Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 4: NHL Opening Night

Date: October 7, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Main Theme:
The hour kicks off with Yankees playoff angst but quickly pivots to a deep dive into the opening night of the NHL season, focusing on expectations and dynamics surrounding the New York Rangers, Islanders, and Devils. The trio discusses local hockey hopes, coaching changes, roster evolutions, and the delicate optimism of New York sports fans. The segment includes a mix of analytical breakdowns, fan perspectives, and candid banter typical of passionate New York sports radio.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Yankees’ Playoff Hopes: A Last Stand

• Elimination Drama:
  • The Yankees are facing elimination, needing to win three straight games.
  • Michael notes: "You can make the case all three games individually. The difficult thing is to just have them all happen in succession. But the Yankees did it in 2017." [00:43]
• Roster Comparison:
  • Peter points out the difference between the current team and the 2017 comeback crew: "Judge is the only holdover from that series. ... We don't know what this iteration of the Yankees are all about. We saw them throughout this year. They've looked great and there are times they look terrible." [01:57]
  • Carlos Rodon identified as a pivotal piece for the must-win game, with skepticism about his reliability in high-stakes situations.

NHL Opening Night: Rangers, Devils & Islanders Expectations

• Turning the Focus to Hockey:

  • Peter: "There is something else going on tonight in New York City. The start of the hockey season and we have spent way too much of the show avoiding this conversation. The New York Rangers drop the puck tonight at the Garden." [03:00]

• Rangers' Season Outlook:

  • Michael foresees a playoff berth: "I think they're a playoff team... You still have Panarin... Adam Fox. ... Will Cooley is going to be even better... They’ve finally put a good third line together for this team..." [04:32]
  • The Metropolitan Division breakdown: Highlights Carolina, Devils, and possibly Washington as top contenders; expresses skepticism about the Islanders, Flyers, and Penguins.
  • "Cups off the table," Michael warns, but a competitive season is expected. [04:32]
  • New coach Mike Sullivan's task: Guide them back to playoff form, balance urgency with development, and possibly address dealing with star personalities and experimenting with younger players.

• Coaching Change: Sullivan’s Potential Impact

  • Peter queries the coaching difference: "What is the Sullivan impact here? Well, I got another coaching change now. ... What does he bring that could like what's going to look different because they made a coaching?" [05:29]
  • Michael explains: "I don't think it's going to look much different because Laviolette is going to play... a similar style. The difference is, there was a sense of urgency for Laviolette to get him a cup that Mike Sullivan doesn't sense. So I think he's going to be a little bit more patient with the younger players." [05:51]
    • More opportunity for young players
    • Potential for lineup experimentation (e.g., Matt Rempe on second power play)
    • Better balance with veterans and prospects
    • Possibility of trading Panarin at the deadline if needed

• Rangers' Young Core to Watch

  • Michael: "I think Perot is the one that you saw a little bit last year that I think's got a potential to be a really good player. Seeing a Schneider develop into a star defenseman..." [07:03]
  • On Alexis Lafrenière: "He was drafted in 2020. He's still very young... He hasn't lived expectations, right? So I think it's going to be a fun season for the Devils and the Rangers." [07:29]

• Islanders: Stagnant but Experienced

  • Michael: "I feel bad for the Islanders because I just didn't see them do enough to make me think it's going to be anything different than it's been the last couple years." [09:55]
  • Peter: "The problem is they're locked into so many contracts... and it's the same guys, and it's guys that end up getting hurt and they stay hurt." [10:12]
    • Notes on possible new mood under new management, but core issues with roster and injuries persist.
    • Calls for "accountability in the room," wondering if pride or habit will drive the team.

• Devils: High Hopes—If Healthy

  • Peter: "The Devils to me are a team that they got to stay healthy. They've got the goaltending to do it. There's no question." [11:56]
  • Michael: "Hughes is a star... He's got to stay healthy. He will be their first 50 goal scorer. He will be their first 100 point scorer if he can stay healthy this year." [13:17]
  • Team has a deep, young core, with recent additions and high draft success potentially pushing them past previous limits—but the Carolina Hurricanes are the Devils’ recurring nemesis.

• Matchups and Hockey Paradoxes

  • Michael observes: "It's funny in hockey... Rangers can beat the Carolina Hurricanes in their sleep during the playoffs. ... Devils can't beat Carolina... Carolina can't beat Florida." [13:53]
    • Discussion highlights just how much playoff success is about stylistic matchups and not always pure talent.

Analytical Moments & Memorable Quotes

• On the Yankees’ approach:

  • Peter: "No one hates the Yankees more than Yankee fans. Sometimes it really, it really... I'm the first one to talk about how I don't like the approach... But to say that it's just so much better... Both teams have 94 wins." [20:25]

• On expectations and New York sports mindset:

  • Michael: "You know, it's that fatalistic feeling like it's already over. And yet we could be here tomorrow having the same conversation because they won." [23:05]

• On the Islanders' best player:

  • Peter: "Like when your best player doesn't scare the other team, I don't think he scares the other team when he step on the ice in a one goal game. Then I don't know how great of a player he is." [14:30]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:43] – Yankees must-win scenario and playoff comeback history
• [01:55] – Peter on the Yankees’ inconsistent identity
• [03:00] – NHL Opening Night pivot, Rangers’ outlook for the season
• [04:32] – Metropolitan Division cross-examination and Rangers’ core
• [05:29] – Assessing the Mike Sullivan coaching impact
• [07:03] – Young Rangers to watch and development hopes
• [09:55] – Islanders’ stagnant roster and low expectations
• [11:56] – Devils’ optimism, caveat about health
• [13:17] – Devils’ Jack Hughes poised for stardom
• [13:53] – Matchup madness: Playoff quirks in the NHL
• [14:30] – Islanders’ Barzal: talent versus intimidation
• [20:25] – The reflexive negativity of Yankees fans
• [23:05] – Closing remarks on Yankees fatalism and the cycle of New York sports debate

Notable Quotes

• "There is something else going on tonight in New York City... The start of the hockey season and we have spent way too much of the show avoiding this conversation."
  — Peter Rosenberg [03:00]

• "I think they're a playoff team... They’ve finally put a good third line together for this team, something they've been searching for. So hey, listen, it could all go sideways. Couple of guys get hurt, lose a couple of tough games but right now I think there's enough there for them to make the playoffs."
  — Michael Rosenberg [04:32]

• "I think Sullivan's going to bring back that stability defensively."
  — Michael Rosenberg [12:59]

• "You can't get to Weaver. Your middle relief right now is out of the question if your starter can't get you to Devin Williams. And those are all the things that you got to watch tonight."
  — Peter Rosenberg (on Yankees' playoff predicament) [02:48]

• "When your best player doesn't scare the other team, I don't think he scares the other team when he step on the ice in a one goal game. Then I don't know how great of a player he is."
  — Peter Rosenberg (on the Islanders' Barzal) [14:30]

Summary

This episode captures the dual heartbreak and optimism inherent to New York sports. The trio moves from the pressure-cooker of Yankees playoff baseball to the new beginnings and fragile hope offered by NHL opening night. With both fan and insider perspectives, Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg examine the Rangers’ prospects under Mike Sullivan, dissect the stagnation haunting the Islanders, and celebrate the Devils’ emerging promise—always with an eye on health, matchups, and the lessons of sports history. Through candid discussion and sharp analysis, the show offers a lively guide for fans entering a new season of hockey and all the drama it brings.