Habsworld Podcast

Welcome to the 2021 season of the Habsworld podcast. Hosted by Norm Szcyrek and joined by cohosts Jonathan Rebelo and Paul Macleod, we talked about the Habs strong start and had a few laughs. Among the topics we discussed are:

00:00 - 24:09 Introduction; Habs Trivia; discussion on newest Habs adjusting to the team: Jake Allen, Josh Anderson, Joel Edmundson, Corey Perry, Alexander Romanov and Tyler Toffoli

24:10 - 40:56 Nick Suzuki's consistent play and his assumption into the first line center role; Habs tie a record to start this season; Philip Danault contract rumours and discussion; is the Canadian division relatively weak, or the Habs relatively strong; what is the Habs pecking order for their centers

40:57 - 54:00 Analysis of the Canadiens 4th line; who is the Habs fastest skater; Montreal's toughest fighters so far this season; steady play by Kulak and the Habs depth at defence; when Armia is ready to return to the lineup what will the Habs do to handle it and the taxi squad; waiver claim loss of Noah Juulsen;

54:01 - 1:00:22 Special teams debate; Armia hit/injury and the non-suspension of the play; comparing the Myers late hit to the one to Kevin Fiala boarding hit to Matt Roy

1:00:23 - 1:18:31 Around the NHL topics - Patrik Laine/Pierre-Luc Dubois trade & were there more reasons why those players wanted to leave; rumours the Habs also involved in trade talks for Dubois; trade trivia about a big trade 25 years ago; Penguins GM Jim Rutherford stepping down from his role mid season; will the Senators be the worst in their division or will they pose a threat when they play the Canadiens

You can download/listen to the podcast via the PodOmatic widget below, via our Podomatic webpage, or listen to it via iTunes, Spotify or other providers. We encourage any feedback [bad and good] to help us improve the podcast and we ask listeners to please take a moment to leave a rating via iTunes or Podomatic. Feedback is welcome via email at [email protected], or within the HabsWorld forum.

With 2020 nearly over, the Habsworld podcasters return to talk about our beloved Habs, discuss other hockey topics and have a few laughs. This session was recorded the evening of December 2 2020.

Host Norm Szcyrek was joined by Paul Macleod and Jonathan Rebelo to debate several points, including the following:

00:00 - 2:20 Intro, Habs trivia, review of Patrick Roy trade

2:21 - 5:59 Josh Anderson for Max Domi trade, which Habs center might Anderson start the season playing with to start the season

6:00 - 8:36 Tyler Toffoli signing and discussion where he will play in the lineup

8:37 - 10:30 Trading for rights to Joel Edmundson then signing him, where will he fit in the team's defence lineup

10:31 - 15:44 Jake Allen trade and contract extension

15:45 - 29:10 Brendan Gallagher extension, what might the Canadiens do with Phillip Danault, expectations for Alexander Romanov, discussions of their other impending UFA players

29:11 - 52:58 Around the league topics including when the NHL season may begin, will an all-Canadian division be part of that season, will some owners pressure the league to abandon the 2020-21 season, pandemic topics involving hockey, recap of the Habs playoffs, controversial officiating during the post season, reflections on the Habs 2020 first round pick selection (Guhle) & the progress of their 2019 first round pick (Caufield), some debate about our favourite all-time hockey movies, and much more

The Habs surprised many by defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins to advance to the next playoff round. Episode 70 of the Habsworld podcast discusses that series and the upcoming series against the Flyers. Host Norm Szcyrek along with cohosts Paul Macleod and Jonathan Rebelo had much to discuss among these topics:

0:00 - 7:16 Intro, Habs trivia, Initial thoughts of Montreal defeating Pittsburgh, consequences of the Habs winning the qualifier round

7:17 - 11:19 Improved play of Kotkaniemi and Suzuki, further discussion of the Penguins series,

11:20 - 15:08 Do the Habs have a new Big 3 on the blueline, further draft lottery discussions

15:09 - 22:49 Discussion on the series against the Flyers, breaking it down by goaltending, defence, forwards, coaching

22:50 - 28:30 Predictions for the Philadelphia vs Montreal series; could there be another Kotkaniemi Hagg title match; will officiating be a factor

28:31 - 49:48 Around the NHL: discussions on other qualifier rounds completed & early predictions on the next round, free agency discussions, a little more talk about the Canadiens, and much more.

