The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

The Hockey Show: Time To Panic In Edmonton? (feat. Adnan Virk)

Date: September 5, 2025
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Roy Bellamy, David Dwork, Ethan
Featured Guest: Adnan Virk

Episode Overview

This episode of The Hockey Show dives deep into recent sweeping changes to the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), examines their impact on teams and players, and explores Connor McDavid's contract situation with the Edmonton Oilers. The panel also critiques new NHL uniforms, debates national TV schedule fairness, celebrates new U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, and closes with film recommendations and lighthearted banter.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Remembering a Local Legend: Steve Elario (00:49–03:03)

• The crew pays tribute to Steve Elario, a beloved Panthers superfan known for his Ric Flair resemblance and his presence at games.
• David Dwork: “He was super friendly, always smiling. You always see fans coming out to him, taking pictures... Panthers lost a good one today.” (01:57)
• The group reminisces about Elario’s contagious enthusiasm and his status as a fixture at Panthers games.

2. NHL CBA Overhaul & Upcoming Rule Changes (03:03–08:32)

New Salary Cap Rules & “Anti-Panthers” Consequences (03:03–06:20)

• Playoff Salary Cap Introduced: Responds to teams exploiting long-term injured reserve (LTIR), notably recent Stanley Cup champs.
  • Ethan: “Four or five of the last few Stanley Cup champions have used that rule.” (03:35)
• Ban on Deferred Compensation: Starting this season, no more major salary payouts deferred; impact on Panthers' contract strategies discussed.
  • David Dwork: “I don't know if that's going to hamper the way that Bill Zito and his guys have constructed their contracts, but it's certainly going to be something to keep an eye on.” (04:05)
• Changes to Regular Season LTIR: Adjusts the amount of salary teams can store on LTIR.
  • Adnan Virk: “I’m interested to see... the percentage of the cap and how much salary you can actually put on LTIR.” (04:41)

Effects on Star Players, Trades, and Deadlines (05:28–06:38)

• Matthew Tkachuk’s injury situation highlighted as a test-case under new cap restrictions for the Panthers.
  • Adnan Virk: “How is that going to affect the Evan Rodriguez situation? I'm already intrigued by what the Panthers are going to do with this.” (04:54)
• Trade Deadline Impact: Stricter rules on salary retention & LTIR will dampen big trades.
  • David Dwork: “A lot of teams are retaining salary... It’s going to be fun to see how teams adjust in real time to this.” (06:20)

Structural Shifts: 84-game Season, Schedule Adjustments, Dress Code, & Sponsorships (06:38–09:12)

• Season Moving Earlier: Starts in September, Cup awarded mid-June; 84-game season begins next year.
  • Adnan Virk: “The season’s going to start in September now... and the cup they're hoping to be handed out in Mid June.” (06:45)
• Preseason Reduction: Trade-off for more regular-season games, considered better for player development and competitiveness.
• Dress Code Relaxation: Players can now arrive in tracksuits and casual wear, showing more personality.
• Alcohol Sponsorship: Players can endorse wine and spirits, bringing more marketing freedom.
  • Ethan (joking): “Alexander Barkov can hold up a nice cold shot glass filled with Jagermeister. Damn, that’s cold.” (09:00)

3. Connor McDavid’s Contract Uncertainty and the Edmonton Window (09:12–11:15, 28:02–32:25)

• Latest McDavid comments reflect a desire for both security and team flexibility.
  • McDavid Quote: “We're trying to find a scenario that works for everybody... my belief in the season and the players this year has never been higher.” (09:09)
• Speculation on McDavid’s Next Move:
  • Adnan Virk: “What I expect to happen is he’s going to take a three or four year deal, short term, and kind of say, here's your window. Win now or I’m gone. And if you win, I’ll stay forever. And if you don’t, I’m going to go to Florida.” (09:40)
  • Roy Bellamy: “This is insane... if you lose McDavid after you lost Gretzky and you didn't win the Stanley Cup... McDavid knows that he's got his play now.” (30:01)
• Potential Destinations: Florida, Tampa, or Vegas seen as attractive if McDavid leaves, with Florida’s winning culture and cap-friendly contracts discussed.
  • David Dwork: “Florida's gonna make it work. That's the one place you can take less money and it's all good... they only want to win Stanley Cups.” (31:38)

4. Wins & Fails of the Week—Uniforms & Hockey Honors (10:03–17:36)

Wins

• Montreal Canadiens’ Center Ice Logo & Senators’ New Jersey: Praised for boldness, not universally loved.
  • David Dwork: “They’re not afraid to put it out there... More teams need to not be afraid to do whatever the hell they want and see what gets out there artistically.” (11:08)
• U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class: Scott Gomez, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Tara Mounsey, and photographer Bruce Bennett.
  • Ethan: “Those are the names going in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.” (12:06)
• Seattle Kraken’s Glow-In-The-Dark Jersey: Celebrated as a creative “big swing.”
  • Adnan Virk: “I've never seen a glow in the dark jersey before, so that's really, really cool.” (13:38)

