Episode 177 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 10-03-2025

Welcome to Episode 177 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast. Topics include- #1. Alex Newhook and Oliver Kapanen are not only having excellent training camps, but have formed a line with is having a solid training camps, but have formed a line with Ivan Demidov that immediately has chemistry, with a great combination of skill. #2. Florian Xhekaj continues to show his value and why he needs to be part of the roster. Florian Xhekaj brings a sandpaper and grit element to the roster that no one has since Chris Nilan did. #3. Kaiden Guhle’s frequency and variety of injuries continue and that has to be extremely concerning to the organization. #4. I said from the moment the Noah Dobson trade was announced, I didn’t like the trade. He’s a defensive liability and he is proving my point in training camp. The Canadiens’ coaching staff has a lot of work to do with Noah Dobson #5. Noah Dobson doesn’t use his size or weight in his game; he is a perimeter defenseman. #6. David Reinbacher’s injuries are mounting up and affecting every season and his development. This has to be extremely concerning to the Montreal Canadiens Management. #7. In the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, I also would have drafted David Reinbacher and not drafted Matvie Michkov.  Matvie Michkov is a headcase and extremely self-impressed. But my choice then and to this very day would have been Ryan Leonard from Boston College. #8. Can anyone else imagine a right-wing line of Cole Caufield, Ivan Demidov, Ryan Leonard and Tyler Thorpe for the Montreal Canadiens. Wow!  #9. In 2 seasons, will Kaiden Guhle, David Reinbacher or Noah Dobson even still be with the Montreal Canadiens? #10. I didn’t like the trade of Logan Mailloux for Zac Bolduc. Zac Bolduc better be the real deal, right out of the gate and never look back. #11. Think about the defenseman that the Montreal Canadiens have traded away. Wow! #12. This is exactly why you don’t trade Adam Engstrom, Jayden Struble or William Trudeau, and you don’t rush to move Mike Matheson. #13, In 2 seasons’ from now could the starting 6 defensemen for the Montreal Canadiens be Lane Hutson paired with Bryce Pickford, Adam Engstrom paired with Arber Xhekaj, Owen Protz paired with Carlos Handel with Rasmus Bergqvist as the seventh defensive option? It’s a real possibility.  #14. Jayden Struble’s value and position on the team has certainly increased. #15. Kirill Kaprizov is not even remotely worth his new 8-year 136-million contract. #16 The Minnesota Wild could have cleaned up trading Kirill Kaprizov. #17.  Luke Hughes of the New Jersey devils is not remotely worth 63 million dollars over 7 years. #18. Someone please explain and somehow rationalize the 8 years, at 9-million per season contract that has been handed to defenseman Jackson LaCombe by the Anaheim Ducks.