Episode 101: Panarin in Kings Gear, Ducks Back Skating, USA vs Canada for Gold

Send a text

Coffee at dawn, hockey at full throttle. We dive into a week where the USA women authored a masterclass in control and composure, capped by Hilary Knight’s last-minute equalizer and Megan Keller’s smooth OT winner over Canada. Aerin Frankel’s poise set the tone, the skaters did the rest, and a new core proved they’re ready to keep the standard high even as a legend bows out.

On the men’s side, the margins tightened and the drama spiked. We unpack the Czechia–Canada controversy around too-many-men, how Mitch Marner still found a backhand winner, and why Finland’s sit-back approach invited chaos against a relentless Canadian attack. Then it’s USA–Slovakia, where Jack Hughes carved the ice, the Tkachuk brothers dragged the game into their world, and the Americans punched their ticket with speed and edge. We talk why some stars shine brighter for their country than their club, how international ice and compressed schedules change decision-making, and which matchups will define USA–Canada at sunrise.

Back home, we hit Ducks and Kings news with an eye on the trade window. Leo Carlsson and Frank Vatrano returning to practice offers Anaheim a late-season spark, while Petr Mrazek’s season-ending surgery opens cap flexibility and solidifies Ville Husso’s path. For the Kings, we weigh the upside and price of names like Elias Pettersson and Bobby McCann, plus the logic of a low-cost Jeff Skinner swing to fix finishing. The question isn’t just who you can get—it’s who actually fits the system without mortgaging tomorrow.

We wrap with bold bronze and gold predictions, the goalie edge that could tilt USA–Canada, and the first NHL moves we expect once the freeze lifts. If you love clutch moments, smart tactics, and a little chaos before breakfast, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a fellow hockey nut, and tell us: who lifts gold, and which NHL team must make the first big trade?

Support the show

-Links to all our socials and where to find the podcast: https://linktr.ee/royallyquacked

-Check out all ESEN shows and content here: https://linktr.ee/ESENetwork

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/MEx82G9

Iron+Steel Threads: Use code RQ10 to save 10% on your order.
https://ironsteelthreads.com/?ref=rq

Use Promo Code: RQ10 for 10 % off your order.
Dubby - Clean Energy To Help You Be Better – Dubby Energy

Use code ROYALLYQUACKED $20 off your first SeatGeek order:
https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/teamseatgeek

Ditch the bulky phone grips, get Ohsnap. Grab yours at https://www.ohsnap.com/RoyallyQuacked

Podcast Socials:
Instagram: @royallyquacked
Twitter: @RoyallyQuacked
TikTok: RoyallyQuacked

Our Socials:
Cody Spink
Instagram: @spinko1221
Twitter: @spinko1221

Gary Spink
Instagram: @garyspink21