Hello Hockey Fan’s, Episode 228 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived for you to get your summer hockey fix needs addressed. This week’s topics include-

Its really good that the rookie and regular training camps are close at hand.

Are people just hell bent on making trades, to make them?

All of these trade proposals would weaken the Montreal Canadiens.

What could the Calgary Flames or Philadelphia Flyers offer the Montreal for Arber Xhehaj?

Would Philadelphia send Porter Matrone to Montreal straight up for Arber Xhekaj? No!

The Montreal Canadeins have absolutely no physicality, sandpaper and grit on their NHL roster other than Arber Xhekaj.

Within the entire organization, Montreal has 5 prospects that bring  sand paper, grit and true in your face hockey and they are?

Only Florian Xhekaj of those 5 will be on the roster in 2026/2027.

Owen Protz, Bogdan Konyushkov and Gleb Pugachyov are at least another year away.

Not Likely Owen Protz has a come out of nowhere/lights out, must find a spot for the rookie, he’s at least a year away.

Bogdan Konyushkov is under contract with the KHL in 2026/2027.

Gleb Pugachyov needs at least the 2026/2027 season in the KHL, could he be ready after?

Other than Lane Hutson, Arber Xhekaj is the 2nd most valuable defenseman in Montreal

Who protects Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson and others if you trade Arber Xhekaj?

Did everyone miss the excellent playoffs that Arber Xhekaj had?

Kaiden Guhle has yet to show he can stay healthy.

Noah Dobson had an ok regular season. It wasn’t lights out.

Noah Dobson’s playoffs were subpar.

Price was too high for Noah Dobson.

Noah Dobson doesn’t use his frame to his advantage.

Noah Dobson played his best hockey when paired with Mike Matheson.

Is Noah Dobson a good foot soldier, absolutely.

Starting 3 RHD in Montreal Should be.

Starting 3 LHD in Montreal Should be.

Alexander Carrier and Jyden Struble are role players.

Zachary Bulduc at best is a 3-million dollar per-year-player.

Zachary Bulduc was acquired for scoring

Did Zachary Bulduc have a good playoff defensively? Yes!

Never was a fan of trading Loggan Mailloux for Zachary Bolduc.

Loggan Mailloux is a 6’ 3 212 lb plus, Nasty, fluid skating right-handed defenseman that extremely hard to find

 Loggan Mailloux is establishing himself as St. Louis’s number 1 Right-Handed defenseman.

Zachary Bolduc and Noah Dobson have not shown much yet.

Lots of work if Zachary Bolduc wants to stay in Montreal.

2-year bridge deal with max of 3 million per season for Zachary Bolduc.

Does anyone truly care about Patrik Laine possibly signing with a division rival?

I would not be surprised even remotely if he plays in Europe this upcoming season.

Teams are Lukewarm on Patrik Laine?

Alexei Vlasov is far more interesting than Zachary Bolduc or Patrik Laine.

Hello Hockey Fans. Episode 227 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived for you to take a listen to, this week’s topics include-

#1. Offensive talent that shouldn’t even be considered, let alone be in any kind of trade discussions.

#2. #1. Defensive talent that shouldn’t even be considered, let alone be in any kind of trade discussions.

#3. #1. Goaltending talent that shouldn’t even be considered, let alone be in any kind of trade discussions.

#4. In addition to the obvious, this additional talent shouldn’t even be considered, let alone be in any kind of trade discussions.

#5. How has this in any way been a quiet summer in Montreal. The organization has very effectively and professionally taken care of business. They moved Bredan Gallagher, Hired a new head coach in Laval, Hired a new assistant coach in Montreal. Signed Ivan Demidov and Jakub Dobes to very smart contracts and avoided arbitration with Kirby Dach and put him on notice. How is that even remotely a quiet summer?

#6. Don’t trade Arber Xhekaj if you have any intention of actually winning the Stanley Cup.

#7. Don’t trade Adam Engstrom unless Kaiden Guhle proves for several seasons in a row that he can actually stay healthy. Adam Engstrom is his replacement.

#8. Of course, every other club wants to make trades with Montreal. They want to get their hands on the prospects they completely missed.

#9. The only players that should be available in Montreal are Samuel Montembeau, Jayden Struble, Alexander Carrier, Kirby Dach, Josh Anderson, Philip Danault, Kaiden Guhle, Zachary Bolduc, Jake Evans, Alexandre Texier, Mike Matheson.

