Podcast

The Conversation Line

Hockey, Sports

Red Wings players, coaches, and alumni sit down with broadcasters Daniella Bruce, Ken Daniels, and Ken Kal to discuss their origin stories every week throughout the season.

Hockey chart
#190
Episodes
32
Releases
Every two weeks
Typical length
32 min
On air since
2024
Latest episode
1 week ago

Episodes

32 episodes, newest first

  1. Jeff Garlin: Your Name Here

    Episode 32

    Show notes

    Comedian and actor Jeff Garlin sits down with Ken Daniels in the latest episode of The Conversation Line presented by Fieger Law.

    47 min
  2. Todd McLellan: The Art of Coaching

    Episode 31

    Show notes

    Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan joins Daniella Bruce and Logan Reever for a wide-ranging conversation about the evolution of coaching and McLellan's life behind the bench. McLellan opens up about balancing coaching and family life, his journey from player to coach, and the lessons that keep the job rewarding. Presented by Fieger Law.

    37 min
  3. Mo Seider: Home Away from Home in Hockeytown

    Episode 30

    Show notes

    Moritz Seider sits down with Daniella Bruce and Logan Reever for the first episode of a new season of The Conversation Line podcast. Mo talks about the dynamic of maintaining a career in Southeast Michigan while staying connected to Germany. Presented by Fieger Law.

    34 min
  4. Patrick Kane: From Phenom to 500

    Episode 29

    Show notes

    Ken Daniels and Daniella Bruce sit down with Patrick Kane to discuss his milestone achievements - reaching 500 career goals and setting the record for most points by an American-born player. Kane reflects on his time with the Chicago Blackhawks, shares stories from his championship years, and gives insight into the current Red Wings roster, highlighting the growth of its young players alongside veterans of the game like himself. Presented by Fieger Law.

    41 min
  5. Axel Sandin-Pellikka: From Sweden With Skill

    Episode 28

    Show notes

    Red Wings rookie defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka sits down with Ken Daniels and Daniella Bruce in another episode of The Conversation Line, presented by Fieger Law.

    ASP reflects on spending the holidays in Detroit and shares some of his favorite Swedish holiday traditions. He also discusses his hockey journey, from his early amateur days to the NHL Draft, and finally his rookie season wearing the Winged Wheel.

    50 min
  6. Sergei Fedorov: To the Rafters

    Episode 27

    Show notes

    As #91 is cemented into Red Wings history as one of the greatest to ever wear the Winged Wheel, Seregi Fedorov joins Daniella Bruce and Ken Kal to discuss his legendary hockey career. He recalls his journey to Detroit and discusses all of his memories during his time with the Reds Wings. Fedorov reflects on many moments throughout his career including, the beginning of the Russian Five, his first Stanley Cup, how he got his iconic white skates, and everything that led to 91 being raised into the rafters. Presented by Fieger Law.

    46 min
  7. Nate Danielson: Coming Into His Own

    Episode 26

    Show notes

    Red Wings rookie forward Nate Danielson sits down with Ken Kal and Daniella Bruce for the latest episode of The Conversation Line, presented by Fieger Law. Danielson discusses how his quiet demeanor changes when he's around his teammates, along with his hobbies off the ice. He opens up how his time in juniors and in the minors molded him into the player and young man he is today.

    42 min
  8. Emmitt Finnie: First-Year Focus

    Episode 25

    Show notes

    Ken Daniels and Daniella Bruce welcome Red Wings rookie Emmitt Finnie as he takes fans inside his first year navigating NHL hockey. Finnie reflects on his journey from the WHL to draft day and his time in development camp. He shares insight into the tight-knit camaraderie forming among the Red Wings rookies, the veterans helping guide his transition, and the NHL stars who inspired him long before he wore the Winged Wheel. Presented by Fieger Law.

    36 min
  9. Todd McLellan: The Why is Important

    Episode 24

    Show notes

    Coach Todd McLellan sits down with Ken Kal and Daniella Bruce to discuss the challenges of coaching a team with a mix of younger players and veterans. How has his experience as an NHL head coach changed over the years? How does he manage relationships with his players and assistant coaches? Get to know more about Todd's life off the ice, including his affinity for bourbon, passion for baseball, and relationship with A. J. Hinch. Presented by Fieger Law.

    36 min
  10. Dylan Larkin: Managing the Highs and Lows

    Episode 23

    Show notes

    Red Wings hockey is back for its Centennial season, and the captain Dylan Larkin joins Ken and Daniella to discuss his 11th year in Detroit. How has the game changed since his rookie season? Larkin also opens up about the arrival of his daughter in the off season and shares the mental challenges he faced near the end of last season. What has he learned about managing both the mental and physical sides of the season? What was his experience in the Four Nations tournament and how did he manage coming from a high-intensity environment back to the regular season in a short window? He discusses what has impressed him about the youth joining this team and what he saw in training camp from players and coaching alike.

