Episode 31 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast February 12 2023

Topics Covered in Episode 31 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast

#1. Finally for the first time in a long time a coach of Montreal’s AHL team is preparing players for the NHL and they players being called up actually look ready and are able to step in and not look lost and out of place. It appears that J.F. Joule and his staff have installed a concept that is inline with the concept of the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens at the same time, so players that are called up don’t look like they were randomly selected off the corner of the street and inserted into the lineup.

#2.Let’s recognize the coaching staff and the administration inclusive of the coaching staff in Montreal for actually working together and being on the same page at the same time, because the benefit and success is extremely obvious, as one has can see it in Justin Barron and Raphael Harvey Pinard. They have not looked out of play in any way or at any time, meshing seamlessly into the roster, and to top it all off are actually producing as well and playing solid minutes, not just making occasional appearances to spot or relive other players who need a break.

#3. Kirby Dach’s outstanding play and how its been absolutely fantastic to watch all the nay sayers from the moment that he was acquired during the 2022 draft just have to eat non-stop crow as he continues to develop and flourish and excel.

#4. The glut of undrafted, F.A. and accessible talent for the Canadiens to cash in on coming out of the U.S. College/NCAA programs. Let’s get that party started and rolling continuously. This would be an exceptional way to acquire, fill in the spots of and supplement primary, secondary and supportive organizations talent and roster spots, not to mention add not just depth, but high quality depth.

#5. Not a lot of team’s with a better talent list of prospects than Montreal.

#6. Rumors that coach John Tortarella who was the coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets when Joh Anderson broke into the NHL and proceeded in having his best and most productive season of his career under, would love to have John Anderson in Philadelphia.

#7. The astounding play of Arber Xhakaj and that he remains my choice far away from anyone else as the team’s 2022/2023 MVP, as the rookie of the year, not only for the Montreal Canadiens but in the NHL. He is the definition of how bad do you want it and are you all in and willing to go the distance.

#8. Five (5) Rookie defensemen have come together this season and have claimed both their roster spots and the teams defence as their own, and that is not only remarkable but has to absolutely be the highlight of the 2022/2023 season without question. How can it not be.

#9. The obsession with the massive amount of injuries that have occurred again for this franchise as well as all the negatives such as Johnathan Drouin, Joel Armia, Mike Hoffman, Evgenii Dadonov. But how and why is the focus not on this amazon defence and what these 5 rookie defensemen have accomplished and how they have come together or gelled if one prefers? Why hasn’t there been far more focus on the season that Sam Montembeault is having, what’s he’s accomplished and how he has risen to be the teams number goalie

#10. Why and where is the extensive focus on Kirby Dach, who has improved his faceoff percentage, is having a career year, has fit into multiple lines, in different positions and not looked out of place? Where’s that excessive coverage. How about Raphael Harvey Pinard. I would think that the city of Montreal, the media and fan base, as well as the Province of Quebec itself would be all over him far more. He checks all the boxes. He’s local, he’s a French Canadien, he has fit in seamlessly and has anyone noticed his enthusiasm and energy level for day one is on a level with Cole Caufields. Raphael Heavy Pinard, was not only ready and prepared to join the Canadiens, He is a top 6 forward, but can fit on any line that’s needed, can play whatever minutes are needed, can play 5 on 5, kill penalties or play in other critical times and has yet to look out of place and shows no signs of doing so. Really, this hasn’t and doesn’t create a bigger buzz?

#11. I would like to see recalled from Laval soon is Lukas Condotta. I have always thought his game translates better to the NHL than the AHL. He has a pro game and pro size and would be a solid #3 or #4 center.

#12. The opportunity has presented itself to conduct an organizational evaluation in every conceivable way, and at every level possible.

#13. At what irrational point did anyone start believing that any organization should start to or in any way needs send out letter of explanation and organization directions, Seriously!