JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 1/15/25

PHR Live Chat: 1/15/25

Josh Erickson

2:00

Hey everyone! I'll get started in a couple of minutes.

2:02

Alright, sorry for the delay. Let's get going!

trade

2:03

Aside from helping fellow Belaurisan Levshunov adjust to pro hockey, is the former 3rd rounder Kuzmin at 21 a potential #6-7 NHL D man in a few years ?

Josh Erickson

2:04

I liked the pick at the time by Winnipeg, but he's fading and fading fast. How he ends the season in Rockford will be crucial. If he can start producing at around a 0.3-0.4 points-per-game clip, then I'd say yes. Otherwise, I'm losing faith.

Puckhead83

2:04

Is GM Don Sweeney in a no-win position? Ownership will want to win. The team isnt good enough for the cup. Does he buy or sell at the deadline? Does he do both?

Josh Erickson

2:05

In all likelihood, yes. The Capitals' success this season means they're going to be the new hot formula to follow. Out is tanking for lottery picks, in is doing whatever you can to just get a little bit younger and trust your scouts to make good picks in the 10-20 range.

2:06

Unfortunately for Boston, they've had precious little drafting success recently outside of Poitras. Lysell's development is really starting to concern me.

trade deadline

2:06

When are pending UFAs going to start to be dealt ? The cap space is larger as the deadline gets nearer, but you then get the new player for less time.

Josh Erickson

2:07

I don't think it's going to be as early as the 2023 deadline, when everything was pretty much wrapped up by the end of February. It depends on the players available. If there are no high-dollar guys seriously on the market (and it doesn't seem to me like there are outside of Miller/Pettersson, which is a unique situation), then I'd expect things to start coming over the wire in about three to four weeks.

2:08

I still think we'll got a lot of deadline-day action, though. The market is weird this year. We've been hearing way more about long-term pickups than rentals, which tells me that's where teams are putting their focus. When/if that fails, they'll pivot to rentals in the final days before the deadline.

Connor Bedard

2:08

I'm hoisting the Stanley Cup in June 2028...right?

Josh Erickson

2:10

If they're winning with this group, that's a pretty realistic timeline. Guys like Boisvert and Kantserov need to be established NHLers before a Cup win, IMO. They're key pieces to your middle six. Chicago's timeline aligns more with those guys' development than their stars.

line changes

2:10

Do you think moving C Nazar to RW on the top line with Bertuzzi and Bedard and separating him from Dach as they are doing in practice today might work ?

Josh Erickson

2:12

I'll be honest, I haven't watched the Blackhawks a ton over the past few weeks. Nice to see Colton Dach is sticking around. Looking at that Teravainen-Nazar-Dach line, I'm not sure it's worth breaking up. They're controlling possession at a pretty good clip (59.1 xGF%). It's a small sample, but only three Blackhawks trios with at least 25 minutes of ice time together have done better than that.

2:13

Teravainen has really been quality for them this season. Why he hasn't spent more time with Bedard, considering that's where the latter has had his best underlying results, is beyond me.

2:14

So, no. I think moving Nazar away from Teravainen is a worse environment for him, at least holistically.

Blue seats

2:14

Where do the nyr go from here? Better effort last few games. So do we sell off lingren, miller, smith? Still look for trade partners, for zban kreider others? Your opinion, and thanks!! Happy new year!

Josh Erickson

2:16

Saw someone write an article this AM advocating for a buy/sell deadline (maybe Dan Rosen?) and I have to agree with that assessment. Not sure about trading K'Andre Miller. It's a tough call, but he's still in an age group where he's worth holding onto if they intend to still be contending 4-5 years from now. Sell Lindgren, sell R. Smith, see if you can move Kreider, but see if there are some low-cost young pickups out there too. I liked the Kaliyev waiver claim. I don't get the impression Zibanejad is anywhere close to waiving his no-move clause. Happy New Year!

Stinger

2:16

With the amazing start Do you see the CBJ making any moves or will they stay put and let it play out

Josh Erickson

2:17

It depends on the team's health a few weeks from now, namely how close Jenner is to be being back in the lineup. That's one hell of a deadline add, and I think his potential return lessens Don Waddell's potential urgency (if there is any) to add a piece. They won't be in on expensive rentals. I could see them ponying up for a long-term piece in the right age range, but other than that, I'd imagine just a role player or two for mid/late-round picks. Reward the progress/players, as I'm reminded of the Leafs deadlines where they picked up Boyle and Plekanec.

rosters

2:18

Besides Hall and Donato are there any Chicago players that might be of some interest at the trade deadline as minor depth pieces ?

Josh Erickson

2:20

Maroon and Martinez just because of the Cup pedigree. More likely the former than the latter. The problem is they've only got two salary retention spots open and they'll likely need to use one on Hall. They won't be able to retain on both Maroon and Martinez, and I think Maroon's simply been more effective and will carry more interest.

