Two Guys & a Goalie

Episode 594: The Ultimate McDavid Captaincy Debate

Dusty has the day off, but the studio is absolutely buzzing! Tom Gazzola steps into the host seat today on 2 Guys and a Goalie, and he's joined by Joaquin "Gager" Gage to tackle the single most controversial headline in Edmonton sports media right now. An article dropped in the Edmonton Journal yesterday, with the entire city losing its mind. The piece doesn't just critique the team—it takes a direct run at number 97, questioning his leadership style and aggressively asking: Should Connor McDavid even be the captain of the Edmonton Oilers? Gager and Tommy pull no punches as they dive headfirst into this massive debate. Is this critique completely unhinged journalistic malpractice, or is there a microscopic kernel of truth about what this room needs moving forward? The Roster & Rallies: Gager gives his raw, unfiltered perspective as a former NHLer on what McDavid brings to the table, how the room views him, and why turning on a generational superstar is a dangerous game for local media to play. The Coaching Carousel Search: While the captaincy debate continues, Stan Bowman is still locating his next bench boss. The boys update the timeline on Craig Berube and the strategic standoff with Vegas over Bruce Cassidy. What is taking so long, and who actually lands the job? 2 Guys & a Goalie is presented by GS Construction!

Episode 593: The Oilers Next Coach Is...

Dustin Nielson is out today, but the mic is hot as Joaquin Gage and Tom Gazzola reunite to take over 2 Guys & A Goalie! It has been a minute since these two shared the airwaves, and they have a massive weekend of hockey fallout to catch up on—including the breaking landscape of the Edmonton Oilers coaching search. The Edmonton Coaching Carousel: With Kris Knoblauch officially out, the speculation is burning up in Oil Country. The Craig Berube Frontrunner Status: The boys break down the breaking news that the Toronto Maple Leafs have officially granted the Oilers permission to speak with Craig, with a formal interview expected immediately. Is his hard-nosed, straight-line approach exactly what this core needs? The Vegas Block: What is the deal with Bruce Cassidy? The fellas discuss the Golden Knights playing hardball and withholding permission to chat with their former bench boss, and what it means for Stan Bowman's timeline. Interaction & Text Line: The boys open up the phone lines and text machine to answer your burning questions. Who do you want to see behind the bench next season? Weekend Hockey Recap: From Alex Newhook's historic Game 7 overtime heroics that punched the Habs' ticket to the Eastern Conference Final, to the WCF that gets started tomorrow. The boys will touch them all right here on 2 Guys & A Goalie! 2 Guys & a Goalie is presented by GS Construction!

Episode 592: Bruce Cassidy to Edmonton?

Bruce Cassidy to Edmonton? | The Knoblauch Rift & Oilers Chaos | 2 Guys & A Goalie The temperature in Oil Country has officially reached a boiling point. Just weeks after a shocking first-round exit at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks, the rumors of a total organizational overhaul are no longer just whispers—they are headlines. Dusty and Gager are diving headfirst into the bombshell reports that have the hockey world in a frenzy. On today's show: The Bruce Cassidy Pursuit: Reports from Frank Seravalli and other insiders have confirmed the Oilers have sought permission to interview former Stanley Cup winner Bruce Cassidy. We discuss the "gamesmanship" currently playing out as the Vegas Golden Knights reportedly withhold permission for their divisional rival. Is Cassidy the "hired gun" the Oilers need to finally crack the code? Where did it go wrong for Knoblauch?: Kris Knoblauch took this team to back-to-back Finals, but after an "average" 2025-26 season and a rumored rift with GM Stan Bowman, the ice has never been thinner. We break down the reports of friction between the bench and the front office regarding lineup decisions and why the "connection" in the locker room seems to have evaporated. Contender or Pretender?: Does hiring a tactical, direct coach like Cassidy suddenly make the Oilers a Cup favorite again, or is Craig Button right that no coach can fix the "glaring holes" in this roster? We debate if this is a masterstroke move or just a desperate attempt to fix a management problem with a coaching change. The Core's Reaction: How would Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl feel about another new voice behind the bench? With only 700 days left on the captain's clock, we discuss if the stars are on board with a coaching carousel or if they are looking for stability and roster upgrades instead. The "Chiarelli 2.0" Narrative: We take a hard look at Stan Bowman's tenure and ask if these aggressive coaching moves are a sign of a focused leader or a GM trying to find a scapegoat for a roster that has regressed. 2 Guys & a Goalie is presented by GS Construction!

