The Flying Octopus

Episode 41: The Flying Octopus Podcast - 2025 NHL Draft Preview with Shane Malloy from SiriusXM NHL Network Radio

The guys welcome in Shane Malloy from SiriusXM NHL Network Radio and break down the logistics for the 2025 NHL Draft. Who will the Red Wings take with the 13th overall pick? The podcast host and author tells us Detroit fans shouldn't worry about the future while breaking down the team's defensive core. We also discuss the competitive advantage that the Red Wings may have in today's NHL. Will general manager Steve Yzerman draft for need or go best player available come this Friday at the draft in Los Angeles? Shane answers that and more on Episode 41 of The Flying Octopus Podcast.

Episode 40: Dueling Mock Offseasons for the Red Wings + Roger McQueen Prospect Profile

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the guys project launch full speed into mock offseason mode. Tony and Devin make their predictions for Detroit’s trades, buyouts, and signings. Adding scoring throughout the lineup, solidifying the defense, and making the team tougher to play against were the common themes. The fellas then shift gears to Roger McQueen for this week’s draft prospect profile. The Brandon Wheat Kings center entered the year as a likely top-5 pick, but suffered a back injury and watched his draft stock plummet. Could he be a fit in Detroit?

Episode 39: Red Wings Contract Projections: Kane Berggren, Soderblom, Johansson + Cole Reschny Prospect Profile

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the guys project new contracts for Detroit’s RFAs: Jonatan Berggren, Albert Johansson, and Elmer Soderblom. Plus, identifying what a new deal for Patrick Kane could look like. The fellas then pivot to Cole Reschny and his draft profile. The 5-foot-11 center posted 92 points in 62 games for the Victoria Royals of the WHL. Finally, the show wraps up with news and notes, including Detroit signing goalie Michal Postava, a new home for Dmitri Buchelnikov, and trade rumors involving Vladimir Tarasenko and Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nic Hague.

Episode 38: Red Wings Trade Targets, Dmitri Buchelnikov & Victor Eklund Prospect Profile

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the guys recap the hockey hot stove now that we’ve reached the Stanley Cup Final, including Jason Robertson reportedly being on the trade block and what it would take to acquire him. Plus, additional trade targets and the impacts they could have in Detroit. The fellas then pivot to Victor Eklund and his draft profile. The Swedish winger could be available when the Red Wings pick at No. 13 this year. Finally, the show wraps up with news and notes about Dmitri Buchelnikov, Jesse Kiiskinen, and Jay Varady. 

Episode 37: Hockeytown West joins The Flying Octopus to talk Walleye, Griffins and much more!

Description: In this weeks episode the Hockeytown West Podcast joins The Flying Octopus and previews the Kelly Cup finals as the Toledo Walleye get set for Game 1 on Saturday. We also take a look back at the Grand Rapids Griffins' 2024-25 season and discuss what players took the next step in their development while predicting who makes a run at a roster spot in Detroit next season. All that and more on Episode 37 of The Flying Octopus Podcast. 

Episode 36: Mitch-a-Palooza, Bold Offseason Moves & Justin Carbonneau Prospect Profile

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the guys dive into the summer of Mitch Marner. Do the Red Wings have enough cap space to host their own Mitch-a-Palooza? Should they even pursue Marner? The fellas discuss the pros and cons there. Next, the guys offer up two bold moves that the Red Wings should make this offseason. Offense firepower, defensive stalwarts - you name it. And finally, the episode wraps up with an overview of 2025 draft eligible forward Justin Carbonneau of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. Could the QMJHL product be a fit for the Red Wings?

Episode 35: Detroit’s Goaltending, Ken Holland is Back & Kashawn Aitcheson Prospect Profile

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas dive into Detroit’s goaltending as the final installment of a four-part team review series. Cam Talbot, Alex Lyon, and Petr Mrazek combined to form a better goaltending core than what we’ve seen in years passed, but still left a bit to be desired. Now, Talbot and Mrazek look to hold down Detroit’s crease in 2025-26. The guys then pivot to Kashawn Aitcheson for this week’s draft prospect profile. The Barrie Colts blueliner racked up 26 goals this season and plays a physical game. Might he be Detroit’s pick at 13? And finally, the show wraps up with some news, including a post-mortem on the Grand Rapids Griffins, World Championships updates, and Ken Holland being named the general manager of the Los Angeles Kings, plus what that might mean for the Red Wings. Link for the article mentioned in the last segment: https://thehockeywriters.com/red-wings-kings-future-trade-partners/

Episode 34: Detroit’s Divergent Special Teams, Kane + Kasper + Tarasenko Evaluations & Carter Bear Prospect Profile

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas do a deep dive on Detroit’s special teams from the 2024-25 season as the third installment of a four-part team review series. The Red Wings had one of the hottest power plays in the league, but also THE coldest penalty kill. Next up are evaluations of Patrick Kane, Marco Kasper, and Vladimir Tarasenko. What does the future hold for these three? The guys then pivot to Carter Bear, one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2025 draft class. The Everett Silvertips forward finished the year with 50 goals and 82 points in 57 games, but also suffered a lacerated achilles. Will that allow him to fall to the Red Wings? And finally, the show wraps up with some news, including a farewell to Trevor Thompson and Mickey York, who were let go from FanDuel Sports, plus notes on Isaac Howard, the Utah Mammoth, and Nicklas Lidstrom.

Episode 33: Dissecting Detroit’s Defense, Seider + Edvinsson + Chiarot Evaluations & Jackson Smith Draft Prospect Profile

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the guys do a deep dive on Detroit’s five-on-five defense from 2024-25 as the second part of a four-part team review series. The Red Wings ranked poorly relative to the league in defensive metrics, but improved year-over-year. Next up are evaluations of Moritz Seider, Simon Edvinsson, and Ben Chiarot as the defensive focus continues. What did these players do well? Where can they improve? Also, reactions to Steve Yzerman and Todd McLellan’s end-of-year press conference. Finally, the fellas highlight 2025 draft prospect Jackson Smith, a left defenseman from the Tri-City Americans of the WHL. As one of the top defensemen in the draft, Smith could be an excellent addition to Detroit’s prospect pipeline

Episode 32: Analyzing Detroit’s Offense, Larkin + Raymond + DeBrincat Evaluations & Jake O’Brien Draft Prospect Profile

 In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas review Detroit’s five-on-five offense from the 2024-25 as part of a four-part team review series. The Red Wings ranked poorly relative to the league in offensive production, and the guys analyze why that was the case, plus what changed from a year ago. Next up are evaluations of Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Alex DeBrincat. What did these players do well? (A lot.) Where can they improve? Also, reactions to Larkin’s end-of-year press conference comments about Detroit’s lack of trade deadline additions and the impact on the locker room. Finally, the guys bring it home with the first 2025 draft prospect profile of the season, which featured Jake O’Brien, a high-scoring center from the Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL.