Hockey Free For All

Welcome to Episode 178 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast. The regular season has arrived. This week’s topics include- #1. Left winger Michael Pezzetta leaves the Montreal Canadiens, signs with the Toronto Maple Leaf’s, and still ends up in the AHL. #2. The Toronto Maple Leaf’s have signed former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Cayden Primeau. #3. The Toronto Maples have also signed forward Sammy Blais who was placed on waivers by the Montreal Canadiens at the conclusion of the 2025/2026 pre-season training camp. #4. Sammy Blais played for current Maple Leaf’s head coach Craig Berube, when Craig Berube was the head coach in St. Louis Blues. #5. Connor McDavid has signed an extremely interesting new 2-year contract. #6. Connor McDavid clearly holds all of the cards at the end of his new 2-year extension. #7. How about Kaiden Guhle, David Reinbacher and Patrik Laine to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Sidney Crosby straight up. Or add forwards Riley Kidney and Joshua Roy for 2 additional 3rd draft picks from the Pittsburgh Penguins, but absolutely nothing else from Montreal. #8. I am surprised that Oliver Kapanen was the prospect out of all the prospects was the one that made the Hab’s roster. But he was absolutely the proper center for Ivan Demidov and Alex Newhook, and it’s an excellent and talented line. #9. The Line of Brendan Gallagher, Kirby Dach and Zack Bolduc has been both solid and impressive. #10 Juraj Slafkovsky is looking great with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. #12. Samual Montembeau did not look ready in Toronto. Jokub Dobes looked in mid-season form in Detroit. #14. Noah Dobson didn’t look ready in Toronto but was solid in Detroit. #15. Noah Dobson and Mike Matheson should be paired together all season long. #16. Lane Hutson should be paired with Adam Engstrom. #17. Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble should be paired together for the entire season. #18. Ryan Lenard was and would have been my pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

Welcome to Episode 177 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast. Topics include- #1. Alex Newhook and Oliver Kapanen are not only having excellent training camps, but have formed a line with is having a solid training camps, but have formed a line with Ivan Demidov that immediately has chemistry, with a great combination of skill. #2. Florian Xhekaj continues to show his value and why he needs to be part of the roster. Florian Xhekaj brings a sandpaper and grit element to the roster that no one has since Chris Nilan did. #3. Kaiden Guhle’s frequency and variety of injuries continue and that has to be extremely concerning to the organization. #4. I said from the moment the Noah Dobson trade was announced, I didn’t like the trade. He’s a defensive liability and he is proving my point in training camp. The Canadiens’ coaching staff has a lot of work to do with Noah Dobson #5. Noah Dobson doesn’t use his size or weight in his game; he is a perimeter defenseman. #6. David Reinbacher’s injuries are mounting up and affecting every season and his development. This has to be extremely concerning to the Montreal Canadiens Management. #7. In the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, I also would have drafted David Reinbacher and not drafted Matvie Michkov. Matvie Michkov is a headcase and extremely self-impressed. But my choice then and to this very day would have been Ryan Leonard from Boston College. #8. Can anyone else imagine a right-wing line of Cole Caufield, Ivan Demidov, Ryan Leonard and Tyler Thorpe for the Montreal Canadiens. Wow! #9. In 2 seasons, will Kaiden Guhle, David Reinbacher or Noah Dobson even still be with the Montreal Canadiens? #10. I didn’t like the trade of Logan Mailloux for Zac Bolduc. Zac Bolduc better be the real deal, right out of the gate and never look back. #11. Think about the defenseman that the Montreal Canadiens have traded away. Wow! #12. This is exactly why you don’t trade Adam Engstrom, Jayden Struble or William Trudeau, and you don’t rush to move Mike Matheson. #13, In 2 seasons’ from now could the starting 6 defensemen for the Montreal Canadiens be Lane Hutson paired with Bryce Pickford, Adam Engstrom paired with Arber Xhekaj, Owen Protz paired with Carlos Handel with Rasmus Bergqvist as the seventh defensive option? It’s a real possibility. #14. Jayden Struble’s value and position on the team has certainly increased. #15. Kirill Kaprizov is not even remotely worth his new 8-year 136-million contract. #16 The Minnesota Wild could have cleaned up trading Kirill Kaprizov. #17. Luke Hughes of the New Jersey devils is not remotely worth 63 million dollars over 7 years. #18. Someone please explain and somehow rationalize the 8 years, at 9-million per season contract that has been handed to defenseman Jackson LaCombe by the Anaheim Ducks.

Hello Hockey fans out there. Episode 176 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived for your hockey fix. Take a listen, this episode’s topics include- #1. What is with the continued insanity about acquiring Sidney Crosby? #2. Why would anyone strip a club of its roster talent, organizational prospects and future draft picks to acquire a 38-year-old that won’t even be there that long? #3. The same insanity also exists regarding Mason McTavish? #4. Mason McTavish has proven absolutely nothing to date at the NHL level. Someone please explain how this even makes sense! #5. Montreal has 10 organizational centers beyond Nike Suzuki, who is without question the club’s number #1 center and captain. 5 of them are #2 center quality and that doesn’t even include Michael Hage. #6. The injuries to Noah Dobson, Kaiden Guhle and now David Reinbacher are the quint essential proof as to why an organization does trade their talent and depth away. #7. Fortunately, the Montreal Canadiens can still Mike Mathenson, Arber Xhekaj, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble, Alexander Carrier and Adam Engstrom, which is a better top 6 defensive group than most other clubs have. #8. Florian Xhekaj is having an outstanding training camp and is proving his worth and there for him to be on the opening day NHL roster. #9. Owen Beck is having an outstanding training camp, showing his value in all area’s of the ice and game. #10. Oliver Kapanen has had a solid training camp and shown immediate chemistry with Ivan Demidov and Patrik Laine #11. Joshua Roy’s star is dimming very quickly. #12. Everyone should be extremely excited about a future line of Florian Xhekaj, Tyler Thorpe and Luke Tuch. That line will add an element a value to Montreal’s roster that they have not had in decades. #13. Montreal’s organizational goaltending depth looks outstanding.

Episode 175 of the hockey free for all podcast has arrived for your enjoyment and to get your hockey fix. The episodes topics include- #1. Kirill Kaprizov is not even remotely worth 16-million dollars. #2. Kirill Kaprizov is not worth more than Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid or Alexander Ovechkin. #3. A Noah Dobson and Mike Matheson defensive pairing offensively is exciting but defensively is very concerning. #4. Noah Dobson should be paired with Kaiden Guhle. #5. Lane Hutson should be paired with David Reinbacher. #6. Arber Xhekaj should be paired with either Adam Engstrom or Jayden Struble. #7. Mike Matheson and Alexander Carrier should be leveraged and moved, to continue to stockpile draft assets to keep the team stuffed full of talent #8. Juraj Slafkovsky’s has improved every season. He’s only 21, leave him alone and let him grow and blossom. #9. Kirby is ready to go according to Management and the coaching staff. #10. This is a make-or-break season for Kirby Dach. Prove your worth and actual skill set or your out! #11. This is a make-or-break season for Patrik Laine. Prove your worth and actual skill set or your out! #12. If Kirby Dach and Patrik Laine do not put up the numbers in the 2025/2026 especially if they have Ivan Demidov on their line, they are out. #13. Ivan Demidov is a far better player than Patrik Laine is. #14. Ivan Demidov is a far better player than Kirill Kaprizov is. #15, How anyone even suggest trading Ivan Demidov for Kirill Kaprizov or any other player in the entire NHL? #16. Ivan Demidov’s shills are off the chart. #17. Ivan Demidov has the abilities and skills that will allow his to surpass, most goals by, most assists by and most career total points by a Canadiens player by the end of his career. #18. Why would the Montreal Canadiens acquire Pavel Zacha from the Boston Bruins when they have Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, Owen Beck, Oliver Kapanen, Florian Xhekaj, Vinzenz Rohrer “who by the way is having an excellent training camp” Jared Davidson who is a very strong dark horse candidate, Sean Farrell as well as the Newly Acquired Zach Bulduc at center depth, and that does not even include Nick Suzuki, Jake Evans or Joe Veleno. That is a massive group of talent in the waiting. #19. Owen Beck is having an outstanding training camp. #20. Noah Dobson’s and Zach Bolduc’s training camps better be light’s out. #21. Joshua Roy’s training camp not going well. Looks like a change of scenery might be beneficial. #22. Why is Adam Engstrom even being mentioned in anything trade related. Is it just ignorance? #23 I hope Geoff Molson signs both Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes to new 10-year contracts.

Hello hockey fans, episode 174 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast, the goaltending episode has arrived for your hockey fix and to get you to training camp. Topics include- #1. Carey Price to the San Jose Sharks along with a 5th round draft pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft has been traded to the San Jose Sharks and in return the Montreal Canadiens received 22-yaer old right-handed defenseman Gannon Laroque who was the 4th round pick of the San Jose Sharks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. #2. The Montreal Canadiens have gone from being nearly 6-million dollars over the cap to 4.75-million dollars under the cap, and no they do not need to spend it! #3. Congratulations to the Montreal Canadiens Management for continuing to unload stifling contracts within the organization that are purely dead weight. #4. No NHL club has done a better job at scouting and drafting than the Montreal Canadiens for the last 6 straight years. #5. Here’s to the Montreal Canadiens staying their course and sticking to their plan and ignoring outside ignorance. #6. Let’s make moves and discissions that hand cuff and leave no flexibility, opportunities and that cash straps and organization. That sounds like a stupendous idea! #7. Ken Dryden has passed. The sport of hockey has lost the greatest goalie ever. But the world has lost and even greater Human Being that touched so many lives far beyond the sport of hockey. #8. Ken Dryden was not a generational player. Ken Dryden was a transcendent player that not only changed and redefined the position he played, but every life he touched. #9. Ken Dryden won 76 of 80 games he played at Cornell University. Won the Conn Smyth Trophy only playing in 6 games on a team of stars with an extremely high expectations, before winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in his first full season the following year. 5 Vezina Trophies, 6 Stanley Cups, all in 8 seasons! #10. There will never be another Ken Dryden. Ken Dryden was truly the definition of Integrity, ethics, honor, commitment and follow-through in everything he did. To say he will be missed is an understatement. Ken Dryden has left far too early and the impact that he made will be missed on every conceivable level.

Hello hockey fans, as August is now in the rereview mirror, and September has arrived, so has Episode 173 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast. Topics include- #1. Saku Koivu was an awesome player, but best and most beloved captain of all time? #2. Is Saku Koivu the best Captain and most beloved of recent times? Ok, that’s a valid discussion. #3. Has everyone forgotten about John Beliveau? #4. Is Carey Prices contract the contract that the Montreal Canadiens really needs to get out from under and trade? #5. Other than reaching the bottom limit of a team cap, what else does acquiring Carey Prices contract do for the acquiring team. #6. The last year of Carrey Price’s contract can be easily buried in LTIR. #7. Instead of trading Carey Prices contract and possibly having to throw in a draft pick or prospect of any kind, how about trading Patrik Laine and his contract to the Anaheim Duck, enticing Anaheim with the possibility of what Patrik Laine and Leo Carlsson might be able to do and look like on the same line? #8. How about the Montreal Canadiens trade Patrik Laine to the Anaheim Duck for Center Nathan Gauncher, who is 6’ 03, 222lbs, is 21-years old, and was the 22nd pick overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, and oh by the way is also a RIGHT HANDED Shot and a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft from Anaheim, why not make this trade? 8.7 million comes off Montreal’s cap, Montreal doesn’t have to throw in anything else, and Laine is 27-years old. #9. Moving Laine’s contract is far more advantageous for Montreal. Relieves cap space and net’s Montreal a need asset in the minds of many. #10. Patrik Laine is not the perfect pairing partner for Ivan Demidov. Doesn’t anyone remember the me, me, me and disingenuous behavior and remarks made by Patrik Laine when Ivan Demidov first arrived? Laine was extremely jealous of Demidov immediately! #11. Aggressively look to move Gallaghers and Anderson’s contracts at the 2026 trade deadline, which is going to be tuff to do without a specific need that another club has. #12. Hat’s off to the NHL for putting in place cap compliancy that carries into and throughout the playoffs and Stanley Cup finals as well. It’s been long overdue, as there has been extremely questionable ethics, integrity professionalism by many.

