Habsworld Podcast

With the Montreal Canadiens season underway, the Habsworld podcast team started their fifteenth season. Host Norm Szcyrek was joined by co-hosts Paul MacLeod, Sean Cayouette, and Jonathan Rebelo to talk about the Montreal Canadiens, discuss other hockey news, and share some laughs. This podcast was recorded on the evening of October 14, 2026

Topics include:

- Introductions and Habs trivia.

- The Habs are off to a shaky start after their first six games. Discussions of why they have struggled and how they can turn it around.

- Thoughts about the Jayden Struble trade.

- Montreal started the season with Florian Xhekaj and Adam Engstrom in the lineup. Their play so far to start this season was talked about.

- Should Alexander Carrier be signed to a contract extension before the end of this season?

- During the Habs vs Redwings game October 10, some fans were chanting "for" Dylan Larkin. Arguments for and against a potential trade of Larkin to Montreal were discussed.

- Call ups since the season start include Jacob Fowler, Owen Beck. How have they played so far?

- The injury bug is back: Ivan Demidov, Oliver Kapanen, Florian Xhekaj, Sam Montembeault. Mike Matheson was reportedly spotted at the airport, perhaps to seek another medical opinion?

- Sad news about former Habs Lyle Odelin and former Habs owner Goerge Gillete passing away. Norm and Jonathan shared stories about both people

We are looking for questions to share on our next podcast. Email us at: [email protected]

With the Montreal Canadiens 2026-27 training camp underway, the HabsWorld podcast team was back on the ice. Host Norm Szcyrek was joined by co-hosts Paul MacLeod, Sean Cayouette, and Jonathan Rebelo to talk about the Montreal Canadiens, discuss other hockey news, and share some laughs. This podcast was recorded on the evening of September 17, 2026.

Topics include:

- Introductions and Habs trivia

- Unrestricted free agent Chris Kreider signing a one year contract and which line will he start the regular season

- Zachary Bolduc signing a four year contract and which line will he start the regular season

- Alex Newhook signs a four year contract extension before training camp starts

- Arber Xhekaj signed a one year contract before camp start

- Guhle injury announcement and missing season start

- Will Jacob Fowler beat out Sam Montembeault for the backup role?

- Josh Anderson named assistant captain; was this the right move or should a younger star be given that role?

- Could Florian Xhekaj make the pro squad to start the season?

- Around the NHL topics include Edmonton's new coach Mike Babcock; Philadelphia RFA offer to Leo Carlsson and the fallout afterwards in Anaheim; referee Chris Lee officially retired; former Hab Max Domi out idefinitely after off-season procedure lead to complications

- A listener question about Ivan Demidov via Jake from Montreal was debated

We are looking for questions to share on our next podcast. Email us at: [email protected]

With Montreal's offseason underway the Montreal Canadiens have been active enough to produce some news worthy content that deserved to be talked about. Host Norm Szcyrek was joined by co-hosts Paul MacLeod, Sean Cayouette, and Jonathan Rebelo to talk about the Montreal Canadiens, discuss other hockey news, and share some laughs. This podcast was recorded on the evening of July 9, 2026

Topics include:

– Introductions and Habs trivia

- Demidov Contract extension discussion, including expectations moving forward.

- What is Ivan's timeline to become a NHL super star?

- Debating Montreal's 2026 Draft, with a focus on first round pick big Russian winger Gleb Pugachyov

- Was their draft strategy in later rounds a practical one or not?

- Defenceman Reilly Walsh signed from the KHL. How might this right shot defender fit into the Habs depth chart?

- Did Montreal show patience not jumping into the UFA market?

- Assistant coach shuffle, with Trevor Letowski leaving and Derek Lalonde moving behind the bench

- How will Lalonde's experience help head coach Martin St. Louis?

- Considerations of Jakob Dobes' contract extension

- Carey Price invited into the Hockey Hall of Fame

- Michael Hage explained his decision not to turn pro last spring and to stay in College for 2026-27

- Habs Development camp notes, including players like Hage, Alex Zharovsky, Logan Sawyer and LJ Mooney

- Brendan Gallagher trade to Vancouver

- Kirby Dach's qualifying offer and some potential scenarios that may happen next

- Shane Wright trade rumour involving Montreal

- Arber Xhekaj did not submit for arbitration. Could this mean a deal is going to be negotiated before the end of the month, and what could that contract look like?

- Around the NHL topics include: Florida Panther moves to get back to the playoffs; debating other Eastern teams like Toronto, Washington, Buffalo; final notes from Montreal's Development camp

We are looking for questions to share on our next podcast. Email us at: [email protected]

The Montreal Canadiens Cinderella post season run may be over, but talking about the Habs continues on. Host Norm Szcyrek was joined by cohosts Paul Macleod, Sean Cayouette and Jonathan Rebelo to talk about the Montreal Canadiens, discuss other hockey news, and share some laughs. This podcast was recorded on the evening of June 4, 2026.

