The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: The Hockey Show: The Return of Puck

Date: January 9, 2026
Hosts/Panel: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Roy Bellamy, Ethan, Rose, Dave, Chris Cody, David Pinota (guest)

Episode Overview

Broadcasting from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, this special "Hockey Show" episode features deep dives into current NHL happenings, playful panel banter, and expert insight from The Fourth Period’s David Pinota. The crew analyzes the NHL’s Winter Classic location choices, evaluates surprising and disappointing team performances, debates roster moves for contenders and struggling clubs, and delivers uniquely chaotic segments like “Un Minuto Rosie.” Expect a blend of sharp analysis, humorous sidebars, and inside scoops on league rumors as the crew moves rapidly across the league landscape.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. NHL Winter Classic & Outdoor Game Talk

Utah Announced as Next Host ([01:15]-[04:59])

• The Utah Mammoth, a franchise only three years old, will host the next Winter Classic at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
• Ethan: “I think it’s cool that the NHL is trying to get these new teams and new franchises out into these premier games... it’ll be really cool to see what they do with the uniforms. The Mammoth have great colors, great jerseys.” ([03:07])
• Panel jokes about potential “mammoth fur” jerseys and helmets adorned with tusks and animal hair, agreeing the backdrop will be scenic.

Reflections on the Miami Winter Classic ([13:53]-[17:52])

• The Miami Winter Classic exceeded low expectations with fun event production, though Marlins Stadium’s logistics (crowd flow, sound) posed hiccups.
• Dave: “They killed it at the Winter Classic. I thought it was awesome. I think we all had a good time.” ([14:15])
• Chris Cody: “I liked it a lot more than this show represented… the vibe was really good. That ballpark kind of stinks when it turns in terms of getting in.” ([16:35])
• Discussion on the possibility of Miami or Hard Rock Stadium hosting future outdoor NHL games; consensus is it's unlikely to happen again soon.

2. Surprising Teams & Preseason Prediction Revisit

([05:13]-[12:43])

Biggest Surprises:

• Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks, and (to an extent) Blackhawks all exceed expectations.
• Review of preseason tiers: Florida Panthers remain in their own top tier despite injury woes.
• The panel corrects itself on early underestimations or overhypes (e.g., Winnipeg, Minnesota, Ottawa).

Team Tiers Breakdown:

• Top: Florida Panthers (will “stay there until someone knocks them off” - [06:42])
• Next: Minnesota, Carolina, Colorado, Dallas, New Jersey, Vegas; some hits and misses—Winnipeg notably not living up.
• Should-Be Playoff Teams: Disappointment in Calgary, Columbus, Ottawa’s struggles.
• Teams with Potential: Praise for Seattle, San Jose, Philadelphia; accurate reads on Anaheim and Buffalo.
• Beer Leaguers: Chicago and Vancouver initially written off; Chicago fighting injury but showing late surge.

Quote:

• Roy: "Rose has wrote the word dying on the Florida Panther tier there, which is... not true because they're recuperating. No, they're healing." ([07:46])

3. Deep Dive: Florida Panthers Rollercoaster

([10:30]-[13:53])

• Recap of recent games: tough losses to Toronto and Montreal, injury challenges (Brad Marchand, Matthew Tkachuk, Seth Jones).
• Dave: “This was supposed to be a time where the Panthers were turning things around... now they've been alternating wins and losses, but the road trip, they've got to turn it around just because if you looked at the divisional standings particularly, that's one area that it's starting to spread out a little bit.” ([10:49])
• Ethan: “It just goes to show how important Seth Jones is for this team right now... their defensemen aren't getting up the ice as much. The power play is nowhere.” ([12:43])
• Emphasis on necessity to “stay afloat” during this crucial road trip.

4. League-Wide News: With David Pinota ("The Fourth Period")

([31:07]-[52:15])

Florida Panthers’ Trade Deadline Strategy ([31:32]-[34:11])

• GM Bill Zito exploring depth acquisitions, primarily on defense and bottom six, but not under pressure to move anyone out due to LTIR cap flexibility.
• Pinota: “They're allowed to do that because they're working within LTIR parameters... there is wiggle room.”

Eastern Conference Rumblings ([34:11]-[45:02])

• Carolina Hurricanes aggressively shopping Jesperi Kotkaniemi for flexibility, tried a swap with LA for Phil Danault.
• Toronto Maple Leafs on a hot streak but lost Chris Tanev to injury—facing defensive decisions; Auston Matthews “back.”
• Buffalo Sabres’ hot streak after major front office shake-up; focus turning to Alex Tuch's contract.
• New York Rangers: Shesterkin’s injury not long-term, internal debate whether to stay patient or push for big trades. Panarin’s future (potential highest-paid player/free agent) in flux.