Hello hockey fans out there, episode 172 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived for you hockey fix to get you through the summer months and back into rookie and regular training camps. #1. Stop. Lane Hutson did not get snubbed regarding the 2026 winter Olympics. #2. The team USA roster already has 44 members, that are going to have to be paired down! #3. There are only 20 starting spots, along with 3 to 5 reserve positions. Do the math! #4. A carbon copy of the false and poor journalism when Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki choose to skip country invites to ensure their health and recovery to ensure they would be at 100% and ready int the coming regular season. #5. The Montreal Canadiens do not need to acquire Mason McTavish, as the cost would be astronomical and destroy the organization. The asking price is off the charts stupid that Anaheim is asking for. #6 Acquiring Nazem Kadri makes absolutely no since and sending Juraj Slafkovski, Alex Newhook and a high draft pick for a 34-year-old who is on the back 9 of his career, make an even more incompetent trade. There is no doubt that Calgary would love this trade. It would be pure robbery for the Calgary Flames, and absolute stupidity by the Montreal Canadiens if they were to make it. #7. Wow, really! Jared McCann, why? #8. Let’s see the actual accuracy of the report’s indication that Kirby Dach is behind in his recovery. #9. A group of staring 4 center that has Nick Suzuki at number 1, Alex Newhook at number 2 with Jake Evans and Jared Davidson interchangeably occupying the 3rd and 4th center positions is as good as at least 75% of the rosters in the league. #10. The real problem with any or all of the acquisitions of Mason McTavish, Nazem Kadri or Jared McCann is the asking ransom price the other clubs are asking for, as their true desire is to rape and pillage the Montreal Canadiens, as the Montreal Canadiens have out drafted everyone for serval years and counting. #11. Don’t believe it. Just look at the last several years of 4th and 5th picks alone, and that coming talent and skill set.

Hello hockey fans out there. As summer continues, you can continue to get your hockey fix as Episode 171 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived for you, topics this week include- #1. Has summer really gotten that boring, that is there is nothing else to do but compare Guy LaFleur and lane Hutson? Seriously? #2. Two completely different games! #3. Two completely different times #4. Most importantly, one is a forward who won 5 Stanley Cups and played in 6 all star games, to a current player who plays defense and is just starting his career. #5Two gifted players that play un-comparable positions. #6. The Montreal Canadiens send to the Chicago Blackhawks. #7. In Return the Montreal Canadiens receives from the Chicago Blackhawks. #8. This trade makes zero cents, no matter how you look at it, or how you slice it up. #9. Why would the Montreal Canadiens tear apart it’s NHL roster or decimate their existing or inbound prospect talent, with trades like these. #10. One wonders what the level of complete insanity will escalate to, when the contracts of Carey Price, Patrik Laine, Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson are all off the books in Montreal. #11. Extremely little chance of NHL team payrolls and caps even remotely approaching the levels of the NFL, the NBA or major league Baseball. #12. Another proposed trade, that does not even remotely improve the Montreal Canadien s, has the Montreal Canadiens sending Juraj Slafkovsky, Alex Newhook and a high draft choice to the Calgary Flames for Nazem Kadri. What? #13. I have no doubt in my mind that the Calgary Flames would love to make that deal. #14. Trades proposals like these make as much sense as the Edmonton Oilers trading Connor McDavid to the Montreal Canadiens for either Micheal Pezzetta, Ty Smilanic or Riley Kidney straight up, or at most all three. #15. Who’s coming up with these trades? A 21-year old, first overall pick, that has improved every season he’s played, that has a frame to be durable in the NHL for 15-years, plus a 24-year old, who is one of the fastest players in the entire NHL, that can shift up and down the lineup as needed, along with a high draft pick, for a declining 34-year old player, who is on the back half of his NHL career, and who carries 6 more years of a very bloated, and excessive contract, that improves the Montreal Canadiens how?

Hello hockey fans, episode 170 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived for your summer offseason hockey fix, topics- #1. There are no guarantees of a roster spot in the upcoming Olympics. Every spot has to be earned. Samuel Montembeau will have to earn it. #2. There is no Lane Hutson contract dilemma, stop trying to create chaos and distractions. #3. Andrei Markov was an unexpected 6th round draft pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. #4. Andrei Markov was a good transition game defenseman #5. Andrei Markov was very good at carrying the puck into the opposition end and setting up the power play. #6. Andrei Markov had a solid hard low shot from the point. #7. Stop trying to include Andrei Markov on the same list with Doug Harvey, Tom Johnson, Emile “Butch” Bouchard, Serge Savard, Guy Lapoint, Jacque Laperriere, Larry Robinson, Brian Engblom, Rod Langway, Craig Ludwig or Chris Chelios. Andrei Markov is not on or part of this list. #8. Maybe it’s because of the teams and era that Andrei Markov played on and in? #9. Lane Hutson and other current Montreal Canadien defensemen will leap over Andrei Markov by the completion of their careers. #10. Stop with the ridiculous and unfounded chaos of needing a 2nd line center at any cost. #11. Saku Koivu was an excellent captain! #12. Let Aatos Koivu make his way, find his own game, curve out his own style and most of all, stop with the comparisons of his father. #13. The Montreal Canadiens have had, and continue to have many great captains. #14. How about determining if the health reports on Kirby Dach are actually accurate? #15. Alex Newhook is the go-to answer If Kirby Dach can’t go. Why? Alex Newhook has earned that chance based on the final 20 to 25 games of his performance in the 2024/2025 season. Montreal gave up the 31st and 37th picks to acquire him, it doesn’t rush any prospects and he has the skating speed and distribution skills to keep pace with and get the puck to skilled wingers who can bury it. #16. The Montreal Canadiens as an organization, have impressive center depth. #17. Regarding Marco Rossi and Brad Marchand. Many said Marco Rossi would not make because of his size. Many said Brad Marchand could not make it because of his size. Anyone even remotely recall the comments and remarks of Canadiens Director of Hockey Development Adam Nicholas about Sean Farrell?

Hello Hockey fans. Episode 169 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived, and this is the Jonathan Huberdeau episode. #1.This has to be the most insane trade proposal out of all, that have been rumored all offseason long. This trade has the Montreal Canadiens acquiring the 84-million dollar, 8-year contract, right winger Jonathan Huberdeau who by the way has 6-years remaining on that Albatross of a contract, in return for Josh Anderson, Arber Xhekaj, Owen Beck and a 2nd round draft pick. #2. The Montreal Canadians have been suffocating under the weight of Carey Prices 84-million-dollar contract for years, who’s contract will finally conclude at the completion of the 2025/2026 season. In what rational world would the Montreal Canadiens take on another 84-million-dollar contract with 6-years left, for an aging player, who is a one trick pony and requires specific linemates. #3. Where would the acquisition of Jonathan Huberdeau leave the acquisition of Zack Bolduc? #4. Please stop with the veteran leadership diarrhea, it consistently spews from mouths of the clueless. The Montreal Canadiens have plenty of leadership in Nick Suzuki, Brendan Gallagher and Mike Mathenson, plus Kaiden, Cole Caufield, Samual Montembeau, Arber Xhekaj and Lane Hutson as well as Head Coach Martin St. Louis, General Manager Kent Huges and the leader himself of all hockey operations Mr. Jeff Gorton forms a tremendous group of leadership. #5. I would not send Patrik Laine straight up for Jonathan Huberdeau. #6. I would not trade Joshua Roy straight up for Jonathan Huberdeau.

Hello hockey fans out there, episode 168 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived to address your hockey fix during the summer. This episodes topics include- #1. David Reinbacher better be amazing soon. #2. Tristan Jarry is not the solution or answer or solution to the Edmonton Oilers goaltending issues. #3. What qualifications does David Pastrnak have to call out Juraj Slafkovsky regarding he lacks humility. #4. David Pastrnak should focus on himself, his own game and most importantly come down from the mountain top he apparently thinks he’s on top of. #5. The Montreal Canadiens need to trade Patrik Laine first and foremost. #6. The Montreal Canadiens do not need to acquire Nick and Jason Robertson as depth or defensive players to replace Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia. The Montreal Canadiens have plenty of internal organizational depth. #7. Why can’t a line of Brendan Gallagher, Jake Evans and Josh Anderson replace Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia? #8. The Montreal Canadiens have 10 NHL ready defensemen, what is with the senseless panic over David Savard? #8. Of course, Michael Hage has been very impressive at the Canada Cup this summer, how can anyone actually be surprised is my question? #9. The Montreal Canadiens knew Michael Hage was the steel of the 2024 NHL entry, does anyone actually wonder why the Montreal Canadiens moved up from 24th to 21st to draft him. #10. Michael Hage should not even be traded or included as part of a trade package for Connor McDavid, Sidny Crosby or Cal Makar. #11. Ivan Demidov should hands down win it in 2025/2026, unless he gets injured, providing the Montreal Canadiens with back-to-back rookie of the year players. #12. Ok, Nathan Beaulieu retired, players retire all the time. Why is this viewed as anything outside the norm? He has decided to move on, that’s it. #13. It will indeed be a critical coming year for Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, Patrik Laine and Joe Veleno. #14. The Montreal Canadiens need to let Arber Xhekaj play to his strengths, style and game, rather than trying to change him. The Montreal Canadiens have not had a player like Arber Xhekaj since Chris Nilan. Arber Xhekaj is an extremely rare combination of size physicality with a blend of skating and offensive skills that’s more unusual that the generational talents are.

Hello Hockey Fan’s out there. As we move through the offseason and very hot summer months, take a listen to episode 167 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast, to get your hockey fix. This episodes topics include- #1. Carey Price actually has to be officially retired as a player and off of the team roster payroll for 3-years, before he can even be considered for the hockey hall of fame! #2. The NCAA has once again raided the superior Canadien Hockey League in an effort to be considered talented. #3. The decentralized draft format was not only a complete disappointment but is also a slap in the faces of and an insult to the fans of the sport. #4. Pro sports leagues have clearly forgotten that their drafts are all about and are for their fans. The drafts of each sport is the premier event to give backs to the fans of each sport. #4. Pro sports continually screws over the fans and bleeds them dry of money in any and every way possible, the drafts are the premier fan event. #5. Drafts are a moment within a season that leagues cater to the fan’s by showing up in its entirety, along with the prospects at no cost to the fans, so the fan continue following and retain their passion for the game. #6. It’s irrelevant that drafts are inconvenient or expense to a league. Without fan the entity goes away! #7. Montreal’s starting 4 centers will come out of these 5 players. #1 Nick Suzuki, #2 Kirby Dach if he is and can stay healthy. If not, the #2 center will be Alex Newhook. If Dach remains healthy, than Alex Newhook will be the #3 center. If Dach doesn’t remain healthy and Newhook moves up to the #2 center, then the #3 center is the recently acquired Joe Veleno and the #4 center is Jake Evans. #8. Unless Jacob Fowler comes into training camp and gives a lights out Ken Dryden type performance, Samual Montembeau and Jakub Dobes will be the goaltending tandem for the 2025/2026 season. #9. The defense is the part of the Montreal Canadiens roster that is truly the most intriguing as the team prepares for the 2025/2026season.

Hello to all the hockey fans, episode 166 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived with a litany of topics to keep you up to date with during these long hot summer months. #1. The Montreal Canadiens do not need Joey Kyrou. #2. Yes, trade Patrik Laine now #3. Montreal signs former first round draft choice, center Joe Veleno, a perfect replacement for Christian Dvorak. #4. No thanks on acquiring Sydney Crosby after the 2026 Olympics, unless Montreal can get him for Kirby Dach and Oliver Kapanen straight up? #5. In what way is Nazem Kadri even remotely the answer to the Number 2 center role in Montreal? He’s in his mid-thirties, he’s slower and he’s on the back nine of his career. #6. Nazem Kadri bring an extremely bloated contract with, which has 4-years remaining on it. #7. Montreal has a plethora of internal options at a far cheaper price for any and all positions. #8. Of course, the Calgary Flames would not only love to unload Nazem Kadri, but even more, the Calgary Flames would love to get their hands on as many of Montreal’s outstanding prospects as possible. #9. Nope Montreal Doesn’t need center Anthony Cirelli of the Tampa Bay Lightning and take on that bloated contract either. Nor does Montreal need to make the Tampa Bay lightning a better team by sending them A-prospect talent, that’s used against the Montreal Canadiens for years to come that haunts them relentlessly. #10. Montreal is not facing tremendous trouble in replacing David Savard. His game was clearly in a steep decline since January 1st, 2024. #11. Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia were role players that Montreal has a plethora options to replace them with at a lower cost. #12. Let Jayden Struble go to arbitration and is he’s rewarded an excessive amount, trade him and keep the assets pouring into Montreal #13. It will be extremely interesting to see if the excitement around prospect center Oliver Kapanen translates to the NHL Level. #14. It’s challenging seeing Oliver Kapanen as a 2nd line center in the NHL. #15. I’m far more excited about what Aatos Koivu can do than Oliver Kapanen. #16. Hage is the undisputed 2nd line center for the Montreal Canadiens. Michael Hage #17. Owen Beck is a solid 3rd two-way center to me, that can play it any way you want to. But I think that Florian Xhekaj is the Dark horse in the role of 3rd line center, and it remains to be seen if Vinzenz Rohrer’s style can translate to the NHL’s game? #18. I won’t even be remotely surprised at all if Adam Engstrom makes the Canadiens roster after the completion of training camp.

