The Athletic Hockey Show – NHL Central Division Preview (October 1, 2025)
Episode Purpose & Theme:
In this episode, hosts Mark Lazarus, Jesse Granger, and Sean McIndoo are joined by a panel of The Athletic’s top hockey writers to deliver an in-depth preview of the NHL’s Central Division for the 2025-26 season. The conversation explores each team’s offseason moves, the state of their rosters, pivotal storylines, and expectations. The tone is insightful, candid, and peppered with humor and sharp banter, giving fans both expert analysis and the personalities behind the coverage.
Colorado Avalanche:
Guest: Peter Baugh
Segment Start: [03:45]
Key Storylines:
- After blowing a 2-0 lead in the playoffs and not getting past the second round since their Stanley Cup win, questions mount about whether the Avs are “one-cup wonders.”
- Offseason approach: Minor tweaks, no major moves amid a challenging cap environment.
- Pressure points: Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar’s prime; uncertain depth; focus on deadline improvements.
- Second-line center concern: Brock Nelson’s fit and performance questioned.
- The playoff format’s impact: Roadblocks with strong division rivals (Dallas, Winnipeg).
Memorable Quotes:
- "Any team that wins a Cup is pretty special... I still think this is a really, really good hockey team and one that I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they're one of the last teams standing.” - Peter Baugh [04:20]
- “I liked their offseason, which I know sounds weird because they did very little, but I actually think that was the right call.” - Peter Baugh [05:53]
- "They're never going to have as good of a roster as they did the year they won the Cup... but they can still be really good." - Peter Baugh [10:25]
Predictions & Insights:
- Baugh expects Colorado to finish higher than third in the division—likely top two.
- Most important player (outside MacKinnon): Gabriel Landeskog, if healthy (“they really, really, really need that guy” [15:17]).
- Seasonal “title”: All My Exes Live in Texas (a nod to their recurring playoff battles with Dallas) [16:48].
Utah Mammoth:
Guest: Scott Wheeler
Segment Start: [18:07]
Key Storylines:
- New team name, young talent, and high organizational activity mark Utah's first branded year.
- Significant addition: JJ Peterka strengthens the top six; otherwise, no blockbuster moves yet.
- Prospect depth: Caleb Dénoyer, Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, T.J. Gionta, Simashev, But—“a lot coming.”
Memorable Quotes:
- “The young guys coming are legit... There is a lot coming. But if we’re talking here and now, they have to count on Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther taking another step.” - Scott Wheeler [22:52]
- “Logan Cooley has to become Stützle now... and I do think Logan Cooley is good enough to be that.” [24:54]
Predictions & Insights:
- Wheeler expects Utah to finish similarly—hovering around sixth but could join the wild card chase if Cooley steps up.
- Most important player: Logan Cooley.
- Seasonal “title”: Live and Let Die — “We are letting the Arizona Coyotes die, and the Utah Mammoth are ready to live.” [29:34]
Chicago Blackhawks:
Guest: Scott Powers
Segment Start: [30:20]
Key Storylines:
- Deep rebuild continues: focus on prospects, minimal offseason upgrades, $20M in cap space, total tear-down.
- Goalie situation: Spencer Knight, acquired for Seth Jones, is locked in as foundational.
- Abundance of centers raises questions about future positional fits (Bedard, Nazar, Frondell, and more).
Memorable Quotes:
- “This would be a lot different if the Blackhawks financially weren’t still doing okay. The Connor Bedard draft pick saved this whole thing for them.” - Scott Powers [31:25]
- “I think the plan continues to be the kind of wait and see... Probably still two, three years away from this looking like anything like a playoff team.” [32:13]
- “I think [Bedard is] still a franchise player. Certainly. I think he'd be the first to say he hasn't lived up to expectations.” [39:37]
Predictions & Insights:
- Blackhawks likely to finish bottom of the league again.
- Most important (non-Bedard) player: Spencer Knight, now the clear No. 1 goalie.
