Mid-Ice Crisis

The Edmonton Oilers have Connor McDavid. They have Leon Draisaitl. They have the talent to compete for the Stanley Cup. So why does this team still feel like it's missing something? In this episode of Mid-Ice Crisis, Josh looks at two problems Edmonton needs to address: goaltending and forward depth. The Oilers don't necessarily need another superstar. They need an NHL-calibre goaltender who can d...

The Toronto Maple Leafs have completely reinvented themselves heading into the 2026-27 NHL season, but did they actually get better? Josh Cybulski breaks down John Chayka's first offseason as GM, the hiring of Jim Hiller, the arrival of first-overall pick Gavin McKenna, and the massive changes to Toronto's roster. He dives into the Leafs' biggest offseason gamble: acquiring Kirill Marchenko and im...

The NHL is about to get ugly. Training camp is winding down, NHL teams are getting closer to their 23-man rosters, and some extremely difficult decisions are coming. On this episode of Mid-Ice Crisis, Josh breaks down the players who could find themselves on the waiver wire — including some former high draft picks and young NHLers who could be claimed if their teams aren't careful. We also look at...

The NHL offseason is nearly over, but did the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers actually get better? Will Winnipeg be able to trade Connor Hellebuyck before the season starts? On this episode of Mid-Ice Crisis, we break down three of the biggest NHL stories heading into the 2026-27 season: Hellebuyck’s trade request, the Maple Leafs’ extreme offseason makeover, and the Edmonton Oilers’ attem...

In this episode of Mid-Ice Crisis, we discuss: • Did the Oilers make the right decisions? • Can Vegas remain the team to beat in the Pacific? • Are the Kings finally built to make a deep playoff run? • Is San Jose's rebuild ahead of schedule? • What are the Vancouver Canucks? • How bad will Calgary be? • Did anyone have a worse summer than Anaheim? • Why is Seattle stuck in the mushy middle? Plus,...

The Central Division had one of the most fascinating offseasons in the NHL, and we're breaking down every team's biggest moves heading into the 2026-27 season. Who had the best offseason in the Central Division? 🤔 The Avalanche dealt some key forwards. The Blues retooled. The Blackhawks kept building. The Stars largely stood pat. The Mammoth made some huge swings. We break down every Central Divi...

Who had the best offseason in the Atlantic Division? 🤔 The Panthers made another big splash. The Leafs retooled. The Canadiens kept building. The Senators made one of the biggest trades of the summer. We break down every Atlantic Division team and rank the biggest winners and losers. Who's winning the Atlantic in 2026-27? Mid-Ice Crisis is brought to you by Cwench Hydration.  Go to: www.cwenchhyd...

The Metropolitan Division has been one of the NHL's busiest divisions this summer, and we're breaking down every major move. From Washington adding impact players to push for another Stanley Cup, to the Rangers aggressively reshaping their roster, to Kyle Dubas continuing to retool the Penguins, every team in the Metro has revealed its direction heading into the 2026-27 season. In this episode of...

Canada invented hockey, but does that mean NHL players still dream of playing here? In this episode of Mid-Ice Crisis, Josh explores why so many American-born stars seem to prefer U.S. markets over Canadian ones—and whether Canadian culture has developed an ego problem. From the pressure of Canadian markets to the changing realities of life in both Canada and the United States, this conversation g...

NHL general managers are always looking for ways to create cap space, reshape rosters, and take advantage of a quickly rising salary cap. But while some contracts can be moved with retained salary, or by adding a sweetener, others have become nearly impossible to trade. In this episode of Mid-Ice Crisis, we break down the five most untradeable contracts in the NHL heading into the 2026 offseason....

In today's episode, we're diving into one of the biggest problems in hockey media (and all media for that matter): and that is people who react to headlines without reading the actual article.  From trade rumours and free-agent speculation to controversial opinions and clickbait takes, we discuss how headlines shape the conversation—and why so many fans miss the real story. If you've ever seen a h...

When Toronto dominates the hockey conversation, fans across Canada often roll their eyes. But is that really Toronto's fault? Sid Seixeiro recently called out hockey media across Canada for making Toronto the centre of every hockey conversation. In this episode, we break down his argument, discuss where he's right, where he's wrong, and explore why the Toronto debate continues to divide hockey fan...

The Vegas Golden Knights are heading to the Stanley Cup Final again — and depending on who you ask, that could be either great for hockey… or a complete disaster. In this episode, we break down why the NHL may have secretly preferred the Colorado Avalanche on hockey’s biggest stage. With superstars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar eliminated, the league loses two of its most marketable players...

