The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

The Hockey Show: The Golden Knights Did The Thing (feat. Shayna Goldman)

Date: October 17, 2025

Overview

This episode of The Hockey Show, recorded at the Elser Hotel in Miami, dives deep into the Vegas Golden Knights’ controversial decision to offer a professional tryout (PTO) to goalie Carter Hart following his acquittal in a highly publicized sexual assault trial. The roundtable—David Druka, Roy Bellamy, Ethan, Rose, and special guest Shayna Goldman of The Athletic—dissects the broader implications for the NHL and professional sports, before turning their attention to early NHL season takeaways, the struggles of the New York Rangers, rookies to watch, and the state of the Florida Panthers.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Carter Hart’s PTO with the Vegas Golden Knights

(Starts 01:02; In-depth at 31:23)

• Background: Vegas Golden Knights became the first NHL team to offer Carter Hart a PTO after he and four others were acquitted in a sexual assault trial relating to Hockey Canada.
• Ethics & Optics
  • Roy Bellamy: “This is another instance of somebody getting a second chance here in this league after doing bad behavior.” (01:13)
  • Ethan cynically summarizes Vegas’s priorities: “The only thing that matters to them is winning…they’re going to sign players no matter what that think give them a chance to win.” (03:52)
  • On second chances: “The bottom line in professional sports is usually winning. And if teams think you’re good enough to help contribute…you’re probably going to get a second chance.” – Ethan (04:47)
• Shayna Goldman’s Analysis:
  • “If you have to lead with a statement, you’re probably doing something wrong. It’s as simple as that…Neither reason adds up. It just feels like the wrong move.” (31:45)
  • On second chances overseas: “Michael McLeod already is signing in the KHL…If one team does something, and it’s…dusted under the rug, then it…sets the tone for everybody else to do it.” (33:11)
  • “Can we just have a moral compass for four seconds?” (34:15)

2. New York Rangers: Offensive Woes

(Discussed 05:21, 31:23, 34:35)

• Historic Futility: Rangers became the first team in NHL history to be shut out in their first three home games.
  • “They became the first team in Angel history to be shut out. In his first home. First three home games. That’s bad.” – David Druka (05:42)
• Bright Spot: Igor Shesterkin’s form and strong defense despite paltry offense.
  • “They are top five in goals against per game, in shots against per game and high danger chances against per game.” – David Druka (07:41)
  • “If one thing about the Rangers that you have to be excited about if you’re a Rangers fan is Igor Shusturkin. Looks like he’s back.” – David (07:33)
• Shayna Goldman on the root of the problem:
  • “They have their chances…But at the end of the day, this team was always going to be somewhat shorthanded offensively.” (34:42)
  • “I don’t think this was ever going to be the most high-octane offensive team regardless, just based on how the roster is constructed.” (35:51)

3. Islanders & Oilers: Early-Season Surprises and Struggles

(08:28–11:38)

• Islanders: Won first game after being the last team without a point.
• Oilers: Offensively anemic start; concern over high-priced but mistake-prone defensemen.

4. Rookie Watch & Calder Trophy Discussion

(09:45, 39:13, 40:39)

• Matthew Schaefer (Islanders):

  • “A goal and three assists and a four game point streak. And at 18 years old, probably leading candidate for the call.” – David Druka (09:54)
  • Shayna: “He looks confident…he brings so much pace to the Islanders, which they need.” (41:45)

• Frank Nazar & Connor Bedard (Blackhawks):

  • “Nazar really looks like—opening night I was more impressed with Nazar than I was with Bedard.” – Ethan (13:55)
  • Shayna on Blackhawks: “Frank Nizar looks great off the rush…they had a bold strategy…[and] the young guys are actually doing it.” (38:00)

• Ivan Demidov (Canadiens):

  • “He’s one of the most skilled prospects that the Canadiens had, and you’re seeing it come together.” – Shayna Goldman (41:10)

5. Montreal Canadiens' Long-Term Vision

(39:13)

• “This core is really good, right?…They’re putting together the young talent and they’re putting together a group that’s in this similar age range and it’s going to help them be a contender in the long run.” – Shayna Goldman (39:37)
• The Canadiens’ steady, patient approach praised as ideal for sustained success.