- Seasonal “title”: The Rebuild, Volume 4/7/8 (depending on how you count) [44:14]
Winnipeg Jets:
Guest: Murat Atesh
Segment Start: [47:08]
Key Storylines:
- President’s Trophy winners in 2024-25, but playoff demons persist (second round exit).
- Major move: Jonathan Toews returns to the NHL with the Jets. Questions about his durability.
- Connor Hellebuyck’s postseason struggles a continued source of anxiety; discussion on whether goalie workload impacts playoff performance.
Memorable Quotes:
- “It’s hard to want to reinvent the wheel when in back-to-back seasons you’ve won the William Jennings Trophy.” - Murat Atesh [50:50]
- “Best goalie in the world statistically... but doesn’t get it done—or hasn’t gotten it done [in the playoffs].” [55:14]
- “Break on through to the other side. This team has more to give come playoff time.” [58:57]
Predictions & Insights:
- Murat expects a step back from 116 points; a playoff team but not President’s Trophy favorites.
- Most important player (after Hellebuyck): Mark Scheifele.
- Seasonal “title”: Break On Through to the Other Side (The Doors) [58:57]
Dallas Stars:
Host Analysis: Mark Lazarus, with Jesse Granger & Sean McIndoo
Segment Start: [59:39]
Key Storylines:
- Consistent conference finalists, but not over the hump—prompted a late coaching change (Glenn Gulutzan in, Pete DeBoer out).
- Questions about playoff performance, consistency, and goaltending (Jake Oettinger).
- Star power: Miko Rantanen acquired, Jason Robertson’s performance and future, Miro Heiskanen’s health as a defensive lynchpin.
Memorable Quotes:
- “Heiskanen should be a megastar in this league... A healthy Heiskanen would have made that playoff run a whole lot easier.” - Mark Lazarus [69:29]
- “It’s a really, really good team that has nothing to show for it yet.” [61:03]
Predictions & Insights:
- Stars predicted to win the division: “I think they win the Central this year... I’m sticking with the Stars.” - Mark Lazarus [69:22]
- Most important player: Miro Heiskanen (with Harley as the crucial secondary piece).
- Seasonal “title”: Close Encounters of the Third Round (“They keep coming so close...”) [70:37]
Nashville Predators:
Host/Analyst: Jesse Granger
Segment Start: [74:32]
Key Storylines:
- Major summer signings (Stamkos, Marchessault, Brady Skjei) failed to materialize as success; team finished 7th with 68 points.
- Questions about aging roster, problematic defensive structure under coach Andrew Brunette, the decline of Juuse Saros.
Memorable Quotes:
- “He was the brilliant goalie we’re used to seeing... Eventually the dam breaks though.” - Jesse Granger [74:32]
- “I just don’t know if this roster is built to win in the NHL in 2025 or 2026.” [76:51]
Predictions & Insights:
- Higher point total than last year likely, but playoff leap remains improbable.
- Most important player: Juuse Saros, with honorable mention to a returning Roman Josi ([82:14]).
- Seasonal “title”: Zombie (by the Cranberries): “The only way this team has a good season is if they win the way the zombies win in the movies.” [83:08]
St. Louis Blues:
Guest: Jeremy Rutherford
Segment Start: [84:03]
Key Storylines:
- In a self-admitted “retool,” the Blues narrowly made the playoffs last year and nearly upset top-seeded Winnipeg.
- Emphasis on improved defensive structure under coach Jim Montgomery and top pairing (addition of Cam Fowler).
Memorable Quotes:
- “If Robert Thomas is having success, that means Buchnevich and Snuggerud are too. And I think that’s going to be the key to the Blues season.” - Jeremy Rutherford [96:52]
- “I’m just going to say [the Blues] challenge for third place... but some things are definitely going to have to bounce their way...” [94:35]
Predictions & Insights:
- Blues as a wild card team—best case a challenge for 3rd in Central, but more likely wild card again.
- Most important player: Robert Thomas, with calls for Kyrou/Buchnevich/Snuggerud to add scoring.
