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.