Okposo Retires, NHL Expansion Incoming? Gudas Named Ducks Captain, Demko Update

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[@InsignificantNick]

Got this notification and the Seider news at the same time. Peak THG timing.

[@keegansmith7614]

This really triggered THG lol

[@bukelos2804]

Congratz to Radko Gudas! Only the 5th Czech captain in NHL history so far

[@SabresGuy87]

Nothing but love for Kyle Okposo, he deserves all that he got last year and couldn't have happened to a better guy. Good luck and enjoy your health, wealth and family

[@Jweldsandlifts]

I like that he actually came in clutch a couple times for Fla during their run despite having limited ice time. The panthers def seemed to rally around him too when they gave him a game puck.

[@GizmoBeach]

Best part for me as a Sabres’ fan was he didn’t go to Florida and watch from the bench; he was in the lineup for Game 7 when they won it all. They did right by the longtime Islander and Sabre.

[@seanpoulton2446]

So fitting for Gudas to be named Captain. If you listened to the open mics, it’s clear he is the voice of that team. Also the perfect Captain for a Pat Verbeek team.

[@neeltheother2342]

two little balls of hate

[@brAnd7onX87]

Stian Solberg next Ducks captain??

[@_RM99]

I like seeing teams giving the C to vets and guys who've actually showed leadership qualities, instead of "Screw it let's just give to our best player"

[@randombutrelevant]

How about who cares vet or rookie, the name should decide. Is there a better name than Radko Gudas? Nope!

[@SabresGuy87]

Trust me, Buffalo learned that the hard way with Jack Eichel. Guy was nowhere near close to C material, probably still isn't but not our problem anymore

[@honkingantalope]

Works out for lots of players though. They don't make players captains by accident.

[@Nikkerman]

I agree

[@77sinner]

There is a fine line between being the best player on a team or being the best leader, no doubt.

[@Nikkerman]

I like Okposo going out on top, alwsys thought thats what you do to make people look back fondly on your career

[@saturnotaku]

Couldn't ask for a better way to leave the league after a hard-knock career. Good luck and Godspeed, Kyle.

[@fphlflash]

Love me a good Sweeney roast... Happy retirement to Okposo

[@DisgruntledHippo]

Seider comments incoming. Run! Run for your life! Haha

[@singloc3021]

Huge Kyle Okposo fan (with Islanders)! I'm happy he has a ring and the best for his retirement days (I wish I was retired).

[@redleader2187]

Big shout out to Okposo, I was hoping either he or Casey won this year in the cup finals. So glad he got this much earned movie ending

[@craigerickson6308]

Okposo was a perfect fit rental, enjoy that well deserved retirement.

[@w.l.graves7228]

hockey fan since 1960 ,and coyote fan since opening night 9/25-1996 , arizona is not "inactive" thanks to con man meruelo we are dead in the water in the NHL , or rather dead in the sand ,but at least we still have the AHL tucson roadrunners ,and ASU sun devils Division I to watch and root for

[@topgun9666]

Lehner didn't show up for his physical. VGK cannot place him on LTIR until he does. Vegas is talking about contract termination for violation of contract :(

[@BobBigWheels]

I hope he is doing ok

[@JFoxman]

Thanks for wearing the WHA Houston Aeros jersey! NHL IN HOUSTON!!

[@penguinsfan251]

Damn straight. The return of the Aeros is way overdue (the NHL version this time).

[@LilSnoup]

It won’t happen right away though, the announcement of where a team is going to be won’t happen for another 2-3 years, and the team announced won’t join the NHL for another 5-7 years. Gotta give time for Seattle to develope a team

[@OldRustySteele]

But don’t use that ugly WHA Aeros jersey that Shannon is wearing. Use the green 1990’s IHL version with the B-25 bomber coming out of the puck.

[@Deadmanwolfpac93]

Oh yes, good day for my fellow expansion brethren Ducks fans on ol’ Butcher Radko wearing the C. Let’s go.

