Habsworld Podcast

With the Montreal Canadiens 2022-23 season underway, the Habsworld podcast crew was back to talk about the Habs.  Host Norm Szcyrek was joined by cohosts Paul MacLeod, Jonathan Rebelo, and Sean Cayouette on the evening of October 12, 2022, to discuss the team updates & players over the past few months, while sharing a few laughs. Here is a breakdown of the topics we discussed:First Period [00:00 - 19:00]Introductions, Habs TriviaSeason opener home game against the Leafs. Highlights & lowlights from the game one victoryAnalysis of rookie Jaro SlavkovskySecond Period [19:01 - 45:54]Review of rookie defencemen Jordan Harris, Kaiden Guhle and Arber Xhekaj. Which rookies will finish the season with the big club?Further analysis of the Toronto game Reflecting on Carey Price's current quality of life Discussions on other injured Habs players Talking about new Habs Mike Matheson, Kirby Dach, Sean Monaghan, Evgeni Dadanov, and Jonathan Kovacevic Third Period [45:55 - 1:03:47]Martin St. Louis coaching styleBold predictions for Montreal this seasonWhich current Habs rookie might be in the race for Calder trophy contention?Final 4 playoff teams and Cup winner predictionsFuture watch: surprises from rookie & pro camps, Owen Beck, Filip Mesar and other Canadiens' prospects

The Montreal Canadiens made a few big splashes at the 2022 NHL Draft on July 7th and 8th, held in Montreal.  The Habsworld podcast team reassembled to discuss the draft and other hockey transactions.  Host Norm Szcyrek was joined by cohosts Paul Macleod, Jonathan Rebelo and Sean Cayouette, on the evening of July 14th, 2022, to record this podcast and have a few laughs. Here is a breakdown of the topics we discussed: First Period [00:00 - 22:37]Introductions, Habs TriviaSharing in person experiences of attending the 2022 NHL Draft in MontrealDiscussions about the Habs first round picks, Juraj Slajkovsky and Filip Mesar Second Period [22:38 - 33:18]Habs trade away defenceman Alexander Romanov, then trade for center Kirby Dach Discussing prospects from the team's Development Camp, defenceman Lane Hutson and center Owen BeckMontreal trades Shea Weber to Las Vegas for Alexander Dadonov Third Period [33:19 - 1:03:27]No qualifying offer for RFA Rem PetlickEarly predictions on the Habs 2022-03 season Around the NHL:  One surprising UFA signing (Johhny Gaudreau to Columbus); former Habs Arturri Lehkonnen, Brett Kulak resigning with their teams, and Ben Chariot signing with Detroit. Another surprise signing, Matt Murray with Toronto. Carolina trading ex-Hab Max Pacioretty and Brett Burns. Should Montreal sign Scotty Bownman as a senior advisor or consultant?More people hired by Montreal for their Hockey Analytics groupEx-Hab Nicolas Deslauriers signed by Philadelphia , and former Habs Victor Mete and Jordie Benn signed by Toronto. Final thoughts about the Habs 2022 draft

The Habs off-season is underway and there is a lot of excitement about the team and the upcoming draft on July 7th & 8th.  Host Norm Szcyrek was joined by cohosts Paul MacLeod, Jonathan Rebelo and special guest Sean Cayouette  . Episode 90 is very draft focused, particularly with the Canadiens winning the draft lottery and selecting first overall.  This podcast was recorded the evening of June 6, 2022.Here is a breakdown of the topics we discussed:First Period [ 00:00 - 17:01 ]  Introductions, Habs triviaInitial thoughts about the upcoming NHL draft Discussing top prospects Shane Wright, Juraj Slavkovsky, Simon Nemec and their potential of being taken by MontrealRumour of a trade with New Jersey for their first round pickSecond Period [ 17:02 - 45:08 ]If Montreal drafts Shea Wright, will he start next season with the Habs ? Discussing draft options for the Habs second first round pick (#26): Issac Howard, Nathan Gaucher, Maverick Lamoureaux Talk of David Jiricek as a potential top pick Sharing thoughts about other draft analysts ranking the top picks Third Period [ 45:09 - 57:51 ] Will Martin St. Louis survive his three year contract in Montreal ?Around the NHL:  Boston Bruins fire Bruce Cassidy, despite a successful record; where other unemployed NHL coaches may get hired; NHL legends Guy Lafleur and Mike Bossy passing away; some reflections on the Flower 

