Episodes

25 minutes ago
25 minutes ago
Summary:
In this episode of the Flying Octopus Podcast, hosts Evan Sabourin and Devin Little discuss various topics ranging from the confusion surrounding pop culture figures in sports to the inconsistent performance of the Red Wings. They delve into the recent incident involving prospect Gavin McKenna, exploring the implications of social media reactions and public perception. The conversation shifts to the upcoming Olympic hockey games, highlighting team dynamics and expectations. Finally, they analyze the recent trade of Artemi Panarin to the LA Kings, discussing its impact on the NHL landscape and the Red Wings' future prospects.
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Takeaways:
Evan expresses confusion about the influence of pop culture on sports.
The Red Wings' performance has been inconsistent, affecting fan expectations.
Gavin McKenna's incident raises questions about social media's role in shaping narratives.
Olympic hockey is anticipated, with discussions on team strategies and player dynamics.
The trade of Artemi Panarin to the LA Kings signifies a shift in NHL strategies.
Social media can lead to quick judgments without full context.
Hockey culture emphasizes the importance of family, particularly mothers.
The hosts reflect on the emotional connections players have with their families.
The Red Wings are in a competitive position despite recent struggles.
The podcast highlights the need for deeper analysis in sports discussions.
Chapters
00:00 - Understanding Social Media and Pop Culture
04:04 - Red Wings Inconsistency and Performance
16:11 - Gavin McKenna Incident and Its Implications
26:51 - The Impact of Celebrity and Legal Issues in Sports
30:03 - Societal Reactions and Media Responsibility
31:49 - Olympic Hockey: Anticipation and Roster Changes
39:10 - NHL Trades and Team Strategies
47:10 - Looking Ahead: Red Wings and Olympic Reflections

Friday Jan 30, 2026
Friday Jan 30, 2026
SUMMARY:
In this episode of The Flying Octopus podcast, hosts Evan Sabourin, Devin L., and George Malik discuss the recent performance of the Detroit Red Wings, including game recaps, player injuries, and the implications of Ben Chiarot's new contract. The conversation delves into the ongoing debate between analytics and the eye test in evaluating player performance, as well as the potential for a ring of honor to honor past players. The hosts also touch on future prospects for the team and upcoming games before the Olympic break.
TAKEAWAYS:
The Red Wings had a tough week with mixed performances.
Ben Chiarot's contract has sparked debate among fans and analysts.
The importance of both analytics and the eye test in player evaluation.
The potential for a ring of honor to honor significant players.
Injuries are impacting the team's performance and roster decisions.
The Red Wings are in a competitive Atlantic division.
Future prospects are looking promising for the Red Wings.
The upcoming Olympic break may affect team dynamics.
Fans are eager for recognition of past players' contributions.
The hosts emphasize the need for a balanced approach to team building.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Game Time Goals and Team Performance
00:47 Buffalo's Winning Streak and Red Wings' Competition
00:49 Introduction and Initial Thoughts on Larkin's Commercial
03:27 Recap of Recent Red Wings Games
06:09 Discussion on the Red Wings' Performance Against the Kings
08:53 Analysis of the Game Against the Capitals
11:21 Patrick Kane's Milestone and Its Impact
14:27 The Strange Goal Incident and Its Aftermath
16:57 Overtime Loss and Team Dynamics
19:23 Ben Chiarot's Contract Extension Discussion
22:14 Final Thoughts on Team Performance and Future Outlook
33:53 Evaluating Axel Sandin Pelika's Role
36:35 The Analytics vs. Eye Test Debate
39:22 Impact of Veteran Signings on Young Prospects
42:00 Trade Strategies and Future Moves for the Red Wings
46:52 Honoring Red Wings Legends: The Ring of Honor Discussion

