Episode 217 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 06-24-2026

Episode 217 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast is early. #1. Penguins and Ron Francis reunite. #2. 3-time Stanley Cup Champion Jonathan Towes retires. #3. Montreal does not need Mark Scheifele. #4. Compensation expected in return is off the chart’s nuts in the NHL. #5. Mark Scheifele for Brendan Gallagher, Samuel Montembeau and Jayden Struble? #6. The center market is not shrinking for Montreal. #7. Dylan Larkin, Mason McTavish, Robert Thomas and Vincent Trocheck would not work out in Montreal. #8. No more bloated contracts and underperforming players in Montreal. #9. Montreal has 7 centers on their NHL roster right now! #10. Montreal has 13 legit center to fill 4 spots. #11. Try Fillip Mesar at center before making a no-win trade that destroys and haunts the club for another decade plus. #12. That doesn’t even include Michael Hage, L.J. Mooney, Ben Merill and Logan Sawyer who have college commitments. #13. Montreal has 13 ligament center options right now. #14. Hasn’t Alex Newhook earned the opportunity to be the clubs 2nd line center after the playoffs he just had? #15. Jeff Gorton Kent Hughes and the scouting department have done amazing job at drafting prospects. #16. Montreal should grab Ryan Suzuki. #17. Martin St. Louis would love Ryan Suzuki. #18. Ryan Suzuki would be a far greater addition in Montreal’s than any of the other got-to-have options would be by far. #19. Alexis Lafreniere is not a player Montreal needs. #20. What would Florian Xhekaj look like on a line with Nick Suzkuki and Cole Caufield? #21. How much more space and time and protection would Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield have with Florian Xhekaj on their line? #22. Why does Montreal suddenly have a need for a second line left winger according to many? #23. Oliver Kapanen, anyone? #24. The Toronto Maple Leaf’s sign free agent defenseman Darren Raddysh to an 8-year contract? #25. The Seattle Kraken acquire forward Mackie Samoskevich for the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. #26. The Florida Panthers acquire Leftwinger Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators for a pile of draft picks. #27. What’s Ottawa do with acquired draft capital? #28. If the Tkachuk brothers play like they did in the 4-nations tournament? #29. The Seattle Kraken have signed forward Bobbie McMann to a 6-year contract extension at a cost of 5.75 million dollars per season. #30. Ron Francis departs the Seattle Kraken. #31. Pascal Vincent joins Seattle, as an assistant coach #32. How about Detroit trades Dylan Larkin to Anaheim for Mason McTavish straight up. Done. Problems solved. #33. Boston Bruins to retire number 37. #34. Rod Brind’Amour, a great player and a top 5 coach. #35. Rod Brind’Amour should have been amongst the 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees. #36. New multi-year contracts in Utah and adds Adam Foote added to coaching staff.