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The Flying Octopus

sabourin91

An all new Red Wings hockey podcast hosted by Tony Wolak, Devin Little and Evan Sabourin

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21 episodes
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Avg 38 min
English

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#93
August 21 · 28 min
Episode 93: GM Search Drama, Hockeytown Branding Debate, Jersey Discussion & much more!
Summary In this episode, Devin and Tony discuss the Detroit Red Wings' branding, jersey designs, and the ongoing search for a new general manager, providing insights into team culture and strategic decisions. Keywords Red Wings, Hockey Town, jersey design, GM search, Detroit sports, team branding, NHL, fan engagement Key Topics: Red Wings' jersey design and branding The significance of Hockey Town in Detroit culture The ongoing search for a new Red Wings general manager Fan engagement and merchandise strategies The impact of team branding on fan loyalty sound bites "Hockey Town is more than just a logo" "Hockey Town adds to the Red Wings' lore" "Minimal effort in jersey design diminishes appeal" Chapters 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 02:14 Devin's personal journey and return to writing 03:42 Red Wings GM search updates and sources 08:23 Sean Horkoff's role and recent trade activity 12:32 Analysis of new player Sutter Mazzati 13:40 Discussion on Red Wings' jersey and branding strategies 16:53 The significance of Hockey Town in Detroit 19:40 Historical perspective on Hockey Town branding 24:04 Critique of the proposed Hockey Town remix jersey 26:31 Jersey design as a marketing tool 28:22 Closing remarks and future plans
#92
August 13 · 47 min
Episode 92: The State of The Red Wings with Kevin Allen
Summary: In this episode former USA TODAY lead hockey writer and Hall of Famer, Kevin Allen, shares insights on the Detroit Red Wings' current challenges, prospects, and future strategies. We explore team dynamics, management decisions, and the importance of analytics in shaping the franchise's path forward. Keywords: Red Wings, Kevin Allen, NHL, hockey analysis, team management, prospects, analytics, Detroit hockey Key Topics: Red Wings' management and organizational challenges The impact of Dylan Larkin trade request Role of analytics in team building Prospects and player development strategies Team culture and organizational funk Future outlook for Detroit Red Wings Sound Bites "Larkin is pretty valuable to the Red Wings" "You gotta pay Edmondson more than Cider" "Goals are essential for playoff success" Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 03:00 Larkin's Value and Team Impact 04:01 New GM Search and Management Style 05:03 Potential Candidates and Analytics Approach 06:20 Involvement of Jeff Greenberg and Analytics in Hockey 08:13 Pressure on Illich and Franchise Expectations 09:05 Drafting Challenges and Future Strategies 10:28 Team Building and Youth Development 12:13 Organizational Funk and Team Morale 14:27 Defense and Offense Outlook 16:46 Contract Negotiations and Player Relations 18:38 Alex DeBrincat's Future and Contract Talks 20:32 Prospects to Watch in 2026 22:17 Player Development and Prospect Management 24:37 Team Environment and Player Morale 27:51 Young Players and Future Impact 31:00 Team Strategy and Draft Philosophy 33:49 Defensive and Offensive Player Development 39:38 Season Outlook and Optimism 43:11 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts
#91
July 24 · 24 min
Episode 91: Inside the Red Wings GM Search: Internal vs External Candidate
SUMMARY In this episode, Tony Wolak and Devin L. explore the complexities of hiring a new general manager for the Detroit Red Wings, debating internal versus external candidates, and analyzing successful NHL organizational changes. They also touch on Patrick Kane's move to Chicago and its implications for the team. KEYWORDS Red Wings, NHL, General Manager, Internal vs External Hire, NHL Organizational Change, Patrick Kane, Detroit Red Wings, Hockey Management, NHL Trades, Team Building key topics Red Wings GM search: internal vs external candidates Success stories of NHL leadership changes Impact of Patrick Kane's move to Chicago Organizational change and team rebuilding strategies The importance of organizational knowledge in NHL management SOUND BITES "They are their own person and they're gonna make decisions on their own." "Change is change, don't just bring in a protege." "A clean slate feels like a fresh start." CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to the Red Wings GM Search 02:05 Devin's Wedding Plans and Personal Updates 03:47 Discussion on Internal Candidates: Sean Horkoff and Others 07:54 External Candidates and Successful NHL Examples 11:58 The Value of Organizational Knowledge in Hiring 16:08 Differences in Management Styles: Inside vs Outside Hires 19:54 Case Studies: Vegas, Colorado, and St. Louis 24:04 Addressing Team Rebuilding and Player Trades 29:01 The Impact of Leadership Changes on Team Dynamics 31:05 Patrick Kane's Move to Chicago and Its Significance 31:56 Closing Remarks and Next Steps Resources: NHL Organizational Change Examples - https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-organizational-changes-examples Patrick Kane's Career Profile - https://www.nhl.com/player/patrick-kane/8470644 Detroit Red Wings Official Website - https://www.nhl.com/redwings Vegas Golden Knights Management - https://www.nhl.com/news/vegas-golden-knights-management St. Louis Blues Management Transition - https://www.nhl.com/news/st-louis-blues-management guest links Twitter - https://twitter.com/HockeywithDevin Twitter - https://twitter.com/FlyingOctopod
