JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 08-31-23

PHR Live Chat: 08-31-23

Josh Erickson

4:00

Hi everyone! I'll let a few questions filter in before we get started.

All Kaline Battery

4:04

Not seeing enough positive feedback for the Wings on the Jeff Perry trade. He improves the defense offensively and HD actually wants to play in Detroit.

Josh Erickson

4:06

Agreed on this front, especially for the acquisition cost. He may not be what he was at his peak in Montreal, but I do believe he has at least one season left of top-four play in him. By no means a special teams guru, and he's a decent two-way player as well.

Stevie Y.

4:06

Have I done enough to get my team into the playoffs this season? What’s the next step?

Josh Erickson

4:08

Continuing this, I unfortunately feel this was a unicorn in terms of slam-dunk moves for Detroit. I think the Gostisbehere signing is good value, too, but I'm not sure Wings fans will like Compher at $5.1MM. Those 52 points take into account he was playing over 20 minutes a game last season, and if he scratches 17 in Detroit, I'd be shocked. Not sure that's wise spending for a guy who will consistently give you 35-45 points per season over the life of the deal.

4:09

Next step is ridding yourself of the Chiarot deal, Stevie. It's not a terrible buyout – I would heavily consider it next summer. Goaltending and defense will naturally be good enough to get you into the playoffs by 2024-25, I believe, but you'll need a fix at 2C. Of course it's too early to judge Compher, but I believe him and Copp are back-to-back whiffs to fill that role well enough for a playoff team.

4:09

Who, if any, of Nashville’s young guns will have a breakout season?

Josh Erickson

4:12

Whoever gets the right wing spot next to Forsberg and O'Reilly. Most seem to think that will be Luke Evangelista out of the gate, so I'd be looking at him. Glass should see an uptick in production playing 2C behind ROR, too (or maybe even 1C if things go well in camp). Given that the team is healthy, guys like Novak and Pärssinen will settle into a more stable development path and less minutes, which could mean not necessarily scoring at the rate they did last season. I think the team's done well to develop what they have in terms of roster construction, but they're still in the tricky land of not being good enough to make the playoffs and too good to tank.

4:13

Well, Novak is 26, so likely too late to be talking about development. But my point stands with Pärssinen.

Novak was on pace for 69 points in a full year last season – I don't think I'd be alone in saying that's a little outlandish for a projected 3C on a borderline bubble team.

Stimpyi

4:14

Willy signs for 5x9.25 Still gives him another chance to cash in later just like 34?

Josh Erickson

4:15

Hmm... don't think so. He's two years older than Matthews, meaning he'd be 33 at the end of his deal if he did that. He's looking at max term for sure.

Ryan O'Reilly

4:16

Why did I sign in Nashville and why did Nashville sign me?

Josh Erickson

4:18

I believe you said in an interview earlier this summer you would enjoy being out of the spotlight a little bit – Nashville certainly gives you the chance to do so while playing a core role for a team with an identity crisis and undergoing a transitional period. You've got your Cup, and Nashville I'm betting was one of just a handful of teams willing to dole out four years – giving you some more financial stability at the end of your career.

All Kaline Battery

4:19

Are you surprised that no one has signed Tomas Tatar yet? For all his faults, he is a consistant 20 goal scorer

Josh Erickson

4:20

I don't think there's a lack of interest, I just think it was an unfortunate game of musical chairs that led to him getting left out of a fair deal for his services.

4:21

He said he's gotten calls from multiple teams – now, whether that's a public ploy to drive up interest or not, I don't know. I think there are quite a few teams who view him as a valuable addition but don't have the resources to pay him. I'd be shocked if he's not signed in another two weeks, though.

BabyYodaPenguin

4:25

Could Kessel return to the Penguins on a one year bare minimum deal with bonuses? Sort of a ride into the sunset kind of thing?

Josh Erickson

4:26

I think there's a better fit for him on some other playoff-bound teams. If he's really okay with a 13th forward role as indicated earlier today, then sure, but that would also box Nylander out of a job, which I don't think Dubas wants to do.

gilroytx

4:26

What will happen to Casey DeSmith, stuck in Montreal ?

Josh Erickson

4:28

I don't think Kent Hughes knows yet. I recall a few weeks ago, he said he'd told DeSmith to remain patient, that they were still working out whether or not they'd flip him. I certainly wouldn't go into the season carrying three goalies when you'll need the extra roster spots for some young bubble guys like Ylönen and Harvey-Pinard.

