Episode 95 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 03-28-2024

Hello hockey fans out there, here is Episode 95 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast to take a listen to, topics include-

#1. Why is there such a concern with Kaidan Guhle playing on the right side of the Montreal Canadiens defense?

#2. What’s with the ridiculous notion that many have apparently already have written off top end prospect, right-handed defenseman David Reinbacher and that he is somehow a bust.

#3. David Reinbacher and Lane Hutson do not need to play in Montreal this season. No one owed anything. They need to develop at the pace that best serves them, their careers and the organization. They will play when they are ready to.

#4. Has anyone noticed on a team dominated with multiple high negative plus minuses, that defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic has very quietly put together a very stable and effective season and has a +9, and that Arber Xhekaj is a +5, which are by far and away the best +/- rating on the roster?

#5. Nick Suzuki is having a fantastic season. Suzuki faces the oppositions best night in and night out every single game and is just about having a point per game season.

#6. Why are so many afraid to admit how wrong they blatantly were about the success that 2022 1st overall selection left winger Juraj Slafkovsky is having this season. He’ only played in 39 NHL games in his rookie NHL season and before that had 7 not 70, 7 internation games and 1 international tournament under his belt, had to adjust to an entirely new part of the world, at 18-years of age. How many 18-years-olds do you know that have been faced with or done that? Let him take a breath and get his feet under him, wow.

#7. What is even remotely polarizing about Jaraj Slafkovsky, it’s called growth, he’s growing, he’s growing into his frame and abilities, his game is growing, his skill set is emerging, hello! Everything has evolved as expected based on his age.

#8. By the way, where are all those self-anointed experts who wanted to crucify Montreal for not drafting Shayne Write, I’m hearing crickets, how’s that turned out? Let the real experts like Jeff Gorton, Kent Hughes and the entire scouting department do their jobs, and make selections as they actually know not only what they’re doing, what and who they are evaluating, but excel at what they do. That’s why nothing beats actual experience, ability, and skills.

#9. Fantastic news, head coach Martin St. Louis has returned to the team, and will no doubt have a significant effect on the game in Colorado.