Listener sentiment
The Athletic Hockey Show remains deeply polarized, with passionate defenders and frequent detractors split largely by which hosts are featured. Listeners consistently praise the show's insider access and prospect analysis depth—particularly through hosts like Max Boltman, Frankie Corrado, and Corey Pronman—but the daily format and rotating lineup create radical inconsistency in quality and tone from episode to episode. A persistent structural complaint across years centers on geographic bias: listeners from Western Conference markets report systematic neglect of their teams in favor of Eastern Conference and Original Six coverage, with some unsubscribing entirely. In recent months (early 2026), sentiment has sharply declined as reviewers cite an unwanted shift toward political and social commentary—hosts discussing misogyny, partisan politics, and ideology rather than hockey analysis—with some describing the show as having abandoned its core mission. Host chemistry and individual appeal heavily influence listenership, with Hailey Salvian particularly divisive (praised for freshness, criticized for unprofessionalism and derailing conversations), and recurring complaints about arrogance from hosts like Pronman and Sean Gentille. Listeners also cite excessive pre-roll advertising and occasional production quality issues as friction points.
Apple3.1 · 162
Summary generated May 28, 2026
