The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz: The Hockey Show – "HOCKEY IS BACK!"
Date: October 10, 2025
Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami
Hosts: Roy Bellamy, Ethan Padowski, Mike, Jeremy, John Butcher Gross (Butchergross), with contributions from Dave, Rosie, and more
Special Guest: John Butcher Gross (ESPN)
Episode Overview
The Hockey Show returns as the NHL season kicks off, bringing the crew’s trademark mix of irreverent humor and sharp hockey insight. The episode centers on the excitement of the new NHL season, significant player contract signings, early-season reactions, new jersey unveilings, fan interaction, and an in-depth interview with ESPN’s John Butcher Gross to break down college and NHL storylines.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
1. The NHL Season Is Back!
[01:02 - 02:12]
- Season opening buzz: The crew celebrates hockey’s return, with a nod to fun pop-culture moments signaling the start of the season (like hockey as a Jeopardy! category).
- Panthers’ success: Banter about the Panthers' recent banner raising and back-to-back Stanley Cups.
- Jeopardy! hockey trivia sparks jovial debate about hockey terminology and inclusivity ("Defender" vs. "Defenseman").
Notable Exchange:
Mike jokes about inclusive terminology:
“Defender is an inclusive term because we got the PWL now, right? You are not an ally. I am an ally.” – Mike [03:38]
2. Major Contract Extensions & League Economics
[04:12 - 12:44]
a. Connor McDavid’s Team-Friendly Extension
- McDavid signs for two more years at $12.5M AAV, surprising everyone by NOT pushing the market upward.
- “That is a team-friendly deal of all team-friendly deals. And McDavid's giving the Oilers room to build around him.” – Roy Bellamy [04:27]
- Debate over the Oilers’ cap management, their need for goaltending, and whether their "cup window" is now or never.
- Discussion of the impact on team-building, cap flexibility, and the fairness of comparing contract choices across players.
Key Quote:
“His contract has nothing to do with Eichel, with Caprizov… This guy is built different. He wants to win a Stanley Cup. He clearly doesn’t care how much money he’s making.” – Mike [07:12]
b. Comparing “Team Friendly” Deals: Caprizov, Eichel, Matthews
- Caprizov’s $17M/year cited as an outlier and cause for debate over star players' salaries and team-building philosophies.
- Jack Eichel’s new deal ($13.5M/8 years) discussed for its value relative to market and other stars like Austin Matthews.
- “So Eichel is only making $250,000 more than Auston Matthews. So why are we looking at Eichel as a team friendly deal, but not necessarily Matthews?” – Mike [12:28]
3. Hypotheticals & Roster-Building What-Ifs
[12:44 - 14:20]
- Fun speculation: What if the Panthers had signed Patrick Kane instead of the Red Wings?
- Exploration of how moves like these could have changed Florida's path to the Cup and later personnel like Brad Marchand and Seth Jones.
- “Would Kane have taken a team-friendly deal? So many things to wonder about.” – Ethan [13:42]
4. New NHL Jersey Unveilings
[14:20 - 16:27]
- Pittsburgh Penguins’ new yellow kits panned by Roy and Ethan ("Yellow ice is not a good combination" – Ethan [14:44]); Mike confesses he likes the yellow helmet.
- Detroit Red Wings praised for their centennial spoked wheel uniforms—"might be the best logo in sports" (Mike [15:59]), especially with vintage gloves and leather pad aesthetics.
5. First-Week Overreactions & Early Season Surprises
[16:53 - 18:52]
- Boston and Pittsburgh: Surprising 2-0 starts.
- Ottawa Senators: Ethan predicts they’re poised to exceed expectations with gutsy play and strong leadership (Brady Tkachuk).
- “Top 3 division is in play for Ottawa.” – Ethan [17:50]
- For Florida, expectation is they’ll need to grind out tight low-scoring games until stars like Matthew Tkachuk return.
6. Wins & Fails of the Week
[19:03 - 29:26]
Wins
- Quinton Byfield’s Breakaway Goal (LA Kings vs. Vegas) & Gretzky magic:
- “Wayne Gretzky shakes your hand, and suddenly you’ve got, like, hockey magic.” – Ethan [20:04]
- Bruins Retiring Zdeno Chara’s #33
- Emotional surprise moment, praised as "well-deserved" for the captain (Roy/Ethan [21:23]).
Fails
- Oilers’ Stuart Skinner Blunder:
- Edmonton goalie mishandles puck, sparks collapse; panel laments goaltending woes.
- “...like his video game controller lost the batteries...” – Ethan [25:29]
- Panthers Illegible Player Mess-Up:
- Nico Mikola plays after ejection; “referees are in preseason as well.” – Roy [27:55]
- Sharks’ Heartbreaking Loss:
- San Jose collapses late against Vegas after bizarre bounces and goalie gaffes.
