Hello hockey fans, Episode 192 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived. This week’s topics include.

#1. Gerard Gallant has stepped away from coaching in the KHL after consulting with doctors regarding as illness he has been dealing with.

#2. The Columbus Blue Jackets have parted ways with head coach Dean Evanson and have replaced him with Rick Bowness.

#3. The kid line really? Ivan Demidov, Oliver Kapanen and Juraj Slafkovsky are not a kid line. Stop insulting players. They are a young thriving and gelling line, that has chemistry and are professional hockey players whose games are evolving together on a line.

#4. Am I seriously seeing people start to predict that Oliver Kapanen should be or will be a 5-to-7-million-dollar player on his next contract? How ignorant are people? 3 to 3.5 million maybe. 27 points in 46 games does not even remotely equate to Oliver Kapanen making 5 to 7 million dollars in his next contract. Not even close. What rock do these people hide or live under.

#5. The bottom 6 forwards of Montreal’s Roster is really nothing to write home about or to be excited about and is the area of focus. Not more veteran presence or the ignorant relentless screaming for a second line center that the team clearly does not need and currently has a very capable player in Oliver Kapanen who is more than adequately filling that role and position for the team.

#6. Now that Kaiden Guhle has returned, let’s see how long Kaiden Guhle can stay healthy?

#7. With Kaiden Guhle’s never ending injuries, where do the Montreal Canadien’s go from here with Kaiden Guhle?

#8. Can Kaiden Guhle still be relied on with his injury history?

#9. Can Kaiden Guhle still be considered a cornerstone player and rebuild piece of the franchise with his injury history?

#10. Kirby Dach has returned to active status, what is his role and future with the team?

#11. Had Kirby Dach not suffered relentless and repeated serious injuries, he could have easily been the team second line center as he is extremely talented when healthy!

#12. At this point, Kirby Dach can only be considered a roster depth player at best.

#13. It’s highly unlikely that Kirby Dach continuous to be part of the Montreal Canadiens after his current contract expires, it’s far too risky and unreliable of a situation for the organization.

Hello Hockey Fan’s Episode 191 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has for your enjoyment. The topics this week include-

#1. Alexander Texier has been a solid acquisition, has gelled with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield like he has been playing on a line with them for years and is lighting it up.

#2. No kidding Patrik Laine’s injury will require the full amount of time initially stated to recover from his injury.

#3. Hopefully, Patrik Laine returns with enough time before the 2025/2026 trade deadline approaches, so that he can play and be showcased and Montreal can acquire a late first draft pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft for him.

#4. Yea, Phillip Danault has 3 assists in 7 games with the Montreal Canadiens

#5. Let’s take a moment and acknowledge Juraj Slafkovsky, his game, his growth, his production, his development and where he is at.

#6. The best thing for Juraj Slafkovsky was the move to Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanens line.

#7. Who comes out or gets sent to Laval when Kaiden Guhle comes back?

#8. Mike Matheson, Noah Dobson, Lane Hutson, Arber Xhakaj and Adam Engstrom are and should be all locks. So, Who comes out? Alexandre Carrier? Jayden Struble?

#9. Where’s Kirby Dach fit in. The top 2 lines are set. Line #1 Center Nick Suzuki, Winger Cole Caufield and winger Alexander Texier. Line #2. Right Wing Ivan Demidov, Center Oliver Kapanen and Left Winger Juraj Slafkovsky.

#10. At best it’s line 3 or 4 for Kirby Dach

#11. Glenn Hall has passed away at 94 years of age. What an amazing goaltender and out of all of the amazing things he accomplished, the one that stands out to me and leaves one speechless is his 502 consecutive starts. That is just incredible and leaves one without words. Just an unbelievable goaltender and career.

#12. For what possible reason does the Montreal Canadiens need to acquire forward Blake Coleman from the Calgary Flames for. Unless its straight up for Joshua Roy, keep him.

#13. Wave 2 of Montreal’s elite A-level prospects are on their way, stop sabotaging their opportunity, career and the long-term success of the Montreal Canadiens Organization to acquire has-beens who are overpaid, underproductive and are clearly on the back 9 of their careers.

#14. Does anyone else think Canada made an enormous mistake and really blew it by not adding right-handed defenseman Bryce Pickford to their team’s defense? Ouch!

Hi Hockey Fans, Episode 190 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived, topics include-

#1. I have seen nothing from Phillip Danault as yet.

#2. How does the acquisition of Phillip Danault actually help the Montreal Canadiens?

#3. The Montreal Canadiens paid a steep price. A likely top 9 pick in the 2nd round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft and for what.

#4. Phillip Danault adds another bloated contract.

#5. Phillip Danault adds another underperforming and overpaid veteran to a team that had no such use or need for such a player.

#6. The L.A. Kings won the Phillip Danault trade hands down.

#7. There does not even seem to be any value in Phillip Danault being able to teach or pass along anything to any center on the NHL roster. The Laval AHL roster or to any prospect within Montreal’s pipeline.

#8. There still remains significant screaming and whining to acquire a 2nd line center, even after the acquisition of Phillip Danault?

#9. Why is there so much incompetence and underappreciation for Olivier Kapanen?

#10. Oliver Kapanen has done far more than asked or was expected to do.

#11. The Montreal Canadiens do not need to acquire anymore has been players who’s careers are clearly nearing there conclusion.

#12. Yet to arrive A-Level prospects include, Michael Hage, Alexander Zharanovsky, Bryce Pickford, Bogden Koshukov, L.J. Mooney, not to mention Adam Engstrom, David Reinbacher, Florian Xhekaj, Sam Harris and Owen Protz.

#13. Take a look at the top 9 producing players on the Montreal Canadiens roster and get a much-needed reality check.

#14. Of the injured, Alex Newhook is the player missed.

#15 Adam Engstrom would have made any other NHL clubs roster right out of training camp. It took an injury to Kaiden Guhle, for him to get called up from Laval and given his shot.

#16. Adam Engstrom has replaced Kaiden Guhle.

#17. Adam Engstrom has surpassed Alexander Carrier and Jayden Struble.

#18. Does anyone even know about Owen Protz, Bryce Pickford, Bogden Konyushkov or David Reinbacher and do not forget about Carlos Handel, Rasmus Bergqvist or William Trudeau.

#19. Michael Hage, Alexander Zharovsky, L.J. Mooney or Sam Harris, not to mention Florian Xhekaj, Tyler Thorpe and Luke Tuch likely all arrive in 2026/2027!

#20. Well people can stop whining, as Nick Suzuki has been named to Canada’s 2026 Olympic Roster.

#21. But hold on, Oliver Kapanen, you remember, the guy that has done a far more than adequate job as the Montreal Canadiens number 2 center, has been named to Finland’s 2026 Olympic Roster.

#22. Michael Hage, L.J. Mooney, Aatos Koivu and Calos Handel are all playing in the 2026 World Junior tournament.

#23. Smartly, the Montreal Canadiens have signed right defensive prospect Bryce Pickford to a 3-year entry level deal, who is lighting it up in the WHL.

Hello hockey fans, episode 189 of the Hockey of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived for the holiday, topics include-

#1. All of the individuals that have been relentlessly screaming how Montreal has to make a trade, you got your wish. Its on you, when it doesn’t work, and sets the team back.

#2. Montreal has reacquired center Phillip Danault for the Los Angeles Kings who is now 32 versus 28 when he left as a free agent.

#3. Phillip Danault has a whopping 5 assists in 30 games this season, that’s exciting.

#4. Phillip Danault brings with him yet another bloated 5.5-million-dollar contract to that gats added to the team’s payroll. How awesome is that?

#5. Montreal paid to high of a price by trading the 2nd round pick that they acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets the Patrik Laine trade, which will likely be a top 39 pick in the 2026 draft.

#6. Montreal will miss out on a very good prospect in the very deep 2026 draft for an unproductive rental, ouch.

#7. At most, Montreal should have traded Joshua Roy straight up for Phillip Danault.

#8. Phillip Danault better be slotted in as the 3rd line center and not disrupt Oliver Kapanen’s development and team contribution in any way.

#9. Phillip Danault will not keep pace and will disrupt Ivan Demidovs and Juraj Slafkovsky’s games if he is slotted in as the #2 center.

#10. If Phillip Danault is slotted in as the #2 center, everyone can forget about Ivan Demidov winning the rookie of the year.

#11. If Phillip Danault is slotted in as the #2 center, The coaching staff will successfully destroy Kapanen’s game and confidence by demoting him to the 3rd center slot.

#12. Suzuki is the undisputed center

#13. Oliver Kapanen is the undisputed #2 center for the team in the 2025/2026 season.

