Episode 178 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 10-10-2025

Welcome to Episode 178 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast. The regular season has arrived. This week’s topics include- #1. Left winger Michael Pezzetta leaves the Montreal Canadiens, signs with the Toronto Maple Leaf’s, and still ends up in the AHL. #2. The Toronto Maple Leaf’s have signed former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Cayden Primeau. #3. The Toronto Maples have also signed forward Sammy Blais who was placed on waivers by the Montreal Canadiens at the conclusion of the 2025/2026 pre-season training camp. #4. Sammy Blais played for current Maple Leaf’s head coach Craig Berube, when Craig Berube was the head coach in St. Louis Blues. #5. Connor McDavid has signed an extremely interesting new 2-year contract. #6. Connor McDavid clearly holds all of the cards at the end of his new 2-year extension. #7. How about Kaiden Guhle, David Reinbacher and Patrik Laine to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Sidney Crosby straight up. Or add forwards Riley Kidney and Joshua Roy for 2 additional 3rd draft picks from the Pittsburgh Penguins, but absolutely nothing else from Montreal. #8. I am surprised that Oliver Kapanen was the prospect out of all the prospects was the one that made the Hab’s roster. But he was absolutely the proper center for Ivan Demidov and Alex Newhook, and it’s an excellent and talented line. #9. The Line of Brendan Gallagher, Kirby Dach and Zack Bolduc has been both solid and impressive. #10 Juraj Slafkovsky is looking great with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. #12. Samual Montembeau did not look ready in Toronto. Jokub Dobes looked in mid-season form in Detroit. #14.  Noah Dobson didn’t look ready in Toronto but was solid in Detroit. #15. Noah Dobson and Mike Matheson should be paired together all season long. #16. Lane Hutson should be paired with Adam Engstrom. #17. Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble should be paired together for the entire season. #18. Ryan Lenard was and would have been my pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.