JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 2/26/25

PHR Live Chat: 2/26/25

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Josh Erickson

1:57

Hi folks! Plenty in the queue already. I'll get started at the top of the hour.

LGD

1:59

When do you think trades will start going down? Any chance the Devils don’t make any moves?

Josh Erickson

2:00

Yeah, it's unusually quiet for nine days out from deadline day. The January rush has something to do with it, but there are also quite a few potential sellers who are still holding out hope for a playoff push, especially in the East. A lot of that group needs to see what their record looks like three games from now before deciding to recoup value for pending UFAs. The Devils will get a center, although who remains to be seen. I imagine they walk out of the 7th with one of Ryan Donato, Jake Evans, or Scott Laughton. Not a chance they don't at least make a minor upgrade down the middle in the bottom six.

mike124

2:00

Totally hypothetical question but what's a quinn hughes trade look like? Morrisey and perfetti?

Josh Erickson

2:02

Haha, hypothetical indeed. I imagine it would take a little more from the Jets. Quinn has been in his own stratosphere since the beginning of last season – even grading out far better defensively than Makar. Morrissey is a legit 1D, but he's not close to being the top guy in the world. I'm not sure Perfetti alone bridges that gap. It would likely take another significant asset to get that cross the finish line, especially with Hughes at a bargain sub-$8MM cap hit through 2027.

Ron Duguay

2:02

With the Rangers looking like a tire fire after the break, how do they balance the trade deadline? They should break up the squad, but they gave up their first (top 13 protected). Thanks.

Josh Erickson

2:05

They've still got almost a coin-flip chance at the playoffs, but it's not looking good. They're not in a position to be buyers, and they won't be. Now's not the right time to trade Kreider. His overall tough year and recurring upper-body injury issues limit his market. Ryan Lindgren has to be gone. I'd be shocked if he doesn't end up in the Central Division next week (Winnipeg?). Not enough traction on a Zibanejad move for a player with an NMC, so I believe he's staying through the end of the year. The one wild card is K'Andre Miller. If the Sabres decide to hold onto both Byram and Power instead of dealing one as speculated, teams interested there will likely pivot to Miller. Lotta Pacific Division teams looking for a young, puck-moving lefty.

DStars

2:05

Any chatter on Seth Jones and what would be his most likely destinations?

Josh Erickson

2:07

I'm growing more confident he'll be moved. I'm not sure I'd call it likely at this stage (>50% chance) based on what's out there, but there's a real possibility. Stars in there, Blue Jackets definitely in there. He makes the most sense in Florida fit-wise, but the money is nearly impossible with just $2.46MM in deadline space.

(Panthers, not Bolts)

Big Oil

2:07

With Gibson's latest injury, which available goalie would make a legitimate1A for us?

Josh Erickson

2:09

You're assuming there are other available goalies, which is a huge question mark. The only other needle-mover who could possibly be out there is Karel Vejmelka. He's been awesome for Utah, posting a .910 SV% and 2.48 GAA in 36 games. His 13.1 goals saved above expected rank 10th in the league. They're not completely out of the playoff picture yet, though, and he seems to like it there. I imagine there's mutual interest in an extension.

slang1987

2:11

Do you think the Washington Capitals will target a top 6 Winger for the trade deadline?

Josh Erickson

2:12

Maybe a fringe one. I think they're more interested in a middle-six piece. Maybe one with some snarl (Frederic, Tanev etc.).

But adding at least one body up front is a priority, yes.

Who's Fabio?

2:12

Man, NHL regular season hockey is so slow and boring compared to best on best hockey. Sarcasm aside, how does the NHL capitalize on the success of the 4 Nations while also not ruining the novelty?

Josh Erickson

2:13

Don't mess with it. Seriously. The 4NFO hype was organic. Overall, I like how the league's shifted its marketing strategy for this season. Even just the NHL TV advertisements are more engaging. The Olympics next year will be huge, too. They're always huge viewership drivers. Keep letting your TV partners do the work. They should have more ESPN visibility moving forward with MLB leaving the network.

Erik Karlsson

2:14

Realistic trade destinations - by the deadline or summer - and realistic trade packages I’d yield?

Josh Erickson

2:19

I think the chance of a deadline move is less than one percent, honestly. Complete shot in the dark. There isn't enough time to facilitate such a move, especially since the Penguins can't have a third team retain additional salary. The return value also hinges so much on how much cash Pittsburgh is willing to retain. No one has a good read on that yet, so I'm not sure I can give an answer there. In terms of team fits, I imagine the Panthers will engage if they can't extend Ekblad. The Hurricanes jump out to me too if Burns and Orlov are both out of the picture, but they have Morrow and Nikishin coming through the pipeline and I'd guess they're comfortable with that.

