The Chirp with Daren Millard

Daren is joined by Dan Rosen and Shawn Roarke of NHL.com and the NHL @TheRink podcast (3:36) to put a bow on the 2023-24 NHL Season and look ahead to what will happen during free agency. The guys try to describe the importance of what this season has been to the NHL and why the League is seemingly in a great place. Plus, they discuss the possibilities surrounding Steven Stamkos, Sam Reinhart, Jake Guentzel & Jonathan Marchessault. They chat about the potential for the Utah Hockey Club to make a big splash in free-agency and try to predict who the favorite will be to win the Stanley Cup next season. Daren starts the episode looking back at an amazing Stanley Cup Final and the reasons for its incredible success across North America.

Daren is joined by Rick Tocchet (8:43) to talk about winning the Jack Adams Award, the Stanley Cup Final matchp, life in the off-season and adjustments he expects the Vancouver Canucks will make to continue their success on the ice. He talks about the process he goes thru each offseason to re-group and prepare for the upcoming season and takes us behind the curtain on the importance of assistant coaches. Rick looks back a little bit on the Canucks season and playoff run and looks ahead at how things will be harder for his team as they won't take anyone by surprise next season. Daren starts the episode looking at the Stanley Cup Final and the Panthers 3-0 series lead and wraps up by discussing the Capitals acquisition of CapFriendly.

Daren is joined by ESPN lead analyst Ray Ferraro (1:57) to dive deep into the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. What's the biggest storyline of the Cup Final that stands out to Ray? He answers that question and looks at every angle of the coaching matchup and explains why he's been so impressed with Kris Knoblauch. Plus, he talks about some of his interactions with Paul Maurice throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs and why he thinks Maurice is having the time of his life coaching the Florida Panthers. How do the Panthers slow down McDavid? Ray looks at how the Panthers will go about defending the best player in the world and why it's so hard to slow him down consistently. He thinks the two best teams are in the Final and is looking forward to what he says will be a GREAT series.

Daren is joined by TNT lead analyst Eddie Olczyk (1:00). Edzo dives deep into both Conference Finals. He explains why Roope Hintz is so important to Dallas and what changes the Oilers might have to consider the rest of the way. What team in the Finals is feeling the most pressure to win now? Edzo answers that question and also takes a trip down memory lane as he recalls the run that the Rangers went on in 1994 to win the Stanley Cup. He wonders if the Rangers can continue to win with their style of play, but points to Igor Shesterkin's brilliance as to why the Rangers have been so dangers during this run. Plus, the guys go back and forth on some of the coaching practices we've seen in the NHL this cycle and Edzo discusses some of the changes he'd like to see with the way coaches are hired in the League.

Daren is joined by his old pal and former NHL coach and GM Doug MacLean (1:20). Doug dissects the tough goalie decision that Kris Knoblauch faced and explains why he wouldn't be afraid to play McDavid and Draisaitl as much as possible. He looks at some of the different motivational styles that coaches have employed, including Paul Maurice's rants and Jim Montgomery's theatrics behind the bench. He weighs in on what's going on with the Toronto Maple Leafs and discusses the pressure that managers and coaches feel once the Stanley Cup Playoffs arrive. Of course, he shares a few great stories as he reveals his biggest coaching rival and tips his cap to Nick Kypreos for a premonition he had about Sam Bennett years ago.

Daren is joined by John Shannon (1:36) to discuss all things Toronto Maple Leafs, including his reaction to Friday's press conference, the coaching change, the future coach, the decisions surrounding the roster and the stability of the franchise. He goes in-depth about what he believes Brendan Shanahan and Brad Treliving should do as far as hiring a new coach and what moves might make sense to get the team to perform in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He also chats about the Canes inability to score goals, Igor Shesterkin's superb play, the intrigue surrounding the Oilers/Canucks series and the future of Rod Brind'Amour. Daren wraps up the show with a playoff edition of "Mallard's Best!"

