Welcome back to Breaking Into the League — the show where Michael and Ryan dive into the biggest storylines shaping the NHL and the future of the game. In today’s episode, the guys open with a look around the league, starting with the major news out of Anaheim: the Ducks are officially retiring Ryan Getzlaf’s jersey, cementing one of the most respected careers of the modern era.

From there, the conversation shifts to leadership — specifically, who should wear the “C” next for the Chicago Blackhawks, and which direction the Colorado Avalanche should go when the day comes to name a captain after Gabriel Landeskog’s retirement. The guys even throw the question back to the fans, asking who they want to see take over the role in Denver.

Then it’s prospect time. Ryan breaks down the electric, fast‑rising game of Zayne Parekh, while Michael spotlights Porter Martone, a potential superstar in the making and one of the most exciting young power forwards in the league.

To close out the show, the guys tackle a classic debate: Which Canadian team will be the next to win the Stanley Cup? They go through the contenders, the pretenders, and the teams that might be closer than people think.

Another packed episode full of insight, debate, and future‑of‑the‑league conversation — let’s get into it.

In this episode, Michael and Ryan dive into one of the biggest storylines in the NHL: Connor Hellebuyck officially requesting a trade out of Winnipeg. The guys break down the most realistic landing spots for the former Vezina winner, including why the Chicago Blackhawks make more sense than people think and why the San Jose Sharks could be a sneaky sleeper team in the mix.

Then, the show shifts to prospect talk, spotlighting two emerging young talents. Michael and Ryan dissect the evolving game of Kevin Korchinski, the dynamic, puck‑moving defenseman in Chicago’s system, and Oliver Bonk, the rising two‑way blueliner developing inside the Philadelphia Flyers pipeline. From strengths and weaknesses to long‑term projections, the duo breaks down what makes each player stand out — and what their paths to the NHL might look like.

A mix of trade speculation, prospect analysis, and sharp hockey insight — Episode 5 keeps the momentum rolling.

In this episode of Breaking Into the League, We break down two standout prospects making noise in their respective systems: Hunter Haight of the Iowa Wild and Nick Lardis of the Chicago Blackhawks. We dig into Haight’s play-driving ability, his growth in the AHL, and how his offensive instincts translate to the next level. Then we shift to Lardis — a speed-first winger with a lethal shot and one of the most intriguing long-term upside plays in Chicago’s pipeline.

We also learned that the Hartford Whalers were indeed from Connecticut and NOT Canada.

If you’re tracking the future of the NHL, this episode gives you a clear, detailed look at where both players are trending.

(apologies for the poor audio on this week's episode. we switched studios and were unaware of the issues until afterward)

In this episode of Breaking Into the League, we break down two rising NHL prospects: Taylor Makar and Finn Harding. We dive into Makar’s evolving power-forward game, his development path, and what his ceiling could look like as he pushes toward the pros. Then we shift to Harding — a smart, steady defender whose poise, skating, and decision‑making make him one of the more intriguing blue‑line names to watch.

If you’re tracking future NHL talent, this episode gives you everything you need to know about where these two players stand and what might come next.

In today's episode we cover two emerging prospects; Ivan Stenberg and Beckett Hamilton. We also discuss news from around the league, including Patrick Kane rejoining the Blackhawks, Dylan Larkin trade rumors and predict where we think he will end up.

This week we break down two of the hottest names in hockey's prospect pipeline: WHL rising star Brock England and Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Sam Rinzel. We dig into Brock England's blazing top-end speed and shot power with the Seattle Thunderbirds, why scouts love his four-directional edge work, and what he needs to clean up to become a true difference-maker. Then we shift to Sam Rinzel — Chicago's 2022 first-round pick — breaking down his NHL debut, his time in Rockford with the IceHogs, and whether his elite size and mobility can turn into a full-time top-four role in the NHL. Full scouting reports, stats, strengths, weaknesses, and where each player projects for this season and beyond. A must-listen for NHL draft nerds, Blackhawks fans, and anyone tracking the next wave of NHL prospects.

Topics covered: NHL prospect rankings, Chicago Blackhawks prospect pipeline, WHL scouting reports, Seattle Thunderbirds, Rockford IceHogs, NHL Draft prospects, hockey scouting analysis, top defensemen prospects, junior hockey breakdown.

Sam and Ryan are back just in time for the final few weeks left of 2023-2024 NHL regular season hockey. This time, Nashville Right Wing Luke Evangelista (3:50) and Emil Martinsen Lilleberg (10:35).

This time around, the two hosts also talked about some memories from their time when they worked in media in South Dakota a few years back and also mentioned the Sioux Falls site for NCAA Hockey Tournament. Ryan and Sam also dive into how unique Emil's NHL introduction has been since there have been only 8 Norwegian NHlers before him! Go Avs and Go Wild! Like, share and subscribe.

Sam and Ryan are BACK! They are talking everything related to Colorado Avalanche prospect Centerman Ondrej Pavel (8:00) and Minnesota Wild Forward Adam Beckman (13:45). They also talk about the top teams in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff hunt as it lingers only a month away!

Like, share and subscribe! Sam and Ryan will have more players listed on future podcasts that the listeners should note as we hit the playoff push.