The Athletic Hockey Show

NHL Pacific Division Preview

Hosts: Haley Salvian (D), Sean Gentille (E), Jesse Granger (B), plus The Athletic’s beat writers
Date: October 2, 2025

Episode Overview

The Athletic Hockey Show’s 2025 Pacific Division preview is a deep dive into the state of all eight teams. Loaded with insight from beat writers and analysts, the hosts break down off-season moves, roster strengths and weaknesses, and key questions hanging over each franchise. The show follows a set structure for each team: recent changes, expectations, critical players, burning issues, and “season titles”—a fun, creative summary of each team’s outlook.

The episode spotlights the aggressive (and star-heavy) Vegas Golden Knights, the growing pains and promise in Anaheim and San Jose, Calgary’s “mushy middle” blues, Edmonton’s Cup frustration and McDavid anxiety, LA’s offense-by-committee, Seattle's identity crisis, and Vancouver’s lingering drama. Listeners walk away with a crystal-clear sense of Pacific storylines for 2025-26.

Major Discussion Points & Notable Quotes

I. Vegas Golden Knights – On (Another) Cup Hunt

Guest: Jesse Granger (Vegas beat), shifts from co-host to guest
[05:24 – 18:04]

Offseason Splash: Mitch Marner Arrives

• Vegas nabs the biggest fish on the market: Mitch Marner.
• “Every offseason, every trade deadline, whatever the prize fish… the Golden Knights just get that player.” —Jesse Granger [05:24]
• Marner lines up with Jack Eichel on top line, Ivan Barbashev expected to benefit ("fantasy hockey players out there"—notes for fantasy focus).

Unmatched Center Depth

• William Karlsson, Tomas Hertl, Mark Stone form a top-3 that “is as good as I’ve ever seen the Golden Knights up front.” —Granger [07:40]
• “…Tomas Hertl as a second line center… is still just a wild conceit… I’d even argue [he’s] three with William Karlsson." —Sean Gentille [07:40-07:58]

Petrangelo’s Absence (Retires via LTIR; not officially)

• “Worst that the blue line has looked… Alex Petrangelo was the key to all of that… They’re operating as if he will not be playing hockey this year.” —Granger [08:27]
• Shea Theodore will be asked to play a top-pair role for the first time.
• “When you’re not the guy, it’s hard to be the guy.”—Shea Theodore quote (via Granger) [10:03]

Goaltending: Aiden Hill Steps Up; Backup Drama

• Hill finally asserted himself as a number-one, but concerns about playoff consistency.
• Backup Akira Schmid is untested; “He needs a good preseason to fend off [waiver pickups].” —Granger [15:29]
• “The biggest question marks… are all these defensemen going to be able to take a step… because Alex Petrangelo is leaving a massive void.” [10:03]

Rapid-Fire Predictions

• Finish: "Lower" in standings; Edmonton primed to win division [16:29]
• Most Important Player: “Shea Theodore… his ability to step up… is going to determine whether the Golden Knights are one of the best teams or just a good team.” [16:59]
• Season Title: No Fear or Loathing in Las Vegas (Mitch Marner reference) [17:29]

II. Anaheim Ducks – Rebuilding, With Purpose

Guest: Eric Stephens (Ducks/Kings beat)
[21:06 – 31:49]

Roster Moves: Zegras Out, Veterans In

• Trevor Zegras traded; Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund acquired to boost structure and experience.
• “None of them are necessarily eye-catching… but they’re going to help lift them… make them consequential for once in a few years.” —Eric Stephens [21:43]

Biggest Offseason Addition: Joel Quenneville (Coach)

• “Joe Quenneville might be their biggest offseason pick-up…this group has been unstructured…he’ll eventually make this group structured.” —Stephens [24:05]

Leo Carlsson’s Breakout Campaign?

• Parallels to Jonathan Toews' leap under Quenneville in Chicago.
• “This is year three for Leo Carlsson. He can take that step toward being a real star in this league, perhaps even a franchise superstar.” —Eric Stephens [26:06]

Goaltending: The Lucas Dostal Era Begins

• Dostal steps up as clear No. 1, now signed long-term; John Gibson traded away.
• “He keeps his team in the game… The key is, can he maintain that consistency as a starter?” [27:45]

Rapid-Fire Predictions

• Finish: Higher, but still miss playoffs (92-94 pts) [30:03]
• Most Important Player: Leo Carlsson—“As Leo goes, so goes Anaheim.” [30:20]
• Season Title: Return of the Quack (Mark Morrison “Return of the Mack” pun) [31:46]

III. Calgary Flames – The Mushy Middle

Guest: Julian McKenzie (Flames/Senators beat)
[32:11 – 49:41]

Reason for Optimism? “Dustin Wolf is at the center of that.”

