Shows / Checking From Behind
Checking From Behind
Welcome to The Checking From Behind Podcast! Join us for the Journey as we discuss all things NHL. Your host is Zach and joined alongside him is his favorite co-host of all time, Preston. Zach is currently a journalist for The Hockey Writers covering the Buffalo Sabres and the other 31 teams. Preston is a former high-level hockey player whose career got cut short due to multiple shoulder surgeries. The show features exclusive interviews, guests, expert analysis, breakdowns, fun and entertaining…
Episodes
- Checking From Behind
Connor Hellebuyck Has Made the Devils Stanley Cup Contenders
Connor Hellebuyck makes his Devils debut. Are the Devils Stanley Cup contenders? Quinn Hughes returns to Vancouver for the first time since he was traded, both…
- Checking From Behind
Connor Hellebuyck Traded to Devils In BLOCKBUSTER Trade
The Devils trade for Connor Hellebuyck from the Jets. What does that mean for Quinn Hughes and Dylan Larkin? Brady Tkachuk returns to Ottawa and Alex Tuch's…
- Checking From Behind
Connor McDavid Is the GREATEST To Ever Play in the NHL
Adam Fantilli comments on Marchenko trade, Calgary Flames are asking for a top prospect in return for Zach Whitecloud, Connor McDavid is on pace for 246 points…
- Checking From Behind
Owen Power Breakout Has Arrived
The Winnipeg Jets have no interest in bringing Connor Hellebuyck back, but his suspension ends on Friday and forces the situation back into focus. With…
- Checking From Behind
Connor Hellebuyck To the Rangers Is A REAL POSSIBILITY
Connor Bedard made his season debut last night, then we get into Debrincat signing an extension with the Red Wings and the Rangers calling about Connor…
- Checking From Behind
Igor Shesterkin Is OUT For the Season... What's Next For the Rangers?
The Nashville Predators have acquired Jayden Struble from the Montreal Canadiens, but the bigger news around the league is the wave of injuries to key players…
- Checking From Behind
Gavin McKenna Is the NHL's NEXT SUPERSTAR
Alex Ovechkin is going to retire following the 2026-27 NHL season, both Barkov and Marchand to miss an extended period of time for the Florida Panthers, Simon…
- Checking From Behind
Overreacting to the Start of the 2026-27 NHL Season
We break down a busy week in the NHL, starting with new contract extensions for William Karlsson (Golden Knights), Louis Crevier (Sabres), and Tristan Luneau…
- Checking From Behind
Our 2026-27 NHL Season Preview & Predictions
The NHL season is finally here, and so are our 2026‑27 preview and predictions. We kick things off with the Sharks naming Macklin Celebrini their new captain…
- Checking From Behind
Our 2026-27 Pacific Division Season Preview | Ep 218
The Pacific Division season preview closes out our 2026–27 series as we break down all eight teams heading into the new NHL year. Will the Sharks finally break…
- Checking From Behind
Our 2026-27 Central Division Season Preview | Ep 217
We keep rolling with our 2026–27 NHL season previews, this time breaking down the entire Central Division with Mike and Johnny from the EatingPucksPodcast. We…
- Checking From Behind
Our 2026-27 Metro Division Preview & Predictions | Ep 216
We start off by talking about the Ducks retiring Ryan Getzlaf’s jersey and the Blues naming Robert Thomas captain. From there, we move into roster news with…
- Checking From Behind
Our 2026-27 Atlantic Division Preview & Predictions | Ep 215
Season Previews for the 2026-27 nhl season are underway as we start with the Atlantic Division. JimmyHockey and Zach Staden join us to discuss all 8 teams. How…
- Checking From Behind
Cutter Gauthier Just Walked Away From $14 Million… What’s Going On | Ep 214
We kick off the episode by breaking down the Islanders’ winning jersey design and reacting to Connor McDavid becoming the first 99 overall in NHL 27. From…
- Checking From Behind
The Storylines That Will DEFINE the 2026‑27 NHL Season | Ep 213
We dive straight into the New York Islanders’ final four jersey concepts in the fan Jersey Design Contest as they look to choose their new third jersey…
- Checking From Behind
These NHL Players Are Bound to BREAKOUT in 2026-27 | Ep 212
In this episode, we break down a huge week around the NHL, starting with Anze Kopitar getting his number retired in Los Angeles and receiving a statue outside…
- Checking From Behind
This Contract JUST Revealed the Real NHL Market — Celebrini Gets PAID | Ep 211
In this episode, we break down Macklin Celebrini signing a 5-year, $18.8 million contract extension with the San Jose Sharks and what it means for the…
- Checking From Behind
Jason Robertson’s $12M One‑Year Gamble: The Deal That Shakes Up Dallas | Ep 210
In today’s episode, we break down some of the biggest contract news around the NHL and what it means for each team heading into the season. We start with Jason…
- Checking From Behind
The Yzerplan FAILED In Detroit... What's Next? | Ep 209
In this episode, we break down every final detail from Leo Carlsson’s offer sheet drama, then shift to the latest on Connor Hellebuyck and the Sabres’ pursuit…
- Checking From Behind