[@Phillomania]

It's weird to me that NHL owners would get excited for expansion fees when they have to share and if it's at $1 Billion, then each owner only gets about 32 million. Owner of the Kings is worth 16 Billion Owner of the Sabres is worth 7.5 Billion. Owner of the Senators is worth 1.1 Billion - that 32 Million is just like 3% more of his net worth.

[@THE_bchat]

I don't see how it's weird. Just because it's a small number compared to their "worth", doesn't mean they don't enjoy getting more money, and $32 million is nothing to roll your eyes at even if you're a billionaire.

[@williamford9564]

"Net worth" is NOT CASH. It is the value of businesses and everything else they own. It only becomes cash WHEN THEY SELL. The owner of the Coyotes was a "billionaire". But he and his businesses had NO CASH which is why taxes and vendors were not being paid. $32 million in expansion fees is CASH GOING RIGHT INTO THE OWNERS' POCKETS..

[@77sinner]

It's still money in the bank for the owner's.

[@justjohnny420]

On a lesser scale. If I had $10000, I'd happily take a free $300. Money is money

[@AC-xq4hh]

It's because it's pure liquid cash that they do not share with the players or anyone for that matter.

[@richardthacker6]

Congrats to Okposo. You meant so much to our championship run. Enjoy a well-earned retirement.

[@Scantronimus466]

It’s not just that Lehner didn’t report to camp - he didn’t report to the medical assessment he’s supposed to have, in order to confirm his inability to play. The Knights are looking to terminate his contract.

[@klompsauce]

Seider signs 7 year 59.85M deal

[@honkingantalope]

As a Leafs fan. I think we are just paying for Regular season records. They are never trading Matthews, Nylander, Marner and Rielly ever. They will all be life long leafs. Not even NHL records just Leaf record. Maybe Matthews can score the most goals of all time. But that's the only record will ever get. Or longest Stanley Cup Drought.

[@ffs_man]

Gudas was credited along with Hornquvist as the primary drivers for turning around the culture of the Florida Panthers. Well earned Mr. Gudas!

[@TheBoyer19]

I'm excited to be going to my first NHL training camp in Penticton this weekend to see the Canucks practice. I'm hoping to be able to meet the players.

[@vipeholmskolan6052]

Cool that Onposo got his ring!

[@StevenAbootman]

man seeing okposo retire makes me feel old as dirt

[@moneyhoarder69]

Glad to see Kaskisuo got a PTO. He also makes youtube content showing some cool insight in the world of professional hockey.

[@bretts2356]

I read a MSN article that had further Andy Strickland quotes and he was complaining that Atlanta "Failed twice and are getting a third shot!". Crazy how a "reputable insider" is still oblivious as to why the Thrashers moved. Bonkers.

[@randombutrelevant]

... but did they or did they not fail twice? And why are they an option over Houston?

[@bretts2356]

@@randombutrelevant I don't think "Fail" is the right terminology- specifically for the Thrashers. The Flames.... yeah, part of it was that they weren't drawing very well in the 70s but the main problem was that Tom Cousins (the owner) lost a fortune in the real estate collapse, so he sold the team to save himself. When it comes to the Thrashers, they were owned by AOL/Time Warner, which was a sinking ship... so they sold the Thrashers along with the Hawks and Philips Arena to The Atlanta Spirit Group.... who were a bunch of Basketball fans who ONLY wanted a basketball team. They literally wanted to offload the Thrashers from day 1. However, they couldn't... because they started suing each other over basketball ops and the group was tied up in courts for years. Once that resolved, they sold the Thrashers. They didn't even want the team to play in their barn, so getting them out of the city was their preference. Hence- Winnipeg Jets 2.0. It wasn't a failure so much as an eviction.

[@bretts2356]

@@randombutrelevant Oh- to answer the second part of your question... I don't think they are necessarily a better option than Houston. If I was to give one edge to Atlanta it would be an arena made with Hockey in mind rather than a retrofitted NBA arena... but I don't think that would put the city over Houston. I fully expect Houston to be first.