The 2022 NHL trade deadline has come and passed, and the Montreal Canadiens were an active participant. The Habsworld podcast crew returned  to talk about the Habs recent events. Lead by host Norm Szcyrek and joined by cohosts Paul MacLeod and Jonathan Rebelo; episode 89 has a lot of lively debate and more than a few laughs. This podcast was recorded the evening of March 21, 2022.Here is a breakdown of the topics we discussed:First Period [ 0:00 - 20:22 ]Introductions, Habs trivia Analyzing the Ben Chariot trade Reviewing the Arturri Lehkonen trade Discussing the Brett Kulak trade Second Period [ 20:23 - 55:08 ]Talking about players that could have been traded but were not:  Jake Allen, Joel Armia Discussing Jesperi Kotkaniemi's 8 year contract extension Montreal trading veteran goalie Andrew Hammond Evaluating the start of Martin St. Louis' coaching career with Montreal Who is your favourite current underrated Hab: Rem Pitlick, Corey Schuneman, Laurent Dauphin?Cole Caufield's hot streak; could he keep this up and get into the Calder Cup conversation?Improvements to the Canadiens front office and support staffConcerns about a new "old boys club" forming in Montreal Third Period [ 55:09 - 1:12:47 ]Debating potential first round picks the Habs could select Discussing Shea Weber's contract, and if it will be traded Around the Hockey World:  Other NHL teams' interesting trades before the deadline; ex-NHL super-pest Sean Avery attempts a hockey comeback in the ECHL at age 42. 

With recent changes to the Montreal Canadiens staff and players, the Habsworld podcast team returned to talk about it all, and more.  Host Norm Szcyrek was joined by co-hosts Paul MacLeod and Jonathan Rebelo to discuss the state of the Montreal Canadiens; this podcast was recorded the evening of February 17 2022.Here is a breakdown of the topics we discussed:First Period [ 00:00 - 16:45 ]Introductions, Habs trivia Initial reactions and analysis of the hiring of interim head coach Martin St. LouisSome differences noticed in the play of the Habs since the coaching changeSecond Period [ 16:46 - 42:37 ]Analysis of Tyler Toffoli trade with Calgary Kent Hughes press conference and him using it to communicate to the league about their trade intentionsHughes very confident he will sign drafted prospect defenceman Jordan Harris this springA few trade rumours including the New York Rangers and other teamsReflections on their Overtime win against the BluesThird Period [ 42:38 - 1:09:57 ]More Habs trivia tied to their overtime win.Paul Byron's 500th NHL game, scores a goalMontreal trades for goaltender Mike Hammond Discussions about injured Habs players seen in practice Various Olympic hockey talksAround the NHL:  Florida Panthers offensive dominance; Owen Tippett trade discussion; rumour of the reason St. Louis has the Interim head coach title; rumours of Vincent Lecavalier joining the Montreal front office. 

The Montreal Canadiens ended their search for a new GM, and the HabsWorld team returned for their first podcast of 2022 to talk about that and much more.  Host Norm Szcyrek was joined by co-hosts Paul MacLeod and Jonathan Rebelo to discuss the state of the Montreal Canadiens; this podcast was recorded the evening of January 19 2022.Here is a breakdown of the topics we discussed:First Period [00:00 - 34:01]Introductions, Habs trivia Initial reactions to Montreal hiring Kent Hughes as their new GMWhat are the challenges Hughes faces?Some Trade speculationsCould Patrick Roy be lobbying for the Habs head coach's position?Will Hughes look for a more progressive coach, someone to employ a more modern system?Could Alain Vigneault be considered for the next head coach? Will Hughes employ a rebuild, retool or reset approach to fixing the Canadiens? Second Period [34:02 - 51:18]Will Quebec's strict public covid19 restrictions handicap Montreal in signing new free agents?Jeff Petry's family stayed behind at their home in Michigan during the Christmas shutdown period. Speculation of an upcoming trade for Petry to an American team.Petry's post-game comments about the team playing without structureWas Mattias Norlinder returning to play in Sweden, best for his development?Canadiens hire Chantal Machabee as the new VP of CommunicationsEx-NHL referee Tim Peel admits he hated the Habs as a kidThird Period [51:19 - 1:10:02]Comparing last season and this season's Habs centers productionUpcoming NHL draft talkCarey Price's rehab setbackHabs prospect Logan Mailloux reinstated in the OHL and off to a hot start Around the NHL:  Trevor Zegras invented the Michigan assist on a spectacular goal; Zegras left off the All-star team; Oleg Ovechkin breaks the NHL power play goal record on December 31st

With the big news in the headlines about the Habs front office cahnges, the Habsworld team came back to talk about them all in their newest podcast.  Host Norm Szcyrek was joined by co-hosts Paul MacLeod and Jonathan Rebelo to discuss the state of the Montreal Canadiens; this podcast was recorded the evening of November 30 2021. Here is a breakdown of the topics we discussed: First Period [ 00:00 - 30:37 ]Introductions, Habs trivia Montreal owner cleans house in the front office: gone are GM Marc Bergevin, assistant GMs Trevor Timmins & Scott Mellanby, VP of Communications Paul WilsonFormer GM Jeff Gorton hired as Vice President of Hockey Operations, will oversee & mentor the new GM hiring Discussing Bergevin's regime with the HabsSome potential GM candidates are debated Second Period [ 30:38 - 43:37 ]Rumour that player movements out of Montreal are coming Will veteran players like Gallagher tolerate a "rebuild" or prefer to be traded?Apathy creeping in to fans due to the team's poor startDraft lottery & Shane Wright discussions Third Period [ 43:38 - 1:11:46 ]Improved play of Alexander Romanov, and can he handle more responsibilitiesWill Gorton or the next GM keep coach Ducharme, or hire a replacement? Should Ben Chiarot be traded before the deadline or resigned? Discussing the play of call ups Michael Pezzetta, Ryan Poehling and Cole Caufield  Around the NHL topics including the plight of the Vancouver Canucks, Alexander Ovechkin as the NHL's greatest goal scorer, veterans Evander Kane and Matt Murray put on waivers, ex-Hab Max Pacioretty weighing in on the Bergevin firing.