• Goalie Dustin Wolf “carried the team” and is now franchise cornerstone after years of waiting behind others. [33:06]
• “He is just always in the right place and he tracks pucks… so technically gifted.” —Haley Salvian [38:17]

Offense Still An Issue

• “Last year, they were bottom three in goals scored… there’s not enough scoring to go around.” —Granger [44:40]

Rasmus Andersson Trade Looms

• Flames likely to trade key defenseman Rasmus Andersson. Loss would be “a pretty significant voice in that locker room.” [41:47]

Rapid-Fire Predictions

• Finish: Lower; regression expected, likely miss playoffs [47:23]
• Most Important Player: Dustin Wolf [48:01]
• Season Title: Lone Wolf (riffing off Wolf’s last name; suggestions included She Wolf and "Wolfie Jump") [48:21]

IV. Edmonton Oilers – Last Shot at the Cup?

Guest: Daniel Nugent-Bowman (Oilers beat)
[50:09 – 68:44]

Can They Overcome Back-to-Back Finals Losses?

• Locker room “pissed off” after disappointing Cup loss; McDavid/Draisaitl/Nurse started skating quickly in summer. [50:58]
• “They’re just outclassed… but they play in a not very competitive… division… and they’ve got two of the best players in the game.” [50:58]

The McDavid Watch

• “Around the city, it’s the topic… That’s all people want to talk about.” —Nugent-Bowman [53:36]
• McDavid weighs future: “If there’s a window to win, signing is no problem… It’s September and he hasn’t signed.” [53:36]
• “I do think you’re probably—the smart money is on a short-term deal… I don’t know if he’s going to be a career-long Oiler…” [55:36]

Goaltending: Doomed to Repeat?

• No upgrade in net—Skinner & Pickard tandem returns.
• “It is very difficult to get an upgrade in this league…They just need good, stable goaltending, and they’ve got that for moments and they haven’t for others.” [64:39]

Rapid-Fire Predictions

• Finish: Slightly higher; top 2 in Pacific [65:15]
• Most Important Player: Stuart Skinner (aside from McDavid) [66:29]
• Season Title: The Decision (LeBron James reference—centered on McDavid fate) [67:10]

V. Los Angeles Kings – Same Old Song?

Guest: Eric Stephens (returns)
[69:31 – 81:10]

Did They Do Enough to Beat the Oilers?

• Minor blue line changes: Cece, Dumoulin in; more about defense/goaltending.
• “They don’t have a superstar in their prime. Edmonton… unfortunately for them has two.” —Stephens [70:18]

Darcy Kuemper’s Renaissance?

• “System is set up where a goalie can flourish… Kuemper needs to stay healthy, but he gives them quality.” [72:40]

Time for Byfield to Breakout?

• “This is the year where [Byfield] takes that step… He can be that leader for the Kings.” [75:03]

Anze Kopitar’s Swan Song

• “He’s the epitome of two-way center play; the quiet superstar.” [76:54]

Rapid-Fire Predictions

• Finish: Lower than 105 pts; playoff team, likely 3rd in Pacific or Wild Card [79:00]
• Most Important Player: Drew Doughty (“still going to be very important to the defense”) [79:45]
• Season Title: The Song Remains the Same (Led Zeppelin reference; stuck in pattern) [81:10]

VI. San Jose Sharks – Vibes and (Don’t Look at the Scoreboard)

Guest: Shayna Goldman (prospects/fantasy/data)
[85:22 – 96:58]

Fun to Watch…Even in Defeat?

• “Yes, they’re bad, but they’re still fun… Here’s a competitive game, here’s something interesting, and you’re seeing progress.” [86:12]
• “The most fun bad team you’ve ever seen… but we’re all having a blast watching them.” —Goldman [96:21]

Celebrini’s Impact and Reasonable Expectations

• Celebrini as true No. 1; “Every number is lights out good…but he has to do it across 82.” [90:34]
• “We even had one person say [in Player Tiers], ‘That’s not the debate anymore. Celebrini has set himself apart.’” [91:04]
• Tyler Toffoli as critical veteran for “vibes and impact” [95:27]

Yaroslav Askarov’s Big Test in Net

• “Could this be too much, too soon?”
• The key: how the Sharks adjust if he struggles or thrives [93:00]

Rapid-Fire Predictions

• Finish: Same as last year (bottom); not a playoff team [94:36]
• Most Important Player: Macklin Celebrini; No. 2: Tyler Toffoli [95:19]
• Season Title: Radical Optimism (Dua Lipa reference)—fun, energized, clear-eyed about the process [96:21]

VII. Seattle Kraken – What Are We Doing Here?

Guest: Thomas Drance (Canucks/Kraken, also closes with Vancouver)
[97:34 – 113:12]

Directionless or Patient?

• “It’s fair to question their overall direction… I’m deeply concerned.” —Drance [97:34]
• Young players like Berkley Catton, Shane Wright, and Matty Beniers must carry more weight.

