Hockey Free For All

Episode 82 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 12-31-2023

Hello Hockey Fans, here is Episode 82 of the Hockey Free For Podcast topics include-
#1. The very impressive smooth transition to the NHL of the Montreal Canadiens defensive prospect Jayden Struble is not surprising at all.
#2. The only concern about Jayden Struble finishing up at and coming out of Northeastern University was will he be able to stay healthy, as he has sustained several injuries during his time at Northeastern, and he has. Fortunately, his injury and durability history which was a valid concern has not followed him to the AHL or NHL.
#3. Absolutely there is room for both Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble in the starting 6 defensive positions, as well as for Florian Xhekaj are exactly the types of players that Montreal has desperately needed for nearly 5 decades.
#4. The long-term starting 6 defenseman for the next 10 to 15 years should be David Reinbacher with Lane Hutson, Logan Mailloiux with Kadian Guhle and Arber Xhekaj with Jayden Struble hands down.
#5. Before trading Jordan Harris, with his skating, defensive game and awareness, there is a potention Right wing sot on the 4th line for him.
#6. Looks like it’s nothing more than total lip service regarding player safety if you were watching the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens game on Friday when there was no call against Carolina Hurricanes player Stafan Noesen who targeted and hit Montreal Canadiens left Winger Jaruj Slafkovsky in the head.
So much for ethics and integrity, this exactly the reason why Arber Xhakaj should have never been sent to Laval and is exactly why Arber Xhakaj is the MVP of the Montreal Canadiens roster, as well as a cornerstone player on the Montreal Canadiens roster for the next 10 to 15 year’s. Arber Xhekaj is a solid defenseman who was an undrafted walk-on at both the OHL junior level and at the NHL level who plays a solid game, who skates tremendously well with his stature, build and body type, who generates offensive production beyond expectation, who bring a formidable intimidation to his game that clearly cares about his teammates and protects them refreshingly and is team captain material, oh and did I forget who brings a calmness to the ice that keeps the opposition in their place and in check.
#7. Sam Montembeau and Cayden Primeau are the right goalies for the Montreal Canadiens to move forward with and evaluate as the organization continues its rebuild and prospects develop.

Episode 81 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 12-24-2023

Episode #81 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast Topics.
#1. Trade Bait Josh Anderson, Christian Dvorak, Jake Evans, Joel Armia, Rapheal Harvey-Pinard, Brendan Gallagher, Sean Monahan, Tanner Pearson, Mike Matheson, David Savard and Jake Allen.
#2. Goaltending should consist of Sam Montembeau and Cayden Primeau for the next 3 to 5 years while prospects develop 
#3. Prospects: Joshua Roy, Sean Ferrall, Owen Beck, David Reinbeck, Lane Hutson,
#4. Future 4 lines: Joshua Roy/Sean Ferrall, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Alex Newhook, Kirby Dach, Juraj Slafkovsky, Joshua Roy/Sean Ferrall/Filip Mesar, Owen Beck, Emil Heineman and Luke Tuch, Jared Davidson, Florian Xhekaj.
#5. Future 6 D: Reinbacher/Lane Hutson, Logan Mailloux/Kaiden Guhle, Jayden Struble/Arber Xhekaj
#6. Goaltending Future: Jacob Fowler/Yevgeni Volokhin

Episode 80 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 12-17-2023

Episode 80 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast Topics include-
#1. Coaching changes in Edmonton, Minnesota and St. Louis, the players should have paid the price, not the coaches, time to man up and do your jobs as extremely overpaid athletes.
#2. Virginia has offered a tremendous and the perfect opportunity and package for the Washington Capitals and the Washington Wizard, let’s hope that is not a leveraging act or power play, as it would be a total disgrace and black on sports franchises, owners and league official.
#3. Goaltending remains horrific in Edmonton.
#4. Jake Allen should be very interesting to many teams with goaltending issues.
#5. Stop the nostalgia, Montreal does not need to acquire Sidney Crosby at 37 years of age, who is on the back 9 of an amazing career and mortgage their future.
#6. Montreal Management is building a long term successful, every year contending franchise
#7. Skilled Players need to play with other skilled players that offset their skills, or players that create space for them, so that they can excel.