#90
July 16 · 46 min
Episode 90: Steve Yzerman Steps Down: What It Means for the Red Wings' Future
Summary: In this episode, Evan, Tony, and Devin discuss the shocking news of Steve Yzerman stepping down as GM of the Detroit Red Wings, the team's future direction, and the implications for the franchise. They also touch on Patrick Kane's potential destinations and the broader NHL management trends. Key Topics: Steve Yzerman's tenure and departure Red Wings' team rebuild and management strategy The NHL GM hiring process and analytics influence Patrick Kane's free agency and potential teams Impacts of management changes on team performance Sound Bites: "Yzerman's tenure can be viewed differently now" "The Red Wings are in a pivotal moment" "This is the most hectic Red Wings summer in years" Chapters 00:00 Intro and Wake-up Call 08:11:48 Reactions to Yzerman stepping down Guest links Twitter - https://twitter.com/HockeywithDevin
#89
July 10 · 32 min
Episode 89: Leo Carlsson's Offer Sheet Impact on Detroit Red Wings
Summary: In this episode, Tony Wolak and Devin Little delve into the recent NHL salary cap shifts, the record-breaking Leo Carlsson contract, and the ongoing Dylan Larkin trade saga. They explore how these developments are reshaping team strategies, player valuations, and the league's financial landscape. Keywords: NHL salary cap, Leo Carlsson contract, Dylan Larkin trade, NHL free agency, hockey contracts, NHL salary trends, Red Wings, NHL negotiations Key Topics: NHL salary cap increase and its impact Leo Carlsson's $18 million contract and its significance The Dylan Larkin trade saga and trade restrictions Future contract trends and free agency strategies Team building in the context of rising salaries Sound Bites: "Content dictates the format, don't force structure." "Leo Carlsson's contract shifts the NHL market." "You can't do that to Larkin out of respect." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 02:23 Leo Carlsson's record-breaking contract and its implications 04:23 The significance of the $18 million deal for Carlsson 06:28 Impact of Carlsson's contract on future negotiations 09:08 The future of Alex DeBrincat and team building 11:28 Historical context of NHL salaries and cap growth 14:22 Red Wings' player contracts and market value 16:43 The value of Larkin's contract and trade market 19:36 Trade restrictions and potential trade scenarios 22:36 The emotional and strategic impact of the Larkin saga 24:51 Potential trade structures and third-team involvement 27:10 The complexity of trade negotiations and team interests 28:30 Training camp scenarios and leadership considerations 29:02 Respect and team dynamics regarding Larkin's captaincy 30:06 Humorous take on hockey drama as reality TV 30:48 Potential media and entertainment angles on the saga 31:00 Uncertainty around Patrick Kane and team roster moves 32:12 Team building and offseason strategy post-Larkin 33:06 Expected additional signings and team depth 34:00 Summary and closing thoughts on NHL offseason trends Resources: NHL Salary Cap History - https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-salary-cap-history Leo Carlsson's Contract Details - https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/38012345/leo-carlson-18-million-per-year-contract Dylan Larkin Trade Saga - https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2023/07/15/dylan-larkin-trade-possibilities/ Guest Links: Twitter - https://twitter.com/HockeywithDevin
#88
July 3 · 42 min
Episode 88: Red Wings Free Agency Update + 2026 Draft Recap
In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas dive into Detroit’s July 1 acquisitions and what they mean for the organization. Viktor Arvidsson and Keegan Kolesar, in particular, address key offseason objectives, and the guys will share how. The discussion then pivots to the 2026 NHL Draft, where Evan got an up close view of Detroit’s draft picks as a credentialed member of the media. The guys recap Detroit’s selections, their value, and how the Red Wings adjusted their draft strategy away from the tried and true. The episode ends with a shout out for former guest Shane Malloy, who was hired this week by the St. Louis Blues as their new director of strategic planning. Key Topics - Red Wings draft picks and strategy - Free agency signings and trades - Player development and prospects - Team identity and future plans - Impact of recent NHL moves 00:00 - Flight Cancellations and Scams 02:40 - NHL Draft and Free Agency Overview 05:17 - Analyzing Free Agency Moves 08:09 - The Impact of New Acquisitions 10:40 - Team Identity and Future Prospects 13:28 - Dylan Larkin's Trade Drama 15:57 - Looking Ahead to the Draft 21:31 - Buffalo Draft Experience 23:40 - Victor Plante's Emotional Draft Moment 25:17 - Analyzing JP Hurlbert's Selection 28:16 - Sebastian Cossa Trade Discussion 30:54 - Draft Class Overview and Player Potential 37:32 - Shifting Draft Strategies and Future Outlook 39:26 - Draft Grades and Final Thoughts