The Beniers Dilemma

• “He doesn’t stink… he’s just not, he’s just not a high-end 1C for a good NHL team.” —Gentille [102:34]
• Might be a better fit as a high-end wing than as a top-line center

Goaltending: Decord Overloaded?

• “I think Joey Decord is going to be good. Can they find a second option so Decord doesn’t have to play 60 games?” —Granger [104:41]
• Grubauer “has been so bad” (.40th of 145 in goals saved above expected last four years—“there’s not a single one that’s been worse”) [108:44]

Rapid-Fire Predictions

• Finish: Above 76 pts, but not excitedly; upside less compelling than rivals [110:44]
• Most Important Player: Matty Beniers (“critical for the organization, not just this season… to show that Calder year wasn’t a fluke”) [111:55]
• Season Title: What Are We Doing Here? (self-help book style) [112:54]

VIII. Vancouver Canucks – Never Boring, Never Easy

Guest: Thomas Drance (returns)
[113:42 – 129:17]

Can They Escape Last Season’s Drama?

• “In some ways, the context of last season is going to linger… I think the J.T. Miller departure is one, and the Quinn Hughes future is another.” [114:30]

Pettersson’s Bounce Back Is Everything

• “He should be the sort of player whom everyone knows can break the game open at any moment… We need to see a guy who acts like he’s been at brunch before.” —Drance [116:53, 119:18]
• If not, “Connor Garland could be their best forward.” [120:11]

Identity: Defensive, But Out of Step?

• “I worry this Canucks team is built for an NHL that passed it by 10 years ago.” —Drance [121:49]

The Quinn Hughes Situation

• The league’s most dynamic D, but his long-term future in Vancouver is tethered to “sustained success” — “Does he really believe this organization can sustain it?” [124:07]
• If not, he’ll be the market’s white whale next summer

Rapid-Fire Predictions

• Finish: Higher than 90 pts; base case low 90s, wildcards possible [126:22]
• Most Important Player: Quinn Hughes (“by a mile… he’s in the company of McKinnon and McDavid for impact on a game from skater position.”) [126:54]
• Season Title: Never Boring (after Ed Wiles’ book, and just a fact of Canucks history) [128:50]

Notable Quotes & Timestamp Highlights

• “There’s no fear or loathing in Las Vegas this season.” —Jesse Granger, on Mitch Marner’s fresh start [17:29]
• “Return of the Quack.” —Eric Stephens, Ducks season title [31:46]
• “The Song Remains the Same.” —Eric Stephens, Kings outlook [81:10]
• “Radical Optimism by Dua Lipa.” —Shayna Goldman, Sharks season title [96:21]
• “What are we doing here, comma, people, question mark.” —Thomas Drance, Kraken book title [113:04]
• “Never Boring.” —Drance, on the Canucks [128:50]
• “Around the city, it’s the topic. That’s all people want to talk about.” —Daniel Nugent-Bowman, on McDavid’s contract [53:36]
• “If you find a way to get some really good, talented forwards in your system, that’s a very hard part… but a franchise goalie and defense is a very good start.” —Julian McKenzie, on Flames’ future [41:02]
• “They’ve never been higher than seventh in team save percentage during Demko’s prime years... there’s only one guy who can drive like Quinn Hughes.” —Drance, Canucks [127:16]

Pacific Division: Key Themes

• Aggressive Reign: Vegas re-tools at the top, but blue line’s uncertain without Petrangelo.
• Edmonton’s Now-Or-Never: McDavid’s future echoes through the city; Cup window’s open, but aging core and goaltending drama loom.
• Rebuilding and Renewal: Anaheim, San Jose, and to a lesser extent, Calgary and Seattle, are in various states of “hope, but not enough talent (yet).”
• LA’s Ceiling: The Kings will defend and grind, but still can’t match Edmonton’s firepower.
• Identity and Futures: Can the Canucks rise beyond their drama? Is Seattle stuck in neutral? Which bad team will become fun first?

Bottom Line:
The Pacific Division is defined by two aggressive Cup contenders (Vegas, Edmonton), hopeful rebuilders (Anaheim, San Jose), and a group of “middle children” fighting for wildcard relevance (LA, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle).

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [05:24] – Vegas Golden Knights
• [21:06] – Anaheim Ducks
• [32:11] – Calgary Flames
• [50:09] – Edmonton Oilers
• [69:31] – Los Angeles Kings
• [85:22] – San Jose Sharks
• [97:34] – Seattle Kraken
• [113:42] – Vancouver Canucks

Final Thoughts

This year’s Pacific race is set up for another top-heavy affair—unless one of the mushy middle finally breaks through, or the fun teams in Anaheim and San Jose get good ahead of schedule. Cup hopes in Vegas and McDavid soap opera in Edmonton will define headlines all year. Keep your eyes on big goalie stories (Wolf, Stal, Hill, Skinner, Askarov) and the league’s most dynamic defenseman, Quinn Hughes.

"Never boring," as they say out west.