[@justjohnny420]

​@randombutrelevant Are they an option over Houston if Houston is joining with them? 🤨

[@KDial]

@@bretts2356 You pretty much hit the nail on the head Brett. I was a season ticket guy for both teams. Cousins (Flames) was a well meaning millionaire in over his head. At the end, we'd heard that Glenn Ford (the actor) was going to ride in and save the team. But just a rumor. The Atla. Spirit (Thrashers) was totally different. And you nailed that. A bunch of basketball idiots that should have been called the Keystone Cops Group. And although attendance was a small problem for the Thrashers, the major problem was Steve Belkin and his Idiot buddies suing each other. Why can't Atlanta get a decent Owner?

[@Inthenickofcrime]

Good for Gudas! I miss him being on the Panthers. Great dude

[@markroberts9577]

Smart for the owners to expand before the current CBA expires!

[@mr198221]

Islanders legend! Won a Cup. So happy for him being a Stars fan in NYC.

[@DanielMeadusNL]

Loving all of these news videos! Excited for the season!

[@nfrandom007]

My picks for the next 4 NHL teams, Atlanta Houston 2026, Indianapolis Phoenix, 2028-2030

[@PigeonNHL]

Phoenix isn't happening unless a new arena can be built and used under a new ownership group, which is highly unlikely

[@trapjohnson]

@@PigeonNHL KC or Portland then?

[@kieranperreaultdit-morin9262]

If Houston got an NHL team they should be named the Stripes so the battle of Texas is the Stars and Stripes

[@kevinstull8552]

🤦

[@PigeonNHL]

As a Canadian, I guess it would be funny for a little bit, but when you think about it the Houston Stripes makes absolutely no sense. In my opinion, a hockey team name has to be something fast or something related to the city they play in, and the Stripes are neither. (Ignore the Ducks, they're named that because of Disney.)

[@Statsy10]

@@PigeonNHL He was making a joke. You're supposed to chuckle and then move on.

[@jasondubbin9522]

I always liked Kyle Okposo still remember when Dion Phanuef made a huge open ice hit at the game I was at Okposo left on a stretcher the chaos after was wild. Calgary vs islanders the year theo fleury tried coming back

[@user-ex9xh2yk3x]

There are about few different types of knee muscles too the LCL MCL ACL PCL it can be possible for either one that he could have over played and injured. Glad that he is feeling confident about his status.

[@johnpat3622]

Quebecor might be more focused on buying Corus right now rather than an NHL team.

[@Xpun-oi2zz]

Im so happy for Okposo. Glad to see an Islander get a cup win. Even if it wasnt with us,

[@elosogonzalez8739]

The knights have moved on from Lehner. He'll never return to net, at least in Vegas.😊

[@CoolsBreeze]

As someone who watches Kaskisuo's channel vids and vlogs it was weird hearing the news from you first. Also I hope he gets a contract. He deserves one after being all over the place.

[@CraigH999]

Only thing about expansion that I would like to see would be an even number of teams added. Quebec City will never see an NHL franchise. Look for a PWHL instead in la belle province.

[@Stephens_Rocket]

I know that they went for NHL cities and are probably looking to the US (hence the games in Pittsburgh and Detroit last season and more this season) but with the lower overall attendance anyway, particularly in a couple of cities, I reckon Quebec would go mad for a top level league like the PWHL.

[@PigeonNHL]

Ngl they wouldn't even have to name a Houston or Atlanta team. Just call them the Aeros and Thrashers.

[@mbertrand]

GUDAS!!! 🔥

[@tobyyoder8350]

I'd Expect 2 Expansion Franchises to come in at once to the NHL

[@mannyoliveira776]

Just move Wpg to Houston in 2031, & move 1 of San Jose, Carolina or Buffalo to Atlanta. The NHL can always go back to Buffalo or Carolina, theyd be suckers for another franchise, also Carolina & Buffalo 2.0 version is always way cooler. 32 teams is enough. Wpg & SJs can be great AhL markets - same with Carolina or Buffalo for the time being until they get a relocated or new franchise. Ottawa will likely remain so that there's 2 Ontario teams, then they can always go back to Wpg or become Toronto-Guelph-Waterloo franchise

[@dennish.7708]

@@mannyoliveira776Nah, move Dallas to Houston. Winnipeg is fine right where it is.