With the Canadien's first month of games nearly over, the HabsWorld team returned to record their newest podcast. Host Norm Szcyrek was joined by co-hosts Paul MacLeod and Jonathan Rebelo, to talk about the Habs rough start to this season, some good news about Carey Price, several team roster changes, assorted NHL news and much more. This podcast was recorded the evening of November 10 2021.Here is a breakdown of the topics we discussed:First Period [ 00:00 - 24:32 ]- Introductions, Habs trivia- Factors to the Habs terrible start to the season- Is it possible for the team to bounce back and make the playoffs- Carey Price's returns to the team; when might he get back into the lineup?- Could firing Marc Bergevin help turn this team around - Is Sam Montembault an adequate NHL backup goalie; which farm team backup could do a better job?- Did Bergevin make the right decision not re-signing Phillip Danault and Tomas Tatar?- Is David Savard better or worst than Karl Alzner as a Hab? - Does this team need more puck moving defenceman, and can Mattias Norlinder help the team?Second Period [ 24:33 - 39:38 ] - Cole Caufield demotion to the AHL - Ryan Poehling call up - Jonathan Drouin injury and recent move to the injured reserve list- Corey Perry's presence missing from this team - Cedric Paquette not adapting to the Canadiens - Nick Suzuki's improved play after a rocky start - The controversy of Jack Eichel's surgery Third Period [ 39:39 - 1:03:53 ] - Carolina Hurricanes trolling the Habs, again - If Kotkaniemi falters in Carolina and is not resigned, should the Habs sign him?- Another possible candidate to replace Marc Bergevin as the next Habs GM- Perhaps Bergevin has not signed a new contract, because he is eyeing the GM position in Chicago or Anaheim- An outside the box idea for hring a GM and a bilingual VP - Alex Ovechkin tied Brett Hull for 4th place in NHL goal scoring all-time; can he break that record? 

The Habsworld podcast is back to start the 2021-22 NHL season.  Host Norm Szcyrek was joined by co-hosts Paul Macleod and Jonathan Rebelo, to talk about the Canadiens off season, pre-season and upcoming regular season games.  This podcast was recorded the evening of October 12 2021. Here is a breakdown of the topics we discussed: First Period [ 0:00 - 17:09 ]- Introductions, Habs trivia- Nick Suzuki signed to 8 year extension- Thoughts on Suzuki's full potential - Offer sheet saga involving Jesperi Kotkaniemi - Habs acquire Christian Dvorak to fill that center position Second Period [ 17:10 - 40:12- Jonathan Drouin's return to the lineup and how he will fare coming back - Carey Price enters the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program - New backup goaltender claimed on waivers from Florida, Samuel Montembault- Other players picked up on waivers: defenceman Sami Niku, and forward Adam Brooks - Will Brooks replace Ryan Poehling in the lineup to start this season?- Predicting how Kotkaniemi will do in Carolina, and will he help their team? Third Period [ 40:13 - 1:08:53 ]- If Kotkaniemi is not qualified in the off-season, could he return to Montreal?- Jake Evans signs a 3 year extension; Habs sign undrafted defenceman Arber Xhekaj - Will prospect Mattias Norlinder make the pro lineup after he returns from his injury?- Speculation about Marc Bergevin's contract, and if he will continue as Montreal's GM after this season?- If Bergevin does leave, who are some qualified candidates to replace him? - Discussions about forward Mike Hoffman joining the team- RIP celebrity Habs fan, Norm Macdonald 

Now that the NHL post-season is well underway this summer, the Habs have been in the news for good and bad reasons.  Host Norm Szcyrek was joined by co-hosts Paul MacLeod and Jonathan Rebelo to talk about it all.  We had a lot to say about the team's changes due to free agency, the Seattle expansion draft, the amateur draft and more.  This podcast was recorded the evening of August 5th, 2021. Here is a breakdown of the topics we discussed. First Period ( 0:00 - 21:05 )- Introductions- Habs Trivia - Analyzing Habs Free agent signings: David Savard, Mike Hoffman, Chris Wideman, Cedriq Paquette, Mathieu Perreault Second Period ( 21:06 - 31:02 )- Jack Eichel trade discussion- Phillip Danault signs with Los Angeles Third Period ( 31:03 - 1:08:13 )- In depth discussion about the Habs controversial first round pick, Logan Mailloux - Seattle Expansion draft loss of Cale Fleury & how the Krakken will fare next season - Update on Jonathan Drouin - Habs loss of Corey Perry and Tomas Tatar to free agency - Shea Weber injuries and his status with the Canadiens - Shoutouts to Canadian Olympic athletes