T.J. Oshie Weighs In On NHL Playoffs, Future Of Hockey After Historic Olympics
To the surprise of absolutely no one, former NHL star T.J. Oshie has remained awfully close to the game of hockey.
Oshie, the 24th overall pick from the 2005 NHL Draft, spent the first seven years of his career with the St. Louis Blues before being traded to the Washington Capitals in 2015. The talented right winger left the game behind with 302 goals and 393 assists.
There's no doubt Oshie had iconic performances on the ice, like the time he carried Team USA against Russia in shootouts during the 2014 Winter Olympics. The highlight of his career, however, was winning the Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018.
After retiring from the NHL in June 2025, ESPN hired Oshie as a studio and game analyst. He'll be quite busy covering the Stanley Cup Playoffs, that's for sure.
Speaking of the NHL playoffs, Oshie has teamed up with Great Clips for their Power Play Sweepstakes. We caught up with the former NHL star to discuss this partnership, his transition to the broadcast booth and more.
The Spun: Can you tell us about your partnership with Great Clips and why it's a great fit for you?
T.J. Oshie: What made it a great fit is that my mom had her own salon for a long time. I've always been a hair guy, especially with the hockey flow. It was also a great partnership because my former teammate Tom Wilson was in it. I think it's really cool what they're doing until May 10. They've got the Great Clips Power Play Sweepstakes. You enter on the Great Clips App for a chance to win five tickets to a Stanley Cup final game, which is the best hockey you'll ever see. Even if you don't win the sweepstakes, you still get $2 off the haircut. Who doesn't love a discount?
The Spun: I'm sure winning the Stanley Cup with the Capitals was truly special, but what was the adjustment period like since you spent so much time in St. Louis?
T.J. Oshie: The transition was hard at first, but luckily, mine was in the summer so I had a full training camp to get ready. Guys like Alexander Ovechkin and Tom Wilson made it easy for me to make the transition. The Capitals had good teams but couldn't get it done in the playoffs. We had two great years until that 2018 season where we forgot about all the noise and everyone took care of business. When you got 20 or more players on the same page, the things you can get done are incredible.
The Spun: How does the NHL sustain the positive momentum that men's hockey built during the 2026 Winter Olympics?
T.J. Oshie: I think the Olympics did a great job of bringing your not so usual NHL fans to the game. Obviously, there's a bit of a dip since the Olympic teams have the best players in the world. Hopefully, those fans though will be really interested in the opening round of the NHL playoffs. I'd argue it's more intense than the Olympics because it's much more physical.
The Spun: With the Stanley Cup Playoffs here, are there any teams that have set themselves apart from the rest of the field?
T.J. Oshie: I think Colorado has set themsleves apart. They've got guys that have won a Stanley Cup. I think they have to be the favorites. There are other teams that are in contention, like the Pittsburgh Penguins, that we didn't expect to see in the playoffs earlier this season. I could see them make a real run. I love that Buffalo is in it. The games won't be as high-scoring in the playoffs, but the Sabres have firepower. I also can't wait to see Dallas take on Minnesota. It's insane that matchup is going to take place in the first round.
The Spun: When did you know you wanted to become a broadcaster? Because your shift from the NHL to ESPN has been seamless.
T.J. Oshie: It came about pretty quickly. I was on IR for the last season of my career, so I knew my back wasn't going to sustain another season. ESPN gave me a shot during the Western Conference finals. It was the most nervous I've ever been in my entire life, I can guarantee that. It was fun being on set and sharing my knowledge. My wife kind of pushed me to do that. She wanted me to stay involve because she knows how much I love the game. It's truly been a fun year with ESPN.
The Spun: You've shared the spotlight with several teammates over the years. What's your dynamic like with Steve Levy and P.K. Subban?
T.J. Oshie: P.K. was made for TV. He's got the charisma, the loud voice and intensity. Steve Levy pulled me aside from Day 1 and took me to dinner before my first show. He was the one who would give me pointers during commercials. You struggle with your hands because you're not used to talking on camera, but he helped me with my body language. He truly drives the bus for our show. P.K. is awesome because he can bring the energy while I can be myself, which is a bit more reserved. It's an absolute blast.
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The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin this Saturday with the Senators facing the Hurricanes, the Wild taking on the Stars, and the Flyers squaring off against the Penguins.
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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 7:00 PM.