Episode 79 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 12-10-2023

Episode 79 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast Topic include-
#1. Montreal clearly has tremendous depth and decisions coming and to be made on defense. Defensive prospect pool is nothing short of amazing.
#2. Why can’t both Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble co-exist as a pair on the Montreal defense?
#3.Montreal has needed strength, physicality, intimidation, and the types of players that strike fear into its opponents for decades.
#4. How can the Montreal Canadiens not keep both Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble?
#5. Wouldn’t be nice if Cole Caufield has no need to look over his shoulder wondering if he’s going to crushed?
#6. Let’s take a breath for a second regarding the 3-goaltender situation in Montreal.
#7. Cayden Primeau has shown tremendous growth!
#8. Jake Allen is nothing short of an excellent team member, tremendous leader, tremendous in the locker room and is a mentor for the other goalies.
#9. In recent times, defined as 1980 to 2023, there’s only been 4 players who have literally lit it up like they were shot out of a cannon at 18-years of age. Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby and Conner McDavid, stop the insanity and let Juraj Slafkovsky develop.
What is wrong with people who somehow believe that as an 18-year old drafted number one overall in there sport and league should somehow without exception be both unquestionably entertain and taking over their game from day one of them playing.

Episode 78 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 12-01-2023

Hello Hockey Fans, take a listen to
Episode 78 of the Hockey Free For Podcast Content Page 12-1-2023
#1. Sam Montembeau signs 3 year 9.45-million-dollar contract
#2. Time to trade Josh Anderson overdue, a highly overrated player
#3. The Similarities of Patrick Roy, Pierre Luc Dubois and Patrik Laine
#4. I Wish Corey Perry the absolute best and hope he receives all the support he needs.
#5. The 2022/2023 season and the 2023/2024 NHL seasons are carbon copy of each other at this point for the Montreal Canadiens, and if the 2023/2024 season is going to be any different,  the Montreal Canadiens are going to have to be extremely busy leading up to and at the trade deadline.

Episode 77 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 11-24-2023

Hello Hockey Fans out there, Episode 77 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived for your hockey fix, topics include.
#1. Jayden Struble has been called up from Laval by Montreal, and the Canadiens need his physical game, grit, demeanor, attitude, style and approach to the game. Outside of Arber Xhekaj, the Montreal roster is devoid of it.
#2. Why is anyone even remotely surprised by the sudden realization that the Canadiens have plenty of, and exciting goaltending prospects. There is this sudden holly cow, the Canadiens actually knew what they were doing when the drafted 3 goaltenders in the 2023 draft. Jacob Fowler who will have the most pressure on him because of his draft selection in the 3rd round at the 69th position. But, Keep your eyes on the Russian goalie prospect Yevgeni Volokhin. He has been solid at every level he’s played and is both the wild card and the great unknown.
#3. Who in their right mind is even remotely thinking that the Canadiens should trade Prospect Sean Farrell. Has everyone forgotten the comments made by Director of Player development Adam Nicholes regarding prospect Sean Farrell, starting with, he’s going to be a special player. Does Montreal suddenly have too much talent, leaving no room for Farrell. Is there no more room in Montreal for top 6 talent?
#4. Injuries in Laval now include Emil Heineman and now Lias Andersson are out for the next 2-months!
#5. Montreal’s injury list has now grown to include Kirby Dach, David Savard, Arber Xhekaj, Jordan Harris and Raphael Havey-Pinard. This is why teams must have depth and the Montreal Canadiens organizational depth will be put to the test, not question about it.
#6. Cayden Primeau has emerged as the right goalie at the right time for the Montreal Canadiens. The team has played differently when he’s in goal, there’s comfortable level and trust that’s not there otherwise.
#7. Montembeau is the perfect contract, fit and solution for Edmonton.
#8. How glad is everyone that the Montreal Canadiens did not trade for Pierre Luc Dubois now?
#9. Montreal doesn’t need to sign Sean Monahan to a new longer-term contract. Monahan’s injury history is just too great of a risk.