[@mannyoliveira776]

@@dennish.7708 Dallas to Hous..yah...um ok. That would never happen, but man that create an even more intense rivalry down the road when Dallas gets it's 2.0 franchise - likely from >> Wpg

[@PigeonNHL]

@@mannyoliveira776 ...So a Canadian market with tons of fans that love their team and one of the biggest places in the Western United States would be good AHL markets? Please explain that to me.

[@mannyoliveira776]

@@PigeonNHL Wpg has 800k people, with it's surroundings, maybe it's a 900K market. Not that big. They'd probably be ok with an AHL franchise. San Jose, as well as Florida almost require their teams to be in the playoffs on a yearly basis (basically they only turn out for a winner). If the team is mediocre, say 20th - 25th place - their arena during midweek games are half empty. Buf & NJ have struggled with half empty arenas during midweek games - mostly because they're teams have been so poor the last 10 yrs). Wpg would be a good affiliate for Hous, Calgary, Ana or LA or something. San Jose would be a good affiliate AHL franchise for Seattle, Las Vegas, or Utah. Just meanderings.

[@philcanselmo9436]

We'll get team 35 and 36 probably after that

[@chrisbell7483]

Would be great to see some Canadian cities added to upcoming expansions

[@m00rtin4]

What about Jagr?

[@SverigeiSverige]

His 37th and final pro season.

[@kevinstull8552]

​@@SverigeiSverigeUntil he's given a cybernetic body, then he will be playing indefinitely 😂.

[@ianhall6614]

Just make out already! This is like the 5th time Dell has been given a contract or PTO by San Jose. Can’t get away from this guy!

[@grahamdamberger7130]

Okposo I think is the first player since Ray Bourque to end their career with a Cup win, maybe their first and only Cup win. Unless other players have done it between 2002 and 2023.

[@estellegrignon]

Kimmo Timonen comes to mind too winning his first cup on his final game at 40. Philippe Boucher also retired after winning the cup, but I'm not sure he was actually playing in that final game

[@coincidencecontrol]

I know you're a mighty busy guy, but, when you get the chance could you please do a kovalchuk career video?

[@MightyD_93]

Radko is a great person. So happy for him and the team.

[@sotahullu1]

if that core in toronto dosent make even one conference finals. then I will be hard to find a more talented team core wasted in nhl history.

[@PigeonNHL]

Talented in the season, sure. But when the playoffs come around they're hopeless.

[@sotahullu1]

@@PigeonNHL yeah I mean, I understand that the shareholders like to have an extremely marketable teams as they are now. but if they have the guts, then they should have done as florida.take a +100 point player and trade him to change the identity. of course this comment is completely null and void, if they happen to go on a run. but it's just remarkable and sad how little success such a unbelievably talented core has had.

[@Statsy10]

In the old NHL they would have broken this core up awhile ago. It's so much harder these days with huge contracts (that have no-movement clauses) and the cap.

[@rozzie101]

Canucks fans were too quick to move on from Markstrom, when he got hurt. Now we are in the same boat with Demko.

[@Chumdubgess]

Markstrom didn’t get hurt every single year in a row at the most crucial times

[@rozzie101]

@@Chumdubgess yes, agreed.

[@dleatherman4539]

Kaskisuo has a great youtube channel as well.

[@valveanti-cheat9348]

Jagr is retiring at the end of the season

[@Statsy10]

Yeah... sure he is. 😂

[@helenorvana]

Is there a time limit on offer sheets? Could someone offer sheet Swayman now, or is that not allowed now that training camps have started?

[@hijackjoe]

I had appendices and spend 6 months in the hospital :(:

[@nathanspreitzer6738]

He got his cup good for him

[@FC-tq1yj]

NHL Expansion... Atlanta should be named the Nordiques for an easier transition for when they are relocated to Quebec city.

[@rozzie101]

If Atlanta gets another NHL team, I'd give up on hockey...

[@severed111]

lol damn right 😆🤣

[@RRaquello]

@@rozzie101 Get ready to give up, and we'll never see Quebec back in the NHL, at least not until they're up to 48 teams and have nowhere else to go.