Leo Carlsson Is Now the HIGHEST PAID Player in the NHL and It Just Broke the Market | Ep 208
In this episode, we dive straight into the chaos surrounding Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon putting his family’s names on the Stanley Cup and whether he crossed a…
- Checking From Behind
The Flyers Offer Sheeted Leo Carlsson… and the NHL Will Never Be the Same | Ep 207
In this episode, Ryan from the Buds and Pucks podcast joins us as we break down another absolutely wild week in the NHL offseason. We kick things off with the…
- Checking From Behind
NHL Free Agency 2026 Recap: Every Big Signing & Surprise Move | Ep 206
The episode kicks off with the Zach Werenski saga — why he’s staying in Columbus, what changed behind the scenes, and how this decision reshapes the Blue…
- Checking From Behind
2026 NHL Draft: Winners, Losers & The Pick That Changed Everything | Ep 205
In this episode, we break down a wild stretch of NHL offseason news and draft fallout. We start with Jason Robertson turning down a contract and trade from the…
- Checking From Behind
The CRAZIEST NHL Offseason EVER | Ep 204
The NHL is having one of the craziest offseasons of all time, and we break down every massive move. We start with the Seattle Kraken trading for Mackie…
- Checking From Behind
Our 2026 NHL Mock Draft | Ep 203
We’re breaking down a full 32‑team 2026 NHL Mock Draft! Disclaimer: This episode was recorded before the Panthers trades. After the mock draft, we dive into…
Checking From BehindThe 2026 Carolina Hurricanes Are Your Stanley Cup Champions | Ep 202
In this episode, we break down a busy week of NHL news and trades across the league. We start with the Toronto Maple Leafs trading Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit…
- Checking From Behind
The NHL Awards Voting Is a Joke | Ep 201
Nikita Kucherov wins the Hart Trophy… and the NHL Awards voting is officially a joke. In this episode, we break down why the Hart race, the All‑Star Teams, and…
- Checking From Behind
This Might Be the Most CHAOTIC Stanley Cup Final in Years | Ep 200
We kick off this episode with the Minnesota Wild locking up Michael McCarron on a six‑year contract extension and what it means for their long‑term roster…
- Checking From Behind
The Stanley Cup Finals Just Keep Getting CRAZIER | Ep 199
In today’s episode, Zach breaks down his trip to the 2026 NHL Combine with behind‑the‑scenes insight from Buffalo. Then we dive into the shocking news of Dylan…
- Checking From Behind
Vegas vs Carolina: The Stanley Cup Final Is Off to an INSANE Start | Ep 198
In this episode, we break down a massive week of NHL news. The Nashville Predators kick things off by hiring Chris McFarland as their new general manager…
- Checking From Behind
Our 2026 Stanley Cup Final Preview & Predictions | Ep 197
In this episode, we break down how the Carolina Hurricanes took down the Montreal Canadiens in the 2026 Eastern Conference Final, then dive straight into our…
- Checking From Behind
The Golden Knights PUNCHED Their Ticket To the Stanley Cup Final | Ep 196
The Pittsburgh Penguins lock in a franchise legend as Evgeni Malkin signs a contract extension to stay in Pittsburgh for another season. We break down what the…
- Checking From Behind
The Vegas Golden Knights Look As Dominant As Ever | Ep 195
The Buffalo Sabres face a massive offseason decision with Alex Tuch, and we break down what his future in Buffalo could mean for the team, the cap, and the…
- Checking From Behind
Our 2026 NHL Playoffs Conference Finals Preview & Predictions | Ep 194
In this episode, we break down a massive week across the NHL. We start with the Vancouver Canucks firing head coach Adam Foote after a disappointing playoff…
- Checking From Behind
Sabres vs Canadiens Game 7 | Everything Comes Down to This | Ep 193
The Edmonton Oilers have officially fired head coach Kris Knoblauch, and we break down what this move says about the failures of the Connor McDavid era, the…
- Checking From Behind
Matthew Schaefer Is a UNANIMOUS Calder Trophy Winner | Ep 192
The NHL news cycle is on fire this week. We open with Charlie Coyle’s contract extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Vegas Golden Knights blocking…
- Checking From Behind
Is the Auston Matthews Era Ending in Toronto? | Ep 191
In this episode, we open with the Toronto Maple Leafs winning the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery and what that means for the future of Auston Matthews in Toronto…
- Checking From Behind
The Toronto Maple Leafs Are In Shambles | Ep 190
We’ve got a shorter episode today, but we jump right into the chaos around the NHL. We start with Game 7 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens…
- Checking From Behind
Our 2026 NHL Playoffs 2nd Round Preview & Predictions | Ep 189
In this episode, we break down the entire Sabres vs Bruins first‑round series, including the wild baseball‑swing slash from Charlie McAvoy on Zach Benson and…
- Checking From Behind
The YOUNG Teams Are Taking Over the 2026 NHL Playoffs| Ep 188
In this episode we break down everything happening in the 2026 NHL Playoffs. We start with the Ted Lindsay Award finalists and the Vezina Trophy finalists…
