100% Hockey

John Shannon and Daren Millard are joined by former NHL goaltender and Clear Sight Analytics CEO Steve Valiquette for a deep dive into the position and some of the biggest goaltending questions around the NHL.
With Connor Hellebuyck’s future in Winnipeg uncertain, Steve breaks down what makes the three-time Vezina Trophy winner so valuable and why he believes Carolina could be an ideal fit. The guys examine Hellebuyck’s numbers, the teams that could benefit most from adding him, and what an elite goaltender can change for a contender.
Steve also gets into the details of modern goaltending, explaining the importance of positioning, angle control and playing off the old crease line. He breaks down how a goalie’s depth changes as a rush develops and why seemingly small positional decisions can have such a significant impact.
The conversation then dives into the numbers behind scoring. Steve explains the work being done by Clear Sight Analytics, how the company evaluates scoring opportunities, and what the data can tell us about where and how goals are being created across the NHL.
Plus, John, Daren and Steve discuss some of the major stories around the league, including the latest injuries and Alex Ovechkin’s announcement that this season will be the final one of his legendary NHL career.

John Shannon and Daren Millard are joined by New Jersey Devils General Manager Sunny Mehta on 100% Hockey for his first conversation with the show since taking over in New Jersey.
Mehta discusses the transition from helping build a championship organization in Florida to being the person ultimately responsible for the decisions in New Jersey. Despite years spent preparing for an opportunity like this, he explains why the reality of sitting in the GM’s chair has been even more demanding than he anticipated.
The conversation dives into Mehta’s unconventional path through hockey, including his background in analytics, poker, and financial trading, and how those experiences influence the way he evaluates risk and makes decisions as an NHL executive.
Mehta also discusses bringing longtime Florida executive Bryan McCabe into the organization, the different perspectives they bring to player evaluation and development, and the importance of surrounding himself with people whose strengths complement his own.
John and Daren also ask about Mehta’s relationship with head coach Sheldon Keefe and how the front office and coaching staff work together as the Devils try to establish the identity of this new era in New Jersey.
Plus, the guys work through some of the early stories around the NHL, including injuries, the first impressions of the new season, and whether the league’s shortened training camp is already having an impact.

John Shannon and Daren Millard are joined by NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly on 100% Hockey for a wide-ranging conversation about the business of the league and some of the biggest issues shaping its future.
Before Daly joins the show, John and Daren work through the early headlines of the NHL season, including Igor Shesterkin scoring the first goalie goal in New York Rangers history, Matthew Knies making an immediate impact in his Columbus debut, the latest surrounding Aleksander Barkov, and the early questions facing Edmonton.
Daly then joins the conversation to discuss the NHL’s new shortened training camp and preseason format, why the league doesn’t view the condensed schedule as a player health or conditioning concern, and the adjustment teams are making as they transition into the new structure.
The discussion turns to the business of hockey, including the NHL’s rising salary cap and the changing financial environment around the league. Daly explains the transition away from the flat-cap years and offers his perspective on how the league’s economics continue to evolve.
John, Daren and Daly also debate the increasing importance of no-trade and no-move clauses in player contracts before looking toward the possibility of future NHL expansion, the level of interest from prospective markets, and the importance of ensuring the league has enough talent to support additional teams.
The conversation concludes with a broader look at how the NHL tells its stories, the importance of showcasing the personalities behind the players, and why human-interest storytelling remains an important part of growing the game.

John Shannon and Daren Millard are back on 100% Hockey as the NHL regular season gets underway, with Columbus Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell joining the show.
The guys begin with Jared Bednar’s new four-year extension in Colorado and look back at the first night of the NHL season, including Montreal’s win over Toronto and Vancouver’s overtime victory against Edmonton.
Then, Waddell takes John and Daren inside one of the biggest trades of the young season. Columbus acquired Matthew Knies, Emil Andrae, Steven Lorentz and a conditional draft pick from Toronto in a major deal that sent Kirill Marchenko, Elvis Merzlikins and Miles Wood to the Maple Leafs.
Waddell discusses the thinking behind the deal, what made Knies an attractive addition for Columbus, and the circumstances surrounding Marchenko’s departure. He also breaks down how the move changes the Blue Jackets’ roster and where the organization stands as a new season begins.
With significant changes in Columbus, the conversation turns to expectations for the year ahead and how Waddell sees the new pieces fitting into a Blue Jackets team looking to take another step forward.
Plus, John and Daren break down the early returns from opening night and some of the first storylines of the 2026-27 NHL season.

John Shannon and Daren Millard are joined by longtime ESPN hockey host and play-by-play commentator John Buccigross on 100% Hockey to look ahead to a new NHL season and some of the biggest stories around the league.
With opening night approaching, Buccigross shares what has his attention heading into the season as the guys work their way through the teams, players, and coaches facing some of the biggest expectations.
The conversation covers the outlook in Washington, questions surrounding Connor Hellebuyck and Winnipeg, Buffalo’s situation in goal, and the uncertainty facing Detroit. They also discuss Edmonton under Mike Babcock, Peter Laviolette’s latest opportunity behind an NHL bench, and what to make of the always difficult-to-define Toronto Maple Leafs.
John, Daren, and Bucci also discuss which teams could take a significant step forward, the challenges created by a shortened training camp, and what the opening weeks could tell us about contenders around the league.
The conversation also turns to the late Barry Melrose, with Buccigross reflecting on his former ESPN colleague, their years covering hockey together, and Melrose’s lasting contribution to growing the game’s presence in the United States.
With the preseason coming to an end and the regular season about to begin, Buccigross helps set the table for another year of NHL hockey.