The bill is finally due for the Edmonton Oilers. After years of going all-in around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers are staring down one of the toughest offseasons in the NHL. Cap space is disappearing, depth is thinning, and difficult decisions are coming fast. In this episode of Mid-Ice Crisis, we break down: - Edmonton’s looming salary cap nightmare - Which free agents they could...

The NHL offseason is starting to heat up — and some front offices are officially under pressure. In this quick-hit episode of Mid-Ice Crisis, Josh Cybulski breaks down the biggest NHL news stories from the past week, focusing on transactions, executive decisions, coaching uncertainty, roster direction, and the franchises' standing at major crossroads heading into the summer. Josh touches on the gr...

Are the Pittsburgh Penguins the most fascinating team to watch this summer? Retired podcaster and Penguins writer Mad Chad and I break down the Penguins' playoff performance, their options this summer, and what the future holds for Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.  We also talk about Connor McDavid and what is in store for him and the Edmonton Oilers. Follow Josh Cybulski at: Insta: h...

Evgeni Malkin has been part of the Pittsburgh Penguins for nearly two decades. Three Stanley Cups. Countless clutch moments. One of the most dominant playoff performers of his generation. But with Malkin’s future in Pittsburgh becoming less certain, Penguins fans are starting to ask a question many hoped would never come: What happens if Geno leaves? In this video, we break down: Malkin’s pending...

Meet the chaos, and the controversy, that is NHL officiating.  This week Josh breaks down what he's observed in the first week of the NHL playoffs and asks you to tell him what you've seen as well. Josh also predicts that a large group of former NHL fans are becoming skeptical about the direction of the NHL and whether or not everything is above board.  -Ice Crisis is brought to you by Cwench Hydr...

This week we dive deep into the incredible transformation of the Montreal Canadiens under coach Marty St. Louis. We explore how this young, exciting, fast team might go on a historic playoff run, and what it takes to build a winner in the NHL’s tightest races. Joining the show this week as our first guest is Jonny G of Barely Onside⁩ to discuss: ● The historic rise of the Montreal Canadiens and th...

In this episode, Josh Cybulski analyzes the Toronto Maple Leafs' current management situation, the potential GM candidates, and the challenges the team is facing. He explores internal and external options, team prospects, salary cap issues, and strategic directions for rebuilding or retooling the franchise. Mid-Ice Crisis is brought to you by Cwench Hydration.  Go to: www.cwenchhydration.ca/SECOND...

The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired general manager Brad Treliving and will begin a hunt for his replacement. Where did it go wrong for Toronto and Treliving and where do they go from here? Mid-Ice Crisis is brought to you by Cwench Hydration.  Go to: www.cwenchhydration.ca/SECONDSTORYPOD to get a 15% discount.  www.cwenchhydration.com/SECONDSTORYPOD in the U.S.  Use promo code SECONDSTORYPOD at ch...

Meet the chaos, the controversy, and the outright madness of NHL's goalie interference calls. If you've ever doubted that rules can be weaponized, buckle up — because what you're about to hear is a fiery revelation that will make you question everything about hockey's integrity. In this episode, we rip apart the NHL’s so-called "rule book" — or what’s left of it — exposing how goalie interference...

The Toronto Maple Leafs have imploded this season and face major decisions in the coming months. Do they retain GM Brad Treliving? Do they keep Auston Matthews? Do they trade William Nylander? Is a rebuild in order or can they retool the way the Pittsburgh Penguins have? Speaking of the Penguins, in this episode, Josh Cybulski breaks down the crossroads that Pittsburgh faces with team legend Evgen...

Josh reacts to the snoozefest that was NHL Trade Deadline. Mid-Ice Crisis is brought to you by Cwench Hydration.  Go to: www.cwenchhydration.ca/SECONDSTORYPOD to get a 15% discount.  www.cwenchhydration.com/SECONDSTORYPOD in the U.S.  Use promo code SECONDSTORYPOD at checkout Follow Josh Cybulski at: Insta: https://www.instagram.com/authorjoshcybulski/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorJCybulski...

n this episode of Mid-Ice Crisis, host Josh Cybulski reflects on the recent Olympic hockey experience, discussing the unity felt among Canadians during the games, the disappointment of losing to the Americans, and the implications for Canadian hockey's identity.  He also discusses what the win meant for American hockey as well as the good and bad that came from their celebration. Josh finally expl...