Olympics Arena Drama (Milan) ([35:54]-[40:53])

• The new Milan venue: smaller-than-promised ice and construction delays. NHL isn’t pleased, but everyone acknowledges “Italians move at their own pace.”
• Panel riff on possible Italian arena concessions (“Why not fresh pasta at a hockey game?”).

Goalie Watch, Trade Rumors ([41:33]-[44:11])

• Linus Ullmark: on personal leave from Ottawa amid social media rumors & potential team discord. Possible trade, but his high salary complicates a move.
• Top teams that might fit: Edmonton (but would require salary gymnastics), Carolina (with Kochetkov out).

Western Conference Jumble & Playoff Bubble ([49:19]-[52:15])

• Seattle & San Jose currently in playoff spots but vulnerable.
• San Jose labeled a “buy and sell” team—re-signed Wenberg, added Laurent Brossoit, but might move D-men.
• Dave sees Ducks (Anaheim) and LA rebounding, Chicago and Winnipeg unlikely to make noise.

Quote:

• Pinota: “San Jose has the potential but... they’re in buy and sell mode. ...I don’t think there’s enough in the tank for Seattle, personally.” ([49:46])

5. Fun Segments & Notable Moments

“Un Minuto Rosie” ([19:52]-[22:11])

• Rose delivers a rapidfire, delightfully chaotic, accented recap of Seattle Kraken’s week: “When the Kraken wakes up, somebody's getting dragged on there. This was one minute of hacking the bones. Your weekly recap of cup... and a little bit of chaos.”

Wins and Fails ([22:10]-[27:06])

• Wins:

  • Maverick Lamoureux (Utah Mammoth prospect) fights post-fight, tries to re-enter rink.
  • Hat tricks from ex-Fl Panthers Justin Sordif and Anthony Duclair.
  • Layla Edwards becomes first Black player on U.S. Women’s Olympic ice hockey roster.

• Fails:

  • Ryan Reaves (Sharks) KO’d in a fight but “passes the neurological tests with flying colors” ([25:43]).
  • Devils lose 9-0 to Islanders with Tony DeAngelo scoring, “If you allow a goal to Tony D’Angelo, you deserve to get what you get.” ([26:21])
  • St. Louis Blues’ Joel Hofer “hiding” instead of relieving Bennington, providing unintentional comedy.

Tech Wish: Open-Mic NHL Players? ([18:44]-[19:40])

• Dave: “Wouldn’t it be cool to tie into Brad Marchand miked up for a game? …It’d humanize the players.”
• Ethan: “Great idea. I just don’t think the NHL would ever let people hear what players say to each other.”

Puck Luck: Betting Segment ([15:19]-[16:25])

Dave hands out hot NHL bets, highlights Chicago’s recent resurgence and key shot totals for player props.

Notable Quotes

• Ethan ([03:07]): “I think it’s cool that the NHL is trying to get these new teams and new franchises out, out into these premier games in these premier spots to promote them.”
• Dave ([14:15]): “It blew away my expectations… they killed it at the Winter Classic.”
• Roy ([07:46]): “Rose has wrote the word dying on the Florida Panther tier there, which is... not true because they're recuperating.”
• Pinota ([32:48]): “There is wiggle room. We know Barkov’s not coming back till playoffs, so they’re not really concerned about that money right now.”
• Chris Cody ([16:35]): “I liked it a lot more than this show represented. I thought it was fine. That ballpark kinda stinks when it turns in terms of getting in.”
• Pinota ([49:46]): “I don’t think there’s enough in the tank for Seattle, personally. …San Jose has the potential, but they’re in buy and sell mode.”
• Rose ([22:08]): “Because when the Kraken wakes up, somebody’s getting dragged on there.”

Highlighted Timestamps

• 01:15–04:59 Utah Mammoth announced as Winter Classic host; uniform/branding brainstorm
• 05:13–12:43 Reviewing preseason tiers, over/underperforming teams
• 10:30–13:53 Deep dive: Florida Panthers up-and-down, injury impact
• 13:53–17:52 Miami Winter Classic/post-event takes
• 19:52–22:11 “Un Minuto Rosie”: Seattle Kraken recap
• 22:10–27:06 Wins and fails, hat tricks, hockey fights
• 31:07–52:15 David Pinota NHL roundtable: Panthers, Hurricanes, Sabres, Leafs, Rangers, Ullmark’s status, Olympic rink drama, Western playoff race

Conclusion

This energetic episode brings classic Le Batard Show humor and inventiveness to a hockey-heavy news cycle. The panel manages to balance sharp, up-to-date league analysis (from injury updates to insider trade tidbits) with their signature mischief (see: mammoth jersey ideas, tech wishes, and chaotic recaps). If you missed it, you’ll walk away up-to-speed on the league’s shifting landscape, why everyone is buzzing—or not—about the Panthers, and which big storylines to track as the season barrels toward the playoffs and the Olympic freeze.