The Flying Octopus

In this episode of the Flying Octopus Podcast, hosts Evan Sabourin and Devin Little discuss the recent trade of Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. They analyze the implications of the trade for both teams, the assets exchanged, and the potential impact on the Red Wings. The conversation also explores other trade targets for the Red Wings and reflects on the team's current standing and future move...

On Episode 63 of The Flying Octopus Podcast, Shane Malloy from Sirius XM NHL Radio joins the show to break down the latest on the Quinn Hughes situation in Vancouver. He gives his thoughts on what it will take to land the star defenseman in Detroit and the kind of immediate impact he would have on a team desperately looking to end a 10 year playoff drought. Plus Evan says there's already two super...

On Episode 62 of The Flying Octopus podcast, George Malik from the Malik Report and Travis Focht from Hockeytown West join us to talk all things Red Wings hockey. The boys recap Detroits 4 game losing streak and address how they can climb out of this hole. We also talk Quinn Hughes and break down what the Wings would have to give up for him.  What is wrong with John Gibson and how long is his leas...

On Episode 61, the guys from Hockeytown West Podcast join the show to help recap the week that was in Red Wing land. Is Nate Danielson here to stay? The guys break down Marco Kasper's slow start to the season. What changes would benefit him? The Griffins are on a  historic run - Travis Focht, Nick Harrington and Brandon Cooke discuss  the impact of the Red Wings minor league affiliate on the city...

On Episode 60 of The Flying Octopus Podcast - Travis Focht from Hockeytown West Podcast joins the show as the guys discuss the Red Wings big win vs Anaheim on Thursday. Line combinations continue to evolve but what is the best fit in terms of rounding out the bottom 6? We break down the John Gibson injury and discuss options in case the injury is long term. Nate Danielson finds his way into the li...

On this week's episode Tony finds an Evan doppelganger that turns into a work nickname. The guys recap the Red Wings' five game west coast road trip. Things got ugly on Friday against the Rangers. Tony breaks down why Detroit  performed so poorly in a 4-1 loss at the LCA in their first game back. Then Evan chats with Nick Harrington from Hockeytown West Podcast about the Grand Rapids Griffins 8 an...

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas review the Red Wings’ performance so far now that we’re 10 games into the 2025-26 season, including thoughts on the rookies, contract-year players, young players continuing to ascend, and Detroit’s goaltending tandem. The guys also analyze Detroit’s penalty kill and power play, plus what’s needed moving forward. 

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas keep it light and positive after two ugly losses by the Red Wings. They start off with a blast from the past, then pivot to the current youth movement and the resurgent penalty kill. The conversation then transitions to Michael Rasmussen, and what’s needed to get the 2017 first-round pick back to the impactful player he was a couple...

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas recap Detroit’s last three games: 6-3 win against Toronto, a 3-2 win against Toronto, and a hard-fought 4-1 victory over the Panthers. The guys discuss Axel Sandin-Pellikka’s rough outing vs. Toronto on Monday and how he rebounded nicely against the Panthers, plus other notes on stellar performances. The podcast then turns to why the...

In Episode 55 - Evan, Tony and Devin discuss the good feelings heading into the 2025 season and the excitement of seeing three rookies in the opening night lineup. But things did not turn out the Red Wings way on Thursday at the LCA. The guys recap the home opener: a 5-1 loss at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens. Tony discusses what happened to John Gibson and why he deserved to be pulled in his...

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas kick things off by sharing what they’ve seen in Detroit’s most recent preseason games, including top performers, coaching strategy, and more. The guys then transition to what Detroit’s lineup could look like opening night vs. Montreal and discuss the roster battles still at hand. How many prospects will force their way onto the team...

 In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas kick things off by analyzing Detroit’s first two preseason games: Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks and Thursday’s 5-2 win versus the Buffalo Sabres. The Red Wings dominated both contests and received stellar performances from their top prospects plus several NHL regulars. The guys then transition to what they’re looking...