#10.the Vancouver Canucks are having a very productive organizational off-season. In addition to new general manager Ryan Johnson, Ryan Stewart has been hired as director of hockey strategy and player evaluation and Adam Sergerie as a pro scout.

Hello Hockey Fan’s! Episode 226 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived, this week’s topics include-

#1. The game that ended Patrick Roy's career in Montreal.

#2. The Ego of Patrick Roy and Mario Tremblay.

#3. Mario Tremblay left Patrick in goal for that entire game to break his ego.

#4. No one is more important than the organization itself.

#5. The problems and conflicts that Mario Tremblay and Patrick Roy hated each other as roommates long before Mario Tremblay was named head coach.

#6. Both Patrick Roy and Mario Tremblay forgot the golden rule. Check your ego at the door.

#6. No one has a richer tradition than the Montreal Canadiens.

#7. As good as a goaltender that Patrick Roy was in the regular season and money in the playoffs, Patrick Roy is not even in the top 5 best of Montreal Canadien goaltenders all time?

Those 5 spots unquestionably belong to Ken Dryden, Jacques Plant, George Vezina, George Hainsworth, Bill Durran, my favorite goaltender of all time Vladislav Tretiak.

Going outside of the organization: Martin Brodeur, Henrik Lundqvist, Marc Andre Fleury and I’ll take Andrei Vasilesky or Nikolai Khabibulin at number 10. At best, I’ll slot Patrick Roy here for 2 reasons. Roy played more games and won more Stanley Cups in the modern era.

#7. The players that came to Montreal in that trade never had or were given a chance to succeed. The deck was stacked against them from day 1. They were put in a no-win situation.

#8. Michael Ryder thought he was more than what Montreal viewed him as.

#9. Michael Ryder’s relationship with the Montreal Canadiens turned sour and he was insulted by the Canadiens offer. That was his and his agent’s choice, so he went elsewhere.

#10. No doubt that Michael took great enjoyment in winning the Stanley cup with the Boston Bruins of all teams.

#11. I would be surprised to learn in the least if then Head Coach Guy Carbonneau had issues with Michael Ryder like Head Coach Mario Tremblay did with Patrick Roy, as Carbonneau benched Ryder on a regular basis.

#12. Ryder had a solid career. Good for him and hat’s off to wanting something different and following through on it.

#13. Expansion is likely again and the structure is unfair to both clubs and players that have done their jobs, to only get the shaft, for the betterment of expansion clubs. Not their problem or concern.

#14. Completely understand one city that’s being considered. There is definitely one city that should be at the top and conserved the number and obvious selection and there is one city being considered for a 3rd time and my question is, how failures does it take to realize it makes zero sense and is an obvious bad choice. Conversation for episode 227.

Hello Hockey Fans, Episode 225 of the Hockey Free All Podcast has arrived for you. This weeks topics include-

#1. Thankfully, Gary Bettman nixed this trade in 2009 between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

#2. Vincent Lacavalier was good. Was he that good?

#3. Carey Price gave everything he had and could, including his own health and longevity to the team.

#4. Jaroslav Halak would have called players out.

#5. Carey Price would have been far better off in San Jose or Dallas.

#6. The best 2 defensemen that Carey Price had in front of him during his entire career were  Andre Markov and Shea Weber much later on.

#7. Andre Markov was not Chris Pronger, Rod Langway Brian Engblom or Scott Stevens.

#8. Shea Weber was the modern definition of the James Norris.

#9. Kirill Marchenko does not present a massive opportunity for the Montreal Canadiens.

#10. Montreal’s top 6 spots are spoken for already.

#11. What the Columbus Blue Jacket would want back from Montreal for Kirill Marchenko. NOT A CHANCE!

 #12. Now if Columbus wants to discuss some combinations of? Ok then. There’s room for dialog!

#13. Here’s a one for one option. Montreal sends Kaiden Guhle to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Kirill Marchenko, no, no. Not in a straight one for deal. But for Kirill Marchenko and draft picks coming back to Montreal, as Kaiden Guhle is the better player and the likely captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the next 10 plus season, like Rod Langway was in Washington in the trade that made the Washington Capital a legit NHL club. Anyone recall that trade and impact on both clubs, for the next 10 plus years?

