JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 2/5/25

PHR Live Chat: 2/5/25

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Josh Erickson

1:55

Hi everyone! I'll get started with questions at the top of the hour.

DStars

2:00

Thought’s on the trade we made Saturday?

Josh Erickson

2:03

It's not the perfect move, but it's a very good one. I thought the picks sent over were fair value, especially for what will ideally be a late first-round pick in a not-so-deep draft. Granlund reinstates Dallas' offense as the deepest in the West (although the Jets would like a word) and is a great insurance policy in case Seguin can't suit up in the playoffs. I don't think Ceci is much of a needle-mover but at least in the interim is an upgrade over Dumba. I think they could have done more to address their defense, and they might still with plenty of cap flexibility, but getting a veteran body in there with Heiskanen out is a good bit of work.

Bolts Fan

2:03

Do you see the Lightning doing anything on the trade front? Bottom 6 scoring has been nonexistent

Josh Erickson

2:06

I do, but cap space will be a limiting factor. There are two areas of need: a third-line center to allow Paul to slide up to the second line and a third-pairing upgrade on defense. With a projected $4.8MM in deadline cap space, they may need to choose one or the other unless they settle for a lesser F option or manage to land significant retention. I think the former area is more pressing and should be prioritized. Ideally, someone with term – their luck on the rental market hasn't been great the past couple of years outside of Duclair. I wonder if they make a concerted effort to re-acquire Gourde, but that's likely nixed with his surgery keeping him out until right around the deadline if not past it. Scott Laughton could be had too and I think is the better option.

Ovie's Office

2:06

Does WAS D need another big body? if so, who? and every team seems to want/need a "top 6 scoring winger"- who actually is available?

Josh Erickson

2:10

Defense isn't an area of concern for the Capitals, and it shouldn't be. Maybe land a physical option as a 7D upgrade over Alexyev/McIlrath, but I can't see them going after anyone that would usurp their current personnel (or dealing from their current crop in a swap). They've been incredibly effective as a unit – not as shutdown specialists, but so fluid and involved in the play. I get guys like Roy and Chychrun aren't the tallest, but they're stocky. Not a concern at all.

2:13

To answer the second question, it's not a huge crop. Frederic? Donato? I thought the Isles' recent hot streak would fuel a lack of willingness to sell at the deadline, but with Barzal out, I wonder if they reconsider trading their rentals. Nelson/Palmieri options there.

Tim

2:13

Wings are on a tear which is crazy but can we make a trade for either Cozens or Petterson realistically?

Josh Erickson

2:15

Cozens, absolutely. I would stop considering Elias Pettersson as an available asset. If they just traded Miller then I think teams would be keeping their options open, but turning around and flipping the first-rounder for Marcus Pettersson is a clear sign they still intend on making the postseason. As such, very few teams will be able to put together an EPettersson package that the Canucks would accept without blowing up their roster. Just doesn't make sense.

2:16

Buffalo wants NHL-ready talent (or close to it) back for Cozens. I would imagine they ask about Kasper or Danielson, but I'm having a really hard time gauging Cozens' trade value with the season he's having.

BB-STC

2:16

Would a 5th official located in the booth help alleviate so many missed calls? So many times the TV announcers see a call and the on ice refs said they didn't see the infraction.

Josh Erickson

2:17

I've heard the idea brought up before (just casually, not in any legitimate circles) and always thought it to be one of the more economical solutions. Doesn't require additional review stoppages. It's an added expenditure for the league that they'll view as unnecessary, though, so I don't think it'll come to pass anytime soon.

Jim Rutherford

2:17

What do I offer for cozens? Boeser and my second? Lekkerimaki one for one?

Josh Erickson

2:19

The latter makes more sense for Vancouver, seeing as it doesn't detract from their current NHL group. But I don't see Cozens as a fit for them after they just went out and got a very similar age/fit-type in Chytil from NYR. He's done quite well early on, so I don't think enough pressure is there for BUF/VAN to be trade partners unless it's part of a larger deal involving defensemen.

salary deals

2:19

If you have a deal like Hertl from SJ to Vegas involving a multiyear contract in effect, does the team retaining salary have to do so for the entire length of the contract or can the teams agree to a shorter period (like only first two years) ?,

Josh Erickson

2:20

No, there's no wiggle room. If there's salary being retained in a trade, it's for the life of the contract.

Miller deal

2:20

I know the Canucks had no leverage, but the return on Miller was quite weak considering he has 5 yrs left. Why not deal Peterson instead when you weren't restricted by a MNC ?

