Hockey Free For All

Episode 145 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 02-21-2025

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.

Episode 144 of the Hocket Free For All Podcast 02-14-2025

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.

Episode143 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 02-07-2025

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?

Episode 142 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 01-31-2025

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.

Episode 141 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 01-24-2025

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.

Epiosde 140 of the Hockey Free For All Podacse 01-17-2025

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.

Episode 139 of the Hockey free For Podcast 01-10-2025

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?

Episode 138 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 12-29-2024

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.

Episode 137 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 12-22-2024

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?

Episode 136 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 12-15-2024

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.