Hello hockey fans out there. Episode 165 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived. Take a listen and keep up on things happening in the off-season summer months that will affect the coming regular season. #1. Hello! Carey Price can’t be voted in to the Hockey Hall of Fame. He’s not officially retired. He needs to be retired for 3 years at a minimum before he is even eligible. #2. What is with the continuous trade insanity in Montreal? #3. The definition of stupidity is? #4. Players will want out of and prospects will reenter drafts if the is no path or roster spots for them in Montreal. #5. Enough Trades in Montreal. Neither the Dobson or the Bolduc trade has made the Montreal Canadiens better. These trades appeased people. They were not hockey trade or for the betterment of the team’s roster. #6 The Montreal Canadiens better hope that the trade of Logan Mailloux doesn’t haunt them for the next 10, 13 or 15 years! #7. At the amount of Money Zack Bolduc is making he better be a minimum of a point per game player, which translates too a minimum of 82, soon to 84 points per season player, and that’s at a minimum. His contract value and yearly payroll impact should have expectations of a 100 point per season level. #8 The soon to arrive prospects that there better be roster spots for in Montreal, starting with the forwards include, Alexander Zharovsky, Hayden Paupanekis, L.J. Mooney, Ivan Demindov, Michael Hage, Tyler Thorpe, Florian Xhekaj, Luke Tuch, Jared Davidson and Sam Harris. On the defensive side, prospects include David Reinbacher, Bryce Pickford, Owen Protz, Bogdan Konyushkov and Adam Engstrom. Anyone of these prospects are better than anyone else, on any other NHL club, that Montreal could obtain. #9. Not fan of Grant McKenna signing with Penn State of the NCAA. I don’t see how, in any way, this prepares Grant McKenna any better for the NHL. #10. The CHL is a far better league and player development system than the NCAA is. #11. NCAA players are ready for the NHL any sooner. #12. NCAA players are not any better developed. #13. NCAA players do transition to the NHL game or its physicality any faster. #14. Hockey is Canada’s sport. Always has been, always will be. Every other country is a guest at the table. Just like Baseball, Basketball and Football are America’s sports, always have been, always will be. Soccer is, always been and always will be Europe’s sport and no one else’s. This has been and always will be the reality for every one of these sports

Hello Hockey Fan’s, out there. The 2024/2025 regular season, playoffs, Stanley Cup Championship, 2025 NHL Entry Draft and Free Agent frenzy may be over, but the topics to discuss continue at a relentless pace. The topics of Episode 164 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast include- #1. Was trading the 16th and 17th picks in the first round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, plus NHL roster forward Emil Heineman the right move to acquire Right-Handed Defenseman Noeh Dobson. #2. The highlight of Noeh Dobson’s career in his first 6-years, has been one 70 point season? #3. Noeh Dobson is not a physical defenseman. #4. Mitch Marner goes in a sign and trade with the Las Vegas Golden Knights that net’s the Toronto Maple Center Nicolas Roy #5. The Montreal Canadiens trade goalie Cayden Primeau to the Carolina Hurricanes for a 7th round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. #8. Michael Pezzetta signs a 2-year free agent contract with the Toronto Maple Leaf’s #9. The Edmonton Oilers have lost free agent winger Corry Perry to the Los Angeles Kings. #10. The Montreal Canadiens trade Logan Mailloux in a 1 for 1 deal to the St. Louis Blues for Forward Zack Bolduc. #11. Congratulations to the many people who just couldn’t see or understand how the Montreal Canadiens could draft Logan Mailloux. #12. Better hope trading Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues doesn’t haunt the Montreal Canadiens for the next 13-years. #13. Imagine if Logan Mailloux has a lights out Stanley Cup Final against the Montreal Canadiens, eliminating them, and holds up the Stanley Cup in a victory lap around the Bell Center in Montreal. #14. No idea what the signings of free agent forward Alex Belzile, defenseman Nate Clurman and forward Samuel Blais for 1-year contracts bring to Montreal other than veteran depth players for the Laval Rockets. #15. One signing that does make sense is the signing of goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen as it provides Jacob Fowler in Laval with a legitimate back with experience. #16. David Savard, Emil Heineman, Christian Dvorak, Michael Pezzetta and Joel Armia are gone. Hopefully it opens up roster spots for internal prospects. #17. Rapheal Harvey Pinard signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins. #18. Fortunately, the Montreal Canadiens still have David Reinbacher, Adam Engstrom, 2024 4th round draft pick defenseman Owen Protz and 2025 3rd round draft pick defenseman Bryce Pickford. #19. Left Wing Nikolaj Ehlers has signed with the Carolina Hurricanes. #20. It would be fantastic if the Montreal Canadiens traded Patrik Laine and center/left wing prospect Oliver Kapanen to the Carolina Hurricanes for Nikita Artamonov, Bradly Nadeau, Alexander Perevalov and Ryan Suzuki.

Hello Hockey Fan’s. Welcome to Episode 163 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast, this week’s topics include- #1. Mitch Marner is not worth a 15 plus million per season contract #2. Conner McDavid is not worth a 20 million per season contract #3. Brad Marchand is not worth an 8-million-dollar contract #4. Sam Bennett is not worth 10 million per season even though his agent is demanding it. #5. If you had a 100-million dollar team cap and you sign one player to a 20-million dollar contract, everyone understands that accounts for 20% of your entire team payroll, which has 20 players on a team. #6. The Dallas Stars have resigned Matt Duchene to a new 4 year 18-million-dollar contract. #7. The Ottawa senators have signed Fabian Zetterlund to a new 3-year contract worth 12.825 million dollars. #8. Thankfully, the Chicago Blackhawks have resigned Ryan Donato to a 4-year 16-million dollar contract. #9 The Philadelphia Flyers add Todd Reirden as an assistant coach and Dylan Crawford as a video coach. #10. Steve Spott joins Marco Sturms staff in Boston . #11. The Philadelphia Flyers acquire Trevor Zegras from the #12. Best of luck to defenseman Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators as he was recently diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). #13. Michael Misa should decline playing for the Chicago Blackhawks if they draft him. #14. After the conclusion of the AHL and NHL playoffs, its extremely who the true prospect talent is. #15. The future starting 6 defensemen should be extremely clear in Montreal, but there are apparently many who do not want the Montreal Canadiens to succeed. #16. Are Kaiden Guhle’s injuries over, not likely. #17. The goaltending team in 2025/2026 for the Montreal Canadiens should be Samual Montembeau and Jakub Dobes without question. #18. Laval Rockets Goaltending team in 2025/2026 will be Jacob Fowler and who. #19. Other than Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky there’s nothing right now. #20. The arrivals of Florian Xhekaj, Tyler Thorp and Luke Tuch will bring physicality, until then, nothing. #21. Carey Price isn’t even retired yet. How could he be voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame? #22. The Montreal Canadiens have made a cataclysmically bad trade for Noeh Dobson, that makes absolutely know since in any way. #23. David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux and Adam Engstrom should be on the phone to their agent telling them, they want out of Montreal. #24. What’s Lane Hutson’s next contract looks like now? #25. No one should be getting paid more than Nick Suzuki or Cole Caufield on the Montreal roster. #26. The Montreal Canadiens have an even softer and less physical defense. #27. The Noeh Dobson trade doesn’t even remotely move the team or the needle forward at all. It actually moves both backwards.

Hello Hockey Fan’s. Episode 162 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast is ready for you, this week’s topics include. #1. Congratulations to the now 2-time and back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions the Florida Panthers. #2. Why is there such insanity cataclysmic stupidity about trading prospect Logan Mailloux? #3. Young talented Right-Handed Defenseman are extremely difficult to find, draft and cultivate. The Montreal Canadiens have found 3 in Logan Mailloux, Adam Engstrom and David Reinbacher. #4. For all the trade happy people, trade and move on from Mike Mathenson, Alexander Carrier and Jayden Struble. #5. The biggest issue by far is the zero physicality on the roster other than Arber Xhekaj. Stop trying to trade highly touted A-Level talent and prospects. #6. Group one staring 6 on defense for the Montreal Canadiens is extremely clear. Those 6 should be Lane Hutson/David Reinbacher. Logan Mailloux/Kaiden Guhle and Adam Engstrom/Arber Xhekaj. #7. If Kaiden Guhle’s injuries continue replace him with OWEN PROTZ.. #8. Congratulations to Juraj Slafkovsky as he has been named to the 2026 Slovakian Olympic Team. #9. The really sad part of all the Logan Mailloux trade rumors, is that it being driven by his past history. #10. The Montreal Canadiens do not need Nicolas Hague unless it’s a swap of Michael Pezzetta for Michael Hague. #11. The Montreal Canadiens sign 2022 3rd round pick Left Winger Vinzenz Rohrer to a 3-year entry level contract, will his game and does his game translate to the NHL level? #12. Regarding Celeb Desnoyers, unless the Montreal Canadiens can obtain the 4th overall pick from the Utah Hockey for Patrik Laine, Kirby Dach, Mike Matheson, Jayden Struble, all the first refusal signing rights to their free agents or some combination, Utah can keep the pick. #13. Lane Hutson was hands down the de facto choice for rookie of the year. Congratulations! #14. Arber Xhekaj is by far the most valuable player of the Montreal Canadiens. #15. Nick Suzuki deserved heart/MVP and lady Bing trophy votes. #16. Connor Hellebuck was the legit Vezina Trophy Winner, but, he was not the MVP of the League. #17. Chris Kreider traded to the Anaheim Ducks? #18. Congratulations to the Montreal Canadiens ECHL Club the Trois Rivieres Lions who the Kelly Trophy. #19. Why would the Montreal Canadiens trade for Noah Dobson? #20. The best days of Jonathan Marchessault are clearly behind him. Montreal does not need him or his contract. #21. Why and how does acquiring Alexis Lafreniere even make remote since to anyone? #22. Emil Heineman is a primary piece of Montreal’s future. #23. Not seeing Olivier Kapanen’s games translating to the NHL. #24. Mason West would be an excellent 2nd round pick by the Montreal Canadiens. #25. Doesn’t look like Pascal Vincent is going to be poached by another team.

Hello Hockey Fans. Get your hockey fix, episode 161 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived, this week’s topics include- #1. Finally, some much needed rationality by Grant McCagg. #2. The Montreal Canadiens and the Laval Rockets lost in the NHL and AHL playoffs for the exact same reason! #3. Reality check time. The Montreal Canadiens have absolutely no physicality on their roster other than Arber Xhekaj. #4. Now that the 2024/2025 season has concluded for the Laval Rockets. The actual A-Level prospects are Florian Xhekaj, Luke Tuch, Adam Engstrom, David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux and Jacob Fowler, Michael Hage, Tyler Thorpe and Owen Protz. #5. Other possible and promising prospects could be, Vinzenz Rohrer, Jared Davidson, Sam Harris, Bogdan Konyushkov or Yevgeni Volokhin, but the jury is still out these prospects, TBD #6. There is still a lot of work to done for the Montreal Canadiens. #7. There is still a lot drafting and development to do in Montreal. #8. Time to move on from Kirby Dach, Patrik Laine, Jake Evans, Josh Anderson, Alex Newhook, Mike Matheson, Alexandre Carrier, Jayden Struble, Filip Mesar, Owen beck, Joshua Roy, Oliver Kapanen, Riley Kidney, Xavier Simoneau, Filip Eriksson, Quentin Miller, Luke Mittelstadt, Jack Smith, Blake Biondi, Cayden Primeau and this is on top of letting Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak and Michael Pezzetta walking off into free agency. #9. Off season concern number 1: Samual Montembeau needs to play 50 games max and Jakub Dobes plays in 32 for both to be effective. #10. Off season concern number 2: The right side of the Canadiens defense needs to consist of David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux and Adam Enstrom. #11. Offseason concern number 3: Lack of physicality and lack of wolf pack mentality. #12. The 2025/2026 player roster is inclusive of David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux, Adam Engstrom Florion Xhekaj, Luke Tuch and Tyler Thrope or Montreal has no chance of improving next season. #13. There are obvious reasons why the Dallas Stars, Las Vegas Golden Knights, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Colorado Avalanche are the most consistent teams. #14. Hopefully the Montreal Canadiens are looking really close at the Florida Panthers of the NHL, and the London Knights of the OHL. #15. 1st round picks at 16th and 17th for the Montreal Canadiens should be Danill Prokhorov and Vaclav Nestrasil. #16. The 2 picks in the 2nd round by Montreal should be Cole Amico and Mason West. #17. Why Dan Muse in Pittsburgh. #18. Why Marco Sturm in Boston. #19. It was a mistake to fire Peter DeBoer in Dallas. #20. Marco Rossi is not a viable solution in Montreal. #21. Sidney Crosby would not be a fit in Montreal. #22. Vancouver can keep Elis Pettersson, no thank you.

