Morning Cuppa Hockey · The Nation Network

Time To Sell & Back To Reality ft. Zack Phillips & Emily Kaplan

·1 hr 11 min·5 clips

Emily Kaplan reveals how Dylan Larkin blasted music and led chants just before a poised post-game interview.

This episode of Morning Cuppa Hockey features hosts Colby Cohen and Johnny Lazarus alongside guests Zack Phillips from The Daily Faceoff and ESPN's Emily Kaplan. The conversation centers on the chaotic NHL action following the Olympic break and looming trade deadline decisions. Phillips analyzes the Toronto Maple Leafs' disastrous recent performances, while Kaplan offers insights on potential trade market activity. The hosts recap embarrassing highlights, including Morgan Rielly's comical own-goal clip and Connor McDavid's dominant play in an 8-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings. They discuss the Philadelphia Flyers' overtime win against Vancouver, criticizing JT Miller's defensive decision. Phillips details the Leafs' 3-0 first-period deficit against Florida, comparing their play to a "peewee Christmas game against the dads." He argues the team is old, slow, and structurally flawed post-break. A significant segment debates whether intense media scrutiny drives star players like Auston Matthews or Brady Tkachuk out of Canadian markets. Lazarus contends players are not that affected by media questions, while Phillips acknowledges media pressure but believes departure decisions are primarily personal. Phillips asserts the Leafs require a major roster overhaul, not minor tweaks, fearing management will prioritize short-term playoff revenue for TV deals. He criticizes the organization's poor track record of developing and retaining prospects like Mason Marchment and Pontus Holmberg. Emily Kaplan joins to contrast the high-level Olympic hockey with the current NHL grind. She predicts a flurry of trades before the deadline due to groundwork laid during the break, naming Vancouver, Calgary, and Chicago's Connor Murphy as likely movers. Kaplan suggests bigger names, like Nashville's Steven Stamkos, might wait until summer, noting Stamkos's family considerations. The tone is conversational and opinionated, blending analytical hockey breakdowns with candid media criticism and insider trade speculation. Fans of team-specific drama, especially surrounding the Maple Leafs and trade deadline mechanics, will enjoy this episode. Listeners seeking a tightly structured, single-topic deep dive or those averse to extended critical rants about specific teams might prefer to skip.

As heard by us

Leafs reaction, Brantford updates, and trade-deadline chatter keep this Friday episode moving.

Friday's episode keeps circling back to the Leafs game from the night before, the Morgan Rielly moment that drew laughs around the league, and a guest list that keeps the pace from settling.

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Why you'd press play

Press play for Leafs chaos, trade-deadline chatter, and two guests who keep it moving.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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