Josh Erickson

2:22

I disagree with the notion that it's a weak return. The term, in my eyes, is actually a bit of a drain on his trade value. He's amid a down season on the wrong side of 30, so although he's still worth at least his current cap hit, concerns about sustained decline are legitimate. The top-13 protection on the first-rounder made it pretty valuable in case it slides to next season and the Rangers fall out of the picture. Chytil and Mancini are nice pieces. I had no issue with the trade.

Dris Chrury

2:22

Is it realistic for the Rangers to trade K Miller or Lindgren? What would be the return...surely they would need a D in return that could help then now. Who could you see trading for Vesey, Jones or Smith? What other moves do you think the Rangers might make?

Thank you for your time!

Josh Erickson

2:26

I really, and I mean really, don't get the clamoring to trade Miller and I don't think it's something they're considering at all. I understand the point totals aren't where they were expected to be, but he's having the best EV possession impacts of his career. He's shooting more than he has in the past. I attribute his drop in assists to the team's overall 5v5 struggles.

Everything else depends upon how the next 10 games go heading into the trade deadline. .500 or worse and I think everything's on the table in terms of selling off rentals like you mentioned.

deadline

2:26

If he is now healthy, would Craig Smith garner mild interest at the trade deadline and be worth a late round draft pick ?

Josh Erickson

2:27

I would. But for a team like the Blackhawks that have a well-developed prospect pool in terms of pure quantity (first-rounders should still be of interest), you have to weigh the benefit of a late-round pick against the negative of detracting actual talent, even if the standings don't matter anymore. Young players are already having to do a ton of heavy lifting up front. Smith has been really effective as 4RW and has helped Reichel along this year. I see more benefit in trying to keep him around.

2:28

Any feeling on if the Blackhawks will seek an experienced coach, another rookie coach, or stick with Sorensen for next season? Are they ready for a Gallant type or too many youngsters? Thank you!

Josh Erickson

2:29

Sorensen hasn't been any worse, but he hasn't been any better. They'll be heading in a different direction. If they don't, I imagine they'll have trouble being serious contenders for top UFAs.

Hawk Fan in FL

2:30

I read stories about the Hawks entertaining deals for Murphy and Jones. There is not an abundance of RHD in their pool. Is the thought that they deal to take back a RHD?

Josh Erickson

2:31

Yeah, they don't actually have any other RDs under contract other than the ones you mentioned outside of Crevier and Levshunov. I do imagine they'd want an RD prospect as part of the return, not sure about an NHL-rostered option. I think they'd rather fill that hole, if needed, in free agency this summer.

Hawk Fan in FL

2:32

What does Chicago do in the next month?

Josh Erickson

2:34

I do think Donato will get moved. It's just too thin of a winger rental market for him to be overlooked, and he has utility there. Again, Jones isn't actively being shopped so it's going to take a pretty large offer to get him out of there, assuming he waives his NMC. Don't think there's enough time to get a move worked out unless someone gets really antsy. There's also the question of how much Chicago would be willing to retain through 2030 since it's doubtful any team is interested in his full $9.5MM cap hit.

value

2:34

Are top right hand defensemen the hardest position to find in a draft ?

Josh Erickson

2:35

I disagree. Among skaters, the answer changes year-to-year, but universally goaltending is the hardest position to identify.

Dylan Cozens

2:35

DFO chat says I’m not at practice, am I packing my bags for a move?

Josh Erickson

2:35

Unless Ruff is lying, it's injury-related. Minor lower-body issue.

2:38

Break it to me easy, but as a Blackhawks fan, how many more seasons left of lottery watching before we try for wins & playoff appearances?

Josh Erickson

2:39

I thought there would be more of a jump this year. Poor coaching and injuries means it hasn't worked out that way. A fresh face behind the bench and a couple of impact UFAs, which Davidson has always intended to save for this offseason by all accounts, should give them a boost for next season.

waivers

2:39

When he is healthy, Adam Boqvist has overall been a decent 3rd pair d man (Eric Karlssson's defense isn't that good either) and now gets the $775 minimum salary. Did you think he'd last until the Islanders had their claim ? SJ, Chicago, or Nashville couldn't give him a shot and then non qualify him as an RFA if they wanted ?

Josh Erickson

2:41

In conjunction with our earlier discussion about RDs in Chicago, I am a little surprised they didn't want to re-acquire him and give him another shot. I didn't think the Sharks were a fit – they want to see what they have in Mukhamadullin/Thrun/Thompson and will keep spots open for them. Nashville... he could have been helpful. That one is the most puzzling of the three you outlined.

draft

2:41

As of now, there still is no clear cut top prospect for the 2025 draft as far as I know. Who would you select #1 ?

Josh Erickson

2:43

I wouldn't go that far. At least in NHL scouting circles, Schaefer is the consensus option. I'd probably go with him at this stage, too, with Misa as my No. 2. Hagens has trailed off.

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