Ron Duguay

2:20

Do the Rangers and Stars matchup in a potential trade since Dallas is looking for both forwards and d-men?

Josh Erickson

2:21

Not unless the Rangers are willing to move Schneider. The Stars need a righty specifically. Fox isn't going anywhere and Borgen is just a duplicate of what they already have. Not even sure if he's an upgrade on Dumba or Lyubushkin, he's been pretty underwhelming this season.

All of this is to say I don't envision Dallas having much interest in K'Andre Miller.

2:22

What do you think the Kraken could expect in return for Gourde, Tanev, and Mahir’s should they elect to trade them at the deadline?

Josh Erickson

2:25

I'm gonna guess that last name is meant to be Mahura. There's an outside chance Gourde fetches a first. There may be a wider market for him since his M-NTC is pretty expansive (he can be traded to 23 teams w/o permission). Teams will be willing to keep him as a rental without an extension.

Tanev might even land a second/third and a B-tier prospect. Don't see a first for him because of his lack of goal-scoring the past couple of years, but he's such an important player come playoff time. Really hate dipping into the cliche, but it's there for a reason and Tanev matches it to a tee.

I'm not even sure Mahura would get claimed on waivers, so I wouldn't expect anything more than a sixth or seventh if he gets moved.

DStars

2:25

Is Werenski’s name at or near the top of the Norris voting and how real are CBJ playoff chances?

Josh Erickson

2:27

He'd be my pick if I had a vote. Very tight race between him, Hughes (my #2) and Makar (my #3).

Overall, I'd still give Columbus about a one-in-three chance. They're a one-line team (that line is incredibly good), but overall possession numbers are below average, penalty kill needs some help, and the goaltending remains a huge concern unless Greaves goes on a run.

The Brink

2:27

Which players makes the most sense to aquire for the Minnesota Wild at the upcoming Trade Deadline?

Josh Erickson

2:29

I think it's go big or go home for the Wild. They don't need more depth pieces at forward – they need a bigger fish to move someone like Johansson down the lineup. They'll go hard at Brock Nelson and probably get him if Lamoriello decides he's willing to move him. I imagine their recent rash of injuries on defense will also convince Guerin to try and land a depth piece, but nothing major. Hard to argue for messing with the top four on D as constructed.

Rick Siles

2:30

Are the st.louis blues circling back to acquire Travis Sanheim from Philadelphia? Rick

Josh Erickson

2:31

Before Fowler, maybe. After Fowler, I doubt it. I also don't get the sense that a Sanheim trade is anything the Flyers are considering anymore. He's vastly outplaying his contract this season, and while it may make sense to sell high, they're not too far off from being more serious noisemakers and he'll be a cost-effective piece when they are. Doesn't make sense for Philly to move on from him in the slightest.

Unclemike1526

2:32

Hey Josh, Since the Hawks look to be in the lead for the most ping pong balls in their favor this year, If it falls their way is Hagens the pick? Especially after his performance in the Juniors Tournament? Plus I can see Hall, Dickinson, Murphy, and maybe even Mrazek as deadline deals to acquire even more picks to add to their already huge stockpile. Since there are other guys to consider at 1 what would you do? Thanks man.

Josh Erickson

2:33

Going for need/the safe pick over the best player available has burned them high up in the draft over the past couple of years. I still think Hagens satisfies the latter. I wouldn't overthink taking another center too much, plus it takes some internal pressure off Nazar to fit at C.

TBLfan

2:33

What have you been hearing about Tampa? More likely to make a depth move or take a big swing before the deadline?

Josh Erickson

2:35

Somewhere in the middle. They won't be in talks for any of the top 5-10 big fish, but could easily see them pursuing middle-six pieces. I do wonder if a Gourde reunion is in the cards. Also wouldn't be surprised if the prioritized a more experienced upgrade over Lilleberg on the third D pairing.

Unclemike1526

2:37

The Hawks season is most disappointing on many levels so is Sorenson going to get to keep the job next year? Or do they get an experienced NHL guy? Thanks again.

Josh Erickson

2:38

Their record under both coaches this season is pretty much identical. Under Sorensen, they have a -21 goal differential and a 45.7% shot attempt share at even strength in 18 games. Yuck.

The possession metrics were about the same under Richardson. Their shot attempt share has improved 0.3% under Sorensen – marginal at best. Their straight-up goal differential was better under Richardson. I haven't seen anything to suggest if firing Richardson was the right call that keeping Sorensen is too. I don't imagine he keeps his post.

TraderJoe

2:38

Is there any team that makes sense for a Jarry claim? (Can't think of any. Maybe Columbus, but they've got a brutal goalie contract of their own. Maybe Anaheim if they trade Gibson, Jarry could become the backup to Dostal?)

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