathletic.com/5433847/2024/0…

A group of us were thrilled to have our picture taken with a hockey icon. It was nice the Stanley Cup was there too.The soundtrack of the game and the country. Love and respect. Godspeed Bob.

The ex-Coyotes landed in Utah and there was an instant, magical bond.

Andre Tourigny said, 'I think this is my best day in the NHL so far.'

Alex Kerfoot said, 'This is one of the coolest experiences we’ve had as hockey players.'

My story from Salt Lake.
theathletic.com/5433847/2024/0…

The ex-Coyotes landed in Utah and there was an instant, magical bond.

Andre Tourigny said, 'I think this is my best day in the NHL so far.'

Alex Kerfoot said, 'This is one of the coolest experiences we’ve had as hockey players.'

My story from Salt Lake.
theathletic.com/5433847/2024/0…

Delta Center is absolutely jammed here for the introduction of the NHL players and staff.

There could be as many as eight possible names for Utah's hockey team. Down Goes Brown and I ranked them from best to worst while providing our opinions along the way.

theathletic.com/5442365/2024/0…

They just opened the door to the hangar and let’s just say the players are going to get a spectacular first impression of Salt Lake.

Very cool scene here in Salt Lake City. Hundreds of hockey-playing kids have skipped school to greet roughly 15 ex-Coyotes players, coach Andre Tourigny and GM Bill Armstrong who will land shortly on a private plane.

These kids chanting “Utah Yetis” — hoping that’s the nickname.

Dany Heatley had 35 points in 34 career playoff games with Ottawa. When the Senators reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2007, Heatley tied for the NHL
lead in playoff scoring.

Heater’s name doesn’t belong on a list of playoff underachievers — at least from his time in Ottawa.

New for ⁦⁦The Athletic⁩:

The Arizona Coyotes are gone, leaving fans heartbroken, players uprooted and employees worried about their jobs.

Don’t mistake Alex Meruelo’s role in the center of it all theathletic.com/5439189/2024/0…