Episode 180 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 10-24-2025

Hello hockey fans, welcome to episode 180 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast, this weeks topics include- #1. Ivan Demidov, Oliver Kapanen and Alex Newhook look great. #2. Oliver Kapanen has already replaced Kirby Dachs. #3. The Injuries continue for Kirby Dach. #4. Is the 2025/206 season it for Kirby Dach with the Canadiens? #5. Patrik Laine has even looked go on the 4th line. #6. Patrik Laine is way over paid #7. It’s no surprise if Kirby Dach and Patrik Laine are both traded at the 2025/2026 trade deadline. #8. Kirby Dach and Patrik Laine are taken up roster spots that other prospects deserve.  #9. Patrik Laine and Kirby Dach are not worth 12 million plus of team payroll. #10. Just imagine Michael Hage and Alexander Zharovsky on the2nd line with Ivan Demidov in the 2026/2027 season. #11. Is Jayden Struble better than Kaiden Guhle? #12. Kaiden Guhle’s injuries continue! #13. It may be best for both if Kaiden Guhle is traded. #14. Adam Engstrom is a key prospect. #15. Adam Engstrom is knocking on the door hard. #16. Adam Engstrom looks like a definite part of the long-term top 6 on the Montreal Canadiens defense. #17. Mike Matheson and Noah Dobson look every bit, a solid defensive pairing. #18. Keep Mike Matheson. Montreal Needs him and he’s perfect for Noah Dobson. #19. Hat’s off to Kent Hughes acquisition of Noah Dobson, as it looks like Noah Dobson, not David Reinbacker or Logan Mailloux is the top right-handed defenseman. #20. It now seems far more likely that David Reinbacker will be a trade chip. His continuous injuries raise far too many questions just like Kaiden Guhle’s do. #21. Kaiden Guhle had a relatively injury free junior career and has so far had an injury filled NHL career? #22. Jayden Struble has injury issues and concerns while playing at Northeastern University, yet has no injuries in the AHL or the NHL? #23. The dark horse right defensive top prospect is Bryce Pickens, who I think is Lane Hutson’s defensive partner, maybe as early as game 1 of the 2026/2027 season. #24. Owen Protz was a steel in the 4th round of the 2024 NHL entry draft and will also be part of the top 6 in Montreal for a long time. #25. There is no goaltending controversy. Stop trying to create or cause chaos! #26. Samual Montembeau knows his game is not where he wants it. #27. Samual Montembeau is a solid NHL goaltender #28. Jakub Dobes is playing Light out Hockey. #29. Jakub Dobes was a steel of a selection in the 5th round of the 2020 NHL entry draft with the 136th pick overall. #30. But if there was a trade of either Montembeau or Dobes. I hope they keep Dobes now, just like I wanted Montreal keep Jaroslav Halak over Carey Price.