Hockey Free For All

Episode 109 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 06-16-2024

Hello hockey fans, here’s Episode 109 of the of the Hockey Free For All Podcast to take a listen to, this episodes discussions  include-
#1. The Florida Panthers are clearly outplaying the Edmonton Oilers.
#2. Nearly 60% of the Canada has no interest in the Stanley Cup finals which is indeed surprising to say the least.
#3. Conner McDavid is finally in the Stanley Cup finals, and few seem to care?
 #4. The last 2 seasons have heavily influenced the Florida Panthers playing style in the 2023/2024 playoffs and finals.
#5. Florida Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice is a very different and focused coach this year.
#6. Stop! Montreal doesn’t need Trevor Zegras or Martin Necas or the countless other names mentioned.
#7. Pay reel close to the way Edmonton play’s and their weakness’s before being so ready to trade away Arber Xhakaj, Kaiden Guhle’s, David Reinbacher’s, Logan Mailloux’s or any other of what some call the defensive glut of prospect talent the Montreal Canadiens have in there system.

Episode 108 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 06-09-2024

Hello hockey fans, here’s Episode 108 of the hockey free for all podcast to take a listen to. Topics of discussion include-
#1. The offensive powerhouse Stanley Cup final that has been wanted by many for years has arrived, as the Florida Panther face off against the Edmonton Oilers.
#2. The Montreal Canadiens have signed 2022 5th round draft pick Center Jared Davidson to a new 2-year contract, as well as OHL/Swiss free agent goaltender Connor Hughes to a 1-year 2-way contract after posting exceptional numbers in both the regular and post seasons this year.
#3. The Montreal Canadiens have declined signing 2022 4th round draft pick left winger Cedrick Guindon, 2022 7th round draft pick defenseman Petteri Nurmi and 2022 7th round draft pick defenseman Miguel Tourigny.
#4. Montreal Canadien defensive prospects Dmitri Kostenko and Daniil Sobolev from the 2021NHL entry draft have chosen to sign contracts in the KHL, rather than remain with the NHL club.
#5. Not all prospects pan out. The prospects with the best shot from the 2019 through the 2023 draft to make the club and play a significant or key role are- Cole Caufield, Kaiden Guhle, Logan Mailloux, Joshua Roy, William Trudeau, Juraj Slafkovsky, Filip Mesar, Owen Beck, Lane Hutson, David Reinbacher, Jacob Fowler, Florian Xhekaj, Adam Engstrom, Bogdan Konyushkov and Yevgeni Volokhin.
#6. Prospects that could make a compelling case for roster spots could be Jared Davidson, Luke Touch, Sean Farrell and Jakub Dobes.
#7. Prospects unlikely to make it, walk away when their junior or NCAA careers have concluded or be part of a trade are- Gianni Fairbrother, Jacob Leguerrier, Fredick Dichow, Arsen Khisamutdinov and Kieran Ruscheinski, Jayden Struble, Mattias Norlinder, Rafael Harvey or Rhett Pitlick, Jan Mysak, Alexander Gorin, Jack Smith, Blake Biondi, Demitri Kostenko, Daniil Sobolev, Riley Kidney, Oliver Kapanen, Xavier Simoneau, Joe Vrbetic, Vinzent Rohrer, Cederick Guindon, Emmett Croteau, Petteri Nurmi, Miguel Tourigny, Quentin Miller, Filip Eriksson and Luke Mittelstradt. 7 prospects in this list are already no longer property of or with the Montreal Canadiens organization already, as of now.
#8. The San Jose Sharks have qualified prospects David Klee and Brandon Svoboda, while choosing not to sign goalie prospect Mason Beaupit.
#9. Mike Yeo has been hired as an assistant coach, as has Nolan Baumgartner to fill out the Ottawa Senators coaching staff for the 2024/2025 season.
#10. Montreal does not need to acquire RW Martin Necas.