Episode 591: Evan Bouchard Snubbed & The Oilers' Uncertain Future

The mood in Edmonton hasn't lightened much since the handshake line. Gager is joined by special guest Reid Wilkins today as the fellas sift through the fallout of a disappointing first-round exit and a bombshell morning of NHL awards news that has Oilers fans—and the locker room—scratching their heads. The Norris Snub: The NHL officially announced the Norris Trophy finalists today, and Evan Bouchard was nowhere to be found. Despite leading all NHL defensemen with a staggering 95 points (60 at even strength), Bouchard was passed over for Dahlin, Makar, and Werenski. The boys debate: Did his defensive "lapses" truly outweigh a historically elite offensive season, or is there a genuine bias against the Oilers' blueliner? Edmonton Post-Mortem: It's been a heavy week of reflection. Reid and Gager recap the "concerned" and "average" comments from the stars and what they signal for the locker room's confidence. The Firing Line: We get into the latest rumblings regarding Kris Knoblauch and Stan Bowman. After taking what Leon Draisaitl called a "big step backwards," is a management or coaching change the only way to salvage the next two years of the McDavid era? Crunching The Numbers: We take a hard look at the roster, cap space, and the lack of assets. Is there a realistic path back to the Cup Final, or is the window closing faster than we thought? Round 2 Pulse: The bracket is moving on without Edmonton. We recap the action from the East and West: * Canes in Command: Carolina holds a 2-0 lead as they head to Philly for Game 3 tonight. * Avs' Offensive Explosion: Colorado is looking unstoppable after a 9-goal Game 1 and a dominant Game 2. * Sabres vs. Habs: Buffalo takes the early advantage in a battle of young Atlantic rivals. 2 Guys & a Goalie is presented by GS Construction!

Episode 590: Oilers Fallout... & The Toronto Circus

The dust has finally settled on a heartbreaking week for Oil Country, and Dusty and Gager are reuniting for the first time since the Oilers were officially eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks. It's a sombre morning at the desk as the fellas dig into the wreckage of a season that ended far too soon and try to map out an uncertain future. First Reactions: Dusty and Gager haven't spoken since the handshake line. They share their immediate thoughts on the 4-2 series loss and where the "Operation" went off the rails. The Exit Interviews: We break down a massive weekend of season-ending media availabilities. From Leon Draisaitl's admission that he is "concerned" to Connor McDavid's "average team" comments, we analyze the weight of those words. The Hot Seat: With the team taking what Draisaitl called a "big step backwards," is Kris Knoblauch officially under fire? We debate whether the coaching staff is to blame for the tactical regression or if the roster simply hit its ceiling. The Two-Year Clock: With McDavid only having two seasons left on his current deal, we address the elephant in the room: What does this offseason need to look like to ensure the captain stays in Edmonton long-term? Buzz In Toronto: We look East to the absolute chaos following the Maple Leafs' front-office shakeup. From the controversial hiring of John Chayka and Mats Sundin to the "disaster" of a press conference that followed, the guys react to the circus in the center of the hockey universe. Round 2 Pulse: The playoffs don't stop for the Oilers. We recap the weekend's NHL action, including the Hurricanes taking a 2-0 lead over the Flyers and the Golden Knights drawing first blood against the Ducks. 2 Guys & a Goalie is presented by GS Construction!