Episode Details

Episode 217 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast is early.

#1. Penguins and Ron Francis reunite.

#2. 3-time Stanley Cup Champion Jonathan Towes retires.

#3. Montreal does not need Mark Scheifele.

#4. Compensation expected in return is off the chart’s nuts in the NHL.

#5. Mark Scheifele for Brendan Gallagher, Samuel Montembeau and Jayden Struble?

#6. The center market is not shrinking for Montreal.

#7. Dylan Larkin, Mason McTavish, Robert Thomas and Vincent Trocheck would not work out in Montreal.

#8. No more bloated contracts and underperforming players in Montreal.

#9. Montreal has 7 centers on their NHL roster right now!

#10. Montreal has 13 legit center to fill 4 spots.

#11. Try Fillip Mesar at center before making a no-win trade that destroys and haunts the club for another decade plus.

#12. That doesn’t even include Michael Hage, L.J. Mooney, Ben Merill and Logan Sawyer who have college commitments.

#13. Montreal has 13 ligament center options right now.

#14. Hasn’t Alex Newhook earned the opportunity to be the clubs 2nd line center after the playoffs he just had?

#15. Jeff Gorton Kent Hughes and the scouting department have done amazing job at drafting prospects.

#16. Montreal should grab Ryan Suzuki.

#17. Martin St. Louis would love Ryan Suzuki.

#18. Ryan Suzuki would be a far greater addition in Montreal’s than any of the other got-to-have options would be by far.

#19. Alexis Lafreniere is not a player Montreal needs.

#20. What would Florian Xhekaj look like on a line with Nick Suzkuki and Cole Caufield?

#21. How much more space and time and protection would Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield have with Florian Xhekaj on their line?

#22. Why does Montreal suddenly have a need for a second line left winger according to many?

#23. Oliver Kapanen, anyone?

#24. The Toronto Maple Leaf’s sign free agent defenseman Darren Raddysh to an 8-year contract?

#25. The Seattle Kraken acquire forward Mackie Samoskevich for the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

#26. The Florida Panthers acquire Leftwinger Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators for a pile of draft picks.

#27. What’s Ottawa do with acquired draft capital?

#28. If the Tkachuk brothers play like they did in the 4-nations tournament?

#29. The Seattle Kraken have signed forward Bobbie McMann to a 6-year contract extension at a cost of 5.75 million dollars per season.

#30. Ron Francis departs the Seattle Kraken.

#31. Pascal Vincent joins Seattle, as an assistant coach

#32. How about Detroit trades Dylan Larkin to Anaheim for Mason McTavish straight up. Done. Problems solved.

#33. Boston Bruins to retire number 37.

#34. Rod Brind’Amour, a great player and a top 5 coach.

#35. Rod Brind’Amour should have been amongst the 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees.

#36. New multi-year contracts in Utah and adds Adam Foote added to coaching staff.