#87
June 26 · 29 min
Episode 87: Trade - A - Palooza, Dylan Larkin Trade Destination and Draft Preview
In this episode, Tony and Devin discuss the latest NHL trades, the potential trade of Dylan Larkin, and the Detroit Red Wings' upcoming draft strategy, including key prospects and draft picks. They analyze team moves, draft value, and strategic considerations for building a competitive team. Key Topics: NHL trade activity and potential Dylan Larkin trade Red Wings draft strategy and key prospects at 47 Impact of recent trades on team building Drafting for value versus ceiling in later rounds Prospect pipeline and defensemen development NHL Trade Frenzy: Will Dylan Larkin Be Traded? Red Wings Draft Strategy: Who Should They Pick at 47? Sound Bites "If they don't get a deal draft weekend here, it might go into July or August." "Steve Yzerman will only do a trade if it's right for the organization." "Shoot for the stars with your second round pick." Chapters 00:00 - NHL Trade Frenzy: Analyzing Recent Moves 04:44 - Dylan Larkin's Future: Trade Speculations 09:13 - Draft Strategies: The Importance of the 47th Pick 12:13 - Shooting for the Stars: Second Round Picks 16:31 - Late Round Picks: Building Depth for the Future 26:14 - Hypothetical Scenarios: What If Larkin is Traded?
#86
June 19 · 48 min
Episode 86: Red Wings Draft Preview Ft. NHL SiriusXM’s Shane Malloy
Interview: Summary In this episode, Shane Malloy, a renowned hockey scout and author, shares insights on NHL draft strategies, player evaluation, and the Detroit Red Wings' prospects and management. Tune in to learn how to assess talent and build a winning team in hockey. Keywords Hockey Draft, Player Evaluation, Detroit Red Wings, Shane Malloy, NHL Prospects, Draft Strategy, Hockey Management Key Topics NHL draft strategy and player evaluation Detroit Red Wings prospects and management Importance of second and seventh round picks Mental makeup and leadership in prospects Defensemen value in draft and trades Guest Name: Shane Malloy Titles Decoding the NHL Draft: Insights from Shane Malloy How to Build a Winning Hockey Team: Draft and Development Strategies Sound bites "They just don't hit in the second round." "You want those glue guys in the middle." "It's about players who can play five on five." Chapters 00:00 The Struggles of Second Round Picks 02:43 Dylan Larkin's Trade Request and Its Implications 05:27 The State of the Red Wings Organization 08:31 Prospects and Future Trade Opportunities 11:09 Mental Makeup of Prospects 14:03 Leadership and Opportunity in the Red Wings 16:54 The Future of the Red Wings Post-Larkin 22:09 Rising Stars and Leadership Mindset 23:18 Draft Strategy: High Floor Players 28:54 Identifying Value in the Draft 34:23 The Importance of Off-Puck Play 41:13 Finding Late-Round Gems 43:36 Evaluating Draft Class Strength Resources Shane Malloy on Twitter - https://twitter.com/ShaneMalloy The Art of Scouting by Shane Malloy - https://www.amazon.com/Art-Scouting-Shane-Malloy/dp/XXXXXX NHL Network Radio Sirius XM - https://www.siriusxm.com Prospect Profiles on NHL Network Radio - https://www.siriusxm.com/prospectprofiles Guest links Twitter - https://twitter.com/ShaneMalloy
#85
June 12 · 52 min
Episode 85: Larkin Trade Request Saga Continues + Cossa Trade Rumors
In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas dive into the latest news surrounding Dylan Larkin’s trade request, including an updated trade list, potential returns, and the impact on his legacy. The discussion then turns to Steve Yzerman and if he’s the right person to be managing the situation on Detroit’s end, plus what a trade (or holding out for a better return) might mean for the Red Wings’ other offseason plans. The guys also discuss the Sebastian Cossa trade rumors that have been circulating as of late and what they potential signal for the organization. WHERE TO FIND US TWITTER - @FLYINGOCTOPOD YOU TUBE - @THEFLYINGOCTOPOD ITUNES, SPOTIFY OR WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS
#84
June 5 · 34 min
Episode 84: Dylan Larkin Wants Out: Panic In Hockeytown
This episode dives into the emotional and strategic implications of Dylan Larkin's trade request from the Detroit Red Wings. We analyze the potential impact on team dynamics, future prospects, and the broader NHL landscape, featuring insights from hockey experts. Chapters 00:00 The Trade Deadline Rift 03:16 Dylan Larkin's Trade Request 07:43 Emotional Reactions and Organizational Impact 12:16 Future Implications for the Red Wings 16:42 Leadership and Fan Reactions 19:31 Dylan Larkin's Legacy and Fan Reactions 21:53 Steve Yzerman's Strategy and Future Implications 24:11 Trade Scenarios and Potential Destinations for Larkin 31:50 Trusting the Yzerplan Now?: Yzerman's Decisions Under Scrutiny 34:57 The Emotional Impact of Larkin's Potential Departure guest links: Twitter - https://twitter.com/HockeywithDevin
#83
May 30 · 47 min
Episode 83: Former USA Today Hockey Writer Kevin Allen
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.