#14. Should the Montreal Canadiens be entertaining the idea of and the reported interest from the Philadelphia Flyers suggested desire to acquire Arber Xhekaj from the Montreal Canadiens, not if the Montreal Canadiens actually have any desire to win the Stanley Cup.

#15. Montreal’s depth on the Left-side boast’s: Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj, Mike Mathenson, Jayden Struble, Adam Engstrom, Owen Protz and Rasmus Bergvist. That’s not even all of the left side depth, but that’s 8 on the left side.

#16. Montreal’s depth on the right-side boast’s: Noah Dobson, David Reinbacher, Bryce Pickford, Bogden Konyushkov. That’s 4. Hold on there’s more, Dmitri Kostenko, Daniil Sobolev, Luke Mittlestadt, the recently drafted Cooper Cleaves who is a 20-year-old, over age 6’ 03 over 200lb right-handed defenseman out of Dartmouth the Canadiens have tracked and liked for over 2 years drafted in 2026 and the 2026 2nd round selection of Tim Runtso. That’s 9 on the supposed weak right side and makes for 17 all together on both sides.

#17. Those who believe Montreal missed the mark in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft are really clueless.

Hello hockey fans Episode 224 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived. Take a listen to this week’s topics that include-

#1. Montreal trades 24-year-old 5’ 09 175-pound forward prospect Sean Farrell to Anaheim.

#2. Montreal Acquires 23-year-old 6-foot 183-pound right wing Sasha Pastujov from Anaheim.

#3. Montreal Canadiens Director of player Development Adam Nichols thought extremely highly of Sean Farrell, so this is a very intriguing trade in many ways.

#4. Stop! Montreal does not need Kirill Marchenko. He is not the perfect addition to or fit in Montreal’s top 6.

 #5. The Montreal Canadiens have a lot of and the internal talent and prospects in the league, hands down!

#6. The Montreal Canadiens have drafted exceptionally well and far better than anyone else multiple years!

#7. Prospect Michael Hage, center at Michigan University, and Alexander Zharovsky, a winger in the KHL are the last 2 pieces of the top 6 in Montreal, no one else.

#8.  Macklin Celebrini has signed a new 5-year, 94-million-dollar contract with an annual cap hit of 18.8 million. I’ve but wow and that’s just nuts! But so are the new contracts of Leo Carlsson and Connor Bedard.

 #9. The Short-term mind-blowing excessive contracts that have been handed to Macklin Celebrini, Leo Carlsson and Connor Bedard right after the 3-year entry deals conclude, have league destruction ramifications.

#10. The cap is not and will not rise even remotely at the rate contracts are.

#11. The top 2 defensemen and top 6 forwards will eat up 80% plus of team’s caps coming sooner than you think and it’s not good at all.

#12. No one is the NHL today is even remotely on the same level of ability and skill of Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier, Wayne Gretzky or Jaromir Jagar. No one else even comes close.

#13. I’ll take Mark Messier, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux or Jaromir Jagar over Maklin Celebrini, Leo Carlsson, Kirill Kaprizov or Connor Bedard any day.

#14. Has everyone just completely forgotten about or written off the excellent regular season that Oliver Kapanen had, like it never happened?

#15. It would be very surprising if Kirby Dach amounts to anything more than a top 9 winger in what will likely be his last season with Montreal unless something drastically changes.

#16. Why can’t Oliver Kapanen continue to build on and remain the team’s 2nd line center?

#17. Here’s an even better question. Why is Alex Newhook not the obvious choice as the team’s number 2 center?

#18. Alex Newhook had a tremendous start, return from injury and was clearly one of Montreal’s top 3 players in value and production in the 2025/2026 playoffs!

#19. Don’t like those options, platoon or alternate Danault and Evans

#20. That doesn’t even include Florian Xhekaj, Owen Beck, Vinzenz Rohrer or Jared Davidson?

Hello hockey fan’s, episode 223 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived, the topics of this week’s episode, include-

#1. Comparing Gleb Pugachyov to Bob Gainey.

#2. Gleb Pugachyov has more offensive upside than Bob Gainey.

#3. Bob Gainey is the definition of ultimate team and complete player.

#4. Gleb Pugachyov is exactly what the Canadiens need. Arber Xhekaj, Gleb Pugachyov, Florian Xhekaj and Bogdan Konyushkov all bring exactly what the Montreal Canadiens need.

