Welcome back everyone to Season 8 of Two Guys & Hockey Talk! Tonight we are back with another jam-packed episode 9 with Evan Renaerts bringing you all the latest NHL headlines, biggest performances, trade rumours, injuries and storylines from around the hockey world. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest stories making waves right now.
- Winnipeg Jets Pull off a Great Comeback – The Winnipeg Jets finally snapped their 9 game winless streak in unbelievable fashion against the Montreal Canadiens beating the team 5 to 4, after trailing 4-0 with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. Winnipeg scored four goals in just 2 minutes and 6 seconds to tie the game before Dylan Samberg completed the comeback with an overtime winner for a 5-4 victory. Kyle Connor scored twice in just 27 seconds, including the tying goal with 33 seconds remaining, while rookie Tyrel Bauer recorded his first NHL goal as part of a Gordie Howe hat trick. The comeback officially became the latest four-goal comeback in NHL history, surpassing the previous record held by the Los Angeles Kings from 2007. For Montreal, it was a collapse after it appeared that they had the game completely under control, something that head coach Martin St. Louis will not be happy.
- Brad Lambert Placed on Waivers by the Winnipeg Jets – Speaking of the Winnipeg Jets made another roster move on Tuesday, placing young forward Brad Lambert on waivers with the intention of returning him to their AHL affiliate. Lambert, 22, has been one of the organization’s more intriguing young prospects, but the Jets have apparently decided that additional development time in the minors is the best option for him right now. He was a first round 30 overall from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The move comes during a difficult stretch for Winnipeg, which had gone nine consecutive games without a victory before finally getting back in the win column against Montreal. With the Jets trying to find consistency and get their season back on track, roster adjustments could become increasingly important. Lambert will now have an opportunity to continue developing his game and work toward earning another NHL opportunity.
- Connor Hellebuyck Opens Up About His Decision to Leave Winnipeg – There was also an announcement from former Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who has finally addressed Winnipeg Jets fans in a heartfelt letter, explaining that his decision to request a trade was influenced by several difficult personal circumstances involving his family. The former Jets goaltender apologized for disappointing fans, expressed his gratitude for his 11 seasons in Winnipeg, and emphasized that his family’s well-being ultimately played a major role in deciding that a fresh start with a new club (the New Jersey Devils) was the best path forward. He also asked fans to respect their family’s privacy and thanked the organization and Winnipeg community for everything.
- Nikita Kucherov Requests a Trade – One of the biggest developing stories around the league involves Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov, who has reportedly requested a trade (according to reports by Elliotte Friedman) after becoming frustrated with the organization’s communication regarding a potential contract extension. Kucherov reportedly felt disrespected after only having 2 conversations with GM Julien BriseBois over a four-month period. Since the news broke, several teams have been connected to the superstar and would be willing to take a shot at the former reigning Hart winner. However, Tampa Bay is reportedly unlikely to trade him given the comments from Julien BriseBois. There is also speculation that Kucherov could command a contract worth as much as $20 million annually on his next deal, after coming off a massive 130-point season. Therefore, we will be monitoring this situation in Tampa Bay very closely.
- Cutter Gauthier gets Back-to-Back Hat Tricks – Cutter Gauthier, of the Anaheim Ducks has been absolutely on fire over the last few games after recording his second consecutive hat trick against the Vancouver Canucks beating them 5 to 4. Gauthier, 22, now has scored 8 goals over his last three games, including 6 power-play goals. He also became the first NHL player to record multiple power-play goals in three consecutive games. For Anaheim, who have playoff aspirations, Gauthier’s early breakout season is heping the team continue to gather points in the Pacific.
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Becomes the Edmonton Oilers All-Time Games Played Leader – It was also a special night for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who officially became the Edmonton Oilers’ all-time leader in regular-season games played. His appearance against the New Jersey Devils marked his 1,038th regular-season game with the franchise, moving him past former Oilers captain Kevin Lowe (who also provided a tribute video). Nugent-Hopkins, 33, has been one of the most important players in Edmonton throughout his career, sticking with the organization through rebuilding years and multiple Stanley Cup playoff runs. The 2011 first-overall pick has developed into a versatile 2-way forward. This is a well-deserved milestone for a player who has spent his entire NHL career representing the Oilers.
- Jarome Iginla opens up about some Health Issues – Unfortunately, there is some concerning news involving Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla. The former Calgary Flames superstar recently revealed that he has been dealing with neurological issues that may be connected to complications from a hip replacement surgery performed several years ago. Iginla explained that he has spent more than a year undergoing medical testing and consulting with specialists in an attempt to understand what is happening. He also mentioned that doctors are investigating whether his symptoms could be related to a reaction involving cobalt from his hip replacement. At 49 years old, Iginla remains one of the most respected and beloved figures in hockey. He has expressed hope that he will eventually make a full recovery, and the entire hockey community will certainly be wishing him the best as he continues working through these health challenges. We wish him all our best to Iggy.
- International Hockey Faces Controversy Ahead of the 2027 World Juniors – One of other big international hockey storylines involves the possibility of Russia returning to IIHF competition after a recent ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding Russia’s eligibility to return to international hockey after being banned following the country’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Sweden, Finland and Czechia have announced that they would boycott the 2027 IIHF World Championship if Russia is reinstated, with Norway, Latvia and Denmark also joining the opposition. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has also stated that Russia and Belarus will not be permitted to participate in the 2027 World Juniors, which are scheduled to take place in Edmonton and Red Deer this December. This creates a complicated situation for international hockey, as the IIHF must navigate the eligibility ruling alongside opposition from multiple national federations and Canada’s position as the host country for the upcoming World Juniors. This is a story we will be monitoring.
- Tyler Ertel Named Head Coach of the Elmira Sugar Kings – The Elmira Sugar Kings have announced that Tyler Ertel will be taking over as the organization’s new head coach, replacing Cory McRae behind the bench. Ertel brings plenty of experience to the position, having played 268 career OHL games with the Kitchener Rangers, North Bay Centennials and Windsor Spitfires, recording 273 points, before moving into coaching and player development. Most recently, Ertel served as an assistant coach with the Soo Greyhounds and Wilfrid Laurier University, while also founding Holistic Hockey, a player development program he has operated for more than 25 years. Ertel will now look to bring his experience and player-development background to Elmira as the Sugar Kings look to turn their season around. We wish him all the best in his new role.
- Brock Faber close to returning – The Minnesota Wild have received news regarding Brock Faber, and that he is reportedly getting close to returning after suffering a fractured skull during a preseason game against the Dallas Stars back on September 25. According to head coach John Hynes, Faber has essentially been cleared to return to play and has resumed skating and working out daily after missing approximately 5 weeks. The Wild have play very well so far this season without Faber, going 10-3-3 record without him, but getting one of their top defencemen back (next to Quinn Hughes) will provide a massive boost to their blue line. Minnesota is also hoping to get Nick and Marcus Foligno back soon, meaning the team could be getting significantly healthier over the next few weeks and contend for top of the Central.
Agree? Disagree? Let’s talk Hockey! Season 8 of Two Guys & Hockey Talk, where we break down the latest news and biggest stories in hockey, interview people from around the game, and bring you plenty of opinions, discussion and more. For more hockey news, different takes, and to join the conversation, follow us on X at @hockey_two and @revinev, subscribe to us on YouTube, and visit twoguysandhockeytalk.com for articles and regular hockey content. Want to get in touch or become a partner or sponsor? Email us anytime at twoguyshockeytalk@gmail.com.
- Pawel ‘The Cat’
