Jonny Lazarus, Arthur Staple, and Mike Rupp are back for Episode 55 of the Tri-State Hockey Podcast, joined by longtime New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock. Pulock talks about the changing Islanders locker room, life under Peter DeBoer, Matthew Schaefer’s incredible rise, the bond between the Islanders’ longtime core, his career on Long Island, and much more.

After the interview, the guys hit your voicemails and break down the Devils’ coaching situation and pressure on Sheldon Keefe, whether Vladimir Tarasenko makes sense for the Rangers, the importance of J.T. Miller, and what the Islanders need from Ilya Sorokin and their goaltending this season.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – Intro

0:32 – Ryan Pulock joins the show

2:52 – Peter DeBoer and the Islanders’ new direction

5:46 – Matthew Schaefer’s impact

6:38 – What makes the Islanders’ core so close?

9:28 – Stories from the NHL bubble

18:28 – The Matthew Schaefer experience

22:34 – Pulock on his game and future

27:21 – Developing his slap shot

31:45 – Defending 2-on-1s

35:07 – How the Islanders organization has changed

39:23 – Reacting to the Pulock interview

48:30 – Mike Rupp’s Devils acting career

54:35 – Breaking into the sports industry

56:38 – Voicemails begin

56:52 – Devils: Sheldon Keefe on the hot seat?

1:03:54 – Rangers: J.T. Miller & Vladimir Tarasenko

1:16:43 – Islanders: Sorokin, Varlamov & expectations

1:23:30 – Bet of the Day & wrap-up

Presented by bet365

#TriStateHockey #NHL #Hockey #NYR #NJDevils #Isles #NewYorkRangers #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #QuinnHughes #DylanLarkin #AdamFox #MatthewSchaefer #MetropolitanDivision

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Johnny Lazarus, Arthur Staple, and Mike Rupp are back for Episode 54 of the Tri-State Hockey Podcast to debate some of the biggest questions surrounding the Rangers, Islanders, Devils, and the Metropolitan Division heading into the 2026-27 NHL season.

The guys react to the NHL Network’s Top 20 defensemen rankings, including Adam Fox being left outside the top 10, Matthew Schaefer landing at No. 7, Lane Hutson’s rise, Evan Bouchard, Charlie McAvoy, and more.

Then, they break down Jason Demers’ early Metro Division predictions and give their own 1-through-8 rankings, debating where the New York Rangers and Islanders stack up against the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Plus, the crew answers your voicemails, including whether Dylan Larkin could be a fit with the Devils, what Detroit could possibly get back in a trade, whether Quinn Hughes would give New Jersey or Minnesota the better Stanley Cup window, and the latest debate over Hughes’ future with the Wild.

Could Quinn eventually join Jack and Luke Hughes in New Jersey? Does Minnesota need to get an extension done before the season begins? All that and more on a new Tri-State Hockey Podcast.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 — Welcome to Episode 54

1:00 — NHL Network’s Top 20 Defensemen

1:24 — Adam Fox OUTSIDE the Top 10?!

1:50 — Is Matthew Schaefer already the No. 7 defenseman?

5:33 — Lane Hutson’s rise & how NHL Network rankings are made

8:29 — Adam Fox, Rangers bias & what makes an elite defenseman

15:32 — Biggest snubs & future Top 20 defensemen

18:02 — Adam Fox vs. Evan Bouchard

20:48 — Luke Hughes prediction

21:25 — WAY-too-early Metropolitan Division rankings

28:02 — Johnny’s Metro Division predictions

31:35 — Arthur’s Metro Division predictions

33:08 — Mike’s Metro Division predictions

33:30 — Could the Atlantic send five teams to the playoffs?

36:19 — VOICEMAILS: Could Dylan Larkin be traded to the Devils?

37:07 — What would New Jersey give up for Larkin?

41:04 — Can Detroit enter training camp with Larkin still there?

45:05 — Quinn Hughes: Devils vs. Wild — who has the better future?

47:03 — Would Quinn make New Jersey a Stanley Cup favourite?

52:07 — Will Quinn Hughes sign an extension with Minnesota?

55:02 — Would a one-year Quinn Hughes extension make sense?

58:59 — Could Quinn eventually join Jack & Luke Hughes in New Jersey?

1:03:33 — Would acquiring Dylan Larkin convince Quinn to stay?

1:06:27 — What happens next with Quinn Hughes?

1:07:00 — Final thoughts & wrap-up

Presented by bet365

#TriStateHockey #NHL #Hockey #NYR #NJDevils #Isles #NewYorkRangers #NewJerseyDevils #NewYorkIslanders #QuinnHughes #DylanLarkin #AdamFox #MatthewSchaefer #MetropolitanDivision

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonny Lazarus, Arthur Staple and Mike Rupp are back for Episode 53 of the Tri-State Hockey Podcast to break down the biggest storylines surrounding the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and New York Islanders as the NHL offseason continues.

The guys open the show by discussing Vincent Trocheck's recent comments about choosing the Rangers because of Artemi Panarin, leading to a conversation about whether New York still has the star power to attract elite free agents. They examine Chris Drury's offseason, the perception surrounding the Rangers organization, and what the franchise must do to become a destination again.

The conversation then shifts to a debate over the NHL's best center duos after a recent ranking left both the Rangers and Islanders outside the top tiers. The crew explains why Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier deserve to be among the league's elite pairings, compares Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller against Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal, and discusses where each Tri-State team stacks up down the middle.

Later, the guys answer listener questions, including what the Islanders need from Brayden Schenn and Ondřej Palát to justify last season's trade deadline moves, whether Bo Horvat or Mathew Barzal is more valuable moving forward, and if Dawson Mercer should already be locked into a long-term extension with the Devils.

Finally, they discuss the NHL's rising salary cap, how the next wave of superstar contracts could reshape the league, and which teams are best positioned for long-term success before wrapping up the show with their Bet365 Bet of the Day and final thoughts.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Vinny Trocheck & Artemi Panarin's impact

14:54 Rangers expectations heading into next season

16:54 Ranking the NHL's best center duos

26:26 Islanders mailbag: Brayden Schenn, Ondřej Palát & Horvat vs. Barzal

33:38 Should the Devils extend Dawson Mercer? 40:07 NHL salary cap boom & the next generation of superstar contracts

45:17 Shoulder Check Showcase & Bet365 Bet of the Day

47:04 Final thoughts

Presented by bet365

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