Episode 107 of the Hockey Free For Podcast 06-02-2024

Hello hockey fans out there, take a listen to Episode 107 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast. Topics of discussion this week are-
#1. Nope Montreal the Montreal Canadiens do not need David Parron either.
#2. Is anyone surprised at all the Don Waddell who resigned as President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes has been named as the new President and General Manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets?
#3. No, Montreal does not need Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets either. Why would Montreal go out and obtain an injury riddled, unhealthy, underscoring, overpaid 26-year-old forward who does not like the limelight or being even remotely near pressure situations. This adds another bloated dead excessive contract and nothing else.
#4. The Seattle Krakens have hired Dan Bylsma as their new head coach.
#5. Lots of assistant coaching options out there including Mike Yeo formerly with Vancouver is available and Marc Savard formerly with the Calgary Flames to fill out new coaching staffs with.
#6. Laval Rockets head coach J.F. Houle and all of his assistants, except Kelly Buchberger have signed new multiyear contracts by the Montreal Canadiens. Kelly Buchberger has chosen to move on.
#7. NHL Players news, the Carolina Hurricanes have resigned forward Ryan Suzuki to a new 1-year 2-way contract. The San Jose Sharks have signed highly touted draft pick signings center Will Smith out of Boston College, who was the 4th overall pick in the 2023 NHL entry to an NHL entry level contract, and it’s been reported that Tanner Pearson will not be returning to Montreal in 2024/2025 as his contract has expired and is now free to sign elsewhere.
#8. Surprise, the Florida panthers have knocked out the New York rangers, winning their series 4 games to 2, lessons learned from past post season’s.
#9. Could there be a Florida Panthers Vs. Edmonton Oiler Stanley Cup Final in 2023/2024. What a high flying lethal offensive cup final that would be.
#10. Edmonton’s biggest concern would have to be inconsistent goaltending that they had in the first 2 rounds, that they could not afford to have against Florida.

Episode 106 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast Memorial Day Episode 2024

Hello hockey fans out there, here is Episode 106 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast to get your hockey fix, discussions include-
#1. The Montreal Canadiens do not need Trevor Zegras, Joel Farabee’s or Pierre Luc Dubois, stop with the insanity.
#2. These proposed trades with Anaheim, Philadelphia and L.A. would strengthen these club and not weaken the Montreal Canadiens but would saddle them with horrendously bad contracts for years, strapping the club financially.
#3. Why would Montreal tear down their rebuild, deplete their prospect pool and destroy their roster, these trades have no upside to any of them.
 #4. Montreal acquired Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook for the specific reasons such as size, speed and versatility.
#5. Montreal NHL roster players to trade should be Josh Anderson, Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak, Jake Evens, Brendan Gallagher, Rafael Harvey-Pinard, David Savard and Jesse Ylonen.
#6. Laval AHL players to trade should be Justin Barron, Miguel Tourigny, Joe Vrbetic, Ty Smilanic, Mitchell Stephens, Philippe Maillet and Brady Keeper.
#7. Only prospects Sam Harris, Oliver Kapanen, Jack Smith, Alexander Gordin, Fillip Eriksson, Luke Mittelstadt, Petteri Nurmi, Blake Biondi, Mattias Norlander and Jacob Olofsson. The Jury remains out on prospects such as Rhett Pitlick, Vinzenz Rohrer, Xavier Simoneau, Jacob Perreault, Riley Kidney, Luke Tuch, Cedrick Guindon, Arnaud Durandeau, Quentin Miller, Emmett Croteau, Dmitri Kostenko and Daniil Sobolev should be even considered.
#8. In playoff news. The Florida Panthers are for real, have come to play, and are all in.
#9. The Edmonton Oilers/Dallas Stars might just be the more competitive series to watch.
#10. The Ottawa Senators have hired Rob DiMaio as their new Director of Player Personnel.
#11. The Tampa Bay Lightning have reacquired defenseman Ryan McDonagh from the Nashville Predators.
#12. The Toronto Maple leaf’s new head coach Craig Berube is laying the ground work and baseline expectations for the players and has been very vocal since being hired.
#13. Insanity and stupidity continue to create Arber Xhekaj trade rumors relentlessly. Don’t do it, or Montreal will not when the Stanley Cup again for at least another 25 -years plus. Would not even trade Arber Xhekaj straight up for Connor McDavid.
#14. Stanley Cups foundations of Dynasty clubs are built on players like Arber Xhekaj, and that is why 31 other clubs want to obtain him so badly. If anyone thought trading Patrick Roy, Ryan McDonagh, John LeClair, or when Guy Lafleur left, cost Montreal Stanley Cup Championships, trading Arber Xhekaj will haunt the organization and its fans 10-fold, compared to all those other moves combined.
#15. Sheldon Keefe has been hired as the new head coach of the New Jersey Devil’s.
#16. Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet wins Jack Adam’s trophy as head coach of the year.
#17. Calgary assistant coach Marc Savard has resigned.