#14. Oliver Kapanen will shift to the #3 center, when Michael Hage comes in and take the #2 center from day one of training camp in 2026/2027.

#15. Owen beck has earned a roster spot at the very minimum as the 4th center, and now that won’t happen with the Phillip Danault trade. So, Owen Beck gets truly screwed in this deal.

#16. With injuries, Phillip Danault greatest impact is if he is slotted in as the number #3 center, reuniting him with Brendan Gallagher as his right wing and Josh Anderson as his left

#17. My greatest concern regarding this acquisition is how it affects center prospect Michael Hage’s development and opportunity.

#18. Michael has done, and is doing everything absolutely right and will have nothing else to do, learn or achieve, unless he chooses to complete his degree before joining the NHL.

#!9. Want proof of my concerns regarding the Phillip Danault trade? Adam Engstrom is currently stating his case, proving himself and pushing through, for a roster spot that is packed with talented prospects, and the discussions have only centered around the NHL and Laval prospects.

#20. Keep an eye on and do not forget these prospects- Bryce Pickford from the WHL, Owen Protz from the OHL or Bogdan Konyushkov from the KHL, Alexander Zharovsky KHL, Michael Hage Big-10 (as apparently most have no idea how ready he is), L.J. Mooney Big-10, Hayden Paupenekis WHL or Sam Harris Big-10.

#21. The Buffalo Sabres fire General Manager Kevyn Adams and his assistant G.M.

#22. The Buffalo Sabres appoint Jarmo Kekalainen as their new G.M.

#23. Jarmo Kekalainen names former Montreal Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin who had been serving as a senior advisor with the Los Angelas Kings for the past 5 years as his Associate General Manager and top advisor.

#24. Marc Bergevin knows how to find talent.

#25. Remember it was Marc Bergevin who drafted Cole Caufield, Kaiden Guhle, Oliver Kapanen, Jayden Struble, Jakub Dobes, Alexander Romanov and Mikhail Sergachev.

#26. It was Marc Bergevin who signed Arber Xhekaj as a walk on

#27. The Buffalo Sabres could become very scary with these changes.

Hi hockey fans. episode 188 of the Hockey Free For All has arrived. Topics include-

#1. Stop! The Montreal Canadiens do not need Phillip Danault. Phillip Danault is not the answer at all

#2. The Montreal Canadiens do not need a 2nd line center. Oliver Kapanen has done just fine.

#3. Alex Newhook is the only true loss to the Montreal Canadiens of all their injuries. None of the others were playing well at any point this season.

#4. The Montreal Canadiens have plenty of veterans and leadership with Mike Matheson, Josh Anderson, Brendan Gallagher, Jake Evans and Alexander Carrier.

#5. Jacob Fowler is not the savior for the Montreal Canadiens goaltending issues.

#6. Hat’s off to Montreal’s management sending Samual Montembeau to Laval. Montembeau’s game hasn’t just disappeared, he has no game at all right now to speak of.

#7. Jacob Fowler has not looked good in goal other than in the Pittsburgh Penguins game.

#8. Jacob Fowler deserved a taste of the NHL, based on his performance in Laval, that’s what he got and the timing of the call up was ideal for the Montreal Canadiens.

#9. It’s time to send Jacob Fowler back to Laval for his proper development, so that he can actually be that next outstanding long-term goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens.

#10. Jakub Dobes should be the starting goaltender in Montreal.

#11. Jakub Dobes and his game is coming back to life. He has had more good games than bad games recently, such as the games against Toronto, Edmonton & Chicago.

#12. The idea that’s floating around, that Samual Montembeau should be brought back up from Laval and made the starter. That Jacob Fowler should remain in Montreal and just sit behind Montembeau rather than play a lot of games in Laval and properly develope, and that Jakub Dobes should be traded for a 2nd line center, has to go down and is the absolutely dumbest idea of all times.

#13. How does such a trade make the Montreal Canadiens better, or even remotely improve their chances of making the playoffs now?

#15. The Buffalo Sabres have fired general manager Kevyn Adams.

#16. Bu The Buffalo Sabres have replaced Kevyn Adams with Jarmo Kekalainen.

#17. Best of luck to Jarmo Kekalainen in Buffalo, he is going to need it. There are a lot control issues and power struggles in Buffalo he will have to deal with and navigate

#18. There’s been far too many G.M. and Coaching changes in Buffalo.