[@FC-tq1yj]

@@RRaquello Anchorage, Alaska... that would make an excellent 49th team... lol.

[@Vis_Electra]

Vancouver must sign Lankinnen right fkin now!

[@xxstrifexx3592]

Congrats to Gudas. Silvertips great

[@RRaquello]

34 teams really means 36 teams because you can't leave uneven divisions for more than a year or two. With 34 teams you'll have 2 nine team divisions and 2 eight team divisions. Also, when we get four 9 team divisions, half the teams will be out of a playoff spot by Halloween and most fans will never see their team win a cup and we'll see lots more teams like Buffalo with 15-20 year playoff droughts. If fans can live with that, then the league should be OK.

[@Shaun_R82]

I want to know has anyone else heard news about this being Jagr last year , does this mean he comes state side to the pens front office , or are these just rumors😮

[@valveanti-cheat9348]

That was confirmed by his agent.

[@foxracing619]

I guess SJ Sharks are the new Anaheim ducks eh Shannon ?? 😂

[@cmdrflake]

The Swayman stall continues with no settlement in sight. This is mostly on the B’s. The 24-25 season is a lost season for him.

[@BroncoKnight34]

Atlanta Thrashers and Houston Aeros incoming!

[@OttawaNow]

Will it be Houston and Atlanta, or only one of them?

[@HALberdier17]

They want to keep the conferences even so I'm thinking it is both at once.

[@bretts2356]

@@HALberdier17 I dunno. Announce both at once but stagger the entry. The expansion process for two teams at the same time seems like it might be tougher- especially since they seem to have figured out how to do it right with the Knights and Kraken as opposed to the disastrous expansions of the late 90s/early 00s. Maybe Houston one year and Atlanta a year after to give both teams a fair shot?

[@HALberdier17]

​@@bretts2356I was going to edit my post because I do think that would be the case. Still if the conferences aren't even for a short period would be fine.

[@Fatazz]

I wonder if they give Gary a tip.

[@Hoovie9596]

Houston has GOT TO call them the AEROS

[@penguinsfan251]

It will happen.

[@penguinsfan251]

It will happen.

[@Statsy10]

Yes, those have always been my favorite chocolate bars! 😉

[@severed111]

Quebecorp and SNC Lavelin are likely the 2 biggest corps from Quebec, a billion is chump change for them,although SNC has a horrible reputation for obvious reasons.... but also corps/rich men outside Quebec could be part of the ownership. You or others have talked that the next expansion would be of 4 teams and only then could Quebec City be there. I mean seriously, Atlanta had their chance, twice, the deep south (Florida is different, except for the panhandle which is a bayou as it gets) isn't a market for pro hockey. 2 teams in the west 2 in the east in markets that make sense.

[@Christian_Martel]

Forget about Atkins Réalis (Former SNC) because sports and entertainment has never been and will never be their business. Their major investors are institutional. Not gonna happen. As for Quebecor, I don’t see them going on their own at north of 1 G$ US. They would need to get some other partners or PKP would need to put part of his own assets in this. Not impossible, but if they work on that at the moment they are really quiet.

[@Justme77400]

More expansion? I think the league is expanded enough.

[@nickelliott1174]

Maple Leafs just don't learn, they'll overpay both of them and then have to fill the roster out on the cheap.

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

Hopefully, Houston comes up with a better name than Aeros.

[@OldRustySteele]

I would prefer a different name, too. But the Aeros name has been used for the 1970’s WHA team and again for the 1990’s-2010’s IHL/AHL team. We also had the Houston Apollos in the 80’s in the minor leagues. Houston really liked the “NASA and Space City” names for 35 years (Astros, Rockets, Aeros, Apollos). It wasn’t until the NFL expansion Texans when they finally got out of that mold.

[@BoyNamedSue4]

Beware the butcher.

[@justjohnny420]

I cant believe Lehner would continue faking his injury to help VGK with LTIR /s

[@kenyonbitter8444]

Swayman to Avalanche?

[@mattreid8768]

How would the Avalanche be able to afford him?

