Dropping the Puck: John Buccigross on the Biggest Stories Entering the NHL Season

John Shannon and Daren Millard are joined by longtime ESPN hockey host and play-by-play commentator John Buccigross on 100% Hockey to look ahead to a new NHL season and some of the biggest stories around the league.

With opening night approaching, Buccigross shares what has his attention heading into the season as the guys work their way through the teams, players, and coaches facing some of the biggest expectations.

The conversation covers the outlook in Washington, questions surrounding Connor Hellebuyck and Winnipeg, Buffalo’s situation in goal, and the uncertainty facing Detroit. They also discuss Edmonton under Mike Babcock, Peter Laviolette’s latest opportunity behind an NHL bench, and what to make of the always difficult-to-define Toronto Maple Leafs.

John, Daren, and Bucci also discuss which teams could take a significant step forward, the challenges created by a shortened training camp, and what the opening weeks could tell us about contenders around the league.

The conversation also turns to the late Barry Melrose, with Buccigross reflecting on his former ESPN colleague, their years covering hockey together, and Melrose’s lasting contribution to growing the game’s presence in the United States.

With the preseason coming to an end and the regular season about to begin, Buccigross helps set the table for another year of NHL hockey.