JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 3/19/25

PHR Live Chat: 3/19/25

Josh Erickson

2:45

Hi everyone!

Sorry for the one-hour delay today. Our coverage schedule is a tad different than usual this week.

2:46

I'll start getting questions answered at the top of the hour.

buyouts

3:00

When is the next buyout period ? Are 2 buyouts the maximum a team is allowed ?

Josh Erickson

3:03

The number of buyouts a team can execute isn't restricted – it's the timing. There are only two periods during the year when a team can buy out a player. The first, open to any team, starts on the later of June 15 or 48 hours following the end of the playoffs and ends on June 30 at 4 pm Central. The second only opens up for teams with a player going to arbitration – that window opens three days after the award and lasts 48 hours. In that second window, you can only buy out a player who was on your roster at the previous trade deadline and carries a cap hit of at least $4MM.

Mike

3:04

If not Toronto where will Marner be next season?

Josh Erickson

3:06

The Utah Mammoth(?) have a ton of space to play with and don't have core pieces on expiring deals until Cooley and Schmaltz after next season. They'll have interest and I suspect Marner will too – at least more so than similarly flexible teams like the Blackhawks.

trade

3:06

Taking all aspects into account, what grade would you give Chicago for their return in the Seth Jones deal (you can use + or - if needed)

Josh Erickson

3:10

A-. Knight, at present, is a solid 1A option. I'm not sure I'm ready to anoint him as a true starter. His development path makes it a little hard to gauge his future, but he's still 23 with plenty of room for growth. The elite potential is still there, even if he hasn't hit it yet. The salary retention is significant but not truly hampering as the cap rises.

John

3:10

Seems like forever Gibson was talked about in trade. Has verbeek waited too long. Seems like the case

Josh Erickson

3:11

I disagree. I thought this year was the highest likelihood of Gibson being moved. He's having a sound resurgence, easily his best season since the pandemic. Injuries remain a concern. The fact the Oilers didn't see him a legitimate upgrade over Skinner is beyond puzzling. The lack of a goalie market this deadline didn't help matters. If the goalie chairs start moving over the summer, I suspect he'll be a part of that rotation with only two years left on that deal.

LGD

3:12

What gives with Bettman and refusal to listen on changing the playoff format? IMO the format is tired (Kings/Oilers for the umpteenth time) on top of not being fair/logical. Can’t imagine it really draws in that many more viewers. Also unfortunate NHLPA doesn’t at least poll the players and fans to see what they want

Josh Erickson

3:14

I saw someone pose the question in a poll on X – I believe Josh Yohe of The Athletic. With nearly 10,000 responses, 95% voted to return to conference-based seeding. That's a landslide among landslides, and while I agree with a good bit of what Bettman said today, namely his gripe about the decentralized draft, I can't disagree more than with his comfortability with the divisional playoff format. I believe it's been effective in its intended goal (creating rivalries post-2013 realignment), but it's served its course. Time to go back so as to not risk matchup/rivalry fatigue, as you mention.

3:16

On that last part, the NHLPA has polled the players and do so every year – they just don't ask that question. The Athletic did a player poll (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5773736/2024/09/19/nhl-preseason-play...) at the beginning of this season that dealt with some more interesting topics but didn't touch on that, either.

draft

3:16

At this point is there anyone even close to Mc Kenna for #1 overall in the 2026 draft ? Is the poor track record of Medicine Hat high picks since 1973s duo of Mc Donald and Lysiak ( Dean, Vaydik, Brady, Barker, C Sillinger) affect his selection ?

Josh Erickson

3:19

Not really. Sweden's Viggo Björck and Ivar Stenberg are having notably strong D-1 seasons, but McKenna's in all-timer territory with his production. On the latter point, not a chance.

3:20

And I disagree with Cole Sillinger's inclusion on that list. He's still 21 and already an effective middle-six producer. There's still more to come from him. I'd understand the angst if he was a top-five or even top-10 pick, but he went 12th overall.

Gonzo

3:20

With the cap going up, it seems like there won't be many big name UFA options out there. What are some realistic targets for teams, especially the Blackhawks, who have a lot of space and a lot of needs to fill that space.