#5. No signing any free agents is the best news for the Montreal Canadiens.

#6. Montreal’s prospect pool is packed and overflowing with Talent.

#7. Patience has been a key to Montreal’s rebuild.

#8. Time is ticking down for David Reinbacher.

#9. David Reinerbacher has serious competition now.

#10. The show between David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom.

#11. Montreal’s contracts with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slavkonsky, Kaiden Guhle, Lane Hutson, Jakub Dobes and Ivan Demidov are rational contracts, given growth, production, projection and length.

#12. The Contracts of Leo Carlsson and Connor Bedard, make absolutely no sense.

#13. Put it another way. Montreal has locked up 4-core players for 33 million dollars total, of annual cap hits. The Minnesota Wild will spend more than that just on Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes.

#14. G.M.’s around the NHL better get a grasp.

#15. Sorry, Zach Bolduc, is not a 4-or-5-million-dollar player. He’s shown no more than Kirby Dach has.

#16. The Buffalo Sabres sign Peyton Krebs to a 4-year contract with an annual cap hit of 4.5 million dollars.

#17. No, Montreal doesn’t need Mavrik Bourque either.

#18. Nope, Montreal doesn’t need Anthoney Mantha. Not a good fit in Montreal. Very erratic in his career.

#19. Yea, Anthoney Mantha signs a 2-year deal with the New Jersey Devils for 4.5 million dollars per season.

#20. It was Saku Koivu’s and his agent’s decision to move on from Montreal. Montreal made an offer, Saku Koivu and agent took a different path.

#21. The Flyers sign Trevor Zegras to a 4-year, 36-million contract with an annual cap hit of $9.125,00 per season.

#22. Reality check in Columbus.

#23. The Philadelphia Flyers have signed defenseman Jamie Drydale to a new 4-year 26-millon dollar contract with an annual cap hit of 6.5 million dollars per season.

#24.  Winnipeg Jets sign’s winger Cole Perfetti for 5-years at 30-million dollars 6-million dollar per season hit.

#25. The Utah Mammoth have signed defenseman John Marino to a new 8-year 54-million dollar contract with an average cap hit of 6.75 million dollars per season.

#26. The Montreal Canadiens have signed Kirby Dach to a 1-year 3.6-million-dollar contract to avoid arbitration.

#27.  The Chicago Blackhawks have signed winger Connor Bedard to a 5-year, 75-million dollar contract with an annual cap hit of 15-million dollars.

#28. Pittsburgh may be the perfect place for Shane Wright.

Hello hockey fans out there. Episode 222 of the hockey free for all has arrived for you. This episode’s topics include-

#1. Hayley Wickenheiser dismissed by the Toronto Maple Leaf’s

#2. Apparently G.M. John Chayka has different plans and a different vision.

#3. The Toronto Maple Leaf’s are cleaning house administratively.

#4. The Toronto Maple Leaf’s are leaving no stone unturned.

#5. The Montreal Canadiens sign defensive prospect Bogdan Konyushkov.

#6. Bogdan Konyushkov will play in the KHL with the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in 2026-27.

#7. The right and left sides of the defense are equally as strong in Montreal.

#8. With signings and arrivals of Bryce Pickford and Bogdan Konyushkov, David Reinbacker has some serious and very real competition, and his clock is now ticking.

#9. First round draft pick are not the only prospects that have real opportunity to make it in the NHL.

#10. David Reinbacker is 6’ 03 207lbs, that’s not enough. Pickford and Konyushkov bring a lot more.

#11. In Addition to Bryce Pickford and Bogdan Konyushkov, Montreal selected Right-Handed defensemen Timofei Runtso and Cooper Cleaves in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

#12. Of the top 17 picks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, David Reinbacher has played the least amount of games in the NHL.

#13. Bogdan Konyushkov and Owen Protz would be a scary pairing on the Montreal defense.

#14. The battle of Reinbacher Vs. Engstrom. Which one or do both make the 2026/2027  roster?

#15. The Canuck’s new coaching staff is now filled out.

#16. Dylan Larkin is not the perfect match for the Montreal Canadiens and why.

#17, The Montreal Canadiens biggest need is grit. Not a 2nd-line center, not another defenseman.

#18. Ivan Demidov and Jakub Dobes were important contracts. Kirby Dach, not so much.