6. Wins & Fails of the Week

(19:12)

Wins

• David Posternak (Bruins):
  “He makes an incredible kick save with his back leg…then in the same shift…takes out Nikita Kucherov. Two empty net saving plays from Pasta.” – David (19:26)
• Anaheim Ducks' Mighty Duck Mask Giveaway
• Montreal’s Lane Hutson: “Maybe the best assist.” – David (22:45)

Fails

• AHL Fight in the Dark: Rink staff turned off lights during a fight, leaving refs lost—“I’d never seen anything like this in my life.” – David (23:28)
• NHL’s Forced Crosby Milestone Promotion: “I can’t wait to get a 9th place T-shirt.” – David (25:35)
• Panthers’ Botched Goal Review Announcement (26:10)
• Rose’s “fail”: “My fail is that Billy Quidditch left us and left me here in the worst part of the world.” (28:11)

7. Listener Q&A: How Did You Become a Hockey Fan?

(14:09)

• David: Street hockey with neighborhood kids led to watching Panthers (14:29)
• Ethan: NHL 09 video game introduction, affordable tickets, high school friendships (14:48)
• Rose: "I started working with you guys because I had to. So I became a fan." (15:31)
• David Druka: 1992 Blackhawks-Penguins Stanley Cup Final (15:42)

8. Florida Panthers Corner – Panthers’ Den

(49:38)

• Injury Woes: Long-term injuries to Barkov, Tkachuk, Kulikov, Nosek.
  • “That pairing has not been great.” – David Druka on Balinskas and Petrie (49:49)
• Defense Struggles: 12–4 aggregate deficit over current road trip.
• Chik-fil-A Promotion: Free nuggets after 30-save Panthers’ performance—rare last year, but might be more common with the current defense.
• Donovan Sabrango Claimed Off Waivers: Potential depth move, Ottawa fans upset about losing him.

Notable/Highlighted Quotes

• “If you have to lead with a statement, you’re probably doing something wrong.”
  — Shayna Goldman (31:45)
• “The only thing that matters to them is winning, and they have made that clear throughout their time as an organization.”
  — Ethan, on Vegas (03:52)
• “Can we just have a moral compass for four seconds?”
  — Shayna Goldman (34:15)
• “They became the first team in angel history to be shut out in his first home. First three home games. That’s bad.”
  — David Druka (05:42)
• “Nazar really looks like—opening night I was more impressed with Nazar than I was with Bedard.”
  — Ethan (13:55)
• “This core is really good...they’re putting together the young talent and they’re putting together a group that’s in this similar age range and it’s going to help them be a contender in the long run.”
  — Shayna Goldman on the Canadiens (39:37)
• “I think if things continue on their path, it could be raining Nuggets at some point this season.” — David (54:34)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|------------------------------------------| | 01:02 | Carter Hart PTO discussion starts | | 03:52 | Ethics of winning/second chances in pro sports | | 05:21 | New York Rangers historic offensive futility | | 09:45 | Matthew Schaefer Calder discussion | | 13:55 | Blackhawks rookies Nazar and Bedard | | 14:09 | Hosts discuss how they became hockey fans| | 19:12 | Wins & Fails of the Week | | 31:23 | Interview with Shayna Goldman (main ethical topics) | | 34:35 | Shayna on Rangers’ scoring issues | | 39:13 | Canadiens core & long-term outlook | | 40:39 | Early Calder Trophy predictions | | 49:38 | Panthers Den (team updates, injuries) |

Tone and Style

• Candid and irreverent discussions, featuring plenty of banter, sarcasm, and biting humor.
• Thoughtful analysis mingles with jokes—typical for The Le Batard Show network.
• Shayna Goldman brings sharp, insight-driven analysis with a direct, no-nonsense tone.

Summary for Listeners

This episode offers a rich, engaging blend of serious analysis (particularly concerning the Hart controversy and its ethical implications), sharp humor, and in-depth NHL talk, including early season trends, rookie standouts, and team-specific news—perfect for casual listeners and die-hard hockey fans alike. Shayna Goldman’s perspective adds gravitas, particularly on league culture and the problematic morality gaps in professional sports.

Skip the ads and intros: Start at 01:02 for content, 31:23 for Shayna Goldman’s expert segment.