Hey everyone, hope you are doing well. Tonight, we are back again for another great Episode 19 of Season 7 of Two Guys & Hockey Talk for the first episode of the year. It has been a very busy time in the world of hockey so let’s get into it:
- Another Big NHL Trade – It looks like we have a trade in the East, where the New York have acquired veteran forward Ondřej Palát from the New Jersey Devils in a trade that also brings New York a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a sixth-round pick in 2027, in exchange for forward Maxim Tsyplakov. Palát, 34, a former two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning, has totaled 515 career points (181 goals, 334 assists) over 876 games between the Lightning and Devils, and has 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) in 51 games this season while playing on the fourth year of his five-year, $30 million contract. A seasoned scorer and playoff-tested veteran, Palát is also slated to represent Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, adding international experience to the Islanders’ roster. Tsyplakov, 27, had limited ice time this season and recorded just two points in 27 games, marking a clear shift as the Islanders seek to bolster their lineup ahead of the playoff push.
- Avalanche lock in defenseman Sam Malinski – The Colorado Avalanche have re-signed Sam Malinski with a four‑year, 19 million contract extension (with an AAV of $4.75 million). Malinski, 27, has posted career highs with 21 assists and 24 points in 50 games, while also boasting a strong +26 plus‑minus rating and becoming a reliable presence on the Avs’ backend. Originally undrafted and signed as a college free agent out of Cornell, Malinski has steadily emerged as a two‑way defenseman with effective skating, puck‑moving ability, and dependable defensive play.
- Penguins’ Bryan Rust suspended three games – Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust has been suspended for three games by the NHL following an illegal check to the head of Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser during a recent game, marking his first suspension in a long NHL career. The hit, delivered late in the third period of Pittsburgh’s 3‑2 win, resulted in Boeser being placed on injured reserve and entering concussion protocol. Rust, 33 and in his 12th season with the Penguins, had been assessed only a minor penalty on the play before the league’s Department of Player Safety reviewed the incident and levied supplemental discipline, costing him the upcoming matches against Chicago, New York, and Ottawa. His absence comes during a crucial stretch for Pittsburgh and highlights ongoing league emphasis on player safety and reducing head contact in games.
- Stadium Series preparations – The 2026 Stadium Series at Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium is shaping up as a major outdoor event, featuring a climate-controlled rink and pirate-themed décor inspired by the local Gasparilla Festival. The NHL is blending hockey with local culture through immersive props, entertainment, and creative venue design to enhance the fan experience.
- Patrick Kane ties American scoring record – Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane has tied Mike Modano as the highest-scoring American-born NHL player with 1,374 career points. The milestone highlights Kane’s scoring consistency, longevity, and impact on the league, cementing his place among the all-time American greats. This is a great honour and we have enjoyed watching him play over several years.
- Sweden adds Marcus Johansson and Hampus Lindholm to their Olympic roster – Team Sweden has added Marcus Johansson and Hampus Lindholm to its men’s hockey roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano‑Cortina following injuries to Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson and Minnesota’s Jonas Brodin. Johansson, a veteran forward, returns to the Olympics for the second time, while Lindholm brings defensive experience, helping Sweden maintain depth and experience as it aims for a medal in the international tournament. You hate to see injuries but this is a great honour for both players.
- Heated Rivalry creating a discussion – Actor François Arnaud has publicly challenged the NHL for promoting the popular series Heated Rivalry while the league still lacks openly gay players and meaningful support for queer athletes. Arnaud, who is openly bisexual and stars in the show, said the NHL needs to go beyond surface‑level endorsements and create an environment where LGBTQ+ players feel safe being themselves. His comments have reignited debate about inclusion and representation in professional hockey.
- Josh Leivo sets single‑season goal record in the KHL – Former NHL winger Josh Leivo of the Chelyabinsk Traktor has etched his name into the history books by setting the KHL record for most goals in a regular season, scoring his 49th goal and surpassing Sergei Mozyakin’s long‑standing mark. Leivo finished the campaign with 49 goals and 80 points, highlighting his prolific scoring and elite level of play overseas. Would he see another opportunity in the NHL again? Time will tell.
- Grand Rapids Griffins set AHL road points record – The Grand Rapids Griffins are making history in the American Hockey League this season by setting a new AHL record for the longest road points streak with a 2‑1 win at Manitoba. They earned a point in their 17th consecutive road game, remaining unbeaten in regulation away from home (15‑0‑1‑1), and sit with a dominant 32‑3‑2‑1 record overall, leading their division by a wide margin as they aim for another deep playoff run. They seem to be on fire.
Thoughts? Questions? Suggestions? Then remember to tune in each week to get all the latest news in the world of hockey as we start up Season 7 of the Podcast each Wednesday night at 7pm MST, where we dive into some of these great topics, interview many in the game and so much more. For more hockey news, different takes or if you want to chat about anything hockey give me a follow @hockey_two & @revinev on X and give us a follow on YouTube, and check out our website for articles that we share regularly at https://twoguysandhockeytalk.com/. If you wish to reach out to us, feel free to email us at twoguyshockeytalk@gmail.com
- Pawel ‘The Cat’
