Episode 220 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 07-03-2026

Hello Hockey Fans, episode 220 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived and it’s just been a trading and free agent frenzy.   #1. An insane number of trades to talk about and catch up on #2. The free agent frenzy begins #3. Montreal does right by Brendan Gallagher #4. With Bredan Gallagher trade, does that open-up a roster spot for Florian Xhekaj to win or lose in the 2026/2027 training camp? #5. Where will the remaining big names get traded to, will they get traded? #6. The Montreal Canadiens make a series of AHL trades. #7. The New Jersey Devils fire the first shot with an offer-sheet to an RFA. #8. The San Jose Sharks and the Utah Mammoth made statements in the draft, and now in the insane trade and free agent markets. #9. The Montreal Canadiens have submitted qualifying offers restricted free agents: Arber Xjekaj, Zachary Bolduc, Jarred Davidson, Sean Farrell, Kirby Dach, Hunter McKnown, Brett Berard and Maksymillian Szuber. #10. Will Kirby Dach, Zach Bolduc and Samuel Montembeau be a part of the Montreal Canadiens moving forward? #11. The Florida Panthers are doing more than a few tweaks to their roster. #12. The Montreal Canadiens have signed another long-term/cornerstone piece of their franchise, as right winger Ivan Demidov signed an 8-year 73 million extension with an annual cap hit of 9.125 million dollars. #13. The Ottawa Senators have signed group 6 free agent Ryan Suzuki to a contract, so there will be no reuniting of the Suzuki brothers in Montreal to join the Xhekaj brothers. #14. The Montreal Canadiens walked away the biggest winners in the trade and free agent frenzy for 2-reasons, find out why. #15. Michael Hage has left the door open, just a little bit for the 2026/2027 season. The really good news is that Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes will do what’s right for both Michael Hage, as well as the organization, and will not be affected, derailed or influenced by what anyone else thinks, nor should they be. It’s about the prospect and organization not what anyone wants. #16. The Montreal Canadiens did not event remotely miss the mark in the 2026 Draft and allowed talent to go elsewhere or be drafted by other clubs. Again, a true statement of ignorance by those who said and believe that. The Montreal Canadiens not only hit the mark dead-on, Montreal nailed the 2026 draft, and addressed exactly what the organization wanted in every round, sandpaper, grit, size for their roster and long-term Right-handed defenseman options. #17. In yet the dumbest remark yet, are there really people that believe that the Montreal Canadiens should replace Martin St. Louis with Bruce Cassidy.  Does ignorance have no limits? #18. Martin St. Louis is the best coach in Montreal since Scotty Bowman. #19. Alexander Ovechkin will return for his 22nd season.