Episode 105 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 05-19-2024

Hello Hockey Fans, here is Episode 105 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast to take a listen to, topics include-
#1. Injuries are stacking up for playoff teams and are making a significant difference in series.
#2. Injuries have altered the N.Y. Rangers/Carolina Hurricanes series.
#3. The Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars are separating themselves from the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche in their respective series.
#4. The Vancouver Canucks style of play is really causing a lot of issues for the offensive style of the Edmonton Oilers.
#5. Goaltending has become a key concern for the Edmonton Oilers suddenly.
#6. NHL officiating has just been horrendous.
#7. It’s official, Sheldon Keefe was at least the first fall guy in Toronto, but was not happy about it at all, in his press conference.
#8. Looks like a lot of work remains for the NHL and the Chicago Blackhawks, based on an article released by the Chicago (AP) and shared by the Canadiens Press: Published May 15, 2024 at 05:52 PM ET, and Updated May 15, 2024 at 06:09 PM ET.
#9. On a very sad note, Long-time TSN personality and Sports Centre host Darren Dutchyshen has passed away after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was only 57 years old, he was involved in and had accomplished so much, and was far, far too young to pass away, as he both had and wanted to accomplish so much more. He will be tremendously missed.
 
#10. In NHL Trophy news, Arizona Coyote’s goaltender Connor Ingram has won the Bill Masterson Trophy as he has successfully dealt with a series of significant issues on his way to evolving into full time NHL player. I wish him absolutely the best in Salt Lake City, in what should be a 100% positive move for all of the Arizona Coyote’s players and for the franchise as it now has stability and direction.
#11. This is how fast things are changing this time of year. Craig Berube has been named the next and new head coach of the Toronto Maple Leaf’s. The Florida Panthers have knocked out the Boston Bruins, The N.Y. Rangers decisively taken out the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Dallas Stars suffocating style has eliminated the Colorado Avalanche and their high-octane offence.
#12. The one and only remaining series to be decided in round 2 of the 2023/2024 playoffs is the Edmonton Oilers Vs. the Vancouver Canucks, which Vancouver leads 3 to 2, and can eliminate the Edmonton Oilers from the playoffs with a Vancouver win in their next game.

Episode 104 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 05-10-2024

Hello Hockey fans, here is Episode 104 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast to take a listen to, topics include-
#1. Kaiden Guhle joins team Canada. It will be a great experience for him.
#2. What’s with the issues that people apparently have with Nick Suzuki’s decision to decline joining team Canada?
#3. Will Surgery prevent Juraj Slafkovsky from playing for Slovakia? His health, recovery and readiness for opening night of the 2024/2025 are far more important.
#4. The Boston Bruins eliminated the Toronto Maple leaf’s again!
#5. The Florida Panther Vs. Boston Bruins series is a crap shoot.
 #6. It’s looking like the N.Y. Rangers are going to knock out the Carolina Hurricane in 4 games.
#7. The Dallas Stars & Colorado Avalanche is more evenly matched than many thought.
#8. Could the Vancouver Canucks smoother the Edmonton Oilers and knock them out?
#9. The Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness has announced his retirement, not surprising at all.
#10. The St. Louis Blues have removed the interim coaching title from acting head coach Drew Bannister, and named him the permanent head coach.
#11. The Ottawa Senators have found and signed their next and new head coach Travis Green.
#12. Really surprised that the Ottawa Senators did hire Craig Berube as their next head coach.
#13. The New Jersey Devils are still looking for their next head coach.
#14.  I wish Lindy Ruff a lot of luck in Buffalo.
#15. The L.A. Kings club is looking for a new voice to take them to the promise land before retirements and rebuild begins.
#16. Add the Seattle Kraken to the teams looking for a new head coach.
#17. The San Jose Sharks have decided they also need a new voice for their team and are now also looking for a new head coach.
#18. The 3 finalists for the NHL’s Heart trophy are Conner McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Nikita Kucherov.
#19. Seriously, there are people that are actually questioning Montreal Managements decision to extend head coach Martin St. Louis contract by 2 years, are you kidding me?
#20. What’s with the outrageous claim, judgement, and conclusion that the Montreal Canadiens have somehow lost the Artturi Lehkonen trade with the Colorado Avalanche?
#21. Johnathan Drouin had a fantastic season playing for the Colorado Avalanche for the same reasons Artturi Lehkonen did, they are playing for an incredible talent laden team.
#22. As predicted Sheldon Keefe is the first fall guy in Toronto, as he’s been fired. Who else will be gone?

