Episode Details

Hello Hockey Fans, Episode 197 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived, this weeks topics include-

#1. It’s bizarre that so many are off guard, not just by Juraj Slafkovsky’s development and emergence as a player, but his performance in the 2026 Olympics.

#2. Montreal Canadiens Management, Scouting Department and Player Development Departments did their job, and are exceptional at what they do.

#3. Juraj Slafkovsky has 4 years of tremendous development under his belt and is still only 21 years of age. He was both given the proper amount of time to hone his skills, grow into his frame and was paired with linemates that would bring out and enhance his game and skill set.

#4. Juraj Slafkovsky is a cornerstone of the Montreal Canadiens just like Nick Susuki, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, Ivan Demidon, Michael Hage and Alexander Zharovsky are.

#5. It has to sting a lot for all of the those who has ever given up on Juraj Slafkovsky, or wanted to include him in some zero common sense trade, that would have netted a substandard lower-level talent.

#6. The Montreal Canadiens do need Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues.

#7. Jordan Kyrou carries with him a very bloated contract that surely the St. Louis Blues would love to get out from under.

#8. Jordan Kyrou has underperformed and has not lived up to the value of his contract.

#9. The Montreal Canadiens have the least amount of cap space of any club in the NHL!

#10. What would Montreal trade Kirby Dach, Jayden Struble and throw in a valuable first round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft for an underperforming, overpaid player?

#11, When health, Kirby Dach is far more valuable to the Montreal Canadiens than Jordan Kyrou.

#12. Kirby Dach has chemistry with Suzuki and Caufield and completes that line, the exact same way Slafkovsky completed the Demidov and Kapanen line.

#13. The players that should be on the trade list at the 2025/2026 trade deadline are Patrik Laine, Samuel Montembeau, Josh Anderson, Zach Bolduc, Joe Veleno, Jayden Struble, Alexander Carrier, Phillip Danault ”though they won’t” and Brendan Gallagher “although no one will want that contract.

#14. Where does Alex Newhook fit in when he returns. He’s made a case to be the 3rd line defacto center. He was playing extremely well, when he got injured.

#15. Montreal likely won’t trade Phillip Danault and probably are not yet willing to or considering trading Zach Bolduc.

#16. If Alex Newhook is not the 3rd line center does he play left wing on a line with Phillip Danaut at center and Zach Bolduc on the right wing?