Hello Hockey fans out there. Episode 160 of the Hockey Free For All Poacast has arrived for you to enjoy and get your weekly hockey fix, this week’s topics include- #1. Let’s talk about really bad ideas and likely new level catastrophic organizational rumors. #2. Rumors out of Montreal that just bring a new level to stupidity. #3. No current player in the entire league is worth the insane compensation packages that are being demanded. #4. Logan Mailloux is a potential Norris Trophy caliber defensemen. #5. Anyone remember how fantastically well the Ryan McDonaugh and Mikhail Sergachev trades worked out for the Montreal Canadiens? #6. The 2025 NHL Entry Draft has tremendous depth throughout the entire 1st round and well beyond, that would allow the Montreal Canadiens to fill many organizational that they still have. #7. It really sounds good to anyone, that the Montreal Canadiens should mortgage away and destroy their team to acquire a 38-year-old? #8. Ya, let’s trade away a highly skilled level of talent in that the Montreal Canadiens have not seen in decades for aging or underperforming players that bring with then bloated contract that will handcuff the team for the long term. That’s a great idea! #9. Here’s yet another stunningly great idea in the package to acquire Sidny Crosby, include as part of the excessive compensation your one and only pure scorer. Anybody home? Hello! Wow, really? #9. Ya. Let’s acquire the 35-year-old Johnathan Marchessault who is clearly in decline and on the back 9 of his NHL career and who brings 4-years of his bloated NHL contract with him. That’s an outstanding idea. #10. The purest definition of ignorance ever. Montreal acquires Elis Pettersson from the Vancouver Canucks for following insane compensation package. A-Level Prospect Michael Hage, A-Level Prospect Logan Mailloux, Forward Patrik Laine, Center Kirby Dach, and if that is not nuts enough, both the 1st round draft picks that the Montreal Canadiens hold, in the first round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft as well. I would not make this trade to acquire Conner McDavid. The Vancouver Canucks would end up with more compensation for Elis Pettersson, than the Edmonton Oilers received from the L.A. Kings, when they acquired Wayne Gretzky, and there is no player in the entire NHL today better than, equal too, more skilled than or that impacted the game like Wayne Gretzky, no one even remotely.

Hello Hockey Fans, take a listen to Episode 159 of the Hockey Free For all Podcast to get you’re your hockey fix, this week’s topics include- #1. Florian Xhekaj will be a very important player for the Montreal Canadiens. #2. The Compensation package for players that could or might be available around the NHL are off the charts ridiculous. Teams are asking for more than what the Edmonton Oilers got for Wayne Gretzky, and no player in the league today even comes remotely close to Wayne Gretzky. #3. There are multiple reasons beyond just the supposed 2nd center need to swap Filip Mesar with the Carolina Hurricane for Ryan Suzuki. #4. Anybody else starting to draw comparisons of Johnathan Drouin and Kirby Dach? #5. A trade of Kirby Dach to the Philadelphia Flyers for defenseman Jamie Drysdale is a legit scenario only because both of these players are entering the final year of their current contracts, so it’s a one-year test for both the Montreal Canadiens and the Philadelphia Flyers. #6. Logan Mailloux, David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom should all have first shots at roster position before anyone from the outside does. #7. Cayden Primeau should be the number 1 goalie in Laval. He turned his season around, He’s carried the team, He had an enormous role in getting the team to where they are at and he’s earned it, as for the summer, its TDB! #8. The 2024/2025 Stanley Cup Final will be a repeat of the 2023/2024 Stanley Cup Final as both the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers have made it all the way back in a rematch. #9. The Montreal Canadiens do not need to sign pending free agent Left Winger Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets. #10. Trade Patrik Laine to either the Pittsburgh Penguins or the Vancouver Canucks for the 11th or 15th overall pick respectively. #11. I say Mitch Marner ends up in one of 3 teams. Either the Las Vegas Golden knights or the Florida Panthers because of tax and weather reasons, or the Kyle Dubas factor with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Hello Hockey Fans. Take a listen to Episode 158 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast. This episode discussions include- #1. The Montreal Canadiens have absolutely no need for Alexis Lafreniere. #2. The Montreal Canadiens need to keep all their own prospects and draft picks. #3. In addition to not needing Alexis Lafreniere of the Rangers, Montreal has no need for Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks, Dawson Mercer of the Devils or the often-injured Marco Rossi from the Minnesota Wild. All of these teams are asking for greater compensation than the Edmonton Oilers got for Wayne Gretzky, and not one of them or all of them collectively are near Wayne Gretzky’s talent. #4. Listen to why the Montreal Canadiens do not need Bo Horvat and Noah Dobson either. #5. David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux and Adam Engstrom are all already better than Noah Dobson. #6. The Montreal Canadiens have at least 8 options that they internally platoon in the 2nd center position? #7. It doesn’t stop. The Montreal Canadiens do not need to acquire Mason McTavish. #8. Dallas Stars are looking really good. #9. The Florida Panthers didn’t beet the Toronto Maple Leaf’s, the Florida Panthers smoked the Leaf’s. #10. The Florida Panthers are destroying the Carolina Hurricanes, its not even a contest #11. Wild 3rd period between the Dallas stars and the Edmonton Oilers in game 1. #12. The Montreal Canadiens need to keep all their 2025 draft pick and keep adding talent. #13. Lots of options at 16 and 17 for Montreal in the first round of the 2025 draft. Brady Martin, Cameron Reid, Cater Bear, Ivan Ryabkin, William Moore, William Horcroff, Lynden Lakovic, Logan Hensler and many more. #14. Will the New York Islanders select Center James Hagens of Boston College? #15. Want to bet that Mitch Marner lines up with Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh next season? #16. Very Likely John Tavares will be back and Mitch Marner will not in Toronto. #17. Mathew Knies next contract will be very interesting after an outstanding 2nd half of the regular season and the playoffs. #18. The Boston Bruins sign General Manager Don Sweeney to a new 2 year contract. #19. The Toronto Maple Leaf’s allow the New York Islanders to speak with Brendan Shanahan. #20. The Toronto Maple Leaf’s have released and will not be resigning Team President Brendan Shanahan. #21. The New York Islanders did not select Marc Bergevin as their next General Manager, they chose Mathew Darch as their new and next General Manager. #22. The Toronto Maple Leaf’s have the most interesting offseason of all Canadiens teams. #23. The Chicago Blackhawks have hired Jeff Blashill as their new and next head coach. #24. Here’s 2 actual interesting options for the Montreal Canadiens, Ryan Suzuki and Issac Howard?

Hello Hockey Fans. Episode 157 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived for your enjoyment. This week’s discussions include- #1. Marc Bergevin would be a solid selection as President of Hockey Operations for the New York Islanders. #2. Mathew Darch would be an excellent choice as the New York Islanders next General Manager. #3. The New York Islanders have won the NHL draft lottery. Do they select defenseman Matthew Schaefer or Center James Hagens, Hear why. #4. Jaccob Fowler is having a lights out performance in Laval and making his case to be the number 1 goalie in Montreal next season. #5. Ivan Ryabkin and William Moore are the pick for Montreal at the 16th and 17th selection spots in the 2025 NHL draft. #6. Stop the insanity , the Montreal Canadiens do not need Sidney Crosby, Mathew Barzal or Bo Horvat! #7. Sidney Crosby is 38 and would cost far too many assets and draft capital, and by himself does not make the Montreal Canadiens winners of the Stanley Cup. #8. Mathew Barzal is a more effective winger than center and is far too inconsistent, for what he is paid. #9. Bo Horvat has 7-years left on an ungodly expensive contract. #10. Do not let Cayden Primeau just walk away for nothing, hear why. Florian Xhehaj, Brandan Gallagher, ring a bell? #11. Here’s a trade that actually make sense for a lot of reasons. Send Right Wing Prospect Filip Mesar to the Carolina Hurricanes straight for prospect center Ryan Suzuki. #12. Rob Blake outs as L.A. Kings General Manager. #13. Ken Holland in as the new L.A. Kings General Manager. #14. Rick Tocchet out as Head Coach of the Vancouver Canucks. #15. Adam Foote in as the new Head Coach of the Vancouver Canucks. #16. Rick Tocchet named as the 25th Head Coach of the Philadelphia Flyers. #17. Looks like the Toronto Maple Leaf’s are about to choke once again, as the Florida Panthers after being down 2 games to none, are about to knock them out of the 2024/2025 playoffs. #18. The Dallas Stars look like they are wiping the ice with the Winnipeg Jet’s. #19. The Edmonton Oilers are waiting for their next opponent. #20. The Carolina Hurricanes looked poised to eliminate the Washington Capitals. #21. Has anyone else notice the migration of Montreal Canadiens goalie prospect Quinten Miller, from the QMJHL, to Chiliwack of the BCHL and is now heading to the University of Denver next season. Here’s to him finding the home he has been searching for. #22. Hats off to Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Lane Huston and Juraj Slafkovsky for declining an invitations to play for team Canada, USA and Slovakia. These 4 players clearly understand their health and recovery far exceeds the importance of anything or anyone else.

Hello Hockey Fans, welcome to Episode 156 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast #1. Here’s a trade for all of the relentless blood thirsty people that have just been dying to trade away every player and prospect in the Montreal Organization, Filip Mesar to the Carolina Hurricanes straight up for Center Prospect Ryan Suzuki. #2. A blatant example of stupidity. Why Montreal Canadiens trade 4 1st round pick and prospect Michael Hage to acquiring Sydney Crosby? Ignorance knows no boundaries. #3. Why would Montreal destroy team chemistry, the looker room, player roles and start their rebuild all over again? #4. Sidney Crosby, Conner McDavid, Leon Draisaitl or any other individual player in the entire NHL would not be enough on their own to propel Montreal to a 25th Stanley Cup and Parade. Stop with the insanity. #5. The Montreal’s roster has no physicality other than Arber Xhekaj, plain and simple. #6. The Montreal Canadiens do not need to look outside of their own organization to replace David Savard. #7. Do not let Cayden Primeau walk for nothing. If nothing else get a 4th to 7th round pick for him. Why? Brendan Gallagher, Jake Evan, Sean Ferrall, Tyler Thorp and many others were all mid to late round draft picks. #8. Oliver Kapanen and Cayden Primeau were sent down to the Laval Rockets for their playoff run. Why wasn’t Iven Demidov? #9. The New York Rangers hire Mike Sullivan as their next head coach. #10. Peter Laviolette as Penguins head coach? #11. Gerard Gallant makes far more since in Pittsburgh. #12. Here’s to wishing a lot of luck to Kyle Dubas, he’s going to need it. There’s an enormous firestorm heading his way. #13. Mitch Marner to the Penguins in the offseason? #14. Apparently, coaches are not the only ones loosing their jobs. L.A. Kings Vp/G.M. Rob Blake have mutually agreed to part ways. #15. Mathew Darch is the perfect choice for the L.A. Kings next General Manager. #16. Don’t be surprised at all if Marc Bergevin is named President of Hockey Operations for the N.Y. Islanders. #17. Is time for the Montreal Canadiens to move on from Christian, Dvorak, Joel Armia or Michael Pezzetta. #18. At a Minimum, Ivan Demidov, Owen Beck, Jared Davidson, David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux and Adam Engstrom are all ready to claim their roster spots. #19. In 2025/2026 Arber Xhekaj needs to play in all 82 games plus all playoffs in a regular every game role. #20. Trade Patrik Laine to the Vancouver Canucks for their first draft in the 2025 NHL entry draft, which is 15th overall, and there at it, include Oliver Kapanen for a 2nd and Gustav Lindstrom for a 3rd. #21. What a fantastic game 7 between the Winnipeg Jets and the St. Louis blues.

Hello Hockey fan’s take a listen to episode 155 of the Hockey Free For Podcast to get your hockey fix, this week’s topics include- #1. Patrik Laine has been a non-factor since arriving and right the playoff series against the Washington Capitals. #2. An Offseason move for the Montreal Canadiens is to trade Patrik Laine to the Vancouver Canucks for their 1st round pick in the 2025 NHL entry draft, and if Montreal can unload Oliver Kapanen for Vancouvers 2nd round pick, and Gustav Lindstrom for Vancouvers 3 round pick in the 2025 NHL entry draft all the better. #3. Montreal Goaltender Samual Montembeau, Forwards Laine, Gallagher, Anderson and defensemen David Savard and Alexander Carrier are all injured. #4. They playoff experience is invaluable for the Montreal Canadiens, but they were clearly out matched and out played. #5. The Montreal Canadiens clearly showed they have no physical presence on their roster, outside of Arber Xhekaj, and it showed from puck drop of game 1. #6. The Major offseason move is not to pay a ridiculous excessive price for a 2nd line center or 2nd pairing right-handed defenseman, its to add the next layer of prospects that are ready to supply, and provide Physicality, grit and sandpaper to the line up that desperately need it to take the next step, and Montreal has everyone of those players in their existing prospect pool in Florian Xhekaj, Tyler Thorp, Luke Tuch, Jared Davidson, Owen Protz, Lucas Condotta, and Owen Beck, and additionally Owen Beck plays a gritty 200 foot game with a faceoff win percentage above 70%, which is also a significant need to control games, and keep the puck out of the oppositions offensive hands, all of these players are the physicality, grit, sandpaper and glue, and as equally as important as the top 6 are. #7. The Montreal Canadiens had no answers for Tom Wilson at 6’ 04 230lbs plus, Protas at 6’ 06 and 247 lbs, Alex Alexeyev at 6’ 04 229 lbs, John Carlson at 6’ 03 223 lbs, Jakob Chychrun at 6’ 02 216 lbs, Brandon Duhaime at 6’ 02 210lbs, Dylan McIirath at 6’ 05 240lbs or Alex Ovechkin at 6’ 03 230lbs. #8. Even current larger Montreal players such as Patrik Laine, Joel Armia or Kirby Dach have been and remain non-physical factors. #9. The Montreal Canadiens no doubt have the talent, skills and ability to score and create offense with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Ivan Demidov, Lane Hutson and Juraj Slafkovsky. #10. But other than Arber Xhekaj, there is zero physicality, sandpaper or grit in the Montreal lineup, and it glaringly showed and was the difference in the series against the Washington Capitals without question. #11. The playoff series against the Washington Capitals showed Juraj Slafkovsky exactly what he needs to focus on and accomplish in the offseason and what he needs to be and the game he needs to bring for the Montreal from the second he hits the ice in training camp. Juraj Slafkovsky needs to evolve into a combination of Alexander Ovechkin, Tom Wilson and Jaromir Jagr. #12. Learning time is over, fun time is over, I’m not sure of my self-time has ended and being surprised, caught off guard time has concluded and the understanding honey moon has come to a conclusion. It’s time for Juraj Slafkovsky to live up to his draft selection. #13. The starting 6 defensemen for the Montreal Canadiens in the 2025/2026 season must include David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux and Adam Engstrom. #14. David Reinbacher is a very calm, smooth fluid defenseman. #15. Logan Mailloux is a gifted offensive, very smooth skating righthanded defenseman with a nasty mean streak. #16. Adam Engstrom is a consistent 2-way defenseman who plays a safe and nearly flawless game.