#82
May 15 · 37 min
Episode 82: Draft Misses, Where Holland & Yzerman Went Wrong + Cossa Trade Rumors
On episode 82 of The Flying Octopus podcast, Evan Sabourin and Devin Little discuss long term ripple effects from the Ken Holland era. They breakdown GM Steve Yzerman's early drafts and discuss just how "prime" they are. What's the real reason behind the ten year playoff drought? Plus the guys react to Frank Seravalli's Sebastian Cossa comments. Could the Red Wing's once crowned "goalie of the future" be on the move and is Michal Postava next in line to backup in Detroit? All that and more on episode #82 of The Flying Octopus podcast.
#81
May 8 · 42 min
Episode 81: Red Wings Player Grades, Organizational Audit & PWHL Arrives In Detroit
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.
#80
April 24 · 32 min
Episode 80: Red Wings "Need Better Players" + Yzerman Press Conference Review
In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas recap Steve Yzerman and Todd McLellan’s end-of-year press conference, including notes on team offense needing to improve, the bottom-six needing an identity, the coaching staff remaining in place, and much more. The guys also share their thoughts on how the Red Wings can go about reconstructing their forward group for 2026-27 and what blockers they might face. That, and much more about Dylan Larkin’s leadership, team culture, and players that need to pull their weight.
#79
April 17 · 28 min
Episode 79: Red Wings’ 2025-26 Season Ends In Disappointment + Looking Forward to the Offseason
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.
#78
April 10 · 33 min
Episode 78: Making Sense of the Red Wings’ Late-Season Collapse + Impressive Win vs. Philadelphia
In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas dive into Detroit’s late-season collapse and what comes next for the organization. The discussion ranges from offseason priorities, to potential targets, to a confidence check on Steve Yzerman’s ability to guide the team moving forward. The guys also recap the week that was, which included three painful losses and a breakthrough win on Thursday. The guys discuss becoming Red Wings therapists to cap it all off!
#77
April 4 · 42 min
Episode 77: Here comes April, Playoff Worthy, Future Core, and Yzerman Madness
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.
#76
March 27 · 42 min
Episode 76: Do or Die Time for the Red Wings + Griffins Update
In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas dive into Detroit’s playoff push - or lack thereof. All of the other wild card-contending teams have caught fire, while the Red Wings have fallen back to Earth. What needs to happen for the Red Wings to break through and reach the playoffs? Who do they need to count on to get them across the finish line? The conversation then turns to the Grand Rapids Griffins and their historic season. The boys discuss Grand Rapids clinching the Central Division and key contributors, like Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Carter Mazur, Amadeus Lombardi, and John Leonard. The guys also share an update on Eddie Genborg who made his AHL debut this past week. Finally, the show wraps up with news and notes, including Jacob Bernard-Docker’s contract extension, the Frozen Four, and Detroit’s goaltending situation with Cam Talbot going down with an injury right before a back-to-back.
#75
March 20 · 35 min
Episode 75: Critical Win vs. Montreal, Rule of 3 & Prospect Updates
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.
#74
March 13 · 32 min
Episode 74: Red Wings Injuries & How to Move Forward
In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas recount Detroit’s last couple games and recent injuries, and then how they can take positives from those outings and apply them moving forward. The guys also give Marco Kasper and Justin Faulk their flowers as the two have stood out over the last couple games. Finally, the show ends with a surprise mid-game trade between the Red Wings and Lightning, and why such a move is allowed after the trade deadline.

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