The Flying Octopus

Former USA Today Hockey Writer and current editor-in-chief of Detroit Hockey Now, Kevin Allen, joins the show to talk Red Wings hockey, the legacy of Claude Lemieux, Detroit's Draft approach, and the legend that is Doc Emrick. He also weighs in on Steve Yzerman's draft strategy and tells us why you can't build a contender through the draft. All that and more on Episode 83 of The Flying Octopus Podcast.

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas dive into 2025-26 player grades now that the emotion from the season/collapse has subsided. Find out which Red Wings players passed the test and which need summer school. After that, the guys examine the organization as a whole and identify other opportunities for improvement this offseason, including front office hires, team identity, and more. And finally, the show ends with the news of Detroit receiving a PWHL expansion franchise and the hype surrounding this week’s unveiling.

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas take a high-level view of the Red Wings’ 2025-26 season, including what went wrong, what went right, and what needs to change. There were certainly some successes from this season, but, at least for now, are overshadowed by the failure of the collapse. There is hope, though, and the guys preview how the Red Wings can right the ship in the offseason and continue their ascension in the standings heading into 2026-27.

Description: On episode 77, Evan and Devin compare the Red Wings season to a movie - horror or comedy? The Red Wings leave March behind and start April with a win, but what's behind the issues with this lack of offense and are they even playoff worthy? Goals have been hard to come by, we'll discuss why and what we think the fix is. Devin breaks down the future core of this team and the guys debate who stays and who goes. We'll look into goaltender John Gibson's presence and discuss whether he's overworked or not. Plus the latest on prospects Max Plante and Trey Augustine. All that and more on episode 77 of The Flying Octopus podcast.

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas recap Detroit’s playoff-style win against the Montreal Canadiens, and what the regulation victory versus an Atlantic Division foe means in terms of the playoff race. With how the Eastern Conference is shaking out, it was truly a must-win game for the Red Wings. The guys also highlighted players who stood out, and gave J.T. Compher and Emmitt Finnie their flowers for stepping up in Dylan Larkin’s absence. The show then turns to Tony’s most recent article for The Hockey Writers and how the three-goal threshold will determine Detroit’s fate in the coming weeks. The show ends with prospect talk, including notes on Eddie Genbord, Anton Johansson, Trey Augustine, and Max Plante, plus the Griffins looking like a juggernaut as they approach the Calder Cup Playoffs.

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas recap a roller coaster of a day, including Detroit’s trade deadline moves and Dylan Larkin suffering a knee injury in the game immediately after the deadline. The guys dive into Detroit’s three trades: bringing back David Perron, shipping out Elmer Soderblom, and landing Justin Faulk in a blockbuster deal with the St. Louis Blues. The episode wraps up with notes on other discussions the Red Wings had with teams leading up to the deadline and the other trades around the league that stood out.

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. Follows up on X: @FlyingOctopod and check us out on YouTube: @TheFlyingOctopod You can also listen to us on Itunes, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. 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

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

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

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

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.

On Episode 61, the guys from Hockeytown West Podcast join the show to help recap the week that was in Red Wing land. Is Nate Danielson here to stay? The guys break down Marco Kasper's slow start to the season. What changes would benefit him? The Griffins are on a historic run - Travis Focht, Nick Harrington and Brandon Cooke discuss the impact of the Red Wings minor league affiliate on the city of Grand Rapids and tell us what to look forward to. All that and more plus a little "ginger power" on Episode 61 of The Flying Octopus podcast.