Second Intermission with Ann Kimmel

One front-office hire turned the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche into offseason "sister wives", and we cannot stop pulling the thread. I’m joined by Chris Miceli from Locked On Avalanche to unpack the “Colorado connection” behind Nashville’s newest general manager, Chris MacFarland, and what his track record, tendencies, and appetite for deals could mean once the regular season hits. If you’ve been trying to figure out whether Nashville is building patiently or preparing to hit the gas, this conversation gives you the clues to watch for. We start with how Avalanche fans really viewed MacFarland, why his moves can look trigger-happy from the outside, and what his best teams had in common when Colorado was chasing a Stanley Cup window. Then we go straight to the question that makes Colorado fans squirm: with coaching contracts lining up and Nashville already pulling in familiar names, is there any realistic universe where Jared Bednar ends up behind the Predators bench? We talk through why it’s unlikely, why it’s not impossible, and what it says about the pressure around Andrew Brunette. From there, we get practical. Chris breaks down what Nashville should and should not expect from Jack Drury, including why his “elite” value shows up in faceoffs, defensive details, and the small plays that keep you in control of games. Finally, we zoom out to the Central Division: Colorado’s expectations after roster changes, Dallas and Minnesota questions, Winnipeg uncertainty, and why Utah might be the team nobody wants to see on the schedule. If you like smart NHL talk with a little mischief, subscribe, share this with a fellow hockey fan, and leave a review so more Predators fans can find the show.

Every hockey game tells two stories: the one we all see on the ice and the one that unfolds in the hallway, the locker room, and the quiet moments where coaches and players decide what to change. That’s the space I’m chasing with Second Intermission, a Nashville Predators podcast built for people who love the game but are tired of the loudest take winning the day. I’m Ann Kimmel, and I’m kicking things off by sharing why this show exists, why the second intermission is the perfect metaphor for smarter hockey conversations, and how I want to make analytics and education feel open to everyone. Whether you’re brand new to the NHL, a long-time Preds fan, or someone who just wants a Stanley Cup parade down Broadway in your lifetime, you’ll find a seat here. I also tell the real origin story of my hockey obsession, from my first game at Bridgestone Arena to the moment a player like Mattias Ekholm made the sport feel instantly personal and global. Going forward, expect weekly Monday episodes plus quick-hit updates during the season, with game takeaways, roster and front office debates, prospects and Milwaukee Admirals coverage, and bigger NHL storylines and trends. I’ll bring you the stories that give the numbers meaning, plus the perspective that keeps hockey fun even when the discourse isn’t. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, watch on YouTube, and if you like what we’re building, share the show and leave a review so more hockey fans can find us.