Episode 194 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 01-30-2026

Hello Hockey Fans, Episode 194 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived. The topics include- #1. When the unexpected happens, it’s why you don’t trade prospects and it happens a lot more often than people think. #2. Examples of the unexpected are Kaiden Guhle and David Reinbacher. #3. The most games that Kaiden Guhle has played in any season to date is 70 games. Every other season he’s played in has been 40 some games, that’s a major problem. #4. David Reinbacher was not my choice to select at the number 5 selection/position overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. His injuries concerned me then. #5. Matvie Mitchkov was not my choice to select at the number 5 selection/position overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Matvie Mitchkov has been little more than a headcase to this point. #6. My choice would have been and remains today, the selection of Ryan Leonard RW out of Boston College with the number 5 selection in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. #7. At this point, it’s a struggle to see Kaiden Guhle or David Reinbacher in the long-term starting 6, on Montreal’s defense. Even though when healthy, Kaiden Guhle is solid and even though David Reinbacher looked really good in that first training camp with Lane Hutson, their injuries are far bigger concerns. #8. The reality of the eventual long-term top 6 defensemen for the Montreal Canadiens really looks like Lane Hutson paired with Bryce Pickford. Noah Dobson paired with Adam Engstrom and if anything was to happen to or with Noah Dobson, Mike Mathenson would be the logical choice in this pairing and Arber Xhekaj paired with Owen Protz #9. It remains to be seen or determined if Bogdan Konyushkov comes over from Russia, he may want to stay, TBD. #10. With all the defensive talent that the Montreal Canadiens have in their organization, Kaiden Guhle, David Reinbacher, Alexander Carrier and Jayden Struble could easily be the odd men out and the ones that get traded. #11. The desire to acquire every possible player has to stop. There are only 20 spots on an NHL roster. 2 Goaltenders, 6 defensemen and 12 forwards or 2 Goaltenders, 7 defensemen and 11forwards. You can have 3 in the stands in reserve, but they cannot dress or play in addition to the starting 20. #12. The young players and all of the organizational prospects that the Montreal Canadiens have within their organization are better than any player they could acquire within any trade. #13. Thankfully, Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes oversee the Montreal Canadiens. It’s their skills, experience, knowledge and drafting that has built the Montreal Canadiens into a very enviable NHL Club.