Episode 166 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 07-18-2025

Hello to all the hockey fans, episode 166 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived with a litany of topics to keep you up to date with during these long hot summer months. #1. The Montreal Canadiens do not need Joey Kyrou. #2. Yes, trade Patrik Laine now #3. Montreal signs former first round draft choice, center Joe Veleno, a perfect replacement for Christian Dvorak. #4. No thanks on acquiring Sydney Crosby after the 2026 Olympics, unless Montreal can get him for Kirby Dach and Oliver Kapanen straight up? #5. In what way is Nazem Kadri even remotely the answer to the Number 2 center role in Montreal? He’s in his mid-thirties, he’s slower and he’s on the back nine of his career. #6. Nazem Kadri bring an extremely bloated contract with, which has 4-years remaining on it. #7. Montreal has a plethora of internal options at a far cheaper price for any and all positions. #8. Of course, the Calgary Flames would not only love to unload Nazem Kadri, but even more, the Calgary Flames would love to get their hands on as many of Montreal’s outstanding prospects as possible. #9. Nope Montreal Doesn’t need center Anthony Cirelli of the Tampa Bay Lightning and take on that bloated contract either. Nor does Montreal need to make the Tampa Bay lightning a better team by sending them A-prospect talent, that’s used against the Montreal Canadiens for years to come that haunts them relentlessly. #10. Montreal is not facing tremendous trouble in replacing David Savard. His game was clearly in a steep decline since January 1st, 2024. #11.  Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia were role players that Montreal has a plethora options to replace them with at a lower cost. #12. Let Jayden Struble go to arbitration and is he’s rewarded an excessive amount, trade him and keep the assets pouring into Montreal #13. It will be extremely interesting to see if the excitement around prospect center Oliver Kapanen translates to the NHL Level. #14. It’s challenging seeing Oliver Kapanen as a 2nd line center in the NHL. #15. I’m far more excited about what Aatos Koivu can do than Oliver Kapanen. #16. Hage is the undisputed 2nd line center for the Montreal Canadiens. Michael Hage #17. Owen Beck is a solid 3rd two-way center to me, that can play it any way you want to. But I think that Florian Xhekaj is the Dark horse in the role of 3rd line center, and it remains to be seen if Vinzenz Rohrer’s style can translate to the NHL’s game? #18. I won’t even be remotely surprised at all if Adam Engstrom makes the Canadiens roster after the completion of training camp.