Kyle Dubas

2:19

If I can move Rakell, what destinations make sense, would would a trade package look like, and is there anyway whatsoever I can do so without having to retain salary?

Josh Erickson

2:21

Now, this one's possible. I'm not sure I'd say probable yet, but I think Rakell can easily be dealt in the next week without any salary retention. He's slightly underpaid for what he's brought to the table this season anyways. I worry, like Ristolainen in Philly, that Dubas has set the initial asking price too high and has led some interested parties to pivot elsewhere instead of engaging there.

Bobby Orr

2:22

What is going on with the Bruins? Is there a rebuild coming or will they simply attempt to retool rather than do a full scale tear down? What would YOU do with this team?

Josh Erickson

2:24

I don't sense a full-scale teardown is coming. They will make every attempt to extend Marchand. I think it's likelier that he leaves on the open market than is traded at the deadline. They'll move the pending FAs, maybe even entertain offers on guys like Carlo, but that's it for the next week-plus. I think there are enough studs on the roster for a retool compared to a rebuild, which is how I would approach it, but it requires expert drafting for the next few years with smart free-agent bets. Boston has demonstrated the ability to do neither of those things.

John

2:25

Rantanen isn’t getting traded, right?

Josh Erickson

2:27

I think it's likelier than people think. If they've offered him 13+ annually with the eighth year, I don't see how he wouldn't have accepted that unless he's really doubtful about staying in Carolina long-term. Money isn't the issue. He's only $4.625MM against the cap, thanks to the Blackhawks' retention. I'd really look out for it. Stars will have the LTIR space. Vegas could too, and even if they don't, they can make it work by paying a third team to retain even more. Pretty much every championship contender will be interested, especially that entire Atlantic Division complement of FLA/TOR/TB

Rob

2:30

since preds are "looking to the future", would there be much of a market for Josi if he waived his nmc? what would be expected return?

Josh Erickson

2:32

Looking at him makes the whole Nashville situation this year even more confusing to me. The underlyings are still there for the most part, but I imagine that -26 rating is significant enough to scare a few teams off, given he's signed until he's 38. There would still be a huge market for a guy who's finished as the Norris runner-up twice in the last three years, though. Still a dominant possession player, and he would be closer to a point-per-game again this year on a more competent scoring team. Not sure he's a top-5 D in the league right now but certainly still top 10 or 15.

Doublek

2:33

Will Crosby ever play a playoff game again before retiring?

Josh Erickson

2:33

If he had any intention of playing somewhere other than Pittsburgh, you have to think it would have happened by now. For that reason, no. They're too far off.

Cbj4life

2:35

will the jackets be big players at the deadline.. who do you think they will try and get

Josh Erickson

2:37

I still don't think they'll be particularly involved in the rental market, at least not among any of the notable names there. They could place some feelers on Brock Nelson, but I wouldn't bet on it. They will, however, continue mulling over longer-term pickups like Dylan Cozens as part of a larger swap. I'm almost certain they hold onto Provorov. Goalie market is just too quiet for them to do anything there.

Hawk Fan in FL

2:37

Is the fact that Seth Jones is bashing the Hawks hurting their ability to trade hom?

trades

2:37

Isn't mouthing off by Seth Jones, counterproductive to being traded ? Wouldn't his experienced agent Pat Brisson discourage this ?

Josh Erickson

2:38

I'll answer these in tandem, mostly because I'm confused by the premise of the question. Isn't a player who's vocal about their desire to win and lack of good habit-building in the room exactly the type of voice a contending team wants? One that will be a leader and push the group forward in an environment that supports him? It's a complete non-issue.

John

2:42

How aggressive do the capitals get? Will cap space hinder them?

Josh Erickson

2:43

It will be somewhat. Even with all their LTIR placements, they've got $3.65MM in flexibility with no ability to accrue. That's not a ton. Among true buyers, only TOR, FLA, VGK, NJ, CAR have less at present. In terms of overall agressiveness, 6/10. They'll be heavy on some F rentals but nothing earth-moving.

*aggressive

Joe D

2:44

do you think we’re going to see a team in new orleans any time soon? and what’s your guess on the total number of nhl franchises by 2030?

Josh Erickson

2:44

Nah, there's simply too many other markets that have expressed interest for longer that make more sense for the league. 2030 is only five years away. Even under the most optimistic timeline, I think you're looking at a 34-team league then with firm plans for expansion to 36.

Isles Fan

2:45

What can they expect to receive when they trade Nelson.

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