Episode 185 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 11-30-2025

Hello Hockey Fans, Episode 185 of the hockey free for all podcast has arrived, topics include- #1. Well look at what happens when the Montreal Finally called up Florian Xhekaj. It’s called sandpaper and intimidation. #2. The Edmonton Oiler severely lack goaltending and sandpaper. #3. Grit and sandpaper is exactly what the Florida Panther have up and down their lineup and is why the Florida Panthers have won the last 2 Stanly Cups and been in 3 Stanley Cups in the last 4 years. #4. 9-years and counting, no Stanley Cups for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. #5. Imagine what a line of Florian Xhekaj centering Tyler Thorpe on his right side and Luke Tuch on his left side could provide the Montreal Canadiens with! #6. What is with the incompetence being written, the Montreal Canadiens actually called up Adam Engstrom to showcase him to other teams. #7.  I would trade Mike Matheson, Alexander Carrier or Jayden Struble in a heartbeat before I even consider or think of trading Adam Engstrom. #8. Matheson will be 32, Carrier is 29, Guhle’s health is a serious issue and makes him undependable and Struble is the ideal role player but is not a regular 82 game top 6 guy. #9. Adam Engstrom has more value than all 4 of those defensemen combined. Have people lost their ever-loving minds? #10. Speaking of Mike Matheson for a moment, although he is unquestionably part of the top pairing on defense with Noah Dobson in the 2025/2026 season, Matheson is not even remotely worth 9 million per season for his next contract. #11. Who in their right mind signs a 32-year-old to a multiyear contract at 9 million per season. #12. Ya. Let’s create a new round of significantly bloated dead weight contracts to dig out from under. That’s a great idea. #13. The Montreal Canadiens already have 5 of their top 6 forwards and the 2 remaining top 6 forwards are coming in 2026/2027, Center Michael out of the University of Michigan drafted 21st overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and by Alexander Zharovsky drafted 34th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft out of Ufa Tolpar in Russia. #14. The significant need is sandpaper, grit and in your face players and that is 6’ 04 Florian Xhekaj, 6’ 04 Arber Xhekaj, 6’ 02 Owen Protz, 6’ 02 Luke Tuch, 6’ 05 Tyler Thorpe, Sam Harris and Bogdan Konyushkov and the 6’ 05 215 lb plus center Hayden Paupenekis. #15. The starting 6 defensemen in Montreal has more questions than anyone thinks. #16.  Alexandre Texier who is in his mid-twenties, has some skill, was a good signing at 1-million dollars for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season. He’s a versatile player that can play all 3 forward positions.