Episode 103 Part 2 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 05-05-2024

Hey Hockey fans, here is Episode 103 Part 2 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast To Take a Listen To, Topics Include-
#1. In a dramatic overtime game 7 the Boston Bruins have eliminated the Toronto Maple Leaf’s with a goal by David Pastrnack, what happens next in Toronto?
#2. Pittsburgh Penguins President & G.M. Karl Dubas follows threw and fires associate coach Todd Reirden, does this start a ripple effect on the coaching staff and organizationally elsewhere?
#3. Time for some spending in Montreal,
#4. Montreal already has ready and waiting far better prospects and talent within it’s own organization and does not need to sign anyone else from anywhere else, stop!
#5. Montreal already has Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach and Owen Beck 1,2,3 at center. If you have an issue with Beck in that list, add Alex Newhook at 3 and put Beck at 4. Either way, Montreal is set.
#6. Montreal’s top 9 are set and are on an equal playing field with all other clubs in the NHL
#7. The Montreal Canadiens certainly do not need to sign and bring back Max Pacioretty from the Washington Capitals as an offseason free agent signing, nor do they need to make a trade with the N.Y. Rangers for Kaapo Kako either.
#8. Round 2 of the 2023/2024 NHL Playoffs kicks off with the Boston Bruins Vs. The Florida Panthers, Florida should have Boston’s number, but the Bruins have a never die attitude like few do.

Episode 103 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast Part 1

Episode 103 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast Part 1 Topics.
#1. So much for the Washington Capitals and their 2023/2024 playoffs.
#2. Alexander Ovechkin was held pointless in the series.
#3. One has to tip their hat to the N.Y. Rangers, as they were clearly the better team.
#4. The inevitable and coming rebuild for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
#5. Will Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin request trades to a contender?
#6. Will Kris Letang request a trade to contender or retire?
 #7. Erik Karlsson has no chemistry in Pittsburgh.
#8. The L.A. Kings, Winnipeg Jet’s, Tampa Bay Lightning, and N.Y Islanders all lost 4 to 1 in their series.
#9. The Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, N.Y. Rangers, and the Carolina Hurricanes are all moving on.
#10. The Boston/Toronto Maple Leaf’s, Nashville/Vancouver and Las Vegas/Dallas series have been the most competitive series so far in the 2023/2024 playoffs.
#11. It would not be surprising at all if the L.A. King’s, Winnipeg Jets and depending on what happens with Toronto, these teams could all be looking for new head coaches.
#12. If Toronto loses their series, will Mitch Marner be the fall guy and traded?
#13. Add the Seattle Kraken to the growing list of NHL teams looking for a new head coach, as they have fired their head coach Dave Hakstol.
#14 Is there a power struggle in Pittsburgh between President/G.M. Karl Dubas and Head Coach Mike Sullivan?
#15. Will Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour still be in Carolina next season?
#16. Winnipeg’s 2024 first round draft pick is now a mid-first round pick, with the series loss to the Colorado Avalanche, which Montreal Canadiens own’s via the Sean Monahan trade.
#17. Will Rick Bowness be back in Winnipeg?
#18. Will the Winnipeg Jets remain in Winnipeg long term, or are they the next team to be relocated?