- Checking From Behind
Hurricanes DOMINATE Senators En Route to a Sweep | Ep 187
In this episode, we break down every major storyline from the 2026 NHL Playoffs and dive into how each first‑round series is unfolding. We start in the Eastern…
- Checking From Behind
The NHL Playoffs Are BACK And Sabres Fans Are LOSING IT | Ep 186
The NHL Playoffs are officially underway, and in this episode we break down every first‑round series and how each matchup has unfolded so far. We start with a…
- Checking From Behind
Our 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Preview/Predictions | Ep 185
The 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, and we’re breaking down every first‑round matchup. In this episode, we go series‑by‑series, analyze the biggest…
- Checking From Behind
Why the Ottawa Senators Are the Playoff Team No One Wants to Face | Ep 184
The NHL playoff picture is taking shape, and in this episode we break down the six teams that officially clinched a postseason berth over the weekend. Some…
- Checking From Behind
Buffalo Sabres 2026 NHL Playoffs: What Should Expectations Be? w/ Shawn De Paz | Ep 183
The New York Islanders have officially made a coaching change, and the New Jersey Devils have fired GM Tom Fitzgerald — two massive front‑office shakeups that…
- Checking From Behind
The Buffalo Sabres Clinch A Playoff Spot For the First Time Since 2011! | Ep 182
The Buffalo Sabres have officially clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2011, and we open the episode breaking down what this moment means for the…
- Checking From Behind
Leafs Meltdown Continues: Treliving Fired, Vegas Eyes Torts | Ep 181
In this episode, we break down the Eastern Conference and Western Conference playoff races and highlight the biggest games shaping the standings. Then we dive…
- Checking From Behind
Dream 2026 NHL Playoff Matchups We NEED to See | Ep 180
In this episode, we break down a massive night in the NHL — starting with Connor McDavid making more history, becoming one of the fastest players ever to hit…
- Checking From Behind
The NHL Playoff Race is INSANE Right Now | Ep 179
The NHL playoff race is heating up and chaos is taking over both conferences. We break down the Eastern Conference Wild Card race and which teams are fighting…
- Checking From Behind
The NHL Has an Accountability Problem and the GMs Know It | Ep 178
The NHL has a serious accountability problem — and the GMs are fed up. In this episode of Checking From Behind, we break down everything that went down at the…
- Checking From Behind
THE OILERS ARE IN TROUBLE | Draisaitl Out & The Playoffs Are on The Line | EP 177
Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss the rest of the regular season — and the Edmonton Oilers' playoff spot is suddenly in serious jeopardy. We break down…
- Checking From Behind
The Toronto Maple Leafs Are FALLING APART & Nobody Is Doing Anything | Ep 176
The Toronto Maple Leafs are FALLING APART. Auston Matthews tore his MCL on a leg-to-leg hit from Radko Gudas — and not a single Maple Leaf did anything about…
- Checking From Behind
The Buffalo Sabres Are the BEST Team in the NHL Right Now | Ep 175
The Buffalo Sabres are ON FIRE. We break down their incredible 8-game winning streak, their improbable rise from last place in December to 1st place in the…
- Checking From Behind
2026 NHL Trade Deadline Recap: Biggest Trades, Winners, and Surprises | Ep 174
In this episode, we break down the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline — the biggest moves, the biggest surprises, and the teams that came out as winners and losers. We…
- Checking From Behind
2026 NHL Trade Deadline: Buyers, Sellers, and Teams Ready to Move | Ep 171
In this episode, we break down the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline with an updated look at our full NHL trade board. We highlight the players most likely to be moved…
- Checking From Behind
Women’s Hockey Is Exploding Right Now | Ep 170
Zach opens the episode with breaking news out of Pittsburgh as Sidney Crosby is ruled out a minimum of four weeks and the Penguins swing a major trade for…
- Checking From Behind
USA MEN WIN GOLD! | Ep 169
In this episode we discuss the US men's hockey team defeating Canada in an OT thriller to win the gold medal at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics New episodes…
- Checking From Behind
USA vs Canada Gold Medal Preview | Ep 168
In this episode, we break down both 2026 Olympic Hockey Semifinals — Canada vs Finland and USA vs Slovakia — and how each matchup set the stage for the final…
- Checking From Behind
Quarterfinals Were CHAOS | Who Makes the Gold Medal Game? Semifinal Predictions | Ep 167
In this episode, we break down the Women’s Hockey Gold Medal Game between Team USA and Team Canada at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics. Can the United States…
- Checking From Behind
Olympic Preliminary Round Recap: Knockout Bracket Is Set | Ep 166
Zach flies solo in this episode as he recaps the Men’s Olympic Hockey Preliminary Round, breaking down the biggest surprises, disappointments, and how the…