Daren is joined by Martin Necas (5:35) to talk about how the Carolina Hurricanes matchup with the NY Rangers, the intensity of Rod Brind'Amour during the playoffs, the personality of the group, including how Seth Jarvis and Brent Burns contribute to keeping the mood in the room lite. He talks about how the team has unfinished business after losing in the Eastern Conference final and explains how the Club understands that this roster will face a lot of turnover in the offseason. Plus, he shares thoughts on Jake Guentzel, Freddie Andersen and Andrei Svechnikov. Daren starts the episode asking an important question surrounding Alexander Ovechkin and reflecting on the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Daren is joined by New Jersey Devils goalie Jake Allen, fresh off his stint moonlighting as an analyst on Sportsnet (10:20). Allen touches on all the relevant goalie storylines of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he shares his thoughts on Casey DeSmith, the Bruins' rotation, Alexander Georgiev's confidence, the Maple Leafs situation and Jake Oettinger. Daren opens up the episode remembering the great Bob Cole.

Daren is joined by TSN's Darren Dreger to discuss the most intriguing off-season storylines, including the coaching carousel, and what teams like the Senators, Sabres, Blues and Devils will do in the offseason. Plus, he talks about Sidney Crosby's future in Pittsburgh and weighs in on the pressure that's being felt in Toronto and Edmonton as the Stanley Cup Playoffs get underway. He shares his approach to voting for the Hart Trophy and looks at what Canadian team has the best shot to win the Stanley Cup. Millard wraps up the show by making a few postseason predictions and talking about why this year could be the year that a lot of lower seeds make noise.

Daren is joined by Dr. Alicia Naser -- @doctoralicianaser on Instagram. Alicia works with pro hockey players to optimize performance and handle pressure. She dives deep into her area of expertise as Daren peppers her with many questions about her profession and how she exactly goes about helping hockey players. She looks at some of the challenges that hockey players come to her with, the techniques she employs to help and talks about the busy schedule that she's faced with. Plus, she provides a glimpse into the evolution that the hockey world has seen in this area and explains why she doesn't just deal exclusively with players. It's a fascinating and enlightening discussion for hockey fans and beyond. You can reach Alicia Naser at contact@alicianaser.com Follow her on Instagram @doctoralicianaser and on LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/DKMR8

Daren is joined by Dave Goucher, the TV play-by-play voice of the Vegas Golden Knights (7:00). Goucher discusses where the Golden Knights are at this point in the season, explains what potential playoff matchup would intrigue him the most and talks about his journey from getting cut by BU's JV hockey team to an NHL broadcast booth. He goes back in time to talk about his days as the Boston Bruins radio announcer and how it prepared him for joining the Vegas Golden Knights for their first season as the TV voice of the team. Daren wraps up the episode discussing his top 5 Cinderella teams as the Stanley Cup Playoffs near.

Daren is back and is joined by Nashville Predators coach Andrew Brunette (6:02). Brunette talks about the Predators season thus far, being in the playoff hunt, working with Barry Trotz, his coaching philosophy and his approach when communicating with players. After Brunette, Daren goes through the trade deadline moves and breaks down the teams he thinks positioned themselves best for the stretch run and the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Daren is joined by former St. Louis Blues coach and Stanley Cup champion Craig Berube (2:45). Craig talks about the highly competitive Western Conference, the trade that the Vancouver Canucks made for Elias Lindholm, the challenges of taking over a team during the season, the goalie decisions being made with the NY Rangers and the issues going on with the Los Angeles Kings. He discusses his relationship with Rick Tocchet and what's made him successful in Vancouver and tries to explain the intensity that Rick brings to a team everyday as a coach. Plus, he raves about the Four Nations Face-Off and provides insight into why NHL players love international competition. He talks about his desire to coach again, and how he's staying busy scouting the NHL landscape during his downtime.

