Episode 181 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 10-31-2025

Episode 181, the Halloween edition of the Hockey Free For All Podcast. The topics in this edition include-

#1. Why do the Canadiens need to replace Patrik Laine. He has done nothing!

#2. Patrik Laine has not even remotely produced for the team in any way.

#3. There is nothing to replace regarding Patrik Line.

#4. Why would the Montreal Canadiens even remotely want Jaden Schwartz

from Seattle and along with his 27 million plus contract, for what purpose.

#5. Next question on this topic. Why would the Montreal Canadiens give away a prospect from their talent pool to Seattle, when they can obtain far more from another club, for that prospect?

#6. On that same topic, again I ask, why would the Montreal Canadiens give away a 2nd round draft pick in the 2026 that they initially acquired from the Columbus Blue jackets, when they initially acquired Patrik Laine to the Seattle Kraken, for a player that they do not need, rather than drafting another gem with that pick and add it to their prospect pool.

#7. The Montreal Canadiens have more than enough internal prospects to fill Patrik Laines injury. They do not need to acquire anyone from any other NHL club, the dead wait/bad contract that will come with it.

#8. And while I at it, the Montreal Canadiens do not need and have no need for of any kind for Nazem Kadri. Not to mention the awesome 49 million contract that Nazem Kadri carries with him.

#9. The Montreal Canadiens do not need Sidney Crosby. He would cost far too much, that would upset the team chemistry. It would upset the lines and tear apart who plays with who. It would disrupt the locker room. It’s not good. Las Vegas, Dallas, Colorado or Tampa, are better fits.

#10. Speaking of trade bait, Kaiden Guhle and David Reibacher might need to go, because of injuries. Kirby Dach, Patrik Laine, Joe Veleno, Joshua Roy, Owen Beck, Filip Mesar and Vinzenz Rohrer are not looking like long-term pieces to the puzzle and may need to go. The greater value of these players may be draft currency.

#11. Is anyone extremely excited that the Canadiens could have Alexander Zharovsky in their line up by the trade deadline this season. It would be extremely exciting to see Ivan Demidov and Alexander Zharovsky play on the same line.

#12. The Utah Hockey Club has signed Logan Cooley to an 8-year extension worth a total of 80-million dollars, with an annual cap hit of 10-million dollars per season.

#13. Really! It’s the opening month of the NHL. Meaning its October. How are their people actually asking at this point can Cole Caufield win the Rocket Richard Trophey. What is wrong with these people. This is not even a viable question until the end of February of any season.