JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 12/3/25

PHR Live Chat: 12/3/25

Josh Erickson

1:58

Hi folks, I'll get started on questions in a couple of minutes.

2:00

Alright, let's get started.

goalie

2:00

Brossoit would only have a max of 3 games at Rockford in these 2 weeks which is a small sample size. Wouldn't Chicago then need to add him as their 23rd player and carry 3 goalies for a while ?

Josh Erickson

2:02

It is a small sample size. It's also the AHL and teams won't put a ton of stock into his numbers – unless they're really, really poor – regardless of whether it's three or seven games. I don't think the Blackhawks are moving him without retaining 50% of his salary to bring him down to a $1.65MM cap hit. That way, if he doesn't impress with his new team, they're only on the hook for a $500K penalty if they bury him in the minors. If they don't move him in the next two weeks, I don't think they'll have any qualms about waiving him at the end of the conditioning stint instead of keeping him on their active roster. He'll clear at his full salary and passing him through waivers may actually increase his trade value.

Also, Brossoit is already counting against their 23-man limit while on his conditioning stint.

prospects

2:03

Assuming Mc Kenna holds on as #1, who do you like as the next 3 forward prospects for the 2026 draft now ?

Josh Erickson

2:07

Ivar Stenberg is the clear No. 2 forward, and for good reason. He's practically at a point per game in the Swedish Hockey League. No one's sniffed that kind of production as an 18-year-old since the Sedin twins. I'd argue that if their current paces hold up at season's end, he'll be the first forward off the board ahead of McKenna.

The rest of my top 10 is defense-heavy. I'm shocked there hasn't been more recognition for J.P. Hurlbert, who has 20 goals in 27 WHL games and is right there for me. Another name I'll highlight – Russian center Lavr Gashilov. Not many have him as a first-rounder, but I'd argue he should be a threat for a top-15 pick. 6'2", great playmaker. The only knock is that he's quite old for the class, so his production is likely a tad inflated.

DStars

2:07

With Seguin’s injury likely putting him on the LTIR, do the Stars go active on the trade market? And who would be a good fit as a rental forward should Dallas dangle a 2nd or a 3rd rd pick in a trade?

Josh Erickson

2:10

If they weren't active already, they will be now. I think priority No. 1 is a depth defenseman to help them navigate this period of Harley, Bichsel, and Lundkvist being out, but I wonder if they wait for a low-cost waiver claim to do that. Michael Bunting is the rental winger that jumps out to me at that price point.

Unclemike1526

2:10

Now that the Hawks have lost 2 games to Seattle because a forward got injured and left them playing basically 10-7 it's time to move Murphy and stop the 11-7 nonsense right? When Dickinson took a stick in the eye from Arty I knew they were going to lose. Seattle was going to push and the Hawks forwards were tired. Still an exciting game but a loss from the result of a roster decision IMO. Thoughts? Thanks Josh

Josh Erickson

2:11

I've never been a fan of 11-7 deployment unless the No. 7 guy is a power-play specialist. That usually means they can jump up on the wing anyway if they need to. I understand they're probably trying to squeeze some trade value out of Connor Murphy, but they've also played well enough this season that you need to reward your room by doing everything you can to win games.

Connor

2:12

Bruins likely for a WC? Or do they not make playoffs at all?

Josh Erickson

2:16

It's certainly possible, but I wouldn't call it likely. They're two regulation losses away from .500. I know that's more of a testament to how close (read: mediocre) the Eastern Conference has been so far, but it's worth pointing out.

I'm low on them because I feel like Swayman has done too much of the heavy lifting. He's stopped 17.1 goals saved above expected through 18 starts. That's spectacular and also unsustainable at nearly one per game. Even Linus Ullmark wasn't operating at quite that rate during their crazy 2022-23 run. Morgan Geekie won't keep shooting over 26%, nor will Casey Mittelstadt. They've allowed the most high-danger chances in the league at 5-on-5. With that kind of defense, I don't see them being able to keep pace as teams like the Panthers inevitably turn it around in the second half.

Paul

2:18

Hi Josh, With the Bruins playing surprisingly well this season. Will they be looking to add as we get closer to the deadline? If so who Sweeny & Neely be looking at?

Josh Erickson

2:21

With all their moves over the past several months signaling a quiet retool, I don't think they'll be aggressive. If they manage to avoid what I think is an inevitable regression between now and March, I could see them parting ways with late-round picks for depth rentals, but nothing more significant than that. If they want to shore things up defensively, I wonder about someone like Vincent Desharnais out of San Jose. He's having a good year. Bummer to hear about his injury.

Monty

2:21

The best job in the NHL is being a GM - your team can be so bad for so long, and you still don’t get fired. Who would be your 1st and 2nd choice for the GM who presently deserves to lose their job? (Be braver than the owners!)

Josh Erickson

2:23

I mean... I'd like to hear better answers than Barry Trotz and Kevyn Adams, no? The Sabres have drafted reasonably well enough lately, and he's had plenty of opportunities to convert this into a playoff team if he were to be aggressive enough. I have some sympathy, given the ownership he's working under, but how much leash can a first-time GM possibly have? The Preds' directionless status makes Trotz's dismissal a rather self-explanatory opinion.

Galcian

2:23

How do the Blues adress the injuries to Walker and others?