- Seasonal “title”: Hurry Up Tomorrow (The Weeknd) [97:19] — a nod to youthful prospects and hope for the next wave.
Minnesota Wild:
Guests: Michael Russo & Joe Smith
Segment Start: [98:51]
Key Storylines:
- Locking down Kirill Kaprizov to a historic 8-year, $136M contract was crucial. Injury history is a concern, but losing him would’ve set the franchise back to square one.
- Team success tied to health; young core (Boldy, Rossi, Faber, Bouilliam) expected to power the next surge.
- Special teams and injuries remain the major vulnerabilities.
Memorable Quotes:
- “When you give an eight year deal to a 29-year-old, you better make sure that you’re going to win in the early part of this.” - Michael Russo [101:17]
- “This team last December was as good as there was in the NHL... If they stay healthy, they could make a run for that third spot.” - Michael Russo [102:21]
- “Brave New World—life outside my first-round series.” (Joe Smith on aspirations to finally advance in the playoffs) [111:13]
Predictions & Insights:
- Slight improvement expected, but around 4th in the Central is likely. Playoff team if healthy, but not guaranteed.
- Most important player (after Kaprizov): Filip Gustavsson, with new pressure as the clear #1 goalie.
- Seasonal “title”: Brave New World (“...after 10 years, this will be the year they advance to the second round.”) [111:13]
Panelists’ Picks for Division Winner:
- Jesse Granger: Colorado Avalanche (“Players that are there are going to be better fits... Blackwood’s in the Vezina conversation.”) [112:02]
- Sean McIndoo: Dallas Stars (“Not sold on the coaching change, but the talent level should get them back to the top.”) [112:32]
- Mark Lazarus: Dallas Stars (“Sticking with the Stars... most talented roster in the league... Ottinger, Rantanen, Robertson all poised for big years.”) [112:51]
Notable Quotes & Moments:
- “Are goalies just bad now, or are defenses bad now?” — Mark Lazarus on sub-.900 league average save percentage [76:35].
- “The only way this team has a good season is if they win the way zombies win in the movies.” — Jesse Granger on Nashville [83:08].
- “Heiskanen should be a megastar in this league and he’s just not because he’s in Dallas.” — Mark Lazarus [69:29].
- “Brave New World—life outside my first-round series.” — Joe Smith, Minnesota Wild [111:13].
- “Close Encounters of the Third Round.” — Mark Lazarus, Dallas Stars [70:37].
Timestamps for Key Segments:
- Colorado Avalanche: [03:45]
- Utah Mammoth: [18:07]
- Chicago Blackhawks: [30:20]
- Winnipeg Jets: [47:08]
- Dallas Stars: [59:39]
- Nashville Predators: [74:32]
- St. Louis Blues: [84:03]
- Minnesota Wild: [98:51]
- Division Winner Picks: [112:02]
Summary Table: Central Division at a Glance
| Team | Predicted Trajectory | Most Important Player (non-obvious) | Writer's "Title" / Theme of Season | |-------------------|---------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | Colorado Avalanche| Top-2 contender | Gabriel Landeskog | All My Exes Live in Texas | | Utah Mammoth | Wild card hopeful | Logan Cooley | Live and Let Die | | Chicago Blackhawks| Bottom dweller | Spencer Knight | The Rebuild, Volume 4/7/8 | | Winnipeg Jets | Playoff team | Mark Scheifele | Break on Through to the Other Side | | Dallas Stars | Division winner | Miro Heiskanen | Close Encounters of the Third Round | | Nashville Predators| Slight improvement | Roman Josi | Zombie | | St. Louis Blues | Wild card | Robert Thomas | Hurry Up Tomorrow | | Minnesota Wild | Playoff bubble | Filip Gustavsson | Brave New World |
This episode delivers thoughtful, sometimes blunt, always entertaining insight into the NHL’s most competitive division. It’s an essential primer for fans of every Central team—and a crash course for anyone curious about how parity, playoff formats, generational stars, and cap management collide in today’s league.