Gaudreau brothers honored in podcast “NHL @TheRink”

The tragic deaths of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew are the main topic of the latest episode of the podcast “NHL @TheRink”.

Co-hosts Dan Rosen and Shawn P. Roarke returned from their summer break to share their thoughts on the news that shocked the sports world last week.

Johnny, 31, who played the last two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets and his first nine NHL seasons with the Calgary Flames, and Matthew, 29, who played four seasons at Boston College, were fatally struck by a car on Thursday while riding bicycles near their home in Oldmans Township, New Jersey.

Rosen and Roarke participate in an NHL Network tribute to Johnny's life and career before welcoming NHL.com columnist Nicholas J. Cotsonika, who was in Columbus on Wednesday to cover the vigil for the Gaudreau brothers outside Nationwide Arena.

Cotsonika, who wrote about Johnny's hockey legacy on Friday, discusses this column and offers his thoughts on the tragic news.

Roarke, Rosen and Cotsonika also discussed Leon Draisaitl signing an eight-year, $112 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, Tomas Hertl's potential impact with the Vegas Golden Knights, why Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman is still a restricted free agent and what that means, and the potential that awaits forward Patrik Laine with the Montreal Canadiens.

The NHL @TheRink podcast will be in Las Vegas next week, recording interviews at the NHL North American Player Media Tour that will air in future episodes.

The podcast is free and can be subscribed to from all platforms. It is also available on NHL.com/multimedia/podcasts and the NHL app.