Episode 102 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 04-28-20224

Hello hockey Fans out there, here is Episode 102 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast to take a listen to, discussions include-
#1. Why would Montreal even remotely be looking at 5 insurance policy goaltenders over the offseason as they have plenty of organizational talent?
#2. Samual Montembeau and Cayden Primeau are firmly in place and will hold the fort in Montreal as other internal talent develops.
#3. Is it not realized that NHL clubs can only have 50 players in their entire organization under contract at any given time, per the collective bargaining agreement?
#4. What 3 mistakes that Kent Hughes can’t afford to make this off season are people referring to? Kent hasn’t made a single mistake yet.
#5. Montreal has no need to target any free agent defensemen nor 5 specific defensemen in the upcoming offseason, and certainly do not need to add a veteran defenseman to the 3rd pairing. What part of Mike Matheson, David Savard, Johnathan Kovacevic, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Jordan Harris, Jayden Struble, Logan Mailloux, David Reinbacher, Lane Hutson, Adam Enstrom and Wiiliam Trudeau is not being understood or is not clear. That’s 12 internal ready defensemen. You can only play 6. That’s a starting 6 X 2, hello!
#6. Is there just a lot of sentimental nostalgia in the air? There is no room to bring back Tyler Toffoli or Sean Monahan in Montreal. The team is moving on in its development and prospects are ready to take the roster spots.
#7. I hope that J.F. Houle and his staff return in 2024/2025, as they seem aligned with what NHL coaches want.
#8. The Buffalo Sabre’s wasted little time in naming Lindy Ruff as their new head coach.
#9. The San Jose Sharks have fired head Coach Dan Quinn and are looking for their head coach.
#10. The Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche series looks like its going to be a wild offensive series.
#11. Is any team, more unlucky, than the Dallas Stars are, as they once again get to face the Las Vegas Golden Knights?
#12. The Florida Panthers look to be in charge of their series with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
#13. Once again the Toronto Maple Leaf’s get to face their favorite nightmare by playing the Boston Bruins.
#14. The Vancouver Canucks and Nashville Predator series looks like the most even series in the opening round of the 2023/2024 playoffs.
#15. In the Washington/N.Y. Rangers series, the N.Y. Rangers clearly look like the fresher team.
#16. The Edmonton Oilers look like they have brought their A game against the L.A. Kings this year.
#17. In the Carolina Hurricane Vs. N.Y. Islanders series. It looks like the head coaches Rod Brind ‘ Amour and Patrick Roy have taken center stage.

Episode 101 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 04-24-2024

Episode 101 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast, Topics include.
#1. What’s with the sudden drama and the need for making sense regarding the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes franchise, they had just shy of 3 decades to figure it out and put it together!
#2. Salt Lake City Utah will be a great addition to the NHL. It’s a top winter sports destination in the work. It has some of the most rabid and Loyle fan’s anywhere, and a modern-day owner that gets it.
#3. It’s long overdue that the team owners of all franchises should pay 100% of the costs, as they stand to rake in all of the generated revenue by the team that they own.
#4. Taxpayers need to stop paying for any and all arena, stadium or any other related franchise costs, except the ticket cost and things that they specifically.
#5. If a sports team attempts to hold a city hostage by leaving if it and its tax payers don’t agree to foot the bill, then let the team walk!
#6. The NHL should now understand that the cities of Pheonix A.Z and Atlanta G.A. are 2 markets where the game does not fit and move on from those cities. They are just not a fit for the NHL. Not all cities will be.
#7. If it does end up that the Winnipeg Jet’s relocate yet again, I’ll bet that the choice of Houston TX has already been made, as to the city to relocate the Winnipeg franchise to.
#8. Looks like the honeymoon for Karl Dubas is already over in Pittsburgh, as he has clearly not endured himself to any of the players.
#9. The pending rebuild looks to be starting sooner, rather than later for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
#10. Would not be a surprise at all if defenseman Kris LeTang announced his retirement.
#11. Would not be a surprise at all if Evgeni Malkin requested a specific trade to the Washington Capital or went to the KHL after the completion of the 2023/2024 playoffs.
#12. After watching Karl Dubas trade Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes  and the overall play of the franchise this season, it definitely would not be a surprise to Sidney Crosby request a trade to a contending team, if he decides that it’s time to move on from Pittsburgh.
#13. Montreal is not a fit for Sidney Crosby.
#14. Montreal is not a fit for Steven Stamkos.
#15. What is with all of the senseless drama surrounding Carrey Price drama now that his house has officially sold in Montreal, was there actually people who thought he was still coming back, seriously?
#16. What part of Carrey Prices interview, when he said, if this is my last game that I play, I’m ok with everything. There was no grey area in that comment. It was very clear and obvious.
#17. As the playoffs are underway, it got to be stinging very badly for all of the self-anointed and self-appointed experts to watch Alexander Ovechkin continue his reign of supremacy as the best.