Topics include:

- End of the playoffs; let's talk about some positives

- What lessons were learned from this playoff drive?

- Where do the Habs go from here?

- Discussing Brendan Gallagher, Patrik Laine , Montembeault

- The passing of Claude Lemieux; does he deserver to be in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

- Demidov extension discussion

- Analyzing some comments made during the end of season press conference

- Zharovsky is coming to Montreal, to train this summer with Demidov

- Matthew Knies trade rumour details: Zharovsky, two 1st round picks, prospect. Was that price too high?

- New McDavid rumour to Montreal

- Potential trades involving centers Dylan Larkin, Mason Mctavish Nico Hischier, Elias Pettersson , Vincent Trochek , Dylan Strome

- Possible unrestricted free agents: Mason Marchment , AJ Greer

- Martin St. Louis contract extension; when and how long

- Stanley Cup finals predictions

- Mailbag questions and answers

We are looking for questions to share on our next podcast. Email us at: [email protected]

There is nothing like being an underdog that keeps on winning, and the Montreal Canadiens are exactly that this postseason. After their second playoff series win against Buffalo, the Habsworld podcast crew were back to talk about the Habs. Host Norm Szcyrek was joined by cohosts Paul Macleod, Sean Cayouette and Jonathan Rebelo to talk about the Montreal Canadiens, discuss other hockey news, and share some laughs. This podcast was recorded on the evening of May 19th, 2026.

Topics include:

- Introductions & Habs trivia

- Talking about the game 7 Buffalo series hero Alex Newhook

- Debated the scenario, based on Jakub Dobes fine play would you extend him as soon as possible or wait

- Should the first line be broken up at five-on-five?

- If the Habs go all the way, will Lane Hutson win the Conn Smythe?

- Could Ivan Demidov be moved to a different line to boost his offence?

- Will Carolina have an advantage with the extra rest, or will they be rusty?

- Could Jayden Struble get into the lineup against Carolina to replace Arber Xhekaj?

- Predictions for the Carolina Hurricanes series

- The podcast crew talk about their Montreal Xfactors for the third round: Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle, Jake Evans/Phillip Danault , Zachary Bolduc

- Carolina players to watch include forwards Taylor Hall, Logan Stankhoven, Nikolaj Ehlers and defencement K'Andre Miller, Jacob Slavin

- Predictions on the Colorado vs Vegas Western conference final

- Around the NHL topic: should Vegas have the right to block their ex-head coach Bruce Cassidy from interviewing with other NHL teams?

We are looking for questions to share on our next podcast. Email us at: [email protected]

After three Canadiens playoff games, the Habsworld podcast crew were shorthanded but returned to discuss the second round series versus Buffalo. Host Norm Szcyrek, was joined by cohosts Sean Cayouette and Jonathan Rebelo to talk about the Montreal Canadiens, discuss other hockey news, and share some laughs. This podcast was recorded on the evening of May 11th 2026.

Topics include:

- Introductions and Habs trivia

- Discussions about game 3 and Norm talks about his X-factor Cole Caufield finally scoring

- Jonathan attended the May 9th Laval game and his thoughts about that series ending game

- Montreal called up after 4 Laval Rockets players after their end of season: Owen Beck, Florian Xhekaj, Adam Engstrom and David Reinbacher. The podcast crew discuss the omission of Samuel Blais and how he could have been an injury replacement for the Habs bottom six

- Habs/Sabres series discussions and players having an impact during first three games including Joe Veleno , Alex Newhook

- Jonathan continues his MKB segment {Marty Knows Best]

- What might Buffalo do to play better in game 4?

- Kudos for Bolduc for sticking up for Dobes during the crease collision in game 3

- Was that Bolduc's best game of the postseason so far?

- Sean discussed the rest of the current Habs French Connection including Phillip Danault, Alexandre Carrier, Alexandre Texier

- Talk about the Carolina sweep; could the Hurricanes have an advantage with a long rest before the third round?

- Conversations about the Anaheim/Vegas and Colrado/Minnesota series

- PK Subban foundation announced they met the Montreal Children's hospital pledge of $1M raised

We are looking for questions to share on our next podcast. Email us at: [email protected]

With Montreal advancing to the second round of the playoffs, the Habsworld podcast crew are back to talk about our beloved Montreal Canadiens. To paraphrase coach Martin St. Louis' locker room speech after Montreal won game seven, "We're not leaving! The show keeps going!" Host Norm Szcyrek, with cohosts Paul Macleod, Sean Cayouette, and Jonathan Rebelo, had a lot to say about the Habs, discussed other hockey news, and had some laughs. This podcast was recorded on the evening of May 5th 2026.

Topics include:

- Introductions and Habs trivia

- Tampa Series recap

- Superstitions we follow during the playoffs and where we watched game seven

- Discussing our series X-factors from round one

- X-factors about the Buffalo series

- Could Arber Xhekaj get back into the lineup against Buffalo to counter Sabres bigger forwards?