Episode 52 sees Evan and Devin team up with the boys from @HockeytownWPod. The guys talk training camp with boots on the ground from Nick Harrington and Brandon Cooke. We weigh in on the Emmitt Finnie hype train and talk about what Axel Sandin - Pellikka has to do to make the roster. Plus is Nate Danielson ready for the show? Then the guys shift gears as Travis Focht joined, Devin, Nick and Brando...

On episode 51, the guys chat it up with the legendary voice of Red Wings hockey. Ken Kal  joins the show as he gets set to to call his 30th season of Red Wings hockey. Ken talks expectations, new faces, and reacts to the Sergei Fedorov jersey retirement news. He also tells us what the Red Wings need to do to end the nine year playoff drought that has plagued Hockeytown. Join us on Episode 51 of Th...

On Episode 50 of The Flying Octopus Podcast: We had a lot of fun with this one and even talked a little Led Zeppelin.  The guys spent some time with former NHL goaltender Brent Johnson. The Farmington Hills native spent 12 seasons stopping pucks for the Blues, Coyotes, Capitals and Penguins retiring in 2012. He now works as an on air analyst for Monumental Sports Network. Brent discusses his forme...

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas welcome The Russian Five author and accomplished sportswriter Keith Gave to the show. The discussion covers a wide array of topics, from Keith’s time in the NSA and start in journalism, to Sergei Fedorov’s legacy and Detroit’s current rebuild. Check it out!

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas kick things off with Olympic hockey talk. Dylan Larkin is a lock to make Team USA; what about Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, and John Gibson? Will Simon Edvinsson join Lucas Raymond on Team Sweden? And will Moritz Seider ever get off the ice for Germany? The guys touch on the recent rumors involving the Edmonton Oilers showing interes...

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas break out their crystal ball and look to the future. Specifically, when is Detroit’s next contention window? The guys discuss which players will make up that team and when you can expect the Red Wings to make a serious push for another Stanley Cup. Then, the conversation turns to a rumor floating around that Detroit has interest in A...

 In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, it’s all prospect talk. Tony and Evan critique Devin’s Top 25 rankings and see where Detroit’s prospects fit in with Tony’s five-tier system. Among the prospects discussed are Dmitri Buchelnikov, Amadeus Lombardi, Carter Mazur, William Wallinder, plus recent first-round picks like Carter Bear, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, and Sebastian Cossa. The...

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas bring on Doug Stolhand of the Puck Podcast to discuss John Gibson and what Red Wings fans can expect from their new goaltender. The long-time Anaheim Ducks analyst shares his perspective on what Gibson brings to the table. After sharing their own thoughts on Gibson, the guys transition to expectations for the rest of the offseason. W...

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas take a look at the current roster construction of the Red Wings and discuss whether or not the team is better than the 2024-25 group. The conversation touches on additions and subtractions, plus player growth and regression. Then, the guys turn to the Erik Karlsson rumors that have been spreading like wildfire. Is he a fit in Detroit...

 In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the fellas recap the chaos of the last few days, including the 2025 NHL Draft, Detroit’s trade for goaltender John Gibson, several Red Wings re-signings, plus everything that happened (and didn’t happen) on Day 1 of free agency. 

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the guys run through a seven-round mock draft for the Red Wings, including a surprise first-round pick. In addition, the fellas share their last draft prospect profile of the offseason: Radim Mrtka. The 6-foot-6 right defenseman is arguably the top blueliner in their year’s class behind Matthew Schaefer. The episode also touches on Detroit’s ce...

The guys welcome in Shane Malloy from SiriusXM NHL Network Radio and break down the logistics for the 2025 NHL Draft. Who will the Red Wings take with the 13th overall pick? The podcast host and author tells us Detroit fans shouldn't worry about the future while breaking down the team's defensive core. We also discuss the competitive advantage that the Red Wings may have in today's NHL. Will gener...

In this week’s episode of The Flying Octopus Podcast, the guys project launch full speed into mock offseason mode. Tony and Devin make their predictions for Detroit’s trades, buyouts, and signings. Adding scoring throughout the lineup, solidifying the defense, and making the team tougher to play against were the common themes. The fellas then shift gears to Roger McQueen for this week’s draft pros...