    45 min
  11. John Keating: We Get to Go to a Ballgame Every Day

    Episode 22

    Show notes

    Daniella Bruce sits down with longtime Detroit sportscaster John Keating in this special edition of The Conversation Line. As Keating prepares to retire at the end of the Red Wings season, the two reflect on his remarkable career— from covering iconic Detroit sports moments to becoming a staple of Red Wings broadcasts. He shares how it felt to be honored on Opening Day, relives the 1997 Wings-Avs brawl, and talks about the Tigers’ 2003 turnaround. Keating also discusses on his chemistry with Chris Osgood, the infamous Keating-themed ties, and what might be in store for his final home game. Don’t miss his heartfelt message to Detroit fans and what’s next on his horizon.

    Presented by Fieger Law.

    25 min
  12. Austin Watson: Tough character

    Episode 21

    Show notes

    Ken Kal sits down with Red Wings forward Austin Watson. Known for his physical style of play, Watson discusses his role as an enforcer, his mindset when dropping the gloves, and the importance of standing up for his teammates. He reflects on his journey to Detroit, sharing experiences from his time in Nashville and what it means to join the team he grew up watching as an Ypsilanti kid. Also in this episode, hear about some of toughest opponents Watson has squared up against throughout his career. Presented by Fieger Law.

    28 min
  13. Trey Augustine: One Game at a Time

    Episode 20

    Show notes

    Daniella Bruce sits down with Red Wings goaltending prospect and current Michigan State Spartans netminder, Trey Augustine. The two discuss Augustine’s standout season, including being named Big Ten Goaltender of the Year and a finalist for the Mike Richter Award, as well as his growth from year to year. What has he improved on the most? How has playing in high-pressure games, including back-to-back World Juniors gold medal runs, shaped his development? Augustine also shares insights on Michigan State’s team culture, the Spartans’ push for a Big Ten championship, and how he stays focused with the NCAA tournament on the horizon. Presented by Fieger Law.

    11 min
  14. Kris Draper: The grind never stops

    Episode 19

    Show notes

    Daniella Bruce and Ken Kal sit down with Red Wings assistant general manager and director of amateur scouting, Kris Draper. The trio dives into Draper’s transition from player to front-office leader, his approach to scouting, and how he’s helping shape the future of the Red Wings. How has player development evolved since his playing days? What does he look for in the next generation of NHL talent? Draper also shares stories from his playing career, including his journey from a $1 trade to a key piece of the Red Wings’ championship teams. Plus, hear about his impressive collection of hockey memorabilia, including a vintage Grind Line tee-shirt

    Presented by Fieger Law.

    32 min
  15. Craig Smith: Detroit feels like home

    Episode 18

    Show notes

    Daniella Bruce and Ken Kal sit down with one of the newest members of the Red Wings, Craig Smith. The trio discuss Smith’s transition to Detroit following the trade deadline, his excitement about joining the team, and his first impressions of the locker room. How is he adjusting to his new teammates? What makes Detroit feel like home for the Midwesterner? Also in this episode, Smith shares stories from his time in Nashville, his love for Big Ten hockey, and why his dog has become the social media star of the family. Presented by Fieger Law.

    16 min
  16. Britta Ottoboni & Lisa McDowell: Fueling and Fixing the Red Wings

    Episode 17

    Show notes

    Daniella Bruce sits down with Red Wings massage therapist Britta Ottoboni and Red Wings dietitian Lisa McDowell in honor of Women’s History Month. Britta shares her journey from athletic training to working with Olympic athletes before joining the Red Wings, while Lisa discusses her role in optimizing player nutrition and hydration. What’s the most unusual food request a player has ever made? How do these two women navigate a male-dominated industry while traveling with the team? Also in this episode, what’s the story behind the infamous “chicken cutlets”? Presented by Fieger Law.

    22 min
  17. Albert Johansson: A lot of hockey

    Episode 16

    Show notes

    Ken Kal sits down with Red Wings defenseman Albert Johansson who shares insights about growing up in Karlstad, Sweden and his family’s deep hockey roots. He discusses being drafted by Detroit, the challenges of adapting to the speed of the NHL, and his time with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Also in this episode, hear about the impact of coaching changes and his experience defending some of the league’s top players.

    20 min
  18. Todd McLellan: A clean canvas

    Episode 15

    Show notes

    Ken Kal sits down with Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan to explore his journey from small-town Saskatchewan to the NHL. McLellan reflects on his early playing days and his transition into head coaching in San Jose after winning the Stanley Cup with Detroit as an assistant coach in 2008. Also in this episode, McLellan shares his philosophy on team building and why a good coach always starts with great players.

    16 min
  19. Alex Lyon: Lyon Eyes

    Episode 14

    Show notes

    Daniella Bruce and Ken Kal sit down with Red Wings goalie Alex Lyon this week. The netminder talks about his adjustment from living in a rural Minnesota town with no stoplights to playing Ivy League college hockey at Yale. At what point of his career did he start his trademarked "Lyon Eyes" stare-down? Also in this episode, Lyon explains how the pressures and stress of the position may have something to do with the interesting nature of goalie psychology. Presented by Fieger Law.

    22 min
  20. Moritz Seider: Upward direction

    Episode 13

    Show notes

    Daniella Bruce and Ken Kal are joined by Red Wings defenseman Moritz "Mo" Seider this week. The three talk about his track from Zell, Germany to Detroit, Michigan and his favorite parts about the city. How was Seider exposed to the game of hockey in a country that's known for soccer? Also in this episode, Seider remembers taking a trip to the U.S. to watch his first NHL game. Presented by Fieger Law.

    20 min