Josh Erickson

2:25

With their playoff odds so slim, I think the smart move is to hold pat and audition your internal talents. They're going to do so here with Aleksanteri Kaskimaki. Otto Stenberg may get a call-up at some point, too. They don't have a ton of high-profile forward names left in Springfield beyond him, though. I could see them being interested in Yegor Chinakhov if the Jackets are still trying to move him.

Monty

2:26

Is Will Horcoff for real? Could he be a top 6, even a top 3 NHL forward?

Josh Erickson

2:30

You'll have to keep in mind I wasn't particularly high on him entering last year's draft. I will admit I haven't watched a ton of college puck this season, so it's hard for me to give you a real answer. I'll caution that he's shooting at 30%, so his goal-per-game pace is bound to come down as the season goes on.

I thought there was an NHLer there, just not more than an above-average 4C. His offensive dimensionality was the question. He's unlocked another level. I definitely don't think there's a first-line talent there, but he's certainly opened a path here toward developing into a high-end middle-six option.

Nervous GM

2:30

Can, and would, an NHL team block one of its players from playing in the Olympics? Lots of injured guys trying to be ready in time

Josh Erickson

2:33

Can? Yes. Would? Doubtful. It would open a lengthy legal battle that would undoubtedly harm the relationship between the team and the player. The GMs can huff and puff to the league about it, but I don't see them sabotaging their relationship with a star player over an injury concern (see: Eichel, Jack).

2:34

Of course, if this rink doesn't get completed, the issue is moot. That's the IIHF's/IOC's problem, not the NHL's. They've refused the league's help on it.

mike

2:34

if nashville has a fire sale, do you see saros on that list? understand the contract may be an issue but seems like a new environment would be good for both player and acquiring team? Carolina? maybe even edm?

Josh Erickson

2:36

Remember, his extension didn't kick in until this season. He's got seven years left on that deal AFTER this one. He's also got a full no-move clause. He hasn't been above average since the 2022-23 season. I don't see a market for him.

2:38

His fifth-place Vezina finish in 2023-24 was bonkers to me. He was insulated by a pretty stout defense and had a 13-point drop in save percentage from the year before. I could name you about 30 goalies that year who deserved Vezina consideration more than he did. He ranked 25th out of 31 starters (>40 GP) in goals saved above expected that season. He hasn't been good for a while now, to the point where he's in the same situation John Gibson was several years ago.

Heroes to Zeros

2:39

At what point do the year-ago top teams that are struggling (Leafs, Panthers, Oilers) give up on this year (meaning, no win-now trades)? No matter what, wait to New Year? Olympics? What if they drop 10 points out of crowded will card?

Josh Erickson

2:41

The Oilers are in the most desperate position, so I can see them holding out the longest if things don't turn around. The Panthers are fresh off two Cups and still have their entire core signed long-term; they can and should be willing to take this year off to let everyone rest up after playing so much hockey and contend again in 2026-27. I still think Tkachuk's return will be a significant boon and help them keep pace again, though. The Leafs have signaled they're already at the point that they aren't going to make any big swings this season without making player-for-player trades.

Dblek

2:42

Next blockbuster will feature which one… Goalie, d-man or forward?

Josh Erickson

2:42

Define "blockbuster," haha. The most movable "big" names right now are Tristan Jarry and Rasmus Andersson. There's been the most recent momentum around Jarry, so I'll say goalie.

Wayward

2:44

Canes go all in to acquire #1 goalie by the trade deadline.

Josh Erickson

2:46

The only established names realistically available that are having good seasons are Jarry and Thatcher Demko. I doubt the Penguins are willing to move Jarry in the division. Demko's injury history doesn't make him a much better bet than Andersen. I'm not sure a move is there to be made.

Shad

2:46

Avs are stacked. When LOC returns, do you think they try to move him with Girard for another defensive defenseman or something else?

Josh Erickson

2:48

I'm not sure he's the forward they move. He's really well-liked in that room and brings an element that the bottom-six group doesn't have without him. If they're looking to move a forward (which I don't think they will unless it's to free up cap space), I'd wonder about selling high on Victor Olofsson.

I do agree that the writing is on the wall for Sam Girard, though. His role has evaporated since coming back from his injury and he's now only got one year left on his deal. I can see him being moved straight-up for a cheaper 3LD option.

dave

2:49

does carolina look to add a power play specialist to jump start their league low PP

Josh Erickson

2:50

This is your daily reminder that Shayne Gostisbehere has 18 points in 16 games and only four of those points are on the power play as the #1 QB. When you've got stat lines like that, I think it's more of a systems issue than a personnel one.

Go Sharks

2:51

Do you think that the Sharks will lend Misa and or Dickinson to the World Juniors team (assuming in Misa's case he's healthy enough)?

Josh Erickson

2:53

Yes on Misa, less sure about Dickinson. Misa's injury has helped the Sharks backdoor him into an AHL conditioning stint. He'll get a few games with the Barracuda, and then I do think he'll be loaned out, much like Shane Wright was a few years ago. After that, heading back to juniors for the stretch run wouldn't be the worst thing. All that mattered was that he got *some* dev time in the NHL this year.

Dickinson's played a more regular role as of late, although he's still being scratched every few games. I think they prefer to keep him around to increase his role later in the season as they begin to sell names off.

Mammoth13

2:54

Do you think that Tourigny is in trouble?

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