Sunday Jan 25, 2026
Sunday Jan 25, 2026
In this episode of the Flying Octopus podcast, hosts Evan Sabourin and Devin Little discuss the Detroit Red Wings' recent games, player performances, and the implications of injuries on the team's playoff aspirations. They delve into trade deadline strategies, the importance of goaltending, and the promising prospects in the Red Wings' pipeline. The episode also highlights notable news from Hockey Town, including updates on beloved analyst Mickey Redmond and the impressive season of the Grand Rapids Griffins.
TAKEAWAYS
The Red Wings are experiencing a resurgence this season, hoping to break a 10-year playoff drought.
John Gibson's performance has been pivotal for the team's success.
Injuries to key players like Simon Edvinsson could impact playoff chances.
The team has a strong sense of familiarity and chemistry this season.
Trade discussions are heating up as the deadline approaches.
Prospects like Marco Kasper and Trey Augustine are showing promise for the future.
The Red Wings need to bolster their blue line to maintain playoff contention.
Mickey Redmond's health update is a significant concern for fans.
The Grand Rapids Griffins are having an exceptional season with strong goaltending.
The rivalry with the Maple Leafs remains a highlight for Red Wings fans.
Chapters
00:00 Cold Open and Initial Banter
00:54 Discussion on the Red Wings' Performance
01:19 The Significance of Episode 69
03:02 Recapping Recent Games
04:27 Injury Concerns and Player Performance
10:40 Playoff Atmosphere in Recent Matches
13:56 Resilience and Team Chemistry
18:53 - Injury Updates and Future Implications
24:01 Trade Chatter and Rumors
25:28 Red Wings' Path to Ending the Playoff Drought
28:51 Key Player Performances and Team Additions
31:47 Goaltending and Defensive Strategies
36:17 Prospects and Future Talent
41:42 Wrap-Up and Upcoming Games

Friday Jan 16, 2026
Friday Jan 16, 2026
Summary
In this episode of the Flying Octopus podcast, hosts Evan Sabourin and Devin Little dive into the recent retirement ceremony of Detroit Red Wings legend Sergei Fedorov, reflecting on the emotional impact it had on fans and the community. They discuss the significance of Fedorov's contributions to the team and the nostalgia it evoked among attendees, highlighting the generational connections formed during the event. The hosts also recap the Red Wings' recent games, including a thrilling overtime victory against the Hurricanes and a disappointing loss to the Bruins, analyzing the team's performance and potential trade scenarios involving defenseman Dougie Hamilton from the New Jersey Devils.
The conversation flows from the excitement surrounding Fedorov's ceremony to the current state of the Red Wings, touching on the team's playoff aspirations and the importance of their young talent. The hosts express their thoughts on the need for strategic trades to bolster the team's defense and discuss the implications of the upcoming NHL draft. Overall, the episode captures the essence of hockey culture in Detroit, blending personal anecdotes with insightful analysis of the team's trajectory.
Chapters
00:00 Grandma Bob's Pizza: A Culinary Delight
02:00 Introduction to Episode 68: Fedorov's Retirement
03:21 Recapping Fedorov's Retirement Ceremony
07:46 The Emotional Impact of the Night
17:20 Analyzing the Red Wings' Recent Games
23:41 Trade Rumors: Dougie Hamilton Discussion
30:18 Analyzing Dougie Hamilton's Potential Impact
32:41 The Importance of Defensive Pairings
35:47 Evaluating the Red Wings' Goalie Pipeline
40:07 Proposing a New Draft Host System
48:34 Celebrating Zdeno Chara's Legacy

Friday Jan 09, 2026
Friday Jan 09, 2026
In this episode of the Flying Octopus podcast, the hosts discuss Patrick Kane's milestone 500th goal, the recent performance of the Detroit Red Wings, and the impact of line changes on team dynamics. They analyze John Gibson's crucial role in goaltending, Nate Danielson's addition to the Griffins, and strategies for the upcoming trade deadline. The episode also celebrates Sergey Fedorov's jersey retirement and recaps the World Juniors, highlighting the success of Red Wings prospects. The conversation concludes with thoughts on the future of the Red Wings and their path to success.
00:00 Patrick Kane's 500th Goal Celebration
02:23 Red Wings Recent Performance and Line Changes
05:14 Analyzing the Ottawa Game
07:52 John Gibson's Impact and Goaltending Discussion
10:36 Grand Rapids Griffins' Historic Start
13:08 Nate Danielson's Development and Team Dynamics
16:01 Future Prospects and Trade Considerations
23:20 Evaluating Young Talent and Goaltending Decisions
28:57 Trade Deadline Strategies and Defensive Needs
40:23 Celebrating Sergey Fedorov's Legacy
45:03 Reflecting on Fedorov's Impact and Career
49:26 Nostalgia and Memories of the Red Wings
52:53 Tributes and Celebrations for Sergey Fedorov
54:38 Remembering Glenn Hall: A Hockey Legend
55:44 Looking Ahead: The Winter Classic in Utah
01:02:04 The Future of the Winter Classic
01:04:49 World Juniors and Red Wings Prospects

Saturday Jan 03, 2026
Saturday Jan 03, 2026
On episode 66 of The Flying Octopus Podcast, @hockeywithdevin and @sabourin91 recap another successful week for the Red Wings that saw the team reach the top of the Atlantic division. Simon Edvinsson's "coming - out -party" was epic and a key moment in his development as well one of the top games of the season. Then the boys break down the Olympic rosters that came out on Friday, January 2nd. Who's in and who's out? Who got snubbed? We'll hit on that and more on episode 66 of The Flying Octopus Podcast