Hello hockey fans, welcome to Episode 154 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast, anything goes, topics include- #1. It’s not a big off season, coming for Kent Hughes. Not even remotely close #2. The Montreal Canadiens have all the talent they need internally for every single position. #3. There is no void to fill with David Savard’s retirement. #4. Lane Hutson does not belong paired with Kaiden Guhle even remotely. #5. Lane Hutson should be paired with David Reinbacher. #6. Logan Mailloux is the ideal pairing partner for Kaiden Guhle. #7. Davide Savard and Jayden Struble are not having a good playoffs. #8. Montreal Needs Arber Xhekaj bad in the playoffs. #9. Alexander Carrier has vanished. #10. Montreal Canadiens prospect Sam Harris has not turned his back on the Montreal Canadiens. #11. Does anyone actually care if Juraj Slafkovsky colors his hair blonde, if the Canadiens made the playoffs. #12. Jacob Fowler needs to be allowed to develop properly. #13. Don’t sleep on this Montreal Canadiens prospect, RW Tyler Thorpe. #14. Let’s give Ivan Demidov a chance to develop first and get paired with the proper linemates. #15. The Seattle Kraken Promote General Manager Ron Francis to team President. #16. Jason Botterill promoted to G.M. of the Seattle Kraken. #17. The Seattle Kraken Fire Head Coach Dan Bylsma. #18. Lou Lamoriello out as Islanders G.M. #19. The New York Rangers fire Head Coach Peter Laviolette. #20. Amazingly, Chris Drury signs a new multi-year contract. #21. Joel Quenneville option for the New York Rangers as their next Head Coach. #22. The Vancouver Canucks have a mess on their hands. #23. After only 1-year of existence, players are already leaving Utah, not good. #24. Pittsburgh Penguins President and General manager Kyle Dubas sends clear organizational message of expectations. #25. The Philadelphia Flyers have to find a coach and councilor. #26. Put in Arber Xhekaj or get ready to lose in the playoffs. #27. The Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, Las Vegas Golden Knights, Toronto Maple Leaf’s and Dallas stars look the best so far. #28. Let’s see an all-Canadian team Final between the Winnipeg Jets and the Toronto Maple Leaf’s. #29. Trade Patrik Laine to the Vancouver Canucks for the 1st round draft pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. #30. Too bad Joel Armia wasn’t traded for a 2nd round pick. #31. Oliver Kapanen has clearly looked out of place. #32. Emil Heineman doesn’t look right. #33. The Montreal Canadiens 2025/2026 roster clearly needs Arber Xhekaj, Florian Xhekaj, Owen Beck, Logan Mailloux, David Reinbacher, Jared Davison, Lucas Condotta, Sean Farrell, Luke Tuch and Adam Engstrom all as regulars. #34. A starting 6 defenseman of David Reinbacher/Lane Hutson, Logan Mailloux/Kaiden Guhle and Adam Engstrom/Arber Xhekaj is must on day 1 of the 2025/2026 season in Montreal. #35. Martin St. Louis stay’s, replace the rest with.

Hello hockey fans, welcome to Good Friday Episode 153 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast. This week’s Topics Include- #1. Congratulations to Ivan Demidov for his multi point opening night. The NHL overreached excessively by fining Ivan Demidov for not wearing a helmet in the pregame, and league officials should be fired for it. #3. Olivier Kapanen should be sent down to Laval for their playoff run. He’s clearly over his head right now. #4. How is it Montreal beats teams like the Florida Panthers or The Las Vegas Golden Knights who are elite teams in the NHL but struggles against team like the Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks? #5. The Montreal Canadiens do not need Erik Karlsson in any way shape or form. #6. Congratulations to Lane Hutson on passing Chris Chelios for most points by a Montreal Canadien rookie defenseman. #7. Here’s a trade that actually would make sense. How about sending right wing prospect Filip Mesar straight up to the Carolina Hurricanes for center prospect Ryan Suzuki? #8. David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux are you number 1 and 2 right-handed defenseman starting in 2025/2026. Montreal does not need to acquire a right-handed defenseman #9. Alex Newhook’s game has both improved and changed as the center between Ivan Demidov and Patrik Laine. Alex Newhook can use both his speed and puck distribution skills to both position, and set up, his 2 goal scoring winters, and match them stride for stride, as all 3 of these players are excellent skaters. #10. Why is the NHL so star struck and dead set on the Atlanta and Pheonix markets for expansion. It’s been tried and it did not work at all. Houston TX, Quebec City Who already has an NHL ready to go rink, Portland O.R., Hamilton Ont., Kansas City Kansas “who already has a ready to go NHL rink or Kitchener Ont are all exponentially better options, and it seems like Kansas City Kansas and Quebec City are the hands down obvious choices, given they already have (NEW) NHL ready rinks built. Hello, anybody home? #11. Patrik Laine is a toxic player #12. If Montreal wants to move up in the draft trade Laine straight up or as part of the package. #13. Jakob lhl-Wozniak is not what Montreal Needs to draft in 2025. #14. I bet the Montreal Canadiens go off the draft board slightly in the first round and keep both of the first round draft picks and select Ivan Ryabkin-Center and Jack Nesbitt-Center, with their selection positions.

Hello Hockey fans out there. Take a listen to Episode 152 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast, the Alex Ovechkin and Ivan Demidov all Russian episode. #1. Alexander Ovechkin has– Played 20 years in the NHL Started his career with winning the rookie of the year with a 52 goal, 54 assist and 106 point rookie season. Has had a 65-goal season Has had Nine 50 goal plus season’s Has Had Five 40 goal plus season’s Tied Wayne Gretzky’s goal scoring record in the exact same amount of seasons and games. Won the Calder Memorial Trophy in his rookie season Has won the Art Ross Trophy once Has won the Hear Memorial Trophy as the MVP of the NHL (3) Times Has won the Lester B Person Trophy Has won the Ted Lindsay Award Twice Won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the Playoffs in the 2017/2018 when the Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup. And that’s not enough, has won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy 9 times. That’s right 9 times. #2. Yet. Somehow there are people questioning his amazing career and achievements. #3. There was a report saying, left wingers are the least import players of all on a team’s roster. #4. Is there anyone who wouldn’t have wanted Steve Shutt, Luc Robitaile, Maurice Richard, Brett Hull, Henri Richard, Jaromir Jagr, Yvan Cournoyer or Guy Lafleur on their team. If wingers are the least important. Explain this please. Can’t wait to hear that reasoning. #5. Extremely unlikely, that anyone currently in the NHL catches or Breaks Alexander Ovechkin’s goal total. #6. Thankfully for Ivan Demidov, he flew into Toronto. #7. Give Ivan Demidov Space. #8. Give Ivan Demidov the time to develop. #9. Give Ivan Demidov the opportunity to get his footing and to adapt to a massive amount of life changes, as he has just left his family, friends and every single thing familiar to him behind, and now finds himself at 19-years of age, in a brand new foreign country, he no one outside of the organization and is looking for a place to live and start his life and career. #10. At a minimum, until after the completion of the 2024/2025 regular season, after the conclusion of the 2024/2025 playoffs, until after the 2025/2026 rookie camp has completed and after the 2025/2026 training camp and preseason has completed, there is for any expectations on this prospect. #11. Once Ivan Demidov has regular linemates, knows what line he is playing on, and what the responsibility of his line is, can there even begin to be any kind of expectation.

Hello Hockey Fans. Here is Episode 151 of the Hockey Free For All podcast to get your hockey fix, topics of discussion this week include- #1. So much for Head Coach John Tortorella’s time in Philadelphia. #2. The Game, the league and its players have changed, can John Tortorella adapt, or is he done. #3. Can’t wait to see Alexander Ovechkin break Wayne Gretzky’s scored goal record and set a new record, he deserves it, he’s earned it, and I hope Ovechkin hits 900 plus goals this year. #4. It’s highly unlikely Joshua Roy returns to Montreal in 2025/2026. #5. Arber Xhekaj is a top 6 defenseman without question. #6. Without Arber Xhekaj as a core member of the team, the Montreal Canadiens do not win the Stanley Cup. #7. The Washington Capitals have signed their number 1 prospect winger Ryan Leonard out of Boston College. #8. Montreal Canadiens Goalie prospect Jacob Fowler should return to Boston College. #9. Finish center Oliver Kapanen’s season has concluded in Sweden and has been added to the Montreal Canadiens roster. #10. The Canadiens should create a 2nd line of Oliver Kapanen at center with Patrik Laine and Emil Heineman on the wings for the rest of the 2024/2025 season and see what they have and how they gel. Do they discover their 2nd line without making any lop sided trades? #11. Can’t wait to see winger Ivan Demidov in uniform, in Montreal in 2025/2026 #12. The New York Rangers sign their top prospect, winger Gabe Perreault. #13. The Colorado Avalanche have signed Cale Makar’s younger brother Taylor who’s 6’ 04 209 lbs to a 1-year entry level deal of 925.000 thousand dollars #14. Highly unlikely Montreal Canadiens defensive prospect David Reinbacher makes an appearance in the 2024/2025 season. #15. Logan Mailloux is exactly what and who Kaiden Guhle needs to be paired up with, starting in 2025/2026 #16. If Kaiden Guhle’s injuries do not come to an end, it’s very easy to see him replaced by Adam Engstrom, who then pairs with Logan Mailloux. #17. The first pair for the Montreal Canadiens defense looks like David Reinbacher and Lane Hutson. #18. Speaking of Lane Hutson, is there any question at all, that he wins the Calder Trophy in the 2024/2025 season? #19. Jayden Struble on the right and Aber Xhekaj on the left are the perfect 3rd pair to offset the top 4, as they bring an entirely different and desperately needed skill set and game style to the defense. #20. Montreal Canadiens prospect, center Michael Hage has already announced, he is returning to the University of Michigan. #21. Keep your eyes on Montreal prospect center Florian Xhekaj who will hit, break and surpass the 20-goal mark in his rookie season in Laval this season. #22. Connor Bedard is not even remotely worth 17 million per season, he’s at best a 3-million-dollar player in his next contract.

