Pressure Is Building For The NHL's Most Desperate Teams

The Most Hated Team in Hockey Keeps Winning

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 and one of the sport's most exciting teams. We also dive into the growing resentment surrounding the Golden Knights organization: We also discuss the uncomfortable conversations surrounding Brett Howden and Carter Hart.  But there’s another side to this story: What if Vegas being hated is actually GOOD for the NHL? From hate-watching to controversy-driven engagement, we explore why villains create emotional investment — and why sports leagues desperately need teams people care about, even if it’s for the wrong reasons. 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 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jfactor12 Buy Josh’s Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Second-Story-Work-Josh-Cybulski/dp/B08JF5M3MN/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1706931882&sr=8-1 Listen to Josh’s Audiobook Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/second-story-work-the-novel/id1712487814 #NHL #VegasGoldenKnights #ColoradoAvalanche #StanleyCup #HockeyPodcast #nhlplayoffs #nhlhockey

Breaking Down the Oilers’ Summer Cap Crisis

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 target this summer - The biggest roster holes heading into next season - Trade candidates and buyout possibilities Are the Oilers still built to contend… or is this where things start to unravel? 👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments: Who should the Oilers keep no matter what? And who should they move on from? 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 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jfactor12 Buy Josh’s Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Second-Story-Work-Josh-Cybulski/dp/B08JF5M3MN/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1706931882&sr=8-1 Listen to Josh’s Audiobook Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/second-story-work-the-novel/id1712487814 #nhl #nhlhockey #nhlteam #hockey #hockeynews #edmontonoilers #edmontonoilers #oilersnation #oilers #oilersnews

Pressure Is Building For The NHL's Most Desperate Teams

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 growing pressure surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins trying to balance contention with the reality that their best players are old and slowing down,  and why the Nashville Predators feel stuck in the middle. He also gives his thoughts on Edmonton, Buffalo, Columbus, New Jersey, and more If you enjoy NHL conversations focused on trades, contracts, roster construction, and team-building strategy, this is the episode for you. 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 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jfactor12 Buy Josh’s Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Second-Story-Work-Josh-Cybulski/dp/B08JF5M3MN/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1706931882&sr=8-1 Listen to Josh’s Audiobook Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/second-story-work-the-novel/id1712487814 Subscribe to Mid-Ice Crisis for more NHL news, offseason coverage, trade speculation, and hockey analysis throughout the summer. #NHL #MapleLeafs #Penguins #Senators #Oilers #HockeyPodcast #NHLRumors #NHLNews #MidIceCrisis

Breaking Down Pittsburgh’s Massive Offseason w/ Mad Chad

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: https://www.instagram.com/midicecrisispod?igsh=M2V4NDljNTJlMmpo&utm_source=qr Twitter: https://x.com/authorjcybulski?s=21 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B7RdmkcCZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr Buy Josh’s Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Second-Story-Work-Josh-Cybulski/dp/B08JF5M3MN/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1706931882&sr=8-1 Listen to Josh’s Audiobook Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/second-story-work-the-novel/id1712487814 Follow Mad Chad at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madchad87 #PittsburghPenguins #EvgeniMalkin #NHL #sidneycrosby #krisletang #pittsburgh #letsgopens #gopensgo #penguins

The End of an Era? Evgeni Malkin’s Future With the Penguins

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 UFA status What he still brings to the Penguins Whether Pittsburgh should re-sign him What his departure would mean emotionally for the fanbase How the end of the Crosby-Malkin-Letang era could reshape the franchise Is this the beginning of the end for one of hockey’s greatest dynasties — or does Malkin still have unfinished business in Pittsburgh? 👇 Let me know in the comments: Should the Penguins keep Malkin no matter what? Follow Josh Cybulski at: Insta: https://www.instagram.com/midicecrisispod?igsh=M2V4NDljNTJlMmpo&utm_source=qr Twitter: https://x.com/authorjcybulski?s=21 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B7RdmkcCZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr Buy Josh’s Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Second-Story-Work-Josh-Cybulski/dp/B08JF5M3MN/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1706931882&sr=8-1 Listen to Josh’s Audiobook Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/second-story-work-the-novel/id1712487814 #PittsburghPenguins #EvgeniMalkin #NHL