Jonny Lazarus, Arthur Staple and Mike Rupp are back for Episode 53 of the Tri-State Hockey Podcast to break down the biggest storylines surrounding the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and New York Islanders as the NHL offseason continues.
The guys open the show by discussing Vincent Trocheck’s recent comments about choosing the Rangers because of Artemi Panarin, leading to a conversation about whether New York still has the star power to attract elite free agents. They examine Chris Drury’s offseason, the perception surrounding the Rangers organization, and what the franchise must do to become a destination again.
The conversation then shifts to a debate over the NHL’s best center duos after a recent ranking left both the Rangers and Islanders outside the top tiers. The crew explains why Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier deserve to be among the league’s elite pairings, compares Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller against Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal, and discusses where each Tri-State team stacks up down the middle.
Later, the guys answer listener questions, including what the Islanders need from Brayden Schenn and Ondřej Palát to justify last season’s trade deadline moves, whether Bo Horvat or Mathew Barzal is more valuable moving forward, and if Dawson Mercer should already be locked into a long-term extension with the Devils.
Finally, they discuss the NHL’s rising salary cap, how the next wave of superstar contracts could reshape the league, and which teams are best positioned for long-term success before wrapping up the show with their Bet365 Bet of the Day and final thoughts.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Vinny Trocheck & Artemi Panarin’s impact
14:54 Rangers expectations heading into next season
16:54 Ranking the NHL’s best center duos
26:26 Islanders mailbag: Brayden Schenn, Ondřej Palát & Horvat vs. Barzal
33:38 Should the Devils extend Dawson Mercer?
40:07 NHL salary cap boom & the next generation of superstar contracts
45:17 Shoulder Check Showcase & Bet365 Bet of the Day
47:04 Final thoughts
Presented by bet365
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That athletic article for some reason ignored Barzal and penciled in Schenn
Cutter Gauthier is kinda ”that guy” what ive been saying for a year now. Right now Anaheim struggles make him a deal, so why we wouldnt trade for him? He is a center by training, played center through the juniors.
He is big, fast, good shot, he got that chin and edge, doesnt fear anyone and already have chemistry with Perreault he could be our 1 line center next 15 years. Personally i think Gauthier is better than Carlsson.
Barkov and Lundell over Hughes and Hischier any given day and twice on sundays.
Mercer is good bc he's consistently showing up and staying healthy – I'd take a guy like that any day of the week.
Tro must have not really wanted to play with Bread too bad, cause LA would love Tro and needs a center bad, Tro said he wanted to stay on the east coast, but then waves to go all the way out to Utah instead of LA????
Question:
If Panarin and Trochek were still here: would our Rangers be a Cup Contending team?