Episode 603: Mike Babcock Is Officially Hired!

Episode 603: Mike Babcock Is Officially Hired!

The news has officially sent a shockwave through the hockey world: Mike Babcock is the 19th head coach in Edmonton Oilers history. Dustin Nielson and former Oilers netminder Joaquin Gage fire up the microphones to break down one of the most controversial, high-stakes, and fascinating coaching hires in modern NHL history. After being cleared by the league following an investigation into his exit from Columbus, Babcock lands the keys to a championship-calibre roster in Northern Alberta. The boys pull no punches as they look at the hiring from every single angle. On Today's Show: Babcock & Smith Era Begins: Gager and Dusty go toe-to-toe on the hockey fit. Does Babcock's legendary, rigid defensive structure solve the Oilers' biggest flaws, or will his philosophy clash with the elite, high-octane offensive engine of this core? Moving the Needle: With a Stanley Cup, two Olympic Gold medals, and 700 career NHL wins on his resume, his pedigree is undeniable. But does his coaching style actually elevate a modern locker room in 2026, or is it a step backward? Walking a Fine Line: The spotlight will be blinding. The guys discuss exactly how careful Babcock has to be with his communication style and player management under the absolute microscope of Oil Country. Press Conference & Media Availability: We play the live audio from this morning's official introductory press conference. You'll hear directly from Stan Bowman, D.J. Smith, and Mike Babcock himself. Babcock looked back on his time in Columbus and told everybody how he changed since then. Gager's & Dusty's Raw Reaction: As a former player, Gager listens between the lines of the media availability and reacts to the tone set by Babcock on Day 1. So much to break down from the long presser, and so much to question even though questions were answered. 2 Guys & a Goalie is presented by GS Construction!

Episode 602: BREAKING Oilers & Babcock News!

YouTube Trev steps onto the main desk alongside former NHL netminder Joaquin Gage! While other teams around the league are locking down their coaching staffs, the front office in Edmonton is facing a gridlock. The boys pull back the curtain on the real logistical nightmares facing Stan Bowman this summer. On Today's Show: Mike Babcock Clears: The NHL has closed their investigation regarding the 63-year-old's tenure with the Blue Jackets in 2023. They released a statement in the announcement saying, "Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favourable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the League." Are we just waiting for the Oilers to announce him as coach? Gager and Trev offer their take, discussing how Babcock's potential presence behind the Oilers' bench will impact the team. Coaching Bracket: The boys look at the remaining pool of candidates and debate why the Oilers are completely frozen in a holding pattern while the rest of the league moves forward. Trev gets Gager to make a bracket of available coaches the Oilers should hire. Hire It or Fire It: We close out today's broadcast with the absolute best segment in hockey media. The boys throw the latest off-season rumours, roster proposals, and trade pitches into the fire—deciding who is getting "Hired" and who is getting "Fired" immediately. 2 Guys & a Goalie is presented by GS Construction!

Episode 601: Darnell Nurse Trade Incoming? | Vegas Releases Tortorella

The Stanley Cup has officially been handed out, meaning the NHL off-season calendar is officially running at maximum velocity! Dustin Nielson is anchor-locked in the studio alongside former NHL netminder Gager to sort through a massive pile of burning questions in Oil Country... Now that there are no more pucks to be dropped on the ice, all eyes turn to the front office. Stan Bowman is staring down a chaotic summer blueprint—and the fellas are here to dig into the rumours. On Today's Show: The Off-Season Clock Is Ticking: The playoffs are completely wrapped, which means the regular-season safety net is gone. What is management's immediate priority this week, and how fast do they need to move before the NHL Entry Draft and Free Agency completely take over the league? The Darnell Nurse Trade Puzzle: The smoke hasn't even begun to clear from #25's shocking, formal trade request. Realistically, how do the Oilers actually navigate moving a massive $9.25M cap hit with a full no-movement clause? Gager and Dusty look at his rumoured 3-to-5 team destination list, debate how much salary Edmonton will be forced to retain, and look at what a realistic roster return looks like. Oilers Need A Coach: The silence out of 104th Street regarding the open bench seat is getting deafening. Now that the Vegas Golden Knights have officially been eliminated from the postseason, will Kelly McCrimmon finally grant the Oilers permission to interview Bruce Cassidy? Or is management stuck in a holding pattern while the league's Mike Babcock investigation plays out? The guys debate the timeline, the leading candidates, and who will ultimately pull the strings behind the bench next season. Of course, they touch on John Tortorella's release from Vegas... 2 Guys & a Goalie is presented by GS Construction!

Episode 600: Darnell Nurse Trade Becoming A Possibility...

Former Oiler Joaquin Gage is anchoring the crease alongside Reid Wilkins, with the fellas diving into TONS of Darnell Nurse/Oilers-based discussion... On Today's Show: Darnell Nurse Lists 3-5 Teams: As the show got rolling today, Sportsnet released an article stating that veteran D-man Darnell Nurse has reportedly given the Oilers a list of 3-5 teams he would consider being traded to... This is the top focus for today, with Gager and Wilkins spending a grand amount of time on the story. The Babcock Carousel—The Tipping Point: The Mike Babcock hiring was supposed to be a done deal by now, but the silence from the front office is getting deafening. Gager and Reid look at the sudden holding pattern: Could things possibly be going sideways behind closed doors? Are the legal roadblocks or growing public pushback forcing management to pivot and completely change gears on their coaching search? Stanley Cup Final Game 5 Tonight: Moving past the front-office chaos to actual hockey on the ice! The series shifts back to Raleigh, deadlocked at 2-2 after the Carolina Hurricanes punched back with a massive 5-3 win in Game 4. Can the Vegas Golden Knights steal back home-ice advantage in what has officially become an instant-classic, best-of-three sprint for the Cup? 84-0: Reid and Joaq have some fun in the final portion of the program as they head to 84-0.com to try and craft the perfect NHL team... Can they get it done? Is going 84-0 even possible? 2 Guys & a Goalie is presented by GS Construction!

Episode 599: Do The Oilers Need Babcock?

The hockey world is in absolute meltdown mode this morning after breaking reports confirmed the Edmonton Oilers are in deep, serious discussions to name Mike Babcock as their next head coach. Dustin Nielson and Joaquin Gage are stepping into the crease to tackle the biggest, most polarizing story of the NHL offseason. On Today's Show: The Mike Babcock Era... Pros & Cons: It's the story that has completely taken over Oil Country. With reports confirming Babcock has spoken directly with owner Daryl Katz and received the blessing of the core player leadership group, his hiring appears closer than ever. The fellas lay out the ultimate blueprints: What are the pros of bringing in a Stanley Cup and Olympic champion to provide a "firm hand on the rudder?" And what are the major cons, hurdles with the NHLPA, and workplace conduct concerns following his exit from Columbus? The boys break down both sides of an incredibly sensitive situation. Stanley Cup Final Game 4 Tonight: While the coaching chaos rules Edmonton, there is still a massive championship battle happening on the ice tonight! The series stays in Sin City as the Vegas Golden Knights look to extend their 2-1 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes. Can the Canes lock things down defensively on the road, or does Vegas push them to the absolute brink? The guys break down the goalie battle and give their definitive picks. The Nasties Text Line: The fellas dedicate plenty of time to reading your live reactions, checking the pulse of a highly divided fan base, and answering your questions. Hire It or Fire It: To wrap up a massive program, the boys bring back a favourite segment to debate a lightning round of hot topics hitting the hockey landscape. From offseason roster blueprints and trade rumours to potential front-office reshuffling, the guys state whether they would "Hire It" or "Fire It!" 2 Guys & a Goalie is presented by GS Construction!