Hello Hockey Fan’s, out there. Take a listen to Episode 150 of the Hockey free For all Podcast to get your hockey fix. This week’s topics include- #1. Montreal did not need Dylan Cozens! #2. Montreal Doesn’t need to acquire Trevor Zegras. #3. Montreal does not need to acquire Matthew Barzal, unless its straight up for Patrik Laine and Kirby Dach, and at the end of Barzals current contract in the 2026/2027 season, that carries a 9.15 annual cap hit, Montreal trades Barzal for multiple 1st round picks. #4. Montreal is far better off platooning Owen Beck, Oliver Kapanen and Alex Newhook for the remainder of his current contract, rather than acquiring someone over paid and underperforming from another NHL club. #5. Ivan Demidov, hasn’t even arrived yet, what is wrong with you people? #6. Yes, Michael Hage has announced that he will be returning to the University of Michigan for his sophomore season, that doesn’t translate to Montreal taking on a bloated contract of an underperforming player to just say they filled a roster spot.#7. There is no player in the NHL worthy of Montreal Trading Michael Hage, David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux, Adam Engstrom, Owen Beck, Tyler Thorp, Owen Protz, Jacob Fowler, Florian Xhekaj, Jaruj Slafkovsky Jakob Dobes, Cole Caufield, Sean Farrell, Luke Tuch or Jared Davidson for. They are all important pieces to the rebuild, that they will not nearly receive anything remotely in equal value for any of those prospects, from any club in the league, which is why every team would absolutely love to obtain any or all of them. #8. Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton are doing an exceptional job. Montreal has done exceptional drafting. #9. Carter Bear and Justin Carbonneau are exactly the types of wingers Montreal to round out their talented prospect pool with. #10. I hope David Savard retires and takes a defensive coaching or player/prospect developmental position at the NHL/AHL and ECHL levels. #11. Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia and Michael Pezzetta need to be allowed to walk away the completion of the 2024/2025, or as soon as the season end’s, trade their rights to a team and if that team signs them, Montreal receives agreed to draft compensation. #12. Patrik Laine, Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook and Joshua Roy, all need to be traded. They do not fit into Montreal’s rebuild and are not the right types of players. #13. Definitely hold onto Left Defensive Prospect Adam Engstrom. If Kaiden Guhle’s history of injuries does not stop with the conclusion of the 2024/2025 season, it’s time to trade Kaiden Guhle and replace him with Adam Engstrom. Nearly identical height and weight. At the moment Guhle is better defensively, Engstrom is better offensively, both are excellent skaters, and excellent in the transition game. https://Hockeyfreeforall.podbean.com/e/episode-150-of-the-hockey-for-all-podcast-03-28-2025/

Hello Hockey fan’s out there. Here is Episode 149 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast to listen to and get your hockey fix, topics of discussion include- #1. Sean Farrell has arrived and is having a tremendous 2nd half in Laval. #2. Joshua Roy is on his way out, unless he does a complete180. #3. Lucas Conndotta signs a new 2-year contract extension with the Montreal Canadiens. #4. Josh Andersson has found the right spot this season. #5. Josh Anderson chose the perfect time to wear the new cut protections clothing. #6. Montreal Does not need to resign David Savard. #7. Montreal Does not need to resign Christian Dvorak, with only exception being? #8. Montreal Does not need to resign Joel Armia. #9. Montreal can let Michael Pezzetta go. #10. Nick Suzuki is Patrice Bergeron 2.0 #11. Nick Suzuki is an Elite NHL center. #12. Who are the 24 NHL centers supposedly in front or/better than Nick Suzuki? #13. Are there 24 Mario Lemieux’s in the NHL, I think not! #14. There’s no better team captain in the NHL better, than Nick Suzuki! #15. I wouldn’t trade Michael Hage, Ivan Demidov, David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux, Owen Beck, Arber Xhekaj, Florian Xhekaj, Jacob Fowler or Jakub Dobes straight up for Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl! #16. Before calling me clueless, take a deep look into the mirror. #17. Yes, Connor McDavid is one of the fastest, purest gifted skaters and puck handlers in the entire world. #18. Yes, Leon Draisaitl one of the best goal scorers and there’s room for the argument of he is one of the best 2-way center in the NHL. Yes, that argument can certainly be made. #19. Michael Hage, Ivan Demidov, David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux, Owen Beck, Arber Xhekaj, Florian Xhekaj, Jacob Fowler or Jakub Dobes are all future top level/elite NHL players. #20. Want proof? Patrik Laine is the perfect current example. #21. It’s a locust market that invades and infringes on alone time, family time, get away time, recovery time, rejuvenation time or any other kind of time of players or their families. #22. Family members of a player on social media platforms even get trolled! #23. Connor McDavid is extremely private and is not particularly fond of the media. Want proof, recall his response to the media member of 2-years ago #24. Not so long ago the Montreal Canadiens entered a season with 5 rookie defenseman and nearly everyone blew a gasket. Opps, it thrived. #25. Why can’t Alex Newhook fill in as the number 2 center for the 2025/2026 season? #26. Why can’t Alex Newhook, Owen beck or Oliver Kapanen platoon in the 2nd center roll in the 2025/2026 season, If Michael Hage was to return to the University of Michigan? #27. Montreal has no need for unproven, underachieving players like Trevor Zegras, Dylon Cozens and countless others with bloated contracts. #28. Too bad the KHL doesn’t like the fact that Ivan Demidov doesn’t want to sign another KHL contract.

Hello hockey fans. Take a listen to Episode 148 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast and get your hockey fix this week. Topics include- #1. Why would anyone think Mitch Marner should have waved his no trade clause for the Toronto Maple Leaf’s? #2. Mitch Marner has more than earned the privilege to determine where he wants to go. #3. Mitch Marner is the Number one player on the Toronto Maple Leaf’s Roster. #4. Mitch Marner is the Swiss army knife of the Toronto Maple Leaf’s and bring more to the table than any other player on the Toronto Maple Leaf’s Roster by far. #5. William Nylander is the number 2 and 2nd most important player on the Toronto Maple Leaf’s roster. #6. Austin Matthews is the number 3 player of importance on the Toronto maple Leaf’s roster, has a concerning injury history and is a one trick pony. #7. Hockey is a business. Organizations understand that, and the players understand that. #8. What is wrong with those in Montreal, that want the Canadiens Organization to mortgage away all of its prospects for overpaid, underperforming, overrated and yet to do anything at the NHL level players with bloated long-term contracts, that will negatively saddle the club financially for the better part of a decade? #9. Kent Hughs and Jeff Gorton are doing it right. #10. If I had been offered a 2nd round draft pick for Joel Armia, I don’t know if I could have passed that up, but Kent Hugh’s stood his ground and has given his players a chance to prove it and made no additions or deletions to his roster. #11. It’s going to be very interesting to see where the Montreal Canadiens finish in the standing and to see if they can make and take a playoff spot? #12. At a minimum, the players have to know that Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak, Michael Pezzetta and David Savard won’t return next season and that there is a better than average chance that Patrik Laine, Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook and Josh Anderson could not return as well, in 2025/2026 season. #13. No one has drafted better than the Montreal Canadiens for the last 5-years and the 2025 NHL entry could be extremely interesting as Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak, Michael Pezzetta and David Savard could just end up walking away. But, what if Patrik Laine, Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, Filip Mesar and Logan Mailloux were moved for 1st round picks, and Josh Anderson and Joshua Roy were moved for 2nd round picks in the 2025 NHL entry draft?

Hello Hockey Fans out there, take a listen to Episode 147 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast to get your hockey fix, and catch up the annual NHL trade deadline that expired at 3pm eastern time today. #1. The Kirby Dach experiment in Montreal is over. #2. Moving forward at best, Dack is the 1st or 2nd line right winger or will be no longer be with the organization at the end of his current contract. #3. The Montreal Canadiens do not need to acquire a 2nd line center. They already have the 1st, 2nd & 3rd lines centers in Nick Suzuki, Michael Hage and Owen Beck moving forward, and Can finish the 2024/2025 season with Nick Suzuki, Alex Newhook, Jake Evans and Christian Dvorak. #4. It’s time for Alex Newhook to prove to the organization he belongs there or its time to move on. #5. Jake Evans signs a new 4-year contract with an annual cap hit of 2.85 million dollars per season, rather than the insane numbers of 4 or 5 million dollars that were being thrown around. #6. The Montreal Canadiens have so many centers, that Oliver Kapanen, Florian Xhekaj and Jared Davidson will be vying for 4th line center minutes, that is stiff roster competition right there. #7. The Montreal Canadiens do not need to and have no need to acquire Simon Nemec, Trevor Zegras, Casey Mittelstadt, Mavrik Bourque or Dylan Cozens and give away far more talented prospects in Logan Mailloux, Joshua Roy or Future 1st round draft picks for unproven severely over paid players, who have all done absolutely nothing to this point of their careers. #8. How did the Ryan McDonagh trade work out? #9. How did the Mikhail Sergachev trade work out? #10. Jonathan Kovocevic for the first day he landed in New Jersey, has been the lock down, lights out number one defenseman for the New Jersey Devils all season long. Trade deadline Highlights #11. Thankfully, the Ottawa Senators have acquired Center Dylan Cozen from the Buffalo Sabres. #12. The Philadelphia Flyers traded forward Scott Laughton along with 4th and 6th round 2025 draft picks to the Toronto Maple Leaf’s for forward Nikkita Grebenkin and a 2027 top 10 protected 1st round draft pick. #13. Carolina Hurricanes Trade RW Mikko Rantanen to The Dallas Stars for Center Logan Stankoven, and 2 first round picks. #14. The Dallas stars have signed the newly acquired RW Mikko Rantanen to a new 8-year 96-million-dollar contract, with an annual cap hit of 12-million per season. #15. The New Jersey Devils have signed defenseman Jonathan Kovacevic to a new 5-year, 20-million-dollar extension with a 4 million per season annual cap hit. #16. The Boston Bruins have sent their team Captain Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers for pending Compensation, TDB. #17. It looks like the Boston Bruins are in full reload mode.

It’s time for Episode 146 pf the Hockey Free For All Podcast, Topics include- #1. Whinny Patrik Laine is back. The honeymoon in Montreal Canadiens is over. #2. Montreal needs to trade Patrik Laine to the Vancouver Canucks, so Laine can line up with Elias Pettersson. The Vancouver Canuck can then concentrate on acquiring Mikko Rantanen to complete the line. #3. What is up with the continued and relentless trade rumors with every possible trade that the Montreal Canadiens could will start with or include Logan Mailloux? #4. Is there just an abysmal lack of understanding in talent level and excellence of this Montreal Canadiens prospect? #5. Unless Montreal Canadiens obtains Cale Makar straight up for Logan Mailloux, by the Colorado Avalanche, no one else is worthy of trading for! #6. Its time to move Patrik Laine’s, Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, Josh Andersson, Christian Dvorak, Jake Evan, Michael Pezzetta, David Savard, Joel Armia and Cayden Primeau to move on, the organization has the replacements on hand #7. This just in, Kirby Dach will miss the remainder of yet another regular season. This is ala Jonathan Drouin all over again. #8. Kirby Dach is far too fragile. #9. Florian Xhekaj was a 4th round steel in the 2023 draft, hab’s fans will love him. #10. Tyler Thorp and Luke Tuch will make excellent linemates for Florian Xhekaj. #11. The Montreal Canadiens have their top 3 centers for the next decade plus. #12. Samual Montembeau returned from the 4-nations tournament a very different player #13. The Montreal Canadiens do not need to focus on the QMJHL in the 2025 draft, they need to focus on the best player/players for the organization. #14. The Montreal Canadiens finally started drafting the organization needs in 2019 after decades of bad drafting. #15. Kaidin Guhle’s injury though not a Knee or Shoulder injury, should be extremely concerning. #16. Kaiden Guhle needs to spend the rest of his recovery time, and all of the off season focused on protecting himself. #17. Arber Xhekaj’s greatest skill above all else is to be told he can’t succeed at something. #18. A line consisting of Brendan Gallagher, Sean Farrell and Raphael Harvey-Pinard for the rest of the 2024/2025 season would be great to watch. #19. Can’t wait to see Alexander Ovechkin break Wayne Gretzky’s all time most goals scored record. #20. I want to see Alexander Ovechkin notch 900 career goals by the end of the 2024/2025 regular season. #21. What’s with these morons that keep calling into question Martin St. Louis coaching? #22. The Montreal Canadiens do not need to trade Brendan Gallagher to the New Jersey Devils and the Montreal Canadiens do not need to acquire any more players on the smaller side. #23. The Montreal Canadiens need to net a 1st round draft pick for Jake Evans.

Hello Hockey Fans out there. Here is Episode 145 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast to take a listen to and get your hockey fix, topics this week include- #1. The fights at the beginning of the game were an unexceptionable disgrace. #2. Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk should have been ejected from the game #3. Canada had injuries too, Cale Makar, Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo. #4. Cale Makar is the undisputed best defensemen in the NHL #5. Fighting is not part of the game, it’s been allowed. There’s an enormous difference and distinction there. #6. Policing, protecting and retaliation to intent to hurt a player on purpose dose justify the permanent elimination of the offender, and sends a message, it will not be tolerated in any way, shape or form, or at any time. #7. Canada looked old in the first game against the United States #8. Canada looked flat in the first game against the United States #9. Canada was clearly relying on its history and past reputation, and didn't show up in the first game against the United States #10. Sidney Crosby was a non-factor in the first game against the United States #11. Connor McDavid was taken out of the remainder of the first game against the United States after scoring. #12. Team Finland and Sweden clearly outmatched in the 4 nations tournament by the United States and Canada, it wasn’t even close. #13. The 4 Nations Tournament was an enormous success for the NHL and far better than any traditional all-star game format. #14. Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid showed up and were engaged in the 4 Nation’s final game, there was a clear difference in their level of intensity, and everyone else fed off of it. #15. NHL All-star games should be replaced with tournaments like the 4 nations tournament, Rendezvous 87 where the best of the NHL lined up in a 2-game contest with the Soviet Selects or go to a different international city, every year and play that countries top team/teams. It would be far more interesting, result in far more viewership, and would be the best possible marketing for the NHL. #16. The 4 Nations Tournament would have been even better if Czechoslovakia, Russia, Slovenia and Germany were part of it. #17. It’s time to stop punishing Russian athletes. They are responsible in any way for the Ukraine war against Russia. The Athletes are being used as Pawns in a geo-political game. The athletes have dedicated their lives to and trained for tournaments, the Olympics and international contests, they have nothing to do with the war, and yet are being punished for it.