Friday Dec 19, 2025
Friday Dec 19, 2025
On episode 65 of The Flying Octopus podcast - Travis Focht and Nick Harrington from @HockeytownWpod join Devin and Evan to recap the Red Wings' 6 - game road trip. The guys break down Todd McLellan's first "full" season behind the bench. Axel Sandin-Pellikka's game has continued to improve. Is he the superstar defender that Detroit so desperately needs? Devin tells you why he could be something special. Plus the Red Wings say goodbye to Jonatan Berggren and hello to John Leonard. All that and more on episode 65 of The Flying Octopus podcast.
Takeaways:
Ketchup phobia is a real thing among some players.
The Red Wings are performing well this December compared to previous years.
Todd McLellan's coaching style is instilling a winning mentality in the team.
Young players like Axel Sandin-Pellikka are showing great potential.
The Griffins are currently on a winning streak, showcasing their talent.
Stadium Series jerseys often receive mixed reactions from fans.
Player development is crucial for the Red Wings' future success.
The Atlantic Division is highly competitive this season.
Fans should remain patient as the team continues to grow.
Chapters
00:00 Ketchup Phobia and Hockey Humor
02:33 Red Wings Season Recap and Performance
05:16 Coaching Changes and Team Dynamics
07:51 Player Development and Young Talent
10:44 Recent Transactions and Future Prospects
28:17 Evaluating NHL Prospects and Draft Classes
31:16 The Impact of Draft Decisions on Team Performance
34:02 Spotlight on John Leonard: AHL Success and NHL Potential
37:23 Assessing Player Roles and Team Dynamics
41:14 Stadium Series Jerseys: A Design Disappointment
48:12 Nick Saban Joins the Nashville Predators Ownership
49:19 Wrapping Up: Future Prospects and Holiday Wishes

Saturday Dec 13, 2025
Saturday Dec 13, 2025
In this episode of the Flying Octopus Podcast, hosts Evan Sabourin and Devin Little discuss the recent trade of Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. They analyze the implications of the trade for both teams, the assets exchanged, and the potential impact on the Red Wings. The conversation also explores other trade targets for the Red Wings and reflects on the team's current standing and future moves.
Takeaways:
The trade of Quinn Hughes to Minnesota was unexpected.
Minnesota had the assets to make a significant trade.
The return for Hughes included promising young players and a first-round pick.
Comparative trade offers were discussed, highlighting the value of prospects.
The Red Wings were in the mix for Hughes but opted not to trade key assets.
The impact of Hughes' trade on the Western Conference was analyzed.
Future trade targets for the Red Wings were identified.
The importance of not mortgaging the future for short-term gains was emphasized.
The hosts reflected on the Red Wings' current position and potential improvements.
The conversation highlighted the unpredictability of NHL trades.
Chapters
00:00Introduction and Breaking News
02:07Trade Analysis: Quinn Hughes to Minnesota
04:32Comparative Trade Offers and Prospects
07:22Red Wings' Strategy and Future Moves
09:51Potential Trade Targets for the Red Wings
12:34Wrap-Up and Reflections on the Trade
14:43Recap of the Red Wings' Performance

Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
On Episode 63 of The Flying Octopus Podcast, Shane Malloy from Sirius XM NHL Radio joins the show to break down the latest on the Quinn Hughes situation in Vancouver. He gives his thoughts on what it will take to land the star defenseman in Detroit and the kind of immediate impact he would have on a team desperately looking to end a 10 year playoff drought. Plus Evan says there's already two superstars on this current Red Wings team, but pump the brakes for now. Plus Devin makes a plea for Alex Debrincat's bid to make the Team USA Olympic roster. All that and more on Episode 63 of The Flying Octopus Podcast.

Monday Dec 01, 2025
Monday Dec 01, 2025
On Episode 62 of The Flying Octopus podcast, George Malik from the Malik Report and Travis Focht from Hockeytown West join us to talk all things Red Wings hockey. The boys recap Detroits 4 game losing streak and address how they can climb out of this hole. We also talk Quinn Hughes and break down what the Wings would have to give up for him. What is wrong with John Gibson and how long is his leash? Is it time for Sebastian Cossa to get the call? Plus the guys dig in and break down the Grand Rapid's Griffins' historic start. All that and more on Episode 62 of The Flying Octopus podcast.



