Episode 192 of the Hockey Free For All 01-16-2026

Hello hockey fans, Episode 192 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived. This week’s topics include. #1. Gerard Gallant has stepped away from coaching in the KHL after consulting with doctors regarding as illness he has been dealing with. #2. The Columbus Blue Jackets have parted ways with head coach Dean Evanson and have replaced him with Rick Bowness. #3. The kid line really? Ivan Demidov, Oliver Kapanen and Juraj Slafkovsky are not a kid line. Stop insulting players. They are a young thriving and gelling line, that has chemistry and are professional hockey players whose games are evolving together on a line. #4. Am I seriously seeing people start to predict that Oliver Kapanen should be or will be a 5-to-7-million-dollar player on his next contract? How ignorant are people? 3 to 3.5 million maybe. 27 points in 46 games does not even remotely equate to Oliver Kapanen making 5 to 7 million dollars in his next contract. Not even close. What rock do these people hide or live under. #5. The bottom 6 forwards of Montreal’s Roster is really nothing to write home about or to be excited about and is the area of focus. Not more veteran presence or the ignorant relentless screaming for a second line center that the team clearly does not need and currently has a very capable player in Oliver Kapanen who is more than adequately filling that role and position for the team. #6. Now that Kaiden Guhle has returned, let’s see how long Kaiden Guhle can stay healthy? #7. With Kaiden Guhle’s never ending injuries, where do the Montreal Canadien’s go from here with Kaiden Guhle? #8. Can Kaiden Guhle still be relied on with his injury history? #9. Can Kaiden Guhle still be considered a cornerstone player and rebuild piece of the franchise with his injury history? #10. Kirby Dach has returned to active status, what is his role and future with the team? #11. Had Kirby Dach not suffered relentless and repeated serious injuries, he could have easily been the team second line center as he is extremely talented when healthy! #12. At this point, Kirby Dach can only be considered a roster depth player at best. #13. It’s highly unlikely that Kirby Dach continuous to be part of the Montreal Canadiens after his current contract expires, it’s far too risky and unreliable of a situation for the organization.