#19. The Vancouver Canuck have Traded defenseman Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild for Cener Marco Rossi, Defensman Zeev Buium, Forward Liam Ohgren and a 2026 first round pick.

#20. If the Minnesota Wild do not sign Quinn Hughes past this season, Minnesota got smoked in this trade.

#21. Zeev Buium will be a better NHL defenseman than Quinn Hughes

Hello hockey fans, episode 187 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived, this week’s topics include-

#1. Jakub Dobes turned in a lights out performance against the Toronto Maple Leaf’s and promptly returned to looking lost.

#2. Samual Montembeau, had a good game and then like Jakub Dobes looks lost.

#3. Alexander Zharovsky is lighting it up in the KHL.

#4. If Alexander Zharovsky does come over before the season concludes, there should be absolutely no pressure from any media outlet placed upon him.

#5. The real excitement is the 2nd line that Ivan Demidov, Michael Hage and Alexander Zharovsky will form in the 2026/2027 season, and still there should be zero pressure placed on them. Let them play and evolve into the stars that they all can be.

#6. Think about that 2nd line with a 1st line of Captain Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky. Wow, what a top 6!

#7. On what planet does acquiring right winger Jordan Kyrou and goaltender Jordan Binnington from the St. Louis Blue make even remote sense to anyone with any understanding of the game or the organization?

#8. Jordan Kyrou is only in the 3rd year of an 8-year contract that pays him $8,125.00 dollars per season. Why would I want to take on that contract.

#9. Juraj Slafkovsky makes a million less than Jordan Kyrou and has contributed and performed far better.

#10. Jordan Kyrou is 27 years old, which kind of works, but Jordan Binnington is 32 years old and having no better of a season than Samual Montembeau is having. How does this help the goaltending?

#11. The Zack Bolduc for Logan Mailloux trade with the St. Louis Blues may turn out to be a dead even trade in the end, requiring both of these players to move onto or be traded again to other teams to truly reach their potential and reach their full potential.

#12. The Alexandre Texier pick up looks good.

#13. Alexandre Texier is ready to, can and has contributed more than offensive prospects who have been called up from Laval this season.

#14. Right-handed defensive prospect Bryce Pickford of the Medicine Hat Tigers had a hat trick and is playing lights out hockey.

#15. Bryce Pickford has already equaled his 20-goal output of last season in 48-games in 28-games this season.

#16. David Reinbacher has turned a big corner.

#17. Will David Reinbacher, be the defenseman paired with Lane Hutson, or will it be Bryce Pickford, there are strong arguments for both.

#18. Not to be forgotten is Bogdan Konyushkov, who is flying under the radar in the KHL and has a very deceptive offensive game, is an outstanding skater and who plays a complete game with a nasty edge to it.

#19. Bogdan Konyushkov could also be an excellent pairing partner for Lane Hutson?

#20. The Montreal Canadiens have a plethora of talent of the left side of the defense in Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj, Adam Engstrom, Owen Protz, Jayden Struble and William Trudeau.

#21. But no one should underestimate the talent on the right side of the defense as it boasts Noah Dobson, Alexander Carrier, Bryce Pickford, Bogdan Konyushkov and David Reinbacher. That’s over 2 starting top 6 defensive groups. No other organization even comes close.

#22. The next group of top-level incoming talent includes Michael Hage, Alexander Zharovsky, Bryce Pickford, Owen Protz, L.J. Mooney Bogdan Konyushkov and Jacob Fowler.

#23. Is Nick Suzuki the odds-on favorite to win the Frank Silk Trophey this year?

#24. Is Ivan Demidov the odds-on favorite to win the Calder Trophy this year.

#25. Does Oliver Kapanen deserve Calder Trophy consideration?

#26. Jakub Dobes could have been considered a legit contender for the Calder Trophy if his entire season had played out like the month of October did.

Hello Hockey Fan’s. Episode 186 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived for you to take a listen to, topics include-

#1. Mike Matheson signed a 5-year 30 million contract.

#2. Time to trade Alexander Carrier.

#3. Joe Veleno is not a solution.

#4. Jake Evans is having a bad year.

#5. Joshua Roy needs a new address.

#6. Jared Davidson could be part of a solid 4th line.

#7. Owen Beck is not tracking to be an NHL player.

#8. Jayden Struble is not an 82-game player, he is a role player.

