The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

The Hockey Show: Happy Hockeydays

Date: December 19, 2025
Location: Live from the Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami
Main Hosts: Roy Bellamy (main anchor), Ethan, David Dwark
Special Guest: Brad Williams
Theme: Holiday hockey banter, NHL headlines, quirky moments and heartfelt reflection.

Episode Overview

This festive "Hockey Show" installment delivers a mix of sharp hockey commentary, lively banter, and emotional moments. Broadcasting from Miami, the crew covers everything from recent NHL news—including Nick Saban's surprising venture into team ownership and the mechanics of the Winter Classic—to personal stories and comedic asides. Guest comedian Brad Williams delivers an Anaheim Ducks update peppered with jokes, and Roy Bellamy shares a heartfelt tribute to his late daughter, Arya.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nick Saban Becomes NHL Minority Owner

• [02:00] News breaks that legendary college football coach Nick Saban is now a minority owner of the Nashville Predators through Dream Sports Ventures.
• The group speculates on Saban’s potential impact and pokes fun at the “Saban way” possibly infiltrating hockey.
  • Ethan: “I hope he goes in there and absolutely, like, Sabanizes or whatever Alabama's whatever he needs to do, he goes in there and he gives them the Saban way.” [03:04]

2. Nashville Predators’ Struggles and Roster Moves

• [03:20] Discussion on Nashville’s attempts to spend their way into contention with high-profile signings, but flaws like a lack of center depth undermine them.
  • David Dwark: “You can win the offseason all you want, but as we know doesn't necessarily always translate to winning in April, May and June.” [03:39]

3. Winter Classic Preparations in Miami

• [04:44] Roy and David describe witnessing the Winter Classic setup at Lone Depot Park; expert staff discussed making the ice extra thick (up to 2.5 inches) to contend with Miami’s warmth.
  • Ethan: “They're gonna actually start building the ice around…I think the 22nd, 23rd…then from there they're gonna crank the AC up in Lone Depot Park…turn that place into an icebox.” [06:55]
• Entertainment preview: Main performer announced is “Role Model” (aka Tucker Harrington Pillsbury).
  • Roy: “His real last name is Pillsbury? …That, my friend, screams Miami.” [05:48]

4. Shot Props & Parlay Picks - “Puck Luck”

• [08:07] Segment on suggested “shot on goal” parlays for the weekend—Panthers/Carter Verhaeghe, Nathan MacKinnon, Nick Robertson—aimed at winning listeners money.
• Odds discussed, with a playful “let’s make some money” sign-off.

5. Rosa in Un Minuto: St. Louis Blues Recap

• [10:33] Fill-in by Chris Cody delivers a zippy, one-minute summary of the Blues’ tumultuous week, capturing the emotional volatility of Blues fandom:
  • “Solid defense one day, hat tricks against them the next, a whole lot of emotional up and downs.” [11:24]

6. Stat of the Week: Kirill Kaprizov’s Record

• [12:04] David highlights Kaprizov’s record for most NHL goals by a Russian since 2020, now surpassing Ovechkin.
  • David Dwark: “Kirill Kaprizov and Alex Ovechkin were tied for the most goals by Russian skater in the NHL. Kaprizov has now broken that tie. He has 207 goals.” [13:09]

7. Wins and Fails of the Week

Wins:

• [13:57]
  • Ethan: Sons of Roberto Luongo and Martin Brodeur facing off as goalies in a youth tournament, dads present—a “coolest thing” minor hockey moment. [14:38]
  • Roy: Leon Draisaitl’s 1,000th career point, first German to reach it. Notable for the viral postgame photo of him wearing a shirt of himself smoking, with the words “smoking his way to a thousand NHL points.” [16:06]
  • David Dwark: Oilers broadcast legend Gene Principe dons a fake cigarette on air to join the “smoking his way” meme. [16:24]

Fails:

• [17:24]
  • Ethan: Stuart Skinner, Oilers goalie, caught sweeping the crease alone while the team celebrates Draisaitl’s milestone—not the ideal way to mark a thousand points. [17:24]
  • Roy: Epic Penguins collapse: Pittsburgh blows a 5-1 lead to lose 6-5 in OT to San Jose. “That was an epic fail.” [18:40]
  • David: Calgary Flames fail to produce a new star—pop singer Tate McRae is still seen at games in a Matthew Tkachuk jersey, years after his departure. [20:20]

8. Brad Williams & The Anaheim Ducks Segment

• [28:13] Comic Brad Williams arrives in full “Ducks superfan” mode, donning a goalie mask for a quack-tastic Ducks update.
  • Williams gushes about the young core, playoff excitement, how rare Ducks celebrity fans get perks, and how his daughter became a “good luck charm” for the team this season.
    • “Touching the Asian dwarf baby is the good luck for the Ducks because they all gave her high fives!” [34:15]
  • Banter about memorable fan experiences, the Mighty Ducks’ mascot, swag, and team culture—Ducks now firmly embrace “Orange Country” identity.