Hello Hockey fan’s, take a listen to episode 144 of the Hockey Free For All Podacst as Rumors and behaviors are running rampant. #1. The only way it makes sense for Jakub Dobes to be returned to Laval is? #2. The unacceptable behaviors of Montreal Canadiens fan’s after the the completion of the 4 to nothing shut out by the New Devils. #3. The Unprofessional conduct and treatment of Samual Montembeau at the 4 Nations Tournament? #4. The insanity of acquiring center Dylan Cozens from the Buffalo Sabres, who carries 7.1 million dollar annual cap hit until the 2029/2030 season, are you kidding me? That makes sense on what or who’s planet? #5. Its time for Patrik Laine, Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, Josh Anderson, Christian Devorak, Joel Armia, Jake Evens, Dave Savard, Mike Matheson, Michael Pezzetta, Rapheal Harvey-Pinard and with the resent treatment of Samual Montembeau to all move on #6. The honeymoon ends with the completion of the 2024/2025 season. #7. The Injury to Kaiden Guhle has clearly shows how far away the Montreal Canadiens are from an actual playoff contending team. The loss of this player should not have affected the Canadiens to the level that is has. The Pittsburgh Penguins have lost Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, The Edmonton Oilers have lost Connor McDavid and the Colorado Avalanche have lost their captain Gabriel Landeskog for 277 games and counting and it remained game on, next man up and none of the 3 teams have so much missed a step, let alone catastrophically fallen into despair, like the Montreal Canadiens have since Kaiden Guhle’s injury. If that happens with an injury to Kaiden Guhle, what would happen if Nick Suzuki or Ivan Demidov got hurt? It should be business as usual next man up, but will it be? #8. The expectations increase exponentially on day one of training camp and the regular season of 2025/2026 with the full time arrivals of Ivan Demidov, Michael Hage, Owen Beck, Joshua Roy, David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux , Adam Engstrom, Jakub Dobes, Oliver Kapanen, Jacob Fowler and maybe even Tyler Thorpe, along with sandpaper/grit players Florian Xhekaj, Luke Tuch and Jared Davidson.

Hello Hockey Fans Episode 143 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast is ready to listen to, topics include- #1. Everyone should be ready for another inevitable bottom 5 finish in the league for the Montreal Canadiens for a 3rd year in a row? #2. Why is has Kaiden Guhle’s injury effected the Montreal Canadiens to the degree that it has? #3. The Pittsburgh Penguins have lost and survived without Sidney Crosby, Kris LaTang and Evgeni Malkin. #4. The Colorado Avalanche traded an elite level roster and star player in Mikko Rantanen and have been without their captain Gabrial Landeskog who if he misses the 2024/2025 season, has not played since game 51 of the 2021/2022 season and let’s do the math on that for a moment. That is 271 games consecutively missed, or 3 and 1/3 seasons without their captain, a key player, a cornerstone, and league star, and have remained a top level club? #5. The Montreal Canadiens loose Kainden Guhle and go into a nose dive and completely fall apart? #6. Kaiden Guhle is a good, solid, but he is Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris LaTang, Mikko Rantanen’s or Gabrial Landeskog. Nor is he on that level of importance or impact to his team, sorry, let’s be brutally honest here. #6. The Montreal Canadiens do not have a team wolf pack mentality, clearly, as the St. Louis Blus, Dallas Stars and Boston Bruins do. #7 The Montreal Canadiens lack team resolve. #8. The Montreal Canadiens have no sandpaper element on their roster outside of Arber Xhekaj and Michael Pezzetta, and it’s very obvious. #9. Kaiden Guhle’s injuries and injury history should be a major concern to the Montreal Canadiens, both in the short and long terms. #10. Kaiden Guhle’s Injury should have been simply mitigated by moving Mike Matheson back to his natural left side, so that the left side of the Canadiens defense would then consist of Mike Matheson, Lane Hutson and Arber Xhekaj. The right side of the defense has Alexandre Carrier, David Savard and Jayden Struble, that’s it. Nothing more radical than that. Not wholesale changes of any kind. #11. Why do the Montreal Canadiens have an entire team meltdown when any player on their roster gets hurt? #12. Why have the Montreal Canadiens remained such and extremely fragile team since the end of the 70’s? #13. Chris Nilan is 100% correct, the Montreal Canadiens severely lack bite, fight and unity on their team. #14. Why does an overwhelming amount of people want to make endless ridiculous amounts of trades and pay ridiculous amounts of contract money, when highly skilled players, such as David Reinbacher, Ivan Demidov, Logan Mailloux, Michael Hage, Adam Engstrom, Owen Beck and Jacob Fowler haven’t even arrived yet, or the sandpaper grit players, such Florian Xhakaj, Tyler Thorpe, Luke Tuch and Owen Protz have no even arrived yet?

Hello Hockey Fans out there. Hear is episode 142 topics to take a listen to, to get your hockey fix for the week. Topics include- #1. The Colorado Avalanche decided it was time to change things up and refresh the team. #2. Why is head coach Martin St. Louis being questioned about given the team day’s off. The reasons are obvious and he’s right, and doesn’t need to answer to anyone. #3. Are Mike Matheson, David Savard, Jake Evans, Christian Dvorak, Josh Anderson, Joel Armia, Michael Pezzetta and Cayden Primeau the most likely if anyone to be traded? #4. Wake up, how has Mike Matheson, one of the most important players and leader on the team, become a scapegoat in the eyes of the significantly incompetent? #5. The Kaiden Guhle injury could not only drastically alter the Montreal Canadiens 2024/2025 regular season but significantly change what the Montreal Canadiens do at the 2025 trade deadline and who is or is not available. #6. Really, after an offseason and playing through a continuing regular season, the best 3 names that the NHL’s newest franchise in Utah could come with, are the Mammoth, the current name of the Utah Hockey Club and the Wasatch, seriously! Thankfully the option of the Wasatch has been replaced with the Outlaws today, as its always been the extremely obvious choice from day one, with maybe a distant 2nd option of either the Venom or the Blizzard. #7. Why, and for what possible reason is the NHL even remotely still interested in Atlanta as a franchise location after not 1, but 2 extreme failures. Why would Atlanta or Phoenix even be a discussion anymore. Why is the focus not on Houston TX, Portland OR or Kansas which are all far better options in the United states, or on Quebec City, Hamilton ONT or a New Brunswick Team In Canada that could not only pull from the entire Maritime region of Canada, but from Vermont and Maine of the United States as well being focused on.

Hello hockey fans. Here is Episode 141 of the Hockey Free For all Podcast to take a listen too. It’s a grab bag episode that Discusses- #1. Kirby Dach’s season has finally turned around and it would seem patients has paid off, and he has found his game. #2. Kaiden Guhle is quietly having a very solid season. #3. Yes, the Lane Hutson hype has not only gotten of hand. #4. Jake Evans is having a career season. #5. The Montreal Canadiens do not need to acquire Nikolaj Ehlers from the Winnipeg Jets during the season or sign in the offseason as a free agent center. #6. The Montreal Canadiens are doing a fantastic job at developing and cultivating their own internal prospects and talent. #7. Hat’s off to Arber Xhekaj. Xhekaj who has evolved a lot as a player this season. #8 The Montreal Canadiens do not even remotely need to or have a need to acquire Right-Handed Defenseman Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils. #9. Could Jakub Dobes establish himself as the Montreal Canadiens number 1 goaltender by the end of the 2024/2025 season? #!0. Could Jakub Dobes, who currently has a 1.55 goals-against and a 941 save percentage cause the Canadiens to consider trading Samual Montembeau, if the right team came calling with a can’t refuse offer? #11. Congratulations to Brendan Gallagher for playing in his 800 NHL game given all of the injuries he has incurred , is very impressive. #12. Ivan Demidov is excelling, and once again Canadiens Management made the right decision in keeping Ivan Demidov in the KHL, as the coaching and development have been not only outstanding, but better for the prospect. #13. Michael Hage and Jacob Fowler could both be Hobey Baker award nominees.

Hello Hockey Fan’s out there. Here is Episode 140 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast to take a listen too, topics include- #1. The Jonathan Kovacevic trade to the New Jersey Devils, maybe. #2. Patrik Laine and a 2026 2nd round pick for Left-Handed defenseman Jordan Harris. #3. The Alexandre Carrier trade for Justin Barron trade has been nothing short of a home run. #4. Emil Heineman’s fit. #5. Pay close attention to late pick Tylor Throp out of Vancouver in the WHL. #6. Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach are 1 and 2. Plus you have Qwen Beck, Michael Hage, Oliver Kapanen, Jared Davidson, Lucas Condotta, Vinzenz Rohrer, Xavier Simoneau, Florian Xhekaj and Aatos Koivu at a minimum to arrive all at center, plus others. #7. This is exactly the time to trade and not resign, He is having a 1 off career year, which has maximized his trade value. Does the majority suffer from short term memory issues? Here are exhibits (A), (B) and (C) Josh Anderson, Jonathan Drouin, Karl Alzner. Helllloooo! #8. Let’s not leave out how badly Christian Dvorak needs to go. #9. At a minimal, Jake Evans, Davis Savard, Mike Matheson, Joel Armia, Josh Anderson, Christian Dvorak, Michael Pezzetta, Cayden Primeau, #!0 Lane Hutson is the Rookie of the Year, as no rookie has meant more to their club. #11. Why is nearly everyone so surprised by Jakub Dobes and his success? #12. Juraj Slafkovsky’s needs to take the next step and needs to become that consistent 96-to-105-point yearly player. Fun and growth time wrap up for his this season. #13. Nick Suzuki doesn’t need to take his game to even another level. The rest of the team needs to match him and his effort level. #14. The Colorado Avalanche have a serious issue on their hands with Mikko Rantanen, and Mikko Rantanen needs to decide if its just money, or is about being part of something and winning Stanley Cups. He’s not going to get both.

Hello Hockey Fans. Take a listen to Episode 139 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast to get your hockey fix, topics and discussions include- #1. Jakub Dobes has been outstanding since he arrived. Some are surprised, I am not, at all. Jakub Dobes has not only solved the backup goalie issue, but he is gunning for Samual Montembeau’s starting position and he is making an extremely strong case to this point to become the number one and starting goalie for the club by playing lights out hockey against not just the lower tier teams, but the elite team in the league. #2. What is with the continued questioning and doubting of Kent Hughes. Is just jealousy by the inept? #3. There are 2 transactions that Kent Hughes has made that I would love to gain his insight on that he has made. The 1st transaction would be the trade of Right-Handed Defenseman Jonathan Kovacevic to the New Jersey Devils this past offseason for a 4th round pick. The 2nd transaction is the Patrick Laine acquisition. It would have been even better if Right-Handed Defensive prospect Justin Barron was sent to Columbus, instead of Defenseman Jordan Harris. I think Jordan Harris is a class act all the way around. Jordan Harris perfectly meshed with the club; from the moment he stepped on the ice. Veteran Right-Handed defenseman David Savard who has and remains invaluable to the younger defenseman, the team’s locker room and leads by example showing the way and Christian Dvorak who has like several other roster players this year, has actually found a game and role that he can be a contributing member of the roster and not and every game liability. #4. Kent Hughes and that entire Management team clearly understands chemistry and the importance of it. #5. Hockey is a team sport, not an individual sport. #6. Why is anyone questioning the Montreal Management team for traveling to Russia to evaluate its prospects? #7. Stop trying to create incompetent and unneeded chaos by saying Ivan Demidov is getting all the love and Bogdan Konyushkov is the forgotten man. Ivan Demidov is a top 5 draft pick, and Bogdan Konyushkov was a 4th round draft pick. Of course, the attention levels will be different. Hello! #8. Absolutely Jake Evans, David Savard, Josh Anderson, Mike Matheson, Joel Armia, Cayden Primeau and Michael Pezzetta should all be move at or by the 2025 trade deadline. #9. Look at the A-List prospects yet to arrive in Montreal. Ivan Demidov, Michael Hage, Owen Beck, Logan Mailloux, David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom. #10. Where does Emil Heineman end up? Jared Davidson, Luke Tuch and Florian Xhekaj will add grit Montreal needs and doesn’t have yet, and let’s not forget Joshua Roy! Is anyone paying attention to Sam Harris at the University of Denver?

Hello hockey fans out there, here is episode 138 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast to wrap up 2024 with, this week’s topics include- #1. It’s Friday format in 2025 #2. Bogdan Konyushkov has been a forgotten prospect for the Montreal Canadiens, no, but there are apparently that want to start that rumor, sadly. #3. Ivan Demidov is getting all the attention and love. He’s a top 5 prospect, he was the best in his draft class, and he should be getting that attention and generating that level of excitement. It’s normal people, hello! #4. Someone explain, justify or come up with any scenario as to why Montreal want to make this proposed trade, why and how it even remotely makes any sense, in any way? To Montreal: Elias Pettersson 2nd-round pick To Vancouver: Cole Caufield Christian Dvorak David Savard #5. If Patrik Laine did run his mouth, there can’t be any surprise to the wat the Columbus Blue Jackets responded, can there? #6. If there was an intent to target and injure Patrik Laine in any way, that’s unprofessional behavior, any way you cut it, and the suspensions start at the player level, continue to the coaching staff, then onto the management and even include ownership. #7. You respond by blowing out your opponent by an embarrassing score, not by injuring someone, which completely lacks sportsmanship and professionalism of any kind. #8. Must be a lot of sad jealousy regarding Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes and that is pathetic. #9. How has the acquisition of Alexandre Carrier stunting the development and opportunities of prospect Logan Mailloux? #10. What’s with the excessive concern regarding lack of contract talks between David Savard and the Montreal Canadiens? #11. Patrik Laine, has not taken or stolen Cole Caufield’s spot or any of the roles he has. #12. Cole Caufield is far more valuable to the Montreal Canadiens than Patrik Laine is. That’s not even a question or viable discussion. #13. Patrik Laine is a one trick pony. #14. Cole Caufield’s game has far more to it, than Patrik Laine game has or offers. #15. Samual Montembeau has reestablished himself as the number one goalie in Montreal at the moment. Consistency will determine if that is long term, or he’s a placeholder. #16. Cayden Primeau’s game has vanished. #17. Yes, Cayden Primeau has been put on waivers. Don’t be surprised at all if he ends up back in Laval, after the abysmal season he has had to this point. #18. No one should doubt that Jakob Dobes is a legit NHL Goaltender.

