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Morning Cuppa Hockey · The Nation Network

Conversation With Emily Kaplan Part 2

·28 min·2 clips
Dylan Larkin showed up with a boombox and started a USA chant before switching into captain mode for a perfect interview.
This episode features hosts Johnny and Kobe continuing their conversation with ESPN hockey reporter Emily Kaplan. They discuss the transition from Olympic hockey back to the NHL and the upcoming trade deadline. Kaplan shares insights from her time covering the Olympics and her reporting on various NHL teams. She describes the U.S. men's Olympic hockey tournament as progressively getting better and more dramatic, culminating in a thrilling gold medal game. Kaplan expects a flurry of NHL trade activity before the deadline due to groundwork laid during the Olympic break, citing the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames as teams to watch. She mentions Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks as a likely trade candidate, while bigger moves involving the Nashville Predators or New York Rangers might come down to the wire. Kaplan addresses speculation about Steven Stamkos, noting she heard he was less open to an in-season move due to family logistics. She praises Lightning GM Julien BriseBois for his open-mindedness, referencing the Ryan McDonagh situation as an example. Kaplan recounts how NFL insider Adam Schefter broke the Artemi Panarin trade news and looped her in, highlighting his mentorship and teamwork. She shares a personal story about Dylan Larkin's professionalism and team-first attitude during the Olympics, describing how he seamlessly switched into interview mode after celebrating. Kaplan analyzes the New York Rangers' situation, stating that after Chris Drury's letter, the team must follow through on its rebuild plans, which likely involves exploring trades for players like Vincent Trocheck. She provides context on Adam Fox's past, explaining his move from Carolina to New York was about roster opportunity, not disliking the Hurricanes. Kaplan clarifies that building the U.S. Olympic roster involved nuanced decisions about role and fit, not simply selecting the best individual players. She witnessed authentic support between the U.S. men's and women's teams during the Olympics, countering public narratives about division. The tone is conversational and insider-focused, blending personal anecdotes with professional hockey analysis. Listeners interested in NHL trade deadline buzz, behind-the-scenes Olympic stories, and nuanced team analysis would enjoy this episode. Those seeking only game recaps or breaking news updates might find the detailed, conversational style less engaging.

As heard by us

A behind-the-scenes hockey conversation that turns Olympic logistics into sharp, lively inside baseball.

Emily Kaplan makes this feel like a fast, inside look at hockey reporting: green room chatter, Olympic-zone logistics, and the wet, muddy wait outside the village as the crew tries to get players on air before the night slips away.

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Why you'd press play

You want Emily Kaplan and the messy logistics of Olympic hockey reporting.

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