NHL stars like Quinn and Jack Hughes had a lot to say on the hockey world’s biggest topics. TheStewartofNY/WireImageGreg WyshynskiSep 15, 2026, 07:00 AM ETCloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.Multiple AuthorsOpen Extended ReactionsHENDERSON, Nev. — With training camps opening up this week, I caught up with over two dozen NHL superstars to get their takes on vital and trivial issues.Some of hockey’s biggest names discuss NHL rule changes they’d like to see; how an 84-game regular season will impact them; how they feel about the current state of fan culture; as well as their offseason life highlights and what they’d name a new expansion team in Houston or Austin, Texas.Interviews were conducted at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour last week in Las Vegas. Enjoy!How to watch the 2026-27 NHL season on ESPN networks, including 100 exclusive games and the out-of-market package (over 1,050 games).What was your favorite experience of the summer?”My dad finding out he got into the Hall of Fame. He honestly played it off so cool. But that first moment of him telling us, you could see the smile on his face.
That was pretty special.” — Brady Tkachuk, Florida Panthers”Lots of concerts. I went to Luke Combs, which was actually an awesome concert. Got to meet him afterward, and he was just an amazing guy. I mean, he’s a Hurricanes fan, so I wasn’t happy about that, but he was an amazing guy.” — Matthew Schaefer, New York Islanders”We did a family trip to Cabo.
It’s nice to get away from real life for a minute and just shut everything down and just be present with your family. My wife and three kids, and then my parents and my aunt and uncle. The more, the merrier.” — Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres”Going to the World Cup final. Got to go with a bunch of buddies, so it made it fun.” — Trevor Zegras, Philadelphia Flyers”I just went to Spain with my family.
Mallorca. Just chilled there and didn’t do much.” — Leo Carlsson, Anaheim Ducks”Our family did a little get-together in Michigan, just on the lake, on the water. We all took five days off and just spent time together, fished, hung out, played games. Caught a couple bass, pike.
It was really good fishing waters. I had my girlfriend out, and she was out-fishing me, catching these huge bass. It was pretty sad.” — Frank Nazar, Chicago Blackhawks”My favorite experience was flying back home to Stockholm for a week and bringing my two older kids. They’re now 6 and 5 years old and they really hadn’t experienced Sweden because they were 1 and 2 last time they went.
It was just so awesome getting to see my hometown through their eyes for the first time. Showing them where I grew up and seeing all of our Swedish friends and family. So it was really great. That was my absolute favorite week of the summer.” — Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche”I got married in Vancouver just with our families, and then we had a big celebration in Minnesota.
I actually was a little nervous. I didn’t think I was going to get nervous, but yeah, I was a little nervous for the whole wedding part.” — Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks”My day with the Cup. It was a good day with friends, family, and then got to eat some really good food out of it. Some barbecue and a Slavin Sundae: ice cream, brownies, Heath bits, chocolate fudge, red sprinkles.” — Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes”I went to Scotland on a golf trip.
That was probably my favorite. A couple good rounds, actually. Overall, it was just cool to experience those courses.” — Alex DeBrincat, Detroit Red Wings”I was able to buy a cottage up in Muskoka [Ontario], so just being able to share that with my family. I had some friends up there.
It was pretty cool.” — Quinton Byfield, Los Angeles Kings”My newborn. That’s the best experience I could have asked for.” — Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets”I had a kid. It’s been awesome.” — Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden KnightsThe NHL is adding another team in Texas, in either Houston or Austin. What would you like for them to be called?”The Houston Humidity.” — Wyatt Johnston, Dallas Stars”I guess it depends what city.
But maybe the Rattlers or something?” — Thompson”It’s got to be something bull-riding related maybe. Rodeo-related. Bull Riders. There you go.” — Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils”The Houston Hammers.” — Jamie Drysdale, Flyers”The Austin Cattle.” — Eichel”The Ranchers.” — Boeser”The Mustangs.” — Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks”The Houston Aeros.
Run it back.” — Cole Caufield, Montreal Canadiens”The Butt-Kickers. Because of the boots.” — Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators”I was going to say Cowboys. I think it’s baller. Would make a sick logo, too.” — Logan Cooley, Utah Mammoth”Maybe the Houston Sparks?
Spurs, Sparks? I don’t know.” — Slavin”The Wranglers. Oh no, that’s Calgary. Eh, we can do the same name for Texas.” — Tkachuk”Every time I think of Texas, I just keep thinking of other teams’ names.
I mean, I like the Longhorns.” — Byfield”Texas Hockey Club.” — Zegras”Not for me to decide.” — Tom Wilson, Washington CapitalsHow will your life be impacted by an 84-game season?”My life will not be impacted by it.” — Matt Coronato, Calgary Flames”I don’t think it will be. Now, we play four preseason games, and I can only play two. And previously we had seven, so at the end of the day, I think you’re still really playing the same amount of games.” — Thompson”Impacted for the better. Shorter training camp, less preseason games.
I feel like it just kind of becomes a drag a little bit when you’re playing four preseason games.” — Werenski”Just more time on the ice. Nothing better than that.” — Tkachuk”I feel like the beginning of the season is going to be a little more offensively open. Obviously, having a bunch of preseason games and longer training camp gets you into your structure a little bit more and a little more comfortable. So, I feel like the start might be a little more chaotic, but it’s just two more games, and I’m excited to play more hockey.” — Byfield”I think the fact that they started the season early to spread out the games, I think we won’t notice it as much.” — Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning”I think once you get past the 50-game mark, it kind of blends, to be honest with you.
So, I think the extra two and probably the two preseason games that you miss out on will kind of even out.” — Drysdale”Shorter preseason is going to be huge. But more back-to-back [games], which is going to be a shame.” — Zegras”I don’t think it really changes much. I think once you’re in the grind and you just keep focused on that and a couple extra games won’t be a big deal.” — Wilson”I don’t think it’ll be too bad. Two extra games.
Eighty-two is a lot of games; 84, you’re not feeling any necessarily different, I think. I think we’ll all be alright.” — Matty Beniers, Seattle Kraken”I think your total workload for the year with the shortened preseason is pretty similar. Maybe you get a chance to get a couple more points.” — Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues”I’m excited.
Two more games is always fun when you can play more hockey.” — Schaefer”More chances to shoot the puck.” — CaufieldIf you could change or drop one rule in the NHL, what would it be?”Not so much of a rule as it’s a judgment call, but it’s when you call a tripping and an embellishment at the same time. Oh my God, it drives me nuts. And I’m always talking to the refs about it, and they’re like, ‘Well, I don’t know.’ It’s really like it just has to be one or the other. I think that’s common sense.
I understand there can be a little bit of both, but if you’re giving out a penalty, just pick one. Which one was worse? Was the dive worse or was the tripping worse?” — Landeskog”If you score on a power play, they don’t come out of the box. You just keep your power play.
Full two minutes, no matter what.” — Coronato”Icing the puck on the penalty kill. Hate it.” — Zegras”I just think if you score a short-hand goal, the guy’s penalty should be done
Leave a Reply