Episode 50: Off-Season Chatter

Episode 50: Off-Season Chatter

June 23, 2026 · 60 min · Season 1 · Episode 50

About this episode

The episode discusses the current state of hockey in New York, focusing on the Rangers, Islanders, and Devils, along with player empowerment and offseason strategies.

Welcome to Episode 50 of the Tri-State Hockey Podcast! Jonny Lazarus, Arthur Staple, and Stanley Cup Champion Mike Rupp reunite to tackle some of the biggest questions facing hockey in the New York market and across the NHL. The show kicks off with a thought-provoking voicemail from a concerned Rangers fan asking whether the New York Rangers are still viewed as a premier destination for star players and whether criticism surrounding Chris Drury is beginning to impact the organization's reputation. The crew dives deep into the changing landscape of player empowerment, discusses the Rangers' current direction, and examines what the future could hold for some of the NHL's biggest stars. The conversation also explores the state of the New York Islanders, their front office changes, organizational direction, and whether they could be emerging as a more attractive destination than their rivals across town. Plus, the guys break down the outlook for the New Jersey Devils, discuss roster-building philosophies around the league, debate how teams stay competitive in today's NHL, and answer listener questions in a wide-ranging offseason edition of the podcast. If you're a Rangers, Islanders…

People in this episode

Hosts: Jonny Lazarus, Arthur Staple

Guest: Mike Rupp

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: New York Rangers, Chris Drury, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, NHL

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