Episode 76 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 11-18-2023

To all the hockey fans out there, here is Episode 76 of the Hockey Free For All podcast to take a listen and get your hockey fix.
#1. What is going on in Edmonton?
#2. The oilers really need to take a very close look at what the Las Vegas Golden Knights have done and replicate their model exactly.
#3. The coach was the fall guy in Edmonton!
#4. Montreal can solve the goaltending issues not only in Edmonton, but in Carolina and New Jersey as well.
#5. The Las Vegas Golden knights won the Stanley Cup last year with a 5th string goalie, who wasn’t even in the organization at the beginning of the season!
#6. Cayden Primeau displayed significant development in the Detroit and Las Vegas games, and to really see what Cayden Primeau is capable of, as well as where he is and fits into the organization, he should be the workhorse in goal in Montreal this season. It’s the perfect time in the organizations development to do it.
#7. There is no Martin Broduer or Henrik Lundqvist in the pipelines in Montreal, let’s see what Cayden Primeau’s got, if he can be the 50 game plus goalie, as Sam Montembeau or Jake Allen have not shown that they can be.
#8 The answer as to who is that perfect fit missing right winger for Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield the answer is Joshua Roy, who fit perfectly and seamlessly with Conner Bedard at the world juniors last year.
#9. Alex Newhook fit perfectly and the perfect right winger with Kirby Dach and Juraj Slafkovsky and that should be his permanent top 6 spot.
#10. Christian Dvorak’s return, and fill in for Kirby Dach in his absence his been a great fit for Alex Newhook and Jaruj Slafkovski, which completely unexpected, but fantastic to see.
#11. Rapheal Harvey-Pinard has not looked good this season.
#12. Justin Barron has some great wow games and some want to forget games.
#13. Jesse Ylonen should get a shot and solid look at playing right wing with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.
#14. Josh Anderson can’t buy a goal this season so far, but it has been fantastic to see Josh Anderson be engaged in every game, actively moving, and most importantly staying healthy. Josh Anderson’s effort and consistency has bee outstanding to see and extremely positive.

Episode 75 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 11-11-2023

Take a listen to episode 75 of the Hockey Free For All Podacst.
#1. What’s with Jonathan Huberdeau in Calgary. It has apparently struck many nerves that he was benched in Calgary recently, as many are referring to the benching of this player as disgraceful?
#2. Are there actual living breathing people who think that there are players that are unbenchable, or beyond expectation and discipline, think again!
#3. Jonathan Huberdeau has not performed or lived up to expectations since he arrived in Calgary!
#4. There’s no question that the Florida Panthers overwhelmingly won the Matthew Tkachuk trade.
#5. Calgary has to be having buyers’ remorse regarding the 10.5 million annual, 84 million in total value contract that Johnathan Huberdeau signed last season.
#6. Darryle Sutter was the problem for Johnathan Huberdeau and a lot of other players last season, what’s the problem for Johnathan Huberdeau and others in Calgary this season, there is still zero chemistry?
#7. What is the big deal that’s being made out of the Montreal Canadien still carrying 3 goaltenders on there roster, its not like there’s a Martin Brodeur, Ken Dryden or Henrik Lundquist in Montreal. The best by numbers is Jake Allen, Sam Montembeau has fallen off the map so far and Cayden Primeau just had his first successful NHL game in Detroit a few days ago, none of these 3 have grabbed the number position and ran with it.
#8. If Montreal did not have to be concerned with losing Cayden Primeau on the waver-wire, they would have sent him down to Laval, before the 2023/2024 season even started.
#9. The Edmonton Oilers clearly have an enormous problem in goal. The New Jersey Devils would love to obtain a young goalie who can be tutored by the great Martin Brodeur, The Carolina Hurricanes need at least a solid backup goalie if not a solid 1A goalie, and Montreal could solve the problems of all 3 of these organizations and continue to stockpile assets!
#10. Keep your eyes on Montreal goalie prospect Yevgeni Volokhin though. There is something special there, to be excited about
#11 Kaiden Guhle and Arber Xhekaj could be the only 2 current roster defensemen still in Montreal in 2 years, so there’s plenty of room for Logan Mailloux, David Reinbacher, Lane Hutson, Bogdan Konyushkov, Jayden Struble and Adam Engstrom.
#12. 2022 1st pick overall Juraj Slafkovsky is definitely a different, better and far more comfortable player this year. He misses Kirby Dach.
#13. Alex Newhook is a high-end Right Winger, and a less than average center.
#14. Montreal has a laundry list of players that they can move before or the trade deadline this season.
#15. Brendan Gallagher and Micheal Pezzetta wore neck braces in practice to simply try them out, stop trying to make something out of nothing! The players, the players union and the league remain stunned by the death of Pittsburgh Penguin prospect Adam Johnson. How about, that particular situation wake some people up.

