The Hockey Lifers

It's a Capitals-centric episode of The Hockey Lifers, as Jeff Marek is joined by head coach Spencer Carbery and free-agent acquisition Vincent Desharnais to get fans ready for the 2026-27 season. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jeff Marek talks to two-time Stanley Cup champion Aaron Ward, who shares stories from his 15-year career playing with legendary players like Zdeno Chara, Marian Hossa and Jaromir Jagr, and talks about the state of hockey today and whether he'd be able to adapt to the modern game. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jeff Marek is joined by prominent hockey prospect analyst Cam Robinson for a wide-ranging discussion on the game's top young players both in the league now and coming in via the NHL Draft. Robinson and Marek also break down top prospects within the Washington Capitals' organization, headlined by Ryan Leonard and Cole Hutson. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Go between the pipes on this episode of The Hockey Lifers, as Jeff Marek is joined by Kevin Woodley, also known as the "Goalie Whisperer," to talk all things goaltending. From the state of the position to how the United States has become the new goalie factory, Woodley also makes his case for goalie coaches to be inducted into the Hall of Fame See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Washington Capitals legend Devante Smith-Pelly joins Jeff Marek to look back on his emotional 2018 Stanley Cup run with the team, becoming a household name in the organization, what it was like playing in Siberia during COVID, and how much it means seeing Alex Ovechkin run it back for at least one more season. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jeff Marek welcomes The Athletic columnist Barry Svrluga to break down Alex Ovechkin's decision to return to the Washington Capitals for a 22nd NHL season and reflect on The Great 8's legacy as the greatest athlete Washington, D.C. has ever seen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jeff Marek is joined by Monumental Sports' studio host for the Washington Capitals, Alexa Landestoy, to reflect on a very busy offseason for the organization, Ovi's exciting decision to return for a 22nd NHL season and her life being embedded into the game of hockey. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

In Part II of Olaf Kolzig's interview with Jeff Marek on The Hockey Lifers, the two look back on the Capitals' first Stanley Cup run in 1998 and fast forward to the winning run in 2018, Kolzig winning the NHL's Vezina Trophy in 2000, and his role in the organization's development staff. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Legendary goalie Olaf Kolzig joins Jeff Marek for the first of a two-part interview, covering his thoughts on Alex Ovechkin's return to the Washington Capitals, his take on Ovechkin vs. Alexander Semin, and recounts his earliest memories as a hockey player. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

T.J. Oshie and Alan May join Jeff Marek on The Hockey Lifers to talk about Alex Ovechkin's decision to return to the Washington Capitals for a 22nd NHL season. Oshie, May and Marek share Ovi stories, reflect on his legendary career and how he'll contribute to a talent-laden Capitals roster. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jeff Marek is joined by long-time NHL broadcaster, Pierre McGuire, to reflect on the 2026 NHL Draft class, the 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, and what it was like to be between Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby during their iconic rivalry. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jeff Marek is joined by Capitals insider Tarik El-Bashir to react to some thrilling news around the NHL and give his latest on Alex Ovechkin's future. The show also welcomes in Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell to discuss his busy offseason and preparing for the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jeff Marek is joined by former Capitals legend and current team analyst T.J. Oshie to look back on his 2018 Stanley Cup run with Washington. The two chat about the Hurricanes' Cup win back on Sunday night, and then Jeff replays his interview with the Keeper of the Cup, Phil Pritchard, to share some fun Stanley Cup memories. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jeff Marek welcomes former Capital Karl Alzner to reflect on the thrilling start to the Stanley Cup Final between the Golden Knights and Hurricanes. The two then revisit Jeff's interview with Washington Assistant GM Ross Mahoney, diving into his NHL Draft process from the past and where it may be headed in the future. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jeff Marek is joined by former Stanley Cup-winning defenseman and current ESPN color analyst Erik Johnson to preview the 2026 Stanley Cup Final between the Golden Knights and Hurricanes, share his thoughts on the Avalanche's collapse in the Western Conference Final, and look back on trying to stop prime Alex Ovechkin during his career. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jeff Marek welcomes in former Washington Capitals goaltender and current team analyst Brent Johnson to share stories of growing up in hockey royalty, the time he hit Islanders' Rick DiPietro with a southpaw sock and getting to share the ice with two of the all-time greats in Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jeff Marek welcomes in Hockey Hall of Fame journalist and current TSN contributor Michael Farber to dive into the new level of electricty the Canadiens' have brought to Montreal during their 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff run. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Former NHL goalie and Carolina Hurricanes commentator Tripp Tracy joins Jeff Marek to talk about the Hurricanes' dominant run through the Eastern Conference playoffs. Then, Tracy tells a few stories from his playing career, featuring a crazy story about Sergei Fedorov and also hits on the Capitals-Hurricanes rivalry. 0:00 Wrap around the Stanley Cup Playoffs 4:27 Tripp Tracy Interview 6:12 Canes start Stanley Cup Playoffs 8-0 11:55 Sean Walker vs Ridly Greig’s battle in the 1 st Round 15:41 Stankoven & Hall leading the way for the Canes 22:44 Carolina’s identity as the most athletic in the NHL 31:03 Why Jaccob Slavin is the best defensive d-man in the NHL 35:15 Facing Sergei Federov in a secret practice 40:20 Evolution of the Capitals – Hurricanes rivalry 44:07 Tripp’s only call-up to the NHL 53:43 Favorite story of Chad LaRose 59:39 Remembering Ernie “Punch” McLean See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jeff Marek is joined by former Capitals defenseman Karl Alzer to hear stories from his career - including the time he got credit for a goal that belonged to Alex Ovechkin - talk about the 2026 NHL Playoffs and what it takes to be an NHL Iron Man. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jeff Marek welcomes former Philadelphia Flyers forward and current analyst for NBC Sports Philadelphia Scott Hartnell to reflect on the Flyers' current playoff run and the spark 19-year-old Porter Martone has provided, shares memories from his 17-year playing career, including some feisty ones against the Capitals and an iconic glove throw against the Lightning. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .