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PHR Live Chat: 3/14/24
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Josh Erickson
8:29
Morning, all!
8:30
The endless post-deadline roster shuffling is beginning to slow down, so it's a good time to get some questions answered in the aftermath of last week's craziness.
wreckage
8:30
Not really fair for the western world to start a chat this early is it? trying to dodge some business?
Josh Erickson
8:30
You know, as a Pacific Time to Central Time transplant, I feel you
8:32
But I do figure there should be a good amount of items to cover once team practices get underway (there always are), so mornings are generally a good slot for these
Dan
8:32
Morning! curious your thoughts on the Ducks deadline? What does their summer look like? Who/what do they bring in? Thanks!
Josh Erickson
8:33
I think they've done decently well going back to January - the Gauthier/Drysdale swap is looking like a big win for Verbeek early on
8:34
And snagging a first for a pair of rentals in Carrick/Henrique was some good work too. However, I do have to say I don't agree with Verbeek's choice to hold onto Vatrano if there wasn't a good enough offer
8:35
His value's not gonna be any higher next deadline – he won't garner more as a rental, and he's unlikely to repeat this level of production. He's shooting more than 3% above his career average
8:36
I do think they'll start to get a little more aggressive this summer. They have a top-four of Fowler, Gudas, Mintyukov, and Zellweger that should churn out pretty decent results next year as the latter two begin to develop
8:38
I think trying to predict a Zegras trade – any aspect of it, including whether it'll happen or not – is futile. Just no information out there to suggest what anyone is thinking. If they do, that's another top-six spot to fill. I'm not a fan of making huge UFA splashes this early on in the exit of a rebuild – those contracts begin to age poorly right around the time you need the cap space most
8:39
But I do think they pick up some top-nine wingers. I'd imagine they'll scour the unqualified RFA market for some younger, higher-upside guys on the cheap
Cbj4life
8:39
What are the jackets going to do with Elvis and laine ???  Most liked we will have to eat some of his money
Josh Erickson
8:40
With how thin the goalie market is, I'm not sure they'll have to eat money on Merzy
8:41
My concern there would be the term, for sure. A very difficult environment in Columbus this year, but he's still managed a .901 SV%. His numbers have dipped recently, now at -0.8 goals saved above expected, but he was above average for most of the year
8:42
They're only using one salary retention slot right now (Roslovic), and that opens up this summer. They can afford to hang onto some cash on both of them, I think
8:43
But yeah, no one is taking Laine at 8.7. I do think he's been over-hated in Columbus – he was pretty much a point-per-game guy over the previous two seasons!
Year-to-year consistency is a concern, though. I don't think Columbus would have to retain a full 50%, but I think they'd have to bring his cap hit down to the $5.5MM-$6.5MM range to make a move
8:44
I would be surprised if both are on the team to start next year. At least one of them will move – I'd put more money on it being Merzlikins considering how thin the UFA goalie market is
RocktheRed8
8:44
I know its early for this but what type of contract is RFA connor mcmichael looking at this offseason?
Josh Erickson
8:45
I think the player would be smart to opt for a bridge here
8:46
He's finally starting to come alive. There's a chance he's a bonafide top-six guy in two years and could get something in the $6-7MM neighborhood. I think signing something similar to Protas wouldn't serve him well
I would guess 2 years, $2.5MM per
8:48
Just looking at their roster for next season and wow, GMBM got all his work done early lol
Already 19 guys signed through next year at least
At least that are currently on the active roster
wreckage
8:49
Favorites to make the conference finals now? I don't think they changed much based off deadline deals. Dallas looks great based off in green improvements. Florida didn't make a lot of current lineup changes.
Josh Erickson
8:50
Yeah Dallas would still be my pick. Florida... I wonder if they've flown too close to the sun. They're on track to be saddled with the Presidents' Trophy curse
8:51
I know Luostarinen was a big playoff performer, but he really hasn't been all that great this year. Boston and Toronto both have had higher-scoring bottom-sixes this year
8:52
I'm not counting them out by any means. Just think there may be some upset potential there. But I do like Dallas to make it to the final... another WCF between them and Vegas would be spectacular
But my conference final picks would have to be Dallas vs. Edmonton/Vegas, and Carolina vs. winner of Boston/Toronto first-round series
8:53
I think Vancouver would've gotten there if they picked up literally any additional top-nine winger at the deadline. The domino effect would have been really impactful. Didn't need to be Guentzel, but I feel like they needed one more guy
wreckage
8:53
Could Campbell get any sort of positive return with the summers market for G's? a few have needs and his #'s have been decent in recent months in Bakersfield.
Josh Erickson
8:53
Not if they don't give him a shot to prove he's rebounded in the NHL too
Guest
8:54
Any thoughts on the Bruins off-season? Free agency, trades, etc.?
Josh Erickson
8:54
This team will never go gently into the sweet night
8:55
I think Ullmark is on his way out, truly. The trade package for a guy with a full year left (and only one season removed from a Vezina) should go a long way toward addressing other needs
Plus, after things became as public as they did, those things tend to find a resolution over the summer. Although DeBrusk is still a Bruin, so what do I know?
8:57
They have some flexibility, especially if they trade Ullmark. I think they take advantage of it similarly to last summer. Get Swayman signed, and then try and upgrade your expiring deals. Can you spend a bit more and find an upgrade on DeBrusk in UFA? Absolutely. Could you save that money, find a JDB upgrade still at $4MM and use it for a center? I think you could too
8:58
Reinhart's staying in Florida imo, Guentzel will be too expensive. Do they re-engage with Elias Lindholm? I think so, seems unlikely VAN will extend him with how things have played out since the trade
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