#19. Stop! The Montreal Canadiens do not need and not have any need for Mikeal Granlund at all.

#20. Anaheim would make extremely excessive compensation demands for Mikael Granlund.

#21. Anaheim matches Philadelphia’s offer-sheet to Leo Carlsson.

#22. Philadelphia has destroyed Anaheim’s cap management.

#23. The Montreal Canadiens have replaced Trevor Letowski with Derek Lalonde and what he brings.

#24. Martin St. Louis, Rod Brind’ Amour and Andre Tourigny are the top 3 coaches in the NHL.

#25. So many have forgotten Oliver Kapanens’ excellent regular season that far exceed expectations, why?

#26. The Montreal Canadiens have 8 centers; how many do they need? That’s 2 sets of starting 4 centers that they can ice.

#27. The Montreal Canadiens do not need Kirill Marchenko either, Stop!

#28. John Davidson is back in hockey.

#29. Steve Yzerman is out in Detroit.

#30. Does Detroit step outside the box or go traditional with their G.M. hiring?

#31. Thankfully, Anthony Mantha signed a 2-year contract with the New Jersey Devils.

 #32. You really don’t want to trade Arber Xhekaj and here’s why.

Hello hockey fans welcome to episode 221 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast, this week’s topics include-

#1. Montreal did not miss out on any kind of upgrade by not signing defenseman John Carlson.

#2. John Carlson made it clear he wanted to return to the east Coast of the U.S. How was this a miss by Montreal?

#3. John Carlson has earned the right to do what he wants.

#4. Montreal 11 NHL caliber and ready defenseman.

#5. Montreal is loaded at defense like know other club.

 #6. Montreal Canadiens have signed goaltender Jakub Dobes to a 3-year contract worth?

#7. Jakub Dobes is clearly the starting goaltender in Montreal.

#8. The Philadelphia Flyers offer-sheet’s Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson showing pure stupidity.

#9. The Philadelphia Flyers apparently has a very deep rift with Anaheim.

#10. I have absolutely nothing against Leo Carlsson at all. However, he’s done absolutely nothing in his career to this point to warrant an offer sheet or contract of that magnitude.

#11. Leo Carlsson is coming off a 3-year entry level deal that paid him $925,000.00 are you kidding me.

#12. Do not confuse Leo Carlsson in any wat with?

#13. No Montreal Does not need to jump into the RFA market because of anything.

#14. Anaheim signs Pavel Mintyukov, avoiding another possible offer-sheet.

#15. The Utah Mammoth have matches New Jersey’s offer sheet.

#16. Arber Xhekaj has decided to not file for salary arbitration in a classy move.

#17. Kirby Dach had filed for arbitration.

#18. Kirby Dach is not even worth the 4-million dollar qualifying offer that the Montreal Canadiens made to him.

#19. Kirby Dach has been completely unreliable.

#20. Kirby Dach’s decision to file for arbitration says a tremendous amount about his character.

#21. Shane Wright has proven Montreal Management correct.

#22. Claude Giroux signs a new1-year contract with the Ottawa Senators.

#23. The Calgary Flames have locked up recently acquired Simon Nemic to a new 5-year contract.

 #24. Daniel Alfredsson signs with the Toronto Maple Leaf’s as an assistant coach, along with former Toronto Marlies head coach John Gruden and Brad Werenka.

#25. One must wonder what Ottawa Senator fans think about Daniel Alfredsson going to the Toronto Maple Leaf’s of all teams?

#26. Toronto releases previous assistant coaches Mike Van Ryn and Derek Lalonde. will not be returning for next season.

#27. The news of Connor Beard must be a significant concern to the Chicago Blackhawks.

#28. Montreal does not need to acquire Elias Pettersson from the Vancouver Canucks.

#29. Montreal does not need to acquire Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

#30. There is a plethora of talent in Europe that could be signed, that would do a far better job than any of these must-have options would do, and cost Montreal nothing in assets or players.

Hello Hockey Fans, episode 220 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast has arrived and it’s just been a trading and free agent frenzy.

#1. An insane number of trades to talk about and catch up on

#2. The free agent frenzy begins

#3. Montreal does right by Brendan Gallagher

#4. With Bredan Gallagher trade, does that open-up a roster spot for Florian Xhekaj to win or lose in the 2026/2027 training camp?

