HabsWorld Podcast – Episode 119
With the Habs’ strong play since the Four Nations break, the HabsWorld podcast crew returned to talk about Les Canadiens. Host Norm Szcyrek, with cohosts Paul MacLeod, Sean Cayouette, and Jonathan Rebelo had a lot to say about the Habs, discuss other hockey news, and have some laughs. This podcast was recorded on the evening of March 19, 2025.
Our roster of topics includes:
– Introductions and Habs trivia;
– Montreal’s winning streak since the Four Nations tournament has propelled them into a playoff position. Key contributors discussed include Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, and Josh Anderson;
– Which teams might the Habs face if they hold on to make the playoffs?
– Debating Hutson for the Calder Trophy;
– Jayden Struble’s improved play while paired with Hutson;
– Anderson avoided a major injury with Kevlar socks. Discussions of enforced hockey socks and neck guards; should they become mandatory?
– How many points can Hutson score by the end of this season?
– Analysis of the March 18 win against Ottawa;
– Ivan Demidov, the leading scorer for his KHL team, was a healthy scratch again;
– Joshua Roy is struggling on he second line. Should someone else from Laval be called up to replace him?
– Debating the lack of moves at the NHL trade deadline;
– Florian Xhekaj sets a Laval record;
– Kent Hughes interviewed recently, where he mentions Montreal won’t look for a big free agent signing this summer, but will look to move other assets to improve the team. We speculated on players to trade for and what they might cost;
– Jake Evans’ contract extension was discussed;
– How soon could a contract extension for Lane Hutson begin?
– With the team’s current success, could Montreal re-sign their other pending unrestricted free agents?
– Oliver Kapanen will return to Canada after his Finnish team’s season is over. He is expected to join Laval for their playoff run;
– The upcoming game against the Islanders was discussed and which goaltender will get the start;
– Was the Four Nations break a big benefit for most of the Canadiens’ players to give them a needed break to help them with their playoff position push?
– Will Alex Ovechkin break the NHL goal scoring record before the end of this season?
– A TSN690 host trade proposal of Sidney Crosby for Michael Hage was strongly debated;
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