[@PigeonNHL]

Can't afford him. Anyway, the Bruins will probably just be forced to overpay him and move on.

[@KyleDelazy]

Where my quebec city at

[@JarradBruessel32]

Lmfao not happening

[@mikestoast]

it is in Quebec, and not getting a team

[@HALberdier17]

They won't gift a team to Quebec for free. They need someone in Quebec City that is willing to spend upto $1 billion for a team.

[@TimFrith24]

Will Hartford and Quebec City join Atlanta and Houston as NHL expansion candidates, too?

[@Statsy10]

I don't think so. Shannon did a deep dive into why Quebec wouldn't work, and I was even pro-Nordiques before I watched that. Have a search for that vid. It's... comprehensive. Hartford faces fewer obstacles, but it's still a tiny market.

[@lanemars]

Poor xam fowler

[@pyrielrising4338]

Sometimes you just have to stand back and marvel at sheer, obstinate, stupidity. The NHL board of governors is completely gung ho to watch yet another ownership group lose their shirts in Atlanta, they say that those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it....Lmao!

[@keith96969]

Hopefully this ends all the dumb Toronto needs a 2nd team people. As Houston and Atlanta will make it 34.

[@oleonard7319]

So what city in Canada still needs a franchise after Hockey fails in Atlanta for a 3rd time?

[@dumdawgpro]

st johns

[@canadiantraveller281]

Yes, let's go back to Atlanta, hasn't failed twice already.

[@Bum_Hip]

The greater Atlanta area has grown from 4.6 million in 2011 to 6.3 today. Things change.

[@dumdawgpro]

an owner didnt want the team. they got an owner who wants the team now.

[@w.l.graves7228]

houston is the logical choice for 1 team .. atlanta ain't .. really wisconsin would be a no brainer for an expansion team .. but what city could put 14,000 +/- fans in the seats every night with pop. - milwaukee =600,000 ,,madison = 270,000 .green bay =110,000 , milwaukee does have panther arena for AHL admirals - capacity = 12,700 , but scheduling wouldn't work there for both teams

[@dumdawgpro]

atl has 6 million people.

[@maxrates]

Enough expansion. 32 teams is hard enough to keep track of.

[@JPMadden]

Would it be feasible for any expansion team to have many owners? That might be the only conceivable way the Quebec Nordiques could return.

[@clydeblair9622]

When are you going to start calling Toronto the Oreos?

[@colinuk1984]

So which Canadian city lands a new team in 10 years 😂

[@Christian_Martel]

Toronto is desperate to land a team. Apparently Rogers have a nice arena to share with the Raptors.

[@tedlicciardello7673]

More than 32 teams IS too many. Product IS watered down. A money grab they´re going to regret.

[@penguinsfan251]

Nope. Not a chance it will be regretted.

[@dumdawgpro]

not with the amount of quality players i see being forced on PTO's

[@1bert719]

It's about time the NHL brought back the Wanderers and American's. There due I tells ya! 😊 And at a billion dollars US it's more exploitation than expansion right now! $$$$$🤑

[@bertoneill2488]

Dahlin is Jetlag

[@AccipiterF1]

The NHLPA's share of expansion is more rosters spots.

[@canad1anadventure]

Bump

[@charlesharrington3890]

Gudas a captain? 😂😂😂

[@e-c-dia]

omg no more teams in ATLANTA, but greedy owners are going to do what greedy owners do

[@SabresGuy87]

Can they PLEASE just give Dahlin the C? Worst kept secret ever, IMO. Then again, proabbly waiting to see who will be the As first and announce all at once

[@nickrowat4461]

Great more expansion, more mediocre hockey with an even smaller chance of your favourite team ever winning a cup, but some billionaires get some extra money!

[@steveeaster6701]

Cole Caufield ended Lehners career after he talked bad about Cole in the playoffs lol

[@leftcoaster67]

Third time's the charm?

[@turdferguson5723]

If the NHL expands to Houston and Atlanta, I guess that puts an end to Phoenix. Not sure they'd be going past 34 teams anytime soon.

[@francoisbouvier7861]

Ouch. Sweeney rubbing a nerve?