The Habsworld team is out of quarantine and ready to talk about the Canadiens. Host Norm Szcyrek with cohosts Paul Macleod and Jonathan Rebelo make up the first line of this post season podcast. It was recorded the evening of July 28 2020, covering the following topics:

00:00 - 8:58 Introduction; Habs Trivia:, Discussion of Habs Play In series against Pittsburgh

8:59 - 11:59 Montreal signing Alexander Romanov; team line up decisions

12:00 - 17:38 Should Max Domi have decided to play; Karl Alzner and former Hab Andrew Shaw deciding not to play

17:39 - 33:21 Around the NHL: new CBA & could the Habs take advantage of it; rumours of the Habs signing RFA former Mikhail Sergachev; expectations about the upcoming playoffs; new Seattle team & logo; could they sign former Hab Gerald Gallant to become their head coach; Arizona GM quits the team; what's going on with Elliotte Friedman's beard; Play in predictions and Lafrieniere sweepstakes & more.

The Habsworld first podcast of 2020 is in the books with host Norm Szcyrek, Paul Macleod and Jonathan Rebelo on the ice to discuss the Habs, and have a few laughs. This podcast was recorded the evening of January 30 2010, covering the following topics:

00:00 - 9:24 Intros; Habs trivia about #68; Current State of the Habs; Ilya Kovalchuk - Should He Stay or Should He Go?

9:25 - 16:01 Trade discussions with Habs involving Jeff Petry and Tomas Tatar; Would Montreal trading its veterans trigger the Canadiens into full Rebuild Mode?

16:02 - 21:59 Nick Suzuki is the Habs most positive sign from this season; How can the team improve going forward (arrival of Romanov next season/end of this season)

22:00 - 29:49 Who will Montreal's backup goaltender be next season; reflections on the recent game in Buffalo; will Carey Price be the next Habs goalie to score a goal

29:50 - 41:54 Discussion on Cole Caulfield and his future in Montreal; Kotkaniemi's first NHL fight; Could the Habs be shopping Max Domi, could Toronto be the destination & other Leafs topics

41:55 - 44:34 Brendan Gallagher returns from his concussion; could Bergevin consider trading him before he becomes a UFA

44:35 - 59:54 Around the NHL topics: Tkachuk vs Kassian, Shea Weber's playoffs work when he was with Nashville; Gerald Gallant firing; Seattle team rumoured to be named the Kraken; Do the Canadiens need a hockey person as their president to guide their GM and staff, and which candidates should Geoff Molson consider

The Canadiens are going through tough times now, and the Habsworld team is here to discuss them. Host Norm Szcyrek and cohosts Paul Macleod & Jonathan Rebelo had much to say about the team's recent plight, some of their bright spots, and a few laughs along the way. This podcast was recorded the evening of November 28 2019.

The topics include:

0:00 - 2:00 Intros, episode trivia

2:01 - 9:58 Habs six game losing streak; what could the Habs do next; is there a silver lining

9:59 - 15:00 If things get worse would the Habs trade Carey Price, or trade for Taylor Hall; around the NHL topics of Bill Peters

15:01 - 23:49 Could the Habs fire the coach if things continue to go badly, and who might replace Claud Juline; are the playoffs still a possibility for the Canadiens; can Marc Bergevin make a trade to turn around the team?

23:50 - 28:32 Cal Fleury scratched against the Devils; Carey Price struggling; relecting on losses against the Rangers & Bruins; coach's inability to change in game strategies based on the score; discussion of importance of weekend games against Flyers & Bruins

28:33 - 34:34 Should the young players be given more ice time & responsibilities; are there players on the farm team that can help give the team a spark

34:35 - 39:24 Improved play of Shea Weber; Habs depth vs other teams depth to deal with injuries; discussing Connor McDavid & Leon Draisatal

39:25 - 46:38 Guy Carbonneau induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame

46:39 - 56:25 More Bill Peters discussions including Ron Francis; Don Cherry firing; how long can the Habs streak last before a coaching change occurs?

The Habsworld podcast returns for the premiere episode of its eighth straight season. Host Norm Szcyrek was joined by cohosts Paul Macleod and Jonathan Rebelo to talk about Les Canadiens and have a few laughs.

This episode was recorded the evening of October 17 2019. Topics included:

00:00 - 3:01 Intro, Habs trivia, 2019-20 season start recap

3:02 - 10:38 Impact to the Habs by newcomers Nick Suzuki, Cal Fleury, Ben Chiarot; discussion of 4-0 shutout vs Minnesota Wild

10:39 - 15:20 Former Hab Douglas "Crankshaft" Murray stories; Nick Cousins first Habs game pay dividends; first goal by Victor Mete set a Habs "record" & what type of "pool" the players might have had on the board for that monumental goal

15:21 - 21:40 Discussion on Canadiens chances on making the playoffs this season; talk about Cole Caufield's present and when he may join the Habs

21:41 - 29:55 Strong starts by Jonathan Drouin, Jeff Petry; "slow" start by Shea Weber; could a Petry & Weber pairing be the solution; special teams & Laval discussions

29:56 - 36:25 Around the league: NHL bans Zykov 20 games for substance abuse; Carolina rumoured to pick up Josh Ho-Sang; Tavares injury; other struggling teams, wrap up talk about the playoffs and dreams about the Habs drafting Lafreniere

The Habsworld podcast team is back, working hard for their drive to the playoffs, talking about our Habs team. Lead by hosts Norm Szcyrek, Paul Macleod and Jonathan Rebelo, many Canadiens and other hockey topics were discussed & debated, and more than a few laughs were shared. This episode was recorded the evening of March 20, 2019.

