The Hockey News Big Show: Where Should Gavin McKenna Line Up For The Maple Leafs?

Dan Hamilton-Imagn ImagesDan Hamilton-Imagn ImagesSep 21, 2026 5:15 PMPublished Sep 21, 2026 5:15 PMFormer NHL head coach Bruce Boudreau joins Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos to discuss Gavin McKenna’s pre-season debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs, what a successful season looks like for the Vancouver Canucks, and more.Here's what former NHL head coach Bruce Boudreau, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode:1:11: Sharing initial thoughts on Gavin McKenna’s performance in his first pre-season NHL game? 2:34: Where should McKenna line up on opening night for the Toronto Maple Leafs? 5:37: What does a successful season look like for the Vancouver Canucks this year?10:03: What does Elias Pettersson need to do to get back to being himself? 12:51: Which players on the Dallas Stars need to take that next step to help push them to a Stanley Cup?15:40: Are the Stars missing anything from their lineup that would make them true contenders?19:44: Is Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar entering the season on the hot seat? 23:31: Early predictions for the Jack Adams27:45: How will Capitals fans and viewers around the league react throughout the season to Alexander Ovechkin’s latest controversy? 30:32: Is ‘hockey IQ’ being lost in the NHL? 33:18: Will the San Jose Sharks make the playoffs?35:11: Name a younger player other than Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer that you would build your franchise around for the next 10 years36:37: Kevin Hayes announces retirement after five games in the KHL. Which NHL team do you think of when you think of Hayes?38:17: If you could bring back one NHL rivalry in its prime, which one would it be?