- “This might be ... the dumbest way to lose a game we’ll see all year.” – Mike [28:10]
Player of the Week:
- Frank Nazar (Chicago Blackhawks):
- Standout early season performance – skyrocketing value, touted for a top role and Olympic camp invite.
7. Fan Interaction & Social Media
[16:27 & Throughout]
- Show invites fan questions.
- Responds to audience prompts about first-game overreactions and more.
8. Featured Interview: John Butcher Gross (ESPN)
[34:35 - 57:29]
a. College Hockey Spotlight – Gavin McKenna Hype
- McKenna at Penn State: Huge buzz as a 17-year-old making waves, compared to Kucherov (style) and Eichel/McDavid (potential).
- “He reminds me of Kucherov as a winger … just his brain’s unbelievable. Then he has a finish like this ...” – Butcher Gross [35:32]
- Discussion of new rules allowing CHL/NCAA crossover, NIL money, and the arms race in facilities.
- “His Canadian buddies back home will be watching these games on TV ... campus life, rivalries, facilities that rival the NHL...” – Butcher Gross [38:01]
b. State of College Hockey & NHL Prospects
- How NIL and eligibility reforms could transform US college hockey (impact on CHL, USHL).
- Teams likely to make Frozen Four: Penn State, Michigan State, Boston University, and Quinnipiac (as dark horse).
- “Three big brand names … and throw a Quinnipiac in there, we got a party.” – Butcher Gross [44:04]
c. NHL Storylines
- Jonathan Toews Returns:
- Toews back in Winnipeg, can he anchor the Jets through a tough Western Conference? “They’re going to lean on him a lot. So there’s some pressure on Taves as well.” – Butcher Gross [44:26]
- Team-Friendly Contracts Trend:
- “You really put these superstars in a tough position ...” – Butcher Gross [46:03]
- Suggests NHL may need a “franchise tag” or Bird Rule-like exception to help teams pay stars what they’re worth.
- Underrated Players Debate:
- Is Kyle Connor now most underrated, supplanting Barkov?
- Panthers and Hurricanes praised for cap management (“...going to be good for another seven, eight years...” – Butcher Gross [51:38])
- Hurricanes & Oilers Evaluations:
- Impressed by Carolina’s defensive system and depth.
- Harsh on Oilers’ goaltending woes (“Are we kidding with Stuart Skinner? Like, are we kidding? That’s your goalie? No.” – Butcher Gross [56:22])
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Team-Friendly Deals:
“His contract has nothing to do with Eichel, with Caprizov... This guy is built different. He wants to win a Stanley Cup.” – Mike [07:12]
- On Bargain Contracts Culture:
“You really put these superstars in a tough position... There should probably be a waiver for one guy a team where you can go over the cap.” – John Butcher Gross [46:03]
- On College Hockey Facilities:
“The Penn State facilities are better than the Ottawa Senators in terms of weight room and cold plunge and everything.” – John Butcher Gross [38:01]
- On Panthers’ Cap Culture:
“The Panthers and Hurricanes are two teams that are going to be good for another seven, eight years because the cap’s going to go up again, go up again.” – John Butcher Gross [51:38]
- On Goalie Blunders:
“Like his video game controller lost the batteries...” – Ethan [25:29]
- Wayne Gretzky “Hockey Magic” Exchange:
“Wayne Gretzky shakes your hand, and suddenly you’ve got, like, hockey magic.” – Ethan [20:04]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 02:01 – NHL Season banter, Jeopardy! hockey trivia
- 04:12 – Connor McDavid deal, Oilers' team construction
- 11:14 – Eichel and Matthews contracts, market comparisons
- 14:20 – New jersey unveilings: Pens & Wings
- 16:53 – Early season (over)reactions, surprises
- 19:03 – Wins & Fails of the Week
- 29:30 – Player of the Week: Frank Nazar
- 34:35 – John Butcher Gross interview begins (college hockey and NHL)
- 38:01 – College hockey recruitment/NIL impact
- 44:04 – Frozen Four predictions
- 54:23 – NHL team and player evaluations
- 57:46 – Show wrap, jersey talk (fan engagement)
Tone & Language
The episode blends hockey nerdery, playful arguments, South Florida flavor, and frequent inside jokes. Panelists riff off each other, bringing both knowledge and comedy, making the show rewarding for hockey diehards and casual fans alike.
Bottom Line
Whether you want inside takes on the NHL's new financial landscape, a breakdown of why the Panthers’ front office is remaking the league, or just want to laugh at early-season panic and “Jersey Watch,” this first Hockey Show of the season sets the stage for much more to come — with a perfect blend of hockey smarts and “Le Batard Show” chaos.