What We Learned

Aug 24, 2026

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8 min read

What We Learned: Is business picking up around Connor Hellebuyck?

The Winnipeg Jets may be getting close to an inflection point with their all-world goalie, but also, who knows? Plus a quick take on all 32 teams.

Ryan Lambert

200 Hockey Men

Aug 17, 2026

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6 min read

What We Learned: The last days of the 200 Hockey Men

If the reported reason Steve Yzerman got the boot in Detroit is true, it signals the end of a century-long era in the sport. Plus a quick take on all 32 teams.

Ryan Lambert

Money talks

What We Learned: Why NHL expansion is in the air this summer

Aug 10, 2026

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8 min read

What We Learned: Why NHL expansion is in the air this summer

Lots of talk about expansion in the past few days. It doesn't take a financial genius to figure out why.

Ryan Lambert

VAN

What We Learned: How do you know if a team owner is actually good at owning a team?

Aug 3, 2026

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7 min read

What We Learned: How do you know if a team owner is actually good at owning a team?

Being a good NHL owner isn't easy, but there are three main traits that separate them from the many bad owners across the league.

Ryan Lambert

SEA

What We Learned: Can you fix the Seattle Kraken without blowing up the roster?

Jul 27, 2026

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7 min read

What We Learned: Can you fix the Seattle Kraken without blowing up the roster?

In the first-ever Perfect Takes Possible Positivity Exercise, let's try to see if there's any realistic way to turn this Kraken roster around without tearing it down to the studs.

Ryan Lambert

ANA

What We Learned: Will NHL GMs just decide the Carlsson contract doesn't count?

Jul 20, 2026

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7 min read

What We Learned: Will NHL GMs just decide the Carlsson contract doesn't count?

The AAV on Leo Carlsson's deal is so big that most of the league might partake in the time-honored tradition of pretending it's not real.

Ryan Lambert

DET

What We Learned: Dylan Larkin, unfortunately, holds all the cards

Jul 13, 2026

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7 min read

What We Learned: Dylan Larkin, unfortunately, holds all the cards

When the market for centers is this bad, a guy who completely controls his destination can make life hell for his team. If he wants to.

Ryan Lambert

ANA

What We Learned: When does it make sense to offer-sheet a star player?

Jul 6, 2026

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7 min read

What We Learned: When does it make sense to offer-sheet a star player?

The Leo Carlsson contract might change the landscape of the NHL, but when would kind of offer sheet actually work again?

Ryan Lambert

SEA

What We Learned: An easy solution to the NHL's 'loser franchise' perception problem

Jun 29, 2026

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11 min read

What We Learned: An easy solution to the NHL's 'loser franchise' perception problem

Few if any star players want to play for Seattle, Columbus, or most Canadian teams. Why is that, and what can those teams do to fix it?

Ryan Lambert

TOR

What We Learned: The Toronto Maple Leafs are having a mid-off with themselves

Jun 22, 2026

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8 min read

What We Learned: The Toronto Maple Leafs are having a mid-off with themselves

Adding John Chayka as GM, Jim Hiller as coach, and Darren Raddysh as their new PP1 weapon doesn't suggest a ton of ambition

Ryan Lambert