9. Play-by-Play Announcer Power Ranking

• [40:26] In honor of Toronto's legendary Joe Bowen (retiring), a top-5 NHL PBP announcers segment, skipping obvious locals out of bias.
  • David’s top picks include Mark Moser (Colorado), Randy Hahn (San Jose), John Forslund (Seattle), Ken Daniels (Detroit), Jim Jackson (Philly), Sam Rosen (Rangers), Joe Beninati (Washington), Jack Michaels (Edmonton).

10. Waffle House Comedy: Road-Life Tales

• [47:02] A lengthy detour launches as Williams and crew swap tales about late-night Waffle House adventures, including hash brown orders, chair-throwing incidents, and the infamous “Waffle House Challenge” fantasy football punishment.
  • Brad Williams: “To me, that is not a punishment. You get me with the right crew…we have seen several confrontations in a Waffle House. Some of our greatest stories…” [49:51]

11. Emotional Highlight: Roy Bellamy’s Tribute to Arya

• [22:05] Roy shares a moving personal story on the fourth birthday of his late daughter, Arya Hope Bellamy, who passed away as an infant due to trisomy 18.
  • He describes the meaning of the butterfly wall at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and dedicates the Hockey Show to Arya.
  • Roy Bellamy: “I saw the toughest, bravest person I’ve ever met. And I celebrate her right now because I miss her and I love her so much.” [25:42]
  • A rare, quiet moment of gratitude and vulnerability amid the humor.

12. Panthers Den: Florida Panthers Resurgence

• [56:24] Closing segment focuses on Florida Panthers’ recent run back to playoff contention.
  • Recent success credited to improved health, resurgent depth, and strategic adjustments—highlighting the impact of key players returning.
  • Analysis of the tight wild card race and what remains ahead.
  • Roy Bellamy: “They have crawled the way back into contention after being second to last in the Eastern Conference…” [57:04]
  • Ethan: “It’s an exciting time to be a Panther fan. Like, they’re really turning a corner.” [60:15]

Notable Quotes

• On Saban’s NHL Entry:
  “I hope he goes in there and absolutely, like, Sabanizes … he gives them the Saban way.” — Ethan [03:04]

• On Nashville’s Flawed Roster Build:
  “You can win the offseason all you want, but as we know doesn't necessarily always translate to winning in April, May and June.” — David Dwark [03:39]

• On the Winter Classic in Miami:
  “Turn that place into an icebox until they open it up for the game.” — Ethan [06:55]
  “His real last name is Pillsbury? …That, my friend, screams Miami.” — Roy Bellamy [05:48]

• On Hockey Fandom & Parenting:
  “Touching the Asian dwarf baby is the good luck for the Ducks because they all gave her high fives!” — Brad Williams [34:15]

• Heartfelt Moment:
  “I saw the toughest, bravest person I’ve ever met. And I celebrate her right now because I miss her and I love her so much.” — Roy Bellamy, on Arya [25:42]

• Waffle House Philosophy:
  “To me, that is not a punishment. You get me with the right crew…we have seen several confrontations in a Waffle House. Some of our greatest stories…” — Brad Williams [49:51]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:00] Nick Saban’s Predators Ownership
• [04:44] Winter Classic Build & Musical Guest Reveal
• [08:07] Betting Segment: Puck Luck Parlay
• [10:33] Rosa in Un Minuto—St. Louis Blues Recap
• [12:04] Hockey Stat of the Week: Kaprizov
• [13:57] Wins and Fails of the Week
• [28:13] Brad Williams’ Anaheim Ducks Update
• [40:26] Play-by-Play Announcer Rankings
• [47:02] Waffle House Comedian Banter
• [22:05] Roy Bellamy’s Personal Tribute
• [56:24] Panther’s Den: Florida’s Playoff Push

Final Notes

• This episode combines hockey analysis, betting tips, and playful segments with a unique blend of Miami irreverence and genuine reflection.
• Brad Williams’ comedic segment infuses the latter half with fan energy and accessible laughter, while Roy’s touching dedication sets a moving tone for the holiday close.
• The crew signs off wishing all listeners a happy and healthy holiday, promising more chaos and insight in the new year.
• Next Episode: January 9, 2026

If you missed it, this episode is a tapestry of holiday hockey chaos, local love, deep fandom, and authentic heart.