Josh Erickson

3:22

Nikolaj Ehlers is one player who I really don't see re-signing. He made his frustration with his rather menial ice time public last summer, and despite posting 58 points in just 60 games, he's still inexplicably playing under 16 minutes per game. Despite the Jets' success this year, I can't imagine he returns. 80-point ceiling, defensively responsible... great winger for Bedard.

3:24

Other players who I think are safe bets to go to market: two of Benn/Granlund/Duchene in Dallas, Brad Marchand, Brock Boeser, Dmitry Orlov.

backup G

3:24

Commesso has been playing very well at Rockford for the last month or so behind a mediocre team. Does he have a chance of being the backup ahead of Soderblom in Chicago next season ?

Josh Erickson

3:25

No. Söderblom's earned a new deal with his play this season. I can't imagine it being a particularly long-term pact with Commesso seemingly getting back on the right track, but I would envision a two or three-year deal.

CapsFanInNC

3:26

How much of an impact/playing time do you anticipate for Ryan Leonard once the postseason is over for BC and he makes his way to DC? Obviously there will be an adjustment period to learn the system, so do you think just being around the team and practicing is a reasonable expectation or might he see the ice?

Josh Erickson

3:27

I've liked the Beauvillier fit so far, even if he only has the one goal. I guess I could maybe see him knocking Mangiapane or Raddysh to the press box if he really impresses. I imagine they give him a brief regular-season audition, if possible, with the division locked up to see where he's at against NHL competition heading into the postseason.

Minnesnowta

3:28

Are the Wild really a playoff team? They've seemed pretty meh since the first 25 games or so.

Josh Erickson

3:31

Technically? Yes. I don't see a world in which they fall out of the mix entirely. Their schedule down the stretch is of average difficulty. They have a six-point cushion on a playoff spot with a game in hand. That should be enough to secure a wild-card spot. Of the seven teams in each conference in solid playoff positioning, though, I think they have the lowest likelihood of winning a series. They don't bleed a ton of high-danger chances, but they don't have the offense to compete with Hellebuyck or the Golden Knights' defense, regardless of whether they get Eriksson Ek and Kaprizov back in time.

Jani Nyman

3:31

He's done well in his first few NHL games. Do you think he can be a top-nine regular for the Kraken next year?

Josh Erickson

3:34

I like what Nyman's brought to the table. Expecting him to be anything other than pure offense is ill-advised – but I take his forechecking ability into account there, as well. He's a little bit more well-rounded piece than, say, a Daniel Sprong-type. I wouldn't pencil him into that role yet unless Seattle prioritizes having a cost-effective solution there to spend big elsewhere in free agency.

Carle

3:34

Is Carle going to leave DU whether or not they win the championship or is it still indefinite ?

Josh Erickson

3:35

I don't think it's that clear-cut. He'll leave when he gets an offer for what he feels is the right situation. I don't think it's necessarily contingent on Denver's success.

Western WC2

3:35

Who ya got?

Josh Erickson

3:36

The Blues are playing really good two-way hockey right now. If Binnington can hold up his end of the bargain, I think they can edge the others out.

DStars

3:37

do the Blues have the best shot at that crowded 2nd wild card spot? 15 points out of 20 in their last 10 games and since Monty,s been there that defense has vastly improved

Josh Erickson

3:37

Getting hot at the right time. Sound familiar? *shudders*

Mike

3:37

I have always been a fantilli fan. What do you think of year 2 for him

Josh Erickson

3:40

A meaningful step forward. I don't think his ceiling has changed all that much from when he was drafted. He still has it in him to be a legitimate first-line center. Needs more strides defensively in year 3.

Ron Duguay

3:40

After this season's dud, what do the Rangers do this summer with K Miller and Kreider? Would another team signing Miller to an offer sheet really the worst outcome for the Rangers? Maybe it is best to take the picks. Thanks.

Josh Erickson

3:43

On K'Andre, I think it depends on what his ask is on his next deal. I'd argue their defensive retool has made him more valuable to the team, just based on his playstyle. Can't win without puck-movers, and if they refuse to play Zac Jones, they're light in that area. But they're not a team that can afford to make any contractual missteps, so if there's an offer sheet tendered, I can't imagine them matching. I imagine they continue trying to move Kreider, whose season is only getting more disastrous.

CalGary Roberts

3:43

The Flames are going to sneak into the playoffs despite their punch-less offense, huh?

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