#9 The top 9 players on the Montreal Canadiens roster right now are, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, Ivan Demidov, Noah Dobson, Mike Matheson, Oliver Kapanen, Juraj Slafkovsky and Alex Newhook.

#10. Josh Anderson contribution to the team is better than it has been at any other time.

#11. Brendan Gallagher looks flat, and his injuries have taken their toll.

#12. Zack Bolduc needs consistency a.s.a.p. in his game.

#13. Adam Engstrom is definitely an NHL defenseman, but needs to spend the 2025/2026 season in Laval, not in Montreal.

#14. The Colorado Avalanche did not just defeat the Montreal Canadiens; they dismantled and destroyed the Montreal Canadiens. That was not even a game.

#15. Artturi Lehkonen has fit in tremendously well with the Colorado Avalanche.

#16. Should Patrik be traded to the Colorado Avalanche?

#17. The time has arrived to call up Kaapo Kahkonen.

#18. The Montreal Canadiens really need the entire line of Tyler Thorpe, Florian Xhekaj and Luke Tuch as the team’s 3rd line, not just Florian Xhekaj.

#19. The Montreal Canadiens need a new 4th line of Josh Anderson, Jared Davidson and Lucas Condotta.

#20. I am obviously missing something about Andrie Markov.

#21. Speaking of defensemen, it’s with tremendous hope that David Reinbacher has turned a corner, has put all of his injuries behind him, and is finally ready to show everyone his true abilities.

#22. One wonders if the significant improvement of Juraj Slafkovsky’s play, since being moved to the 2nd line, is directly related to the fact that he is now playing on an all European line alongside Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen, and he feels far more comfortable, allowing his to play his own game and make a far greater impact on the team?

#23. Michael Hage is having an exceptional season at University of Michigan, and it has to be tremendously exciting to the entire organization.

Hello Hockey Fans, Episode 185 of the hockey free for all podcast has arrived, topics include-

#1. Well look at what happens when the Montreal Finally called up Florian Xhekaj. It’s called sandpaper and intimidation.

#2. The Edmonton Oiler severely lack goaltending and sandpaper.

#3. Grit and sandpaper is exactly what the Florida Panther have up and down their lineup and is why the Florida Panthers have won the last 2 Stanly Cups and been in 3 Stanley Cups in the last 4 years.

#4. 9-years and counting, no Stanley Cups for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

#5. Imagine what a line of Florian Xhekaj centering Tyler Thorpe on his right side and Luke Tuch on his left side could provide the Montreal Canadiens with!

#6. What is with the incompetence being written, the Montreal Canadiens actually called up Adam Engstrom to showcase him to other teams.

#7. I would trade Mike Matheson, Alexander Carrier or Jayden Struble in a heartbeat before I even consider or think of trading Adam Engstrom.

#8. Matheson will be 32, Carrier is 29, Guhle’s health is a serious issue and makes him undependable and Struble is the ideal role player but is not a regular 82 game top 6 guy.

#9. Adam Engstrom has more value than all 4 of those defensemen combined. Have people lost their ever-loving minds?

#10. Speaking of Mike Matheson for a moment, although he is unquestionably part of the top pairing on defense with Noah Dobson in the 2025/2026 season, Matheson is not even remotely worth 9 million per season for his next contract.

#11. Who in their right mind signs a 32-year-old to a multiyear contract at 9 million per season.

#12. Ya. Let’s create a new round of significantly bloated dead weight contracts to dig out from under. That’s a great idea.

#13. The Montreal Canadiens already have 5 of their top 6 forwards and the 2 remaining top 6 forwards are coming in 2026/2027, Center Michael out of the University of Michigan drafted 21st overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and by Alexander Zharovsky drafted 34th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft out of Ufa Tolpar in Russia.

#14. The significant need is sandpaper, grit and in your face players and that is 6’ 04 Florian Xhekaj, 6’ 04 Arber Xhekaj, 6’ 02 Owen Protz, 6’ 02 Luke Tuch, 6’ 05 Tyler Thorpe, Sam Harris and Bogdan Konyushkov and the 6’ 05 215 lb plus center Hayden Paupenekis.

#15. The starting 6 defensemen in Montreal has more questions than anyone thinks.

#16. Alexandre Texier who is in his mid-twenties, has some skill, was a good signing at 1-million dollars for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season. He’s a versatile player that can play all 3 forward positions.