Red Wings Buying, Malkin’s Future & the Shifting NHL Playoff Picture

We start the show with a big question, Are The Buffalo Sabres Good? Sitting third in the Atlantic Division, can the Sabres snap their playoff drought this year?

Sticking in the Atlantic, the Toronto Maple Leafs are struggling sitting five points out of the playoffs. Are Toronto's playoff hopes over?

The Detroit Red Wings are a team that has surprised with their record so far and with an abundance of cap space could we see the Wings make a big splash before the Olympic Break or at the deadline to vault this team to another level in an Eastern Conference that remains relatively open for the taking?

The Boston Bruins continue to hover around the final Eatern Conference playoff spot. Bruins' backup Joonas Korpisalo has been sensational since the beginning of 2026 with a 4-0-0 record, sub two GAA, and a SV% over .940. With Jeremy Swayman heading to the Olympics, could we see more starts by Korpisalo and a tandem forming similar to when the Bruins had Swayman and Linus Ullmark? 

The Pittsburgh Penguins are giving Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang their storybook farewell. Considered at the beginning of the season as a team that could turn the chapter on their veterans and rebuild, the Penguins currently sit second in the Metro Division and are riding a four-game winning streak.

A big question for Penguins' GM Kyle Dubas will be what to do with Malkin? The veteran forward is a free agent after this year but has shown he still has gas left in the tank. With Crosby under contract still for next season, could we see Malkin resign and ride off into the sunset with his long-time teammate or will Dubas look to turn over this team to some of his younger prospects climbing the organizational ranks?

Malkin and the Penguins' situation brings up the topic of development and is it better for younger players to grow with other young players and go through those growing pains together or is it better to have a group of seasoned veterans in the room to ease rookies into the league and pass down their wisdom?

The Anaheim Ducks have had a rollercoaster season but sit third in the Pacific and are on a seven-game win streak. This mix of veterans and youngsters could be the blueprint for other teams going into a rebuilding stage or trying to breakout from their rebuilds to get back to contention. 

Evan Bouchard had a monster game Saturday posting six points, including his first ever hat trick in a 6-5 overtime win over the Washington Capitals. How rare was Bouchard's night for NHL defenders?

Nikita Kucherov now sits third in NHL scoring and with Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid stealing a lot of the spotlight, it's hard to overlook the Russian winger's impact for the Tampa Bay Lightning who have had a slew of injuries this season yet still sit second in the Atlantic Division. Does Kucherov not get the attention he deserves on a national scale?

Pat joins the show for another edition of Buy or Sell: 

• Carter Hart and Adin Hill will be the goalie tandem for Vegas come playoffs
• Vegas to win the Pacific
• A big trade will occur before the Olympic Break

Lastly, the guys discuss all the new faces that could be in the playoffs this season and if this parity is good for the NHL or if the parity devalues the Stanley Cup?

0:00 - Intro

3:15 - Are The Sabres Good?

6:40 - Are Toronto's Playoff Hopes Over?

11:15 - Red Wings in the Market

12:05 - Boston Bruins

15:00 - Pittsburgh Penguins

15:20 - What Does Dubas Do With Evgeni Malkin?

17:15 - Development

21:40 - Anaheim Ducks

28:00 - Bouchard Hatty

35:30 - Nikita Kucherov

38:40 - Buy or Sell

50:55 - New Teams in the Playoffs

You can get involved with all the NHL futures action over on bet365 by using the promo code NATION at bet365.com

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