Topics included:

0:00 - 8:05 Intros, Habs trivia, Carey Price sets habs win record; debate over wins record by hall of famers Jacques Plante and Patrick Roy

8:06 - 17:20 Discussion about the Habs' chances to make the playoffs; more power play woes; could Andrei Markov return to help the power play?

17:21 - 35:30 Habs struggles on their West coast trip; Carolina "jerk" Hurricanes; fake hockey news according to Don Cherry; Jesperi Kotkaniemi struggles

35:31 - 43:35 What if Marc Bergevin made the same types of trades that Columbus made in order to make a wild card spot; upcoming Habs game against New York Islanders, comparing to last week's game against the same team; Mike Reilly's absence from the lineup; do the Habs still have a chance to make the playoffs?

43:36 - Around the NHL: Brad Marchand tweets against the Leafs; NHLPA best and worst winners; debate about Ryan Poehling and if he will sign after his 3rd college season or wait until after his 4th season to become a NHL UFA; Max Domi only the 4th center to score 25 or more goals before the age of 25; another Habs power play futility statistics and if they can finish this season with the franchise worst record; 31 Thoughts Podcast with former Hab & Leaf Mikhail Grabovski; will Nikita Kucherov score more points than the Lightning will finish the season with, and much more!

The Habsworld podcast team was at full strength tonight, with hosts Norm Szcyrek, Paul Macleod and Jonathan Rebelo talking Habs and having a few laughs. This episode was recorded the evening of February 13 2019.

Topics included:

00:00 - 16:59 Intro; Habs Trivia; Habs trade for Dale Weise and Christian Folin; Habs lose Kenny Agostino on waivers; trade for center Nate Thompson; Bergevin states he will not trade top prospects for rentals; trade rumours between Habs and Anaheim for Cam Fowler, Corey Perry; reflecting on Habs development failures; rumours about Noah Juulsen's health status; Habs depth on defence

17:00 - 32:27 Canadiens' power play recent improvements; trade rumours involving Mark Stone, Matt Duchesne; Kotkaniemi goal scoring boom since the All-Star break; could the Habs Finnish line help the power play?

32:28 - 59:00 Habs newcomers will help the penalty kill; upcoming game against Nashville; predictions about the Habs making the playoffs or not; a bold prediction of another Eastern team making or not making the playoffs; around the league topics including: Penguins/Panthers trade; other teams trade rumours; upcoming trade deadline discussions; Leafs extend Austin Matthews recently, so what will they do with Mitch Marner, and more!

The Habsworld Podcast team was short handed in this episode, but hosts Paul Macleod and Norm Szcyrek did their best to kill it!

This episode was recorded the evening of December 18, 2018, covering the following topics:

0:00 - 6:45 Introductions; recent shutout loss against Bruins; why do the Habs struggle against some teams this season?

6:46 - 8:39 Is a trade the solution for this team; Jake Muzzin rumours

8:40 - 15:09 Victor Mete sent to the minors then called up; could Mete be a trade piece; value of growing your own defencemen versus trading for someone elses

15:10 - 23:04 Habs prospects for Team Canada at the upcoming World Junior Championship; discussion of Habs first round picks over the past decade; Habs developing players (Kenny Agostino, Michel Chaput) in the minors for the pros

23:05 - 43:56 Will the Habs be forced to waive Charles Hudon or Nicolas Deslauriers to the minors when Joel Armia returns from the injury list; Habs trivia; pros and cons if the Habs should allow Jesperi Kotkaniemi to play in the World Junior Championship; Nick Suzuki's development this season; junior prospects for other non-Canadian teams at the WJC; talk about excellent play of Max Domi and struggles of Philip Danault

43:57 - 57:29 Upcoming 6 game road trip and its importance; conference rivals struggles; other Habs trade rumours (Duncan Keith); concussion discussions;

57:30 - 1:20:28 Around the NHL: blown penalty calls, other referee gaffs and unusual NHL rules; NHL teams slumping; Seattle expansion news; could the Habs use their extra salary cap space to acquire another player; coach & GM firings in Philadelphia; Andrew Ference's comments about his time with the Edmonton Oilers, and more!