Tri-State Hockey Podcast

Episode 38 of the Tri-State Hockey Podcast is packed with chaos, trade talk, playoff pressure, and big-picture NHL debate as Jonny Lazarus, Mike Rupp, and Arthur Staple break down everything happening around the Rangers, Devils, and Islanders. The guys open with the wild goalie fight between Igor Shesterkin and Jacob Markstrom and what it says about the Rangers’ toughness, swagger, and carryover into next season. From there, they dive into the Brady Tkachuk-to-New York conversation, what a potential trade package could look like, and whether he is the exact type of player the Rangers need. The Devils conversation follows with a closer look at Nico Hischier, leadership, New Jersey’s front office questions, and what changes could be coming. Then the focus shifts to the Islanders’ playoff push, their remaining schedule, Sorokin’s workload, and whether they can still get over the line. The episode wraps with listener voicemail, a look back at J.S. Giguere’s legendary 2003 run, and a fascinating discussion on Matthew Schaefer’s ceiling and Calder case.

Timestamps

0:00 Intro

0:50 Rangers-Devils chaos and opening thoughts

1:03 Igor Shesterkin vs. Jacob Markstrom goalie fight reaction

1:46 Arthur Staple on why Shesterkin always felt destined for a goalie fight

4:06 Mike Rupp on Igor’s post-whistle antics and why someone finally challenged him

7:36 What the goalie fight says about Rangers toughness and team identity

9:58 Adam Fox’s reaction and why moments like this matter late in the season

12:24 Mika Zibanejad praise and transition into Rangers offseason talk

12:45 Keith Tkachuk’s comments, Ottawa drama, and Brady Tkachuk speculation

14:59 What would the Rangers give up for Brady Tkachuk?

16:49 Why Brady Tkachuk could reset the Rangers’ culture

18:27 Is Lafreniere, Schneider, and a 1st enough in a Brady deal?

20:08 Why everyone assumes Brady eventually leaves Ottawa

21:26 Could the Devils get involved if Brady Tkachuk becomes available?

24:13 Devils talk begins: is Nico Hischier taking enough blame?

26:07 Nico’s offense, leadership, and what New Jersey really needs from him

28:12 Nico Hischier vs. Brock Nelson debate

31:42 Are the Devils built properly and where do they go from here?

36:15 Devils front office structure, Tom Fitzgerald, and president of hockey ops talk

40:47 Fitzgerald family ties to the Tkachuks and what that could mean

43:13 Islanders segment begins

43:36 Islanders vibes, physicality, and where things stand in the playoff race

45:15 Remaining schedule breakdown and how tough the road is for the Isles

49:11 Should Ilya Sorokin start every remaining game?

51:52 Listener voicemail: can the Islanders still make it?

53:05 J.S. Giguere’s 2003 playoff run and how dominant it really was

59:31 Matthew Schaefer question: what does his prime look like?

1:00:33 Schaefer player comparisons and long-term ceiling

1:06:57 Why Schaefer’s production is so absurd for a defenseman

1:08:39 Calder talk and why the race might not even be close

1:09:07 Bet365 read and Islanders pick vs. Flyers

1:10:23 Final thoughts and wrap-up

Presented by bet365