- Coach Marty adapting to playoff hockey

- Each podcast crew member shared a series prediction

- X-factors from the Sabres were discussed

- Mailbag question comparing the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks to the 2026 Canadiens

- Around the NHL: Draft lottery results ; Toronto Maple Leafs controversial hire of John Chayka as their new GM, and some updates about prospect Bryce Pickford and the Laval Rockets

Feeback to our mailbag: [email protected]

With the Habs tied after four games against Tampa, the Habsworld podcast crew are back to talk about our beloved Montreal Canadiens. Host Norm Szcyrek, with cohosts Paul Macleod, Sean Cayouette, and Jonathan Rebelo, had a lot to say about the Habs, discussed other hockey news, and had some laughs. This podcast was recorded on the evening of April 27 2026.

Topics include:

- Introductions and Habs trivia

- Playoff surprises like Jakub Dobes, Josh Anderson, Kirby Dach, Arber Xhekaj/Jayden Struble pairing

- Playoff disappointments such as Montreal's top forward line, Oliver Kapanen

- Head coaches Marty St Louis vs Jon Cooper and their hockey strategies

- Will Montreal juggle some of their lines for game five, and which players could benefit a change

- Some NHL rules that could be added and improved upon

- Could Noah Dobson appear in the first playoff series

- Predictions for the rest of the Tampa series

- Paul shares his pre-season predictions about the regular season

- Discussing the rest of the NHL playoff series

- Norm shares a new theory about why Michael Hage decided to stay in college next season

- Updates about other Habs prospects: Alexander Zharovsky, Bryce Pickford, Owen Protz

The 2026 NHL Playoffs are around the corner, and the HabWorld podcast crew is back to talk about our beloved Montreal Canadiens. Host Norm Szcyrek, with cohosts Paul MacLeod, Sean Cayouette, and Jonathan Rebelo, had a lot to say about the Habs, discuss other hockey news, and had some laughs. This podcast was recorded on the evening of April 16th, 2026.

Topics include:

- Habs trivia

- End of team season milestones reached including Cole Caufield's 50 goals, Juraj Slavkovsky 30 goals, Nick Suzuki 100 points, and Lane Hutson 66 assists tying Montreal record with Larry Robinson

- Can Nick Suzuki win the Selke trophy?

- Habs X-factor players: Josh Anderson, Kirby Dach, Phil Danault, Jakub Dobes

- Playoffs discussion and predictions versus Tampa Bay

- David Reinbacher call up and first two pro games

- Defencemen potential pairings for the playoffs

- Noah Dobson injury and when he may return

- Michael Hage's decision to return to college was debated and analyzed

- Around the NHL topics - Is Ovechkin going to retire, Columbus coach Rick Bowness rips apart his players, what moves might the Blue Jackets make, and predictions on the other layoff series

After Norm's return from vacation, the Habsworld podcast crew are back to talk about our beloved Montreal Canadiens. Host Norm Szcyrek, with cohosts Paul Macleod, Sean Cayouette, and Jonathan Rebelo, had a lot to say about the Habs, discussed other hockey news, and had some laughs. This podcast was recorded on the evening of March 9, 2026.

Topics include:

- Habs trivia

- Discussion of the win over the Rangers

- Cole Caufield hot streak has him one goal away from reaching the fifty mark

- Montreal's seven game winning streak

- The Habs development system improvements was talked about

- Improved play of Dobes and Fowler since Marco Marciano was promoted

- Comparing the 2009-10 Chicago Blackhawks to this seasons Canadiens

- Joe Veleno fitting in well now as a fourth line winger

- Experimenting with Arber Xhekaj as a forward

- Lane Hutson stepping up to defend his goalie versus Colombus

- Montreal's Black Aces stepping up as good teammates during practice

- Will Adam Engstrom make it into the lineup in upcoming games?

- Could David Reinbacher get a call up before the end of the season?

- Debating when and where Michael Hage will play after his college season ends next weekend

- Debating Brendan Gallagher's place on the second power play

- Revisitng the Matthew Knies to Montreal trade including rumoured Habs players

- Predicting Nick Suzuki's point total this season and his career high

- Debating the eye test versus advanced stats for Oliver Kapanen since the Olympics break

- Could Cole Caufield be a candidate for the Lady Byng trophy?

- Early predictions of who Montreal will face in the first round of the playoffs

- Juraj Slavkovsky making power forward moves to score key goals

- Habs Prospect watch: signed draft pick defenceman Owen Protz, and college free agent forward Dillan Bentley. Alexander Zharovsky progress in the KHL and debating his arrival year in Montreal.

- Discussed a recent article in The Athletic about Ivan Demidov

- Predictions of how many points the Canadiens will finish this regular season

We are looking for questions from our listeners, and yours may make it on our next podcast. Feel free to email us at [email protected]