Episode 74 of the Hockey Free For Podcast 11--4-2023

Hello Hockey Fans, please take a listen to Episode 74 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast Topics Include-
#1. Shayne Pinto who has been suspended for 41 games do to sports activity wagering.
#2. The Ottawa Senators have forfeited a 1st round draft choice in the 2024 NHL Draft by the NHL due to withholding player limitation information regarding Evgenii Dadonov who was traded by Ottawa to Las Vegas, who in turn filed a grievance with the NHL in the 2021/2022 season when the Las Vegas Golden Knights then had attempted to trade Dadonov to Anaheim, only to discover at that point and time, that Dadonov had a 10 team no trade to list that Ottawa apparently failed to make Las Vegas aware of, when Ottawa traded Dadonov to Las Vegas.
#3. Ottawa General Manager Pierre Dorian has been fired.
#4. Newly Appointed Team President Steve Staios will serve as the interim General Manager until a permanent replaced is chosen.
#5. Jayden Struble, Logan Mailloux, William Trudeau, Lias Andersson, Joshua Roy have all looked fantastic in Laval
#6. The Montreal Canadiens flow of prospects and talent is showing no signs of slowing down, which has the potential to make for an extremely interesting trade deadline scenario this season. The trade list of players should include Josh Andersson, Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak, Jake Evans, Brendan Gallagher, Tanner Pearson, Jesse Ylonen, Justin Barron, Gustav Lindstrom, David Savard, Sam Montembeau, Cayden Primeau and Sean Monahan.
#7. Montreal does not want to get in a bidding to retain the services of Sean Monahan
#8. Is Lias Andersson the solution as the number 2 center for the Montreal Canadiens in Kirby Dach’s absence. Lias Andersson is 24 years of age, a former 1st round 7th overall draft pick that Montreal took a flier on this summer and signed, with nothing to lose or invested, and he could be the next steel for the Montreal Canadiens.
Lias Andersson had an excellent AHL season last season with the Los Angeles Kings organization and looks to be a late bloomer that has found his stride, and with the season ending injury to Kirby Dach, could very well be the player to slot in as the number 2 center, rather than effecting all the other lines, or having to constantly evaluate other options like Sean Monahan, Christian Dvorak or Jake Evan’s.
Sean Monahan has found his 2 niches where he will exceed all expectations of the organization as either the 3rd line center with Brendan Gallagher or Tanner Pearson on his wings which has been seamless from day one, or as the right wing on the Suzuki and Caufield line. Monahan has flawlessly excelled in both those situations. Is it worth the risk inserting Sean Monahan as the number 2 center and possibly ruining the success he’s had.
#9. Christian Dvorak’s greatest contributions to the team are his defensive awareness and high faceoff win percentage, but he has never been able to put it together with any kind of consistently in Montreal.
#10. Jake Evans had a solid opening night to kick off the 2023/2024 NHL season but has also been a ghost since then. Montreal has way too many prospects for Jake Evan’s top remain in Montreal long term.

Episode 73 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 10-28-2023

If you’re a hockey fan, or just a sports junkie, please take a listen to Episode 73 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast, topics include-
#1. Of all the Canadiens injury none effect the team more than Kirby Dachs injury.
#2. The Montreal Canadiens have been looking for the big 6’ 04 200 lb. plus center for nearly 5 decades.
#3. Its very clear that Kirby Dachs injury has had a direct effect on both Jaruj Slafkovsky and Alex Newhook, as both players have become dead silent. Slafkovsky clearly misses Dach as his center, as they were beginning to develop chemistry like Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield have, and the offense that Alex Newhook was producing has vanished, all since the moment Dach was injured. Both Slafkovski and Newhook were on their way to having very successful seasons.
#4. It’s clear that Alex Newhook is a much better right winger than center,
#5. Let’s hope that this is the last injury of significance in Kirby Dach’s career.
#6. Fortunately Kaiden Guhle’s injury looks to be minor thankfully and reports are saying that Guhle will be in the lineup to play against Winnipeg on Saturday night, which is fantastic news, if he is indeed fully healed up, and not rushing back into the lineup.
#7.  David Savard’s injury, it looks like he is out until at least January 1st 2024, which completely sucks for him. However, if one wants to find a silver lining in the injury to David Savard, it does open the door and provide an opportunity to Justin Barron and allows him to showcase his abilities, show what he add to the skillset of the defense.
#8. The line of Brendan Gallagher, Sean Monahan and Tanner Pearson seems to be a perfect and custom fit, as these 3 players
#9. It would now seem like a new contract is the least of Shayne Pinto’s and the Ottawa Senators concerns as he has been suspended for 41 games because of sports wager activities. Is that the new euphemism for questionable gambling?
#10. The NHL should take note and be about the low attendance in Winnipeg, Calgary, Buffalo, San Jose and Washington.
#11. It seems as though Conner Bedard is not worried even remotely about what fans think of him, as he has already reached his max regarding interviews and signings of things such as jersey’s. Conner McDavid and his insights as to how to deal with the media and society would be a tremendous to Conner Bedard, as McDavid has done an exceptional job at keeping everything and everyone in their proper context and place, to maintain balance in his life.