Daren is joined by Nick Kypreos to talk about NHL All Star weekend in Toronto, the evolution of the Skills Competition and what he's looking forward to most with Toronto hosting the festivities. He chats about the playoff odds for the Maple Leafs, the Florida Panthers, the Edmonton Oilers, the LA Kings and New Jersey Devils. He reminisces about past All Star Skills events and gives his opinion on the revamped competition.

Daren is joined by Alexandre Daigle (3:09). Daigle is featured in a new documentary, ‘Chosen One: Alexandre Daigle’ to launch Jan. 26 on Prime Video in Canada and ESPN + on Jan. 27. Daigle chats with Daren about how the documentary came about and why the process of participating in the film was therapeutic for him. He looks back on his NHL career and looks at many of the contributing factors that led to him being out of the NHL at just 25 years old. He explains how his love for hockey ultimately returned after stepping away from the game and still remains years later. He chats about the importance of mental health, media training and goal setting for players and lays out what the perfect conditions would be for a top draft pick starting in the NHL. He provides advice and perspective to young NHL stars, including Connor Bedard. Daren closes the episode with thoughts on Patrick Roy's return to the NHL as coach of the NY Islanders and what Corey Perry's impact could be for the Edmonton Oilers.

Daren is joined by US Olympian and PWHL Minnesota player Kelly Pannek (3:13). Kelly talks about the start of the PWHL, the record crowds being drawn in Minnesota for Women's hockey and the change in lifestyle that's occurred for her as a professional hockey player. She discusses just how important the PWHL has been for her, her teammates and aspiring women's hockey players throughout the world. She looks forward to her participation at the NHL All Star Game in Toronto and takes some time to pump up her fellow PWHL players and talk about the high end skill that exists in the League.

Daren is joined by three-time Stanley Cup winner and current Sportsnet analyst Justin Williams (7:41). Williams touches on William Nylander's new contract, the awkward Cutter Gauthier situation, the high-end skill of the Vancouver Canucks, Max Pacioretty's return from injury. He talks about his transition into broadcasting, advice he's received from Erin Andrews and Rod Brind'Amour, Rich Tocchet and Keith Jones. Daren starts the episode breaking down the Flyers/Ducks trade and looks at Calder contenders now that Connor Bedard will be missing time due to injury.

Daren is joined by John Shannon in an episode that covers a bunch, including the contract situations of Steven Stamkos and William Nylander, the prospects of another goalie reaching 1000 games played, the revamped All Star Skills competition, the depth in the Western Conference and Evgeni Malkin's legacy. Plus, Shannon provides some insight into the TV presentation of NHL games, what works and what doesn't.

Daren is joined by Vegas Golden Knights D-man Zach Whitecloud (4:08). Zach's journey to the NHL and to a Stanley Cup Champion is fascinating and he gets into all the details, from growing up in Manitoba to his love for outdoor hockey, playing college hockey, Zach takes you behind the curtain on what it means to be an NHLer. Plus, he discusses the Winter Classic, the best part of playing outdoors, what the Golden Knights biggest advantage this season is and he reminisces about the quirky rinks he played on as a kid in Manitoba. Daren wraps up the episode with an assessment of the NHL at this point in the season.

Daren is joined by Red Wings D-man Jake Walman (10:18). Jake discusses why getting traded to Detroit has been good for his development and his daily interaction with Red Wings' Hall of Famers, including Steve Yzerman and Nick Lidstrom. Plus, he explains why Alex Ovechkin was his favorite player growing up and how his goal celebrations were inspired by Ovechkin. He dives deep into his Griddy Dance celebration, how it came about and some of the tweaks he's made to it over time. He's not shy about admitting that he's developing future celebrations and chats about why he's embraced the attention that has come along with his outgoing celebrations. Plus, he chimes in on playing with Patrick Kane, his favorite music artists, his upcoming bobblehead night and why he pays attention to football and basketball. Daren opens the episode going through the ins and outs of the St. Louis Blues coaching change.