#5. Where will the remaining big names get traded to, will they get traded?

#6. The Montreal Canadiens make a series of AHL trades.

#7. The New Jersey Devils fire the first shot with an offer-sheet to an RFA.

#8. The San Jose Sharks and the Utah Mammoth made statements in the draft, and now in the insane trade and free agent markets.

#9. The Montreal Canadiens have submitted qualifying offers restricted free agents: Arber Xjekaj, Zachary Bolduc, Jarred Davidson, Sean Farrell, Kirby Dach, Hunter McKnown, Brett Berard and Maksymillian Szuber.

#10. Will Kirby Dach, Zach Bolduc and Samuel Montembeau be a part of the Montreal Canadiens moving forward?

#11. The Florida Panthers are doing more than a few tweaks to their roster.

#12. The Montreal Canadiens have signed another long-term/cornerstone piece of their franchise, as right winger Ivan Demidov signed an 8-year 73 million extension with an annual cap hit of 9.125 million dollars.

#13. The Ottawa Senators have signed group 6 free agent Ryan Suzuki to a contract, so there will be no reuniting of the Suzuki brothers in Montreal to join the Xhekaj brothers.

#14. The Montreal Canadiens walked away the biggest winners in the trade and free agent frenzy for 2-reasons, find out why.

#15. Michael Hage has left the door open, just a little bit for the 2026/2027 season. The really good news is that Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes will do what’s right for both Michael Hage, as well as the organization, and will not be affected, derailed or influenced by what anyone else thinks, nor should they be. It’s about the prospect and organization not what anyone wants.

#16. The Montreal Canadiens did not event remotely miss the mark in the 2026 Draft and allowed talent to go elsewhere or be drafted by other clubs. Again, a true statement of ignorance by those who said and believe that. The Montreal Canadiens not only hit the mark dead-on, Montreal nailed the 2026 draft, and addressed exactly what the organization wanted in every round, sandpaper, grit, size for their roster and long-term Right-handed defenseman options.

#17. In yet the dumbest remark yet, are there really people that believe that the Montreal Canadiens should replace Martin St. Louis with Bruce Cassidy.  Does ignorance have no limits?

#18. Martin St. Louis is the best coach in Montreal since Scotty Bowman.

#19. Alexander Ovechkin will return for his 22nd season.

Hello Hockey Fan’s. Episode 219 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast, the 2026 NHL Entry Draft episode has arrived. The Topics include-

#1. More pre-draft trades.

#2. Draft Day Trades.

#3. Few NHL Clubs make the number of trades that the Las Vegas Golden Knights do.

#4. The Anaheim Ducks, St. Louis Blues, Utah Mammoth and Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes were no slouch either, when it came to trades at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. They were all very active.

#5. Teams moving up and down the draft board in a way and with a frequency seen on very few occasions in the NHL.

#6. The 2026 NHL Entry Draft set a new record as to the greatest number of goalies ever selected in an NHL Entry Draft with 34, selected in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

#7. The Montreal Canadiens made 2 minor AHL trades to enhance the AHL roster in the 2026/2027 season.

#8. Kent Hughes was actively moving around on the draft board targeting very specific players that the Montreal Canadiens wanted in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

#9. Fortunately, the Montreal Canadiens were not involved in any of the major trades and did not mortgage their team, prospects of future away, by paying the excessively ridicules compensations that clubs were demanding for underachieving and overpaid players. 

#10. The 2026 NHL Entry Draft focused on sandpaper, grit, in your face physicality for the Montreal Canadiens, which was clearly the biggest need that the Montreal Canadiens had in the regular season and was a very obvious need in the playoffs, especially against the Carolina Hurricanes.

#11. As much movement and transactions have already been completed, there are still optionally many other trades the could occur on July 1st/Canada Day as Dylan Larkin, Zach Werenski, Kirill Marchenko, Vincent Trocheck, Connor Hellebuych or is Michael Knies still available? The Montreal Canadiens should grab group 6 free Agent Ryan Suzuki on July 1st, walk away from everything else. Have a nice quiet summer, heal up and wait for the 2026/2027 training camp.

#12. The San Jose Sharks, The Toronto Maple Leaf’s, Anaheim Ducks and the Seattle Kraken had the best drafts, but the Calgary Flames, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues and Utah Mammoth also had really a really good draft and should not be left out either.