Episode 228 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 08-27-2026

Hello Hockey Fan’s, Episode 228 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived for you to get your summer hockey fix needs addressed. This week’s topics include- Its really good that the rookie and regular training camps are close at hand. Are people just hell bent on making trades, to make them? All of these trade proposals would weaken the Montreal Canadiens. What could the Calgary Flames or Philadelphia Flyers offer the Montreal for Arber Xhehaj? Would Philadelphia send Porter Matrone to Montreal straight up for Arber Xhekaj? No! The Montreal Canadeins have absolutely no physicality, sandpaper and grit on their NHL roster other than Arber Xhekaj. Within the entire organization, Montreal has 5 prospects that bring  sand paper, grit and true in your face hockey and they are? Only Florian Xhekaj of those 5 will be on the roster in 2026/2027. Owen Protz, Bogdan Konyushkov and Gleb Pugachyov are at least another year away. Not Likely Owen Protz has a come out of nowhere/lights out, must find a spot for the rookie, he’s at least a year away. Bogdan Konyushkov is under contract with the KHL in 2026/2027. Gleb Pugachyov needs at least the 2026/2027 season in the KHL, could he be ready after? Other than Lane Hutson, Arber Xhekaj is the 2nd most valuable defenseman in Montreal Who protects Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson and others if you trade Arber Xhekaj? Did everyone miss the excellent playoffs that Arber Xhekaj had? Kaiden Guhle has yet to show he can stay healthy. Noah Dobson had an ok regular season. It wasn’t lights out. Noah Dobson’s playoffs were subpar. Price was too high for Noah Dobson. Noah Dobson doesn’t use his frame to his advantage. Noah Dobson played his best hockey when paired with Mike Matheson. Is Noah Dobson a good foot soldier, absolutely. Starting 3 RHD in Montreal Should be. Starting 3 LHD in Montreal Should be. Alexander Carrier and Jyden Struble are role players. Zachary Bulduc at best is a 3-million dollar per-year-player. Zachary Bulduc was acquired for scoring Did Zachary Bulduc have a good playoff defensively? Yes! Never was a fan of trading Loggan Mailloux for Zachary Bolduc. Loggan Mailloux is a 6’ 3 212 lb plus, Nasty, fluid skating right-handed defenseman that extremely hard to find  Loggan Mailloux is establishing himself as St. Louis’s number 1 Right-Handed defenseman. Zachary Bolduc and Noah Dobson have not shown much yet. Lots of work if Zachary Bolduc wants to stay in Montreal. 2-year bridge deal with max of 3 million per season for Zachary Bolduc. Does anyone truly care about Patrik Laine possibly signing with a division rival? I would not be surprised even remotely if he plays in Europe this upcoming season. Teams are Lukewarm on Patrik Laine? Alexei Vlasov is far more interesting than Zachary Bolduc or Patrik Laine.