4:29

I think Hughes will do his due diligence and trade whichever of his three netminders will fetch the greatest return. I don't think one sticks out as a clear starter or clear backup.

Sabres3277

4:29

I like the current Sabres lineup but I still feel uncomfortable with relying on the young goaltenders to help this team make the playoffs. I still think a veteran goaltender is a need. What are you thoughts?

Josh Erickson

4:31

I agree, but truly, is making the playoffs a *must* this season when your pool is as strong as it is? A veteran goaltender won't be a need in 2 years max when Levi and Luukkonen are hitting their strides. I'm not sure I'd shell out assets for a more capable goalie on the trade market, either, especially when you consider the rather uninspiring free agent class this summer. I think you need to see what you have in these guys, and if they don't work, then you can make a move. I think doing so now would be premature.

Guest

4:31

Which of the following goalies is most likely to be the starter for their team by season's end: Pyotr Kochetkov, Dustin Wolf, Devon Levi, Jesper Wallstedt? (Personally, I'd go with Levi.)

Josh Erickson

4:31

Levi, Kochetkov, Wolf, Wallstedt, in that order. I think Levi is the opening night starter and everyone else (aside from maybe Kochetkov) will be in the minors, so that's pretty clear-cut.

4:33

I'm not sure Kochetkov will take over the crease solely based on performance, but he does sit behind two injury-prone netminders on the Carolina depth chart. It wouldn't shock me if he's starting Game 1 of their first-round series. Wolf could easily slide into the backup role, but I'm looking at a bounce-back year for Märkström. Wallstedt is going to be just dandy, but I don't see him forcing his way past Fleury or Gustavsson so soon. He'll spend the entire year in Iowa, save for injuries, and will replace Fleury in 2024-25.

Geddy Lee

4:36

What ever happened to that whole idea about going to a 84 game schedule and dropping a couple of preseason games/shortening training camp? I thought it was a great idea. Play teams in division 4 times, conference 3 times & other conference twice. Perfect.

Josh Erickson

4:38

If you're the real Geddy, it's an hono(u)r, first of all. Anyways, the league can want an expanded schedule all they want, but the players need to approve it for it to become a reality. There was a report earlier this summer the NHLPA was willing to discuss it if the NHL raised the salary cap more than $1MM – which didn't happen, so it's DOA for now, it appears.

Pawtucket

4:42

How does Columbus do with solid forward depth, but very young (or old) down the middle?

Josh Erickson

4:44

Solid depth, yes, but a lack of quality defensive forwards for a team that has Ivan Provorov and Erik Gudbranson on their backend. I don't feel they'll do enough to compensate. I think Columbus will be significantly more exciting this season, but I'm not sure how much of it will translate to standings points. I'd expect them in the 70-75 point range.

Guest

4:46

You think nhl will expand again and what year would it expand. Thanks agent 47

Josh Erickson

4:46

Absolutely yes on expansion. I would guess at least 3 or 4 years before announcements for teams 33 and 34, however. Let the cap start increasing as normal.

Francois

4:48

The NJD have made some great moves this off-season. Losing Severson and Graves will hurt, does NJD need to address the D? Also, I am not of the belief Fitzgerald should overpay for a G, like Hellybuck, he’s going to be on the wrong side of 30 and he wants $9M per year I think it’s a hard pass. I believe Fitzgerald should see what goalies are placed on waivers, and look for a guy who can be a good 1B, and let Schmid develope more in Utica. Your thoughts on the G situation?

Josh Erickson

4:50

I think the D is fine – Bahl is improving and should take on a regular role. I agree in passing on Hellebuyck – not worth the acquisition and extension cost, not with Schmid and Daws in the pipeline. Not sure you're gonna get anyone on waivers better than Källgren who you already have, however. Schmid is ready for the show, I think.

A couple more questions here, then I'll call it a day until next Thursday!

Patrick Kane

4:54

Where am I playing when I finally do sign?

Josh Erickson

4:54

I still think the Avs have the leading edge. Just makes too much sense with fit and money.

Stanley’s Cup

4:54

You can only choose one non-playoff team from each conference from last season you to make the playoffs this season. Who do you have?

Josh Erickson

4:55