Fails

• Montreal & Ottawa Design Backlash; New Hurricanes’ Jersey: Panel largely unimpressed, especially with road jersey changes.
  • Ethan: “My fail of the week is this—not only is the center ice designed in Montreal ugly, the Senators jerseys are bad too.” (15:56)
  • Adnan Virk: “My fail of the week is also for the Canes... their best uniform is the uniform they never wear.” (16:53)

Notable Moment – Comedy Show Hockey Player

• Riley Smith’s Comedy Club Moment: Smith heckled at a show, takes out his teeth for laughs–prototypical hockey player behavior.
  • David Dwork: “Such a hockey player move, though, to take out your teeth at a random time.” (15:19)

5. National TV Schedule: U.S. vs. Canada and Market Biases (21:23–27:39)

• Panel critiques the NHL national TV schedule—big U.S. markets (Rangers, Penguins, Capitals) hold priority over deserving or recent champions like the Panthers, and over exciting Canadian teams.
  • Adnan Virk: “The Islanders do not rate, the Rangers do... it's annoying, but it's not surprising... In Canada... it's all Maple Leafs games, Habs games.” (23:52)
  • David Dwork: “Five of the six Canadian teams have zero nationally televised games in the U.S. and then Toronto has 14.” (24:33)
  • Ethan: “Explain to me why, on network television for abc, why are there no games for the defending Stanley cup champion?” (26:07)
  • Roy Bellamy: “You still get two games. You should get the first game and you raise the cup. The cannons are out and you get a rematch of when you beat whomever.” (27:15)

6. Pop Culture & Fun

Nostalgia: Commercials and Movies (32:25–38:55)

• Mighty Ducks Actor in Pizza Hut Commercial: The panel delights in recognizing Goldberg from The Mighty Ducks in a classic ad.
• Film Discussion:
  • Adnan Virk reviews “High and Low” and Spike Lee's “High & Low” remake, shares thoughts on Denzel and Spike collaborations.
  • Back to the Future Love: Multiple hosts declare it a “perfect” film; its emotional core and cultural impact discussed.
    • Adnan Virk: “Quentin Tarantino... has called Back to the Future a perfect [film].” (36:58)

Book Plug

• Adnan Virk’s new book, Cinephile: Panel encourages support for his collection of essays and interviews.

Hockey Movies

• Friendly Critique: David Dwork suggests the next book should feature a hockey movie chapter.

7. Lighthearted Banter & Wrapping Up (39:02–41:38)

• Updates on Rosie’s travel and Wi-Fi struggles in Chicago; jokes about the Alaska Rainbow Bears.
• Closing gratitude for Adnan's appearance and anticipation for hockey season.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On CBA Rules:
  • “Seems like this is all... an anti-Panthers rule.” — Ethan (04:29)
  • “The question is what does this do for the trade deadline? Is the trade deadline going to be a dud now?” — Adnan Virk (05:31)
• On McDavid:
  • “I think he wants to stay in Edmonton... What I expect to happen is he’s going to take a short term deal and say, here’s your window. Win now or I’m gone.” — Adnan Virk (09:40)
  • “Florida's gonna make it work... they only want to win Stanley Cups.” — David Dwork (31:38)
• On TV schedules:
  • “Five of the six Canadian teams have zero nationally televised games in the U.S. and then Toronto has 14.” — David Dwork (24:33)
  • “If you win the cup, at the very least, you get the first game. Always thought like, hey Panthers... they're going to raise the banner, that's special...” — Roy Bellamy (27:15)
• On Glow-in-the-Dark Uniforms:
  • "I’ve never seen a glow in the dark jersey before, so that’s really cool.” — Adnan Virk (13:38)

Key Timestamps

• 00:49–03:03: Steve Elario Tribute
• 03:03–09:12: NHL CBA Changes Breakdown
• 09:12–11:15: McDavid’s Status and Edmonton Outlook
• 10:03–17:36: Wins & Fails: Uniforms, Comedy Moments, Hall of Fame
• 21:23–27:39: National TV Schedule Debate
• 28:02–32:25: McDavid Contract Talk Continued
• 32:25–38:55: Movie Reviews, Commercial Nostalgia
• 39:02–41:38: Lighthearted Banter & Goodbye

Summary Verdict

This episode, true to The Hockey Show’s form, blends hard hockey analysis (CBA, salary cap, McDavid) with Florida Panthers pride, irreverent humor, and sidebars into pop culture. The guest spot by Adnan Virk adds sharp industry insight. If you care about the NHL’s evolving landscape, why certain teams get national attention, or are just debating whether the Senators’ new threads are hot or not—this is an essential, fast-moving listen.