Keeping Karlsson Fantasy Hockey Podcast · Elan Dubrofsky and Brian Kom

No. 619 - In the Meantime

February 23, 2026·1 hr 35 min·5 clips

Brian describes taking kids to a bar for the Olympic hockey game and the hilarious high-five anticipation.

This episode of the Keeping Karlsson Fantasy Hockey Podcast features hosts Elan Dubrovsky and Brian Komp catching up on NHL news during the Olympic break. They begin by sharing their personal experiences watching Canada's gold medal loss to the United States. The hosts then transition to a team-by-team review of fantasy-relevant updates and injury news from the NHL's quiet period. Elan notes Jack Hughes looked healthy and confident during the Olympics, which could boost the struggling New Jersey Devils. Luke Hughes is back practicing for New Jersey but remains on LTIR until Saturday, creating uncertainty on the blue line. Nathan MacKinnon appeared emotionally drained after the loss and may be load-managed by Colorado upon return. Sidney Crosby's groin injury will be re-evaluated by Pittsburgh doctors, impacting the Penguins' playoff push. The hosts highlight AHL prospect Avery Hayes, who scored two hat-tricks for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton during the break. In Chicago, Connor Bedard is healed and will resume taking faceoffs, while Sam Rinzel's recent call-up and AHL production make him a watchlist defenseman. A major injury update confirms Kevin Fiala is out for the season after getting hurt playing for Switzerland. In Los Angeles, newly acquired Artemi Panarin is projected to start on a line with Alex Laferriere and Adrian Kempe. Leo Carlsson is returning from injury for Anaheim, though his early-season point-per-game pace may be unsustainable. The hosts express cautious optimism that Carlsson's return could stabilize the Ducks' lineup and impact players like Beckett Sennecke. They also note several players, like Mikey Anderson and Alex Turcotte, are back at practice for the Kings. One surprising insight is Elan's observation that Auston Matthews displayed a rare, joyful emotion after winning gold, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. Brian speculates the emotional toll of the Olympics could lead to a "post-Olympics crash" for Canadian players like MacKinnon. The conversation reveals how international results are poor predictors for NHL fantasy performance, as Matthews was used more defensively in the tournament. They humorously note that fantasy managers can use any subsequent player performance to confirm their Olympic-related biases. The tone is casual and conversational, blending personal anecdote with fantasy analysis. The style is informational and preview-oriented, setting the stage for the season's resumption without deep statistical dives. The hosts maintain a lighthearted and relatable demeanor, especially when discussing their own fantasy teams and family outings to watch the gold medal game. Fantasy hockey managers eager for a reset before the playoff push will appreciate this comprehensive news roundup. Listeners seeking in-depth analytics or game breakdowns might find this episode too preliminary, as it focuses on updates rather than outcomes. Fans who enjoy the hosts' personal banter and team-by-team reconnaissance will find it particularly engaging.

As heard by us

Olympic fallout, injury uncertainty, and a useful fantasy reset.

The episode reads as a clean fantasy hockey reset, starting with the morning Olympic result and then moving through the NHL news that piled up while the league was idle.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want the Rantanen injury fallout before it gets messy for your fantasy roster.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Keeping Karlsson Fantasy Hockey Podcast