Hello hockey fans out there. Just before the holiday hits, here is Episode 137 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast to take a listen to, topics include- #1. What’s wrong with Kirby Dach’s game? #2. Has Kirby Dach’s actually healed from his injury/injuries? #3. Will Kirby Dach still be in Montreal and on its team roster after the trade deadline? #4. Kirby Dach has to be concerned and see the coming arrivals of Michael Hage and Owen Back! #5. What has happened to Alex Newhook? #6. Alex Newhook provides speed and fill in skill and options, but absolutely nothing else? #7. Alex Newhook has to see the writing on the wall that he will shortly no longer be part of the team’s top or even top 9 with the coming arrival of Ivan Demidov, with the acquisition of Patrick Laine, the pending arrival of Joshua Roy, the Arrival of Owen Beck, and a lot of other arriving talent coming soon? #8. Put Juraj Slafkovsky back on the number 1 line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield and leave him on it for at least the remainder of the 2024/2025 season and let him truly gel with other gifted linemates. #9. Stop with the line changes. The roster players in Montreal are clearly in need of chemistry and gelling with consistent linemates. #10. What has happened to Cayden Primeau and his game?

Hello hockey fans out there. Take a listen to episode 136 of the hockey free for all podcast topics include. #1. Montembeau has returned to form at the same time Patrik Laine joined the Canadiens. #2. Patrik Laine’s return has had a tremendous impact throughout the entire roster, not just the offense, which is head scratcher. #3. Lane Hutson should be rookie of the year. #4. Igor Shesterkins new contract will haunt the New York Rangers. #5. Jake Evans trade value will never be higher, trade him and maximize the return. #6. Patrik Laine, Joel Armia and Samual Montembeau were very interesting selections to the 4 nation tournament. #7. Wow, what a complete disaster of a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins that ended in a 9 to 2 wipe out. #10. Stop with the calling for Martin St. Louis to be replaced. #11. The problem behind the bench lies with Trevor Letowski, Stephane Robidas and Eric Raymond. #12. Who are you going to replace him with, Pascal Vincent, because he was amazingly successful with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season? #13. The goaltenders are making the same mistakes and playing with the same inconsistencies nearly every night. That is Eric Raymonds job. #14. The pairing combinations are often questionable, there’s constant breakdowns in their own end, along with missed assignments, in combination with players just running around seemingly lost like chickens with their heads cut off. That is all Stephane Robidas’s job to address, resolve and prevent. #15. Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj, Logan Mailloux, David Reinbacher all need a Scott Steven type, Larry Robinson, Rob Blake, Chris Pronger type defensive coach. #16. Offensively, other than Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield all season long and Juraj Slafkovsky in the beginning of the season, the offense has been inconsistent. Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook look lost. There has yet to be a role found for Emil Heineman and zero chemistry other than Suzuki and Caufield, this is Trevor LeTowski’s job. #17. On a positive note, with a very small sample size, it looks like the acquisition of Patrik Laine looks great, but it’s a very small sample size. So far, so good. #18. Jake Evans is having has best and most consistent year of his career. #19. Josh Andersson has found a 2-way game that maximizes his effectiveness and skills, wonderful. #20. Christian Dvorak remains an enigma at best. #21. Brendan Gallagher is having a far better season than he has had in several years, outstanding. #22. Time for Christian Dvorak, Michael Pezzetta, Mike Matheson, Justin Barron, David Savard, Joel Armia , Jayden Struble, Alex Newhook, Kirby Dach, Jake Evans, Josh Andersson, Cayden Primeau and Samual Montembeau to move on. #23. Welcome in Ivan Demidov, Michael Hage, Owen Beck, David Reinbacher, Jacob Fowler, Logan Mailloux and Adam Engstrom in the 2025/2026 season.

Hello Hockey fans, take a listen to Episode 135 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast Topics include_ #1. Patik Laine came back at the perfect time and has had tremendous impact. #2. Why is it that any player injury seems to effect the Montreal Canadiens more than another team? #3. Why do the Montreal Canadiens players not seem to know or have the depth of knowledge about the advantages and disadvantages of their own home rink like other teams seem to, such as the Minnesota Wild, The Dallas Stars, The N.Y. Rangers or all the most resent additions like the Las Vegas Golden Knight, Seattle Kraken or the Utah Hockey Club, that already does? #4. The time has arrived for determinations to be made. The Montreal Canadiens are three to three and a half years into a rebuild. #5. Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson have solidified themselves as core key pieces, there than these 3, much work remains. #6. Many people will say that Kaiden Guhle should be and has also established himself as a key core member, but his injury history and consistency is concerning and raises questions about his durability and longevity to me. #7. Major key core players are on their way. For Skill Winger Ivan Demindov, 2nd line center Michael Hage, Future Staring Goaltender Jacob Fowler, Finally a consistent power forward with the frame and expected consistency and nightly game in Tyler Thorp, Right Handed Defenseman Logn Mailloux, L/R Defenseman Adam Engstrom, A complete 200 foot/2-way center that can play it any way you want to in Owen Beck, Nightly toughness and skill in C/LW Florian Xhekaj and Left Wing Like Tuch. Plus a host of others. #8. Arber Xhekaj’s shoulder injuries finally look to be behind him, which is fantastic news. #9. Michael Pezzetta looks disillusioned, disconnected or detached from the team this year. #10. Defensively, the time has arrived to move on from Justin Barron, Mike Matheson and David Savard have been inconsistent, along with Justin Barron, he can’t seem to figure out his game or put it together. #11. Logan Mailloux and Adam Engstrom should both be members of the starting 6 defensemen for the Montreal Canadiens as of January 1st 2025 and for the remainder of the season. #12. Martin St. Louis remains the perfect head coach for the Montreal Canadiens and Roger Grillo has been an excellent addition as a consultant. The concern sits with Trevor Letowski, Stephane Robidas and Eric Raymond.

Hello Hockey Fans, take a listen to Episode 134 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast Topics include- #1. Juraj Slafkovski needs consistent linemates #2. Kirby Dach. What is he, where is he, and will he be a part of the Montreal Candiens long term? #3. Give Joshua Roy a legitimate shot #4. There’s no team Chemistry Montreal #5. Coaching staff 2 stay and 3 go #6. A few players have established themselves, but there is a lot of work. #7. Ivan Demidov, Michael Hage and many other pieces have yet to arrive #8. At this point, Montreal is very like to finish in the bottom 5 teams of the league for the 3rd year in a row. #9. From December 1st to the 2024/2025 trade deadline is the key to the 2024/2025 season for the Montreal Canadiens.

Hello Hockey Fans, out there, take a listen to Episode 133 of the hockey free for all podcast. This week’s topics and discussions include- #1. Is there just an outright desire to start chaos, controversy or rumors, why would the Montreal Canadiens hire Jim Montgomery? #2. Only bring back Patrik Laine if he is absolutely 100% recovered and ready to go, not a second sooner. #3. Just let Cole Caufield play and stop questioning or 2nd guessing a player you have no business doing it to in the first place. #4. The shutout against the Edmonton Oilers was just another game. It was not any kind of turning point. The Montreal Canadiens actually played all 60 minutes. #5. The obvious list of players that should be traded by the Montreal Canadiens includes-David Savard, Mike Mathenson, Josh Anderson, Christian Devorak, Jake Evans, Joel Armia, Jayden Struble, Justin Barron, Michael Pezzetta and yes both Cayden Primeau and Samual Montembeau. #6. Three additional players that should also be moved are Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook and Kiby Dach. Brendan Gallagher has had a good season too this point and his trade value is the highest it’s been in a long time. As for Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, they both need a change of scenery. #7. Enough with the Trevor Zeagras obsession. Montreal does not need another inconsistent, overpaid and under performing player like Alex Newhook who has all kinds of skill and is a ghost almost every night. #8. For what possible reason does Montreal need to acquire Right Defenseman David Jiricek from the Columbus Blue Jackets either?

Hello hockey fan's out there, Take a listen to episode 132 of the hockey free for all podcast, regarding the state of the Montreal Canadiens, where they are at, their options, how the current season should be utilized and if your really want to ever see the quality of club that they were return.

Hello Hockey Fan’s out there. Take a listen to episode 131 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast and this weeks topic focuses on one specific issue. #1. What’s going on with the Montreal Canadiens and is it a player issue or an assistant coach issue.

Hello Hockey Fan's, here is Episode 130 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast topics of discussion, to take a listen to- #1. After 2 lights out performances to start the 2024/2025 regular season Montembeau has crashed to earth. #2. Cayden Primeau has not looked good either, in the 2024/2025 season. #3. Call up Jakob Dobes, he’s earned it based on the 2nd of the 2023/2024 Laval season, this pre season and the start of the 2024/2025 season in Laval. #4. The Montreal Canadiens defense just looks completely lost, there’s no other way to put it. #5. Aber Xhekaj clearly needs to be coached, taught, influenced and worked with by a Scott Stevens, Chris Pronger or Rob Blake to show him how to effectively use his blend of skills and frame, effectively on a nightly basis. #6. For all of those who to see or think that Arber Xhekaj should be traded, prepare to see Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson absolutely obliterated and their careers prematurely ended by every single opponent the Montreal Canadiens faces. #7. Logan Mailloux does not have an NHL defensive game at this point. #8. Montreal needs more grit/in your face place players. Such as Florian Xhekaj, Luke Tuch and Owen Protz to name just a few. #9. You are witnessing why the Montreal Canadiens do not have too many draft picks or too much draft capital as some think. #10. Martin St. Louis and roger Grillo stay, everyone else gone. #11. Time for Kirby Dach to show what he has on an every night basis or step aside for Michael Hage, Owen Beck or several others. #12. Alex Newhook needs to step his game and consistency way up. #13. Line #1 is Nick Suzuki at center, Cole Caufield at right wing and Jaruj Slafkovski at left wing. Line #2 is Michael Hage at center, Ivan Demidov on left wing and Kirby Dach at right wing. #14. Time to start using Oliver Kapanen effectively and play him for 15 minutes minimal or send him back to Finland. #15. Time to unload Christian Dvorak, Josh Anderson, Justin Barron, Joel Armia ,Michael Pezzetta and Jake Even. #16. Ivan Demidov, Michael Hage, Tyler Thorpe, David Reinbacher, Jacob Fowler, Filip Mesar, Owen Beck, Adam Engstrom, Oliver Kapanen, Joshua Roy, Luke Tuch and Jared Davidson are on their way in 2025/2026. #17. Montreal does not need to acquire Trevor Zegras, stop with this rederick . #18. The 2024/2025 season is not the season that Montreal shoot for making the playoffs. Let everyone find there place on the roster and trade the others for future draft talent.

Episode 129 of the Hockey Free For All #1. The impact of injuries to Patrik Laine, Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle and Juraj Slafkovsky on the sidelines. #2. Logan Mailloux has returned and will need to put up or shut up, so he better be able to back up his reaction to being sent down defensively and offensively. #3. The plan should be minimal disruptions to the offensive line combinations and opportunity during the injuries, nothing more. #4. Kriby Dach is a center not a winger #5. Hopefully Juraj Slafkovsky returns after the St. Louis game and only misses a total of 2 games. #6. The Montreal Canadiens defense looks lost and confused. #7. Time for Arber Xhekaj to get his head in the game. #8. The Montreal Canadiens need their players to play with a consistent edge every game. #9. for Justin Barron is very inconsistent. #10. Has Samual Montembeau and Cayden Primeau come crashing back to earth, or is it because the team’s defense has left them hung out to dry? #11. Why is the young talented defense of the Montreal Canadiens not building their entire game and style centered around their exceptional skating, transition and fluidity, rather than trying to be something they are not, and will not be! #12. Nick Suzuki leaves it all on the ice, in every game and leads by example, how is anyone still even remotely questioning him? #13. Cole Caufield has rediscovered his game in the 2024/205 season and has looked fantastic. #14. Kirby Dach better be looking over his shoulder especially at center prospect Michael Hage. #15. What is with the ridiculous and pathetic microscopic minute to minute coverage, questioning and attacks on and about prospect Ivan Demindov? Again, the KHL is an outstanding league, they turn out exceptional talent on a regular basis. Let him play, let him develop and stop questioning the KHL regarding how he’s being used, the minutes that he is playing and the situations or opportunities he’s being given, realize that KHL knows better and know your place.