The Athletic Hockey Show – NHL Quarter Mark Shocks and Surprises

Date: November 20, 2025
Hosts: Sean Gentille, Jesse Granger, plus Haley Salvian (PWHL segment)

Episode Overview

At the official quarter mark of the NHL season, hosts Sean Gentille and Jesse Granger take stock of the league’s most surprising teams and players—highlighting both unexpected successes and familiar disappointments. The episode also features a comprehensive Power Rankings segment on the PWHL with Haley Salvian, who checks in from Vancouver ahead of the league’s third season. The conversation is lively, honest, and blends in-the-weeds hockey analysis with familiar podcast camaraderie.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: The Quarter Mark (02:07)

• The league hits the quarter mark with 328 games played as of tonight.
• The hosts see this as the perfect moment to discuss which teams and players have exceeded (or fallen short of) expectations.

2. Noteworthy Recent Games (Caps-Oilers, Wild-Hurricanes, Sabres-Flames) (03:00–15:29)

Edmonton Oilers’ Ongoing Struggles (03:30)

• Stuart Skinner’s difficulties continue: “It hasn't been very good this season… The Oilers are a weird team… there's always something with this team at the start” (Jesse, 03:30).
• Edmonton consistently falls behind early, outchancing opponents but letting in soft goals early, making comebacks harder. The need for better starts and more reliable goaltending, not just elite offense, is stressed.

Washington Capitals Snap a Slump (04:32)

• Ryan Leonard’s breakout performance emphasized as a rare moment of finishing for a team that has otherwise struggled to capitalize at 5-on-5.
• “They win a game despite not having that 5-on-5 advantage... kind of the reverse of what we've seen from them” (Sean, 04:32).

Wild vs. Hurricanes: Wallstedt’s Emergence (05:43–10:28)

• Rookie Jesper Wallstedt ties a rookie save record with 42 saves, capping off a long shutout streak.
• “It's nice to see him finally living up to... the talent level that we know he has… he's a huge Swedish blocking goalie...” (Jesse, 06:48).
• Extended discussion of why cerebral goalies like Wallstedt can struggle in the AHL but thrive in the NHL’s more structured play (09:00–10:28).

Buffalo Sabres Meltdown (10:28–15:29)

• Sabres blow a third-period lead to Calgary, bottoming out in the Eastern Conference, prompting lament over repeated franchise failures.
• “It feels like psychological wounds… It doesn't take much to completely knock the train off the tracks again” (Sean, 14:11).
• Comparison to thriving peers (Ottawa, Montreal, Detroit) intensifies the pain for Buffalo fans.

3. Quarter Point Shocks and Surprises—Teams & Players (18:55–39:46)

Anaheim Ducks’ Arrival (19:07–24:09)

• Anaheim as a playoff team: “At this point, the Ducks are a playoff team. I'd be surprised if Anaheim doesn't make the playoffs” (Jesse, 19:55).
• Credit given to new coach Joel Quenneville for fast-tracking development and team confidence; their blend of young star power (Leo Carlsson) and gritty veterans shines.
• Cutter Gauthier’s leap (12 goals, 11 assists, league leader in shots) underlined as emblematic of Anaheim’s youthful surge: “He’s never seen a light that wasn’t green to shoot the puck” (Jesse, 23:06).

Trevor Zegras: New Substance in Philly (24:09–25:52)

• Trade to Philadelphia (“not a one-for-one, but it felt like a swap”) is paying off for both sides. Zegras showing two-way growth, leading net rating and game score for the Flyers.
• “He’s given them some good defensive results with him on the ice, which is wild” (Sean, 24:09).

Chicago Blackhawks: Surprise Competence (25:57–29:17)

• Spencer Knight leads all goalies in Goals Saved Above Expected: “If he maintains that, by the end of the season we're going to be having the conversation: is he amongst the elite goalies in the league?” (Jesse, 26:34).
• Knight evolving from “robotic” to making chaotic, highlight saves for an improved young team.

Boston Bruins: Overachieving Again (29:17–32:12)

• “I thought they were going to be terrible, honestly. And here we are… over .500 at any point in the season, let alone after 22 games” (Sean, 29:17).
• Morgan Geeky suddenly tied for the league lead in goals, plus a bounce-back season from Jeremy Swayman.
• Swayman’s redemption after a rough year and difficult contract negotiations: “Between Bedard and these guys, at least you’re seeing the future flash” (Jesse, 28:53).

Detroit Red Wings: Stars Rise, Depth Emerges (32:12–34:18)

• Led by Larkin (possibly a career year) and resurgent Moritz Seider.
• Surprise rookie Emmitt Finney (7th-round pick) emerges as a difference-maker: “We see these late picks turn into players, but not when they're 20… it's been pretty cool to watch” (Jesse, 33:31).

Ottawa Senators: Pinto’s Defensive Leap (34:58–36:43)

• Shane Pinto “has been one of the best defensive centers in the league,” unexpectedly entering Selke Trophy discussions (Sean, 35:31).

Washington Capitals: Jacob Chychrun Establishes Himself (36:43–39:46)

• Chychrun steps up into true #1 defenseman role: “He’s turned into a full-fledged, multi-dimensional, reliable first-pair defenseman” (Sean, 38:58).
• John Carlson aging gracefully into a secondary role as Chychrun flourishes.

4. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Buffalo’s fan psyche:
  “It feels like they're done, like dinner, man. Ugly.” – Sean (12:00)
• On Wallstedt:
  “He reads the play so well… it just feels like there’s nothing to shoot at.” – Jesse (06:48)
• Anaheim’s leap:
  “I would be surprised if Anaheim doesn’t make the playoffs. They are one of the eight best teams in the West.” – Jesse (19:55)
• On Spencer Knight:
  “He is making the saves that you don’t expect him to make… He's checking a lot of boxes. The belief in Spencer Knight is super high right now.” – Jesse (28:53)
• Regarding new Boston star Morgan Geeky:
  “Morgan Geeky, who is somehow morphed into David Pastrnak part two on that team.” – Sean (29:17)

5. PWHL Season 3 Power Rankings with Haley Salvian (42:31–72:31)

Haley Salvian joins from Vancouver, bringing an on-the-ground look at PWHL’s expanded eight-team field—including new franchises in Vancouver and Seattle.

Atmosphere in Vancouver

• Pacific Coliseum renovated and fully branded for the Goldeneyes, “truly a women’s pro hockey arena in Vancouver… really a first of its kind” (Haley, 45:00).

Haley’s PWHL Power Rankings

8. Ottawa Charge

• “They just were decimated by expansion… lost almost half of their offense” (Haley, 49:58).

7. New York Sirens

• “Retooling organization… lost a lot of top talent… will miss the postseason for a third straight year” (Haley, 50:07).
• Sarah Fillier now the focal point; rookie Casey O’Brien could challenge for Rookie of the Year by riding shotgun.

6. Boston Fleet

• Hillary Knight’s departure leaves offense depleted. “I don’t really know who’s going to consistently score goals for the Boston Fleet” (Haley, 54:16).
• Susanna Tapani remains super underrated and will lead.

5. Minnesota (Defending Champs)

• Still have elite forwards, but defensive losses make a three-peat unlikely: “Defense is a bit of a concern… you lose your entire second pair, two of three defender of the year finalists” (Haley, 57:53).

4. Toronto Scepters

• Blue line is the class of the league, but forward depth is questioned after losing Sarah Nurse: “Now you’re going to see a lot of players kind of moving up the lineup from depth roles” (Haley, 60:19).

3. Seattle Torrent (Expansion)

• Star-studded top-6 led by Hillary Knight and Alex Carpenter; depth is the question: “Their top line could win gold in Milan… deep but some unproven youth in the bottom six” (Haley, 63:12).

2. Montreal Victoire

• “Probably the best they’ve looked on paper heading into a season,” thanks to depth signings, roster moves, and retaining all-world star Marie-Philip Poulin (Haley, 65:57).

1. Vancouver Goldeneyes (Expansion)

• Haley’s pick as “the only team where I’m like, I don't love their fourth line… that's it.” Unmatched mix of stars (Sarah Nurse, Claire Thompson, Sophie Jaques) plus being primary tenants in a renovated, fully branded arena (69:46–71:19).

Notable Quotes

• On the depth and planning of Vancouver:
  “There was intentionality to it, there was a plan on Karen Moray’s part… That’s an incredible group of players to just, you know, not pluck out of thin air…” (Sean, 71:47)
• On the Pacific Northwest as a pro hockey destination:
  “These teams are gonna be a destination for everyone.” – Haley (71:57)

6. Timestamps by Segment

| Segment/Topic | Time | |------------------------------------------|----------------| | Show Start (after ads) | 01:25 | | Quarter Mark Reflection | 02:07 | | Recap: Caps-Oilers | 03:30 | | Recap: Wild-Hurricanes (Wallstedt) | 05:43 | | Recap: Sabres-Flames (Buffalo struggles) | 10:28 | | Quarter Season Surprises Overview | 18:55–19:07 | | Anaheim Ducks Discussion | 19:07–24:09 | | Flyers/Zegras, trade ripple effects | 24:09–25:52 | | Blackhawks/Spencer Knight | 25:57–29:17 | | Bruins/Geeky/Swayman | 29:17–32:12 | | Detroit/Emmitt Finney | 32:12–34:18 | | Senators/Pinto, Caps/Chychrun | 34:58–39:46 | | PWHL Power Rankings Start | 42:31 | | Ottawa Power Rankings Analysis | 47:01 | | New York, Boston, MN, Toronto, Seattle | 50:07–65:49 | | Montreal & Vancouver Breakdown | 65:49–72:18 | | Closing Thoughts on Vancouver | 71:19–72:39 |

Summary & Takeaways

This episode delivers a broad, engaging check-in at the NHL’s quarter mark—balancing sharp analysis of why certain teams (Anaheim, Boston, Detroit) are exceeding expectations with an honest, exasperated look at Buffalo's struggles. Individual improvements (Gauthier, Zegras, Knight, Pinto, Chychrun) are given detailed attention, tying player development to club fortunes.

The latter portion of the episode is a must-listen for PWHL fans, as Haley Salvian runs through expansion buzz, deep-dive arena insight, and roster-by-roster analysis in her preseason power rankings.

Memorable Moment:
“It feels like psychological wounds… It doesn't take much to completely knock the train off the tracks again. This is a team that's four points out of a playoff spot. Right? Feels like they're done. Incredible.” – Sean on the Sabres (14:11)

For listeners who want insights, trends, and context on both men's and women's North American pro hockey as playoff races start to take shape, this episode is essential fare.