JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 3/26/25

PHR Live Chat: 3/26/25

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Josh Erickson

1:56

Hey folks. I'll start answering questions in five minutes!

coaches

2:00

If the NYR miss the playoffs, do you think either or both Drury and Lavoilette lose their jobs ?

Josh Erickson

2:02

I'm not sure how long Drury's contract is. Laviolette's was reported as a three-year deal, so he's entering its final season in 2025-26. Considering the Rangers have failed to control over 50% of any meaningful possession stat at 5v5 this season after coming out on top in shot attempts and scoring chances last season, that tells me coaching is at least some of the problem. With one year left, I'd imagine the Rangers take the hit and look elsewhere. There aren't a ton of options for roster maneuverability this summer with already semi-limited cap space, so unless they feel someone else is better equipped to try and pursue a Kreider trade, I imagine Drury stays.

games limit

2:02

Would you keep Levshunov in the NHL the rest of the year or return him to the minors before he reaches 10 games ?

Josh Erickson

2:04

I would encourage the Blackhawks to do whatever they deem best for his development and not worry about kicking his entry-level deal to next year. I think he's been just fine so far. Promising for a 19-year-old defenseman, but I haven't seen anything from him that warrants him staying on the roster for the rest of the year. Rockford is almost certainly headed to the AHL playoffs, although they're in a battle for positioning. I think he's better served there down the stretch.

cap space

2:05

Is the $1.15 mill max. cap savings for players sent to the AHL increasing slightly for 2025-26 ?

Josh Erickson

2:06

No. That figure is tied to the league minimum salary, which is set independently of the salary cap and dictated by the CBA. The maximum buriable threshold is always $350K above the league minimum, which right now is $775K. That number isn't changing for 2025-26, but it might increase for 2026-27. We'll need to wait until the new CBA is ratified to know. Usually, league minimums are dictated at the outset for the entire length of the CBA ( league minimum salaries from 2020 to 2026 were set in the 2020 MOU)

Western WC

2:07

Pick 2: Minnesota, St. Louis, Calgary

Josh Erickson

2:10

The "boring" answer is the Wild and Blues, but I think it's the right one. I think the Blues have a decent shot at passing Minnesota for the first wild card, but the Wild falling behind both St. Louis and the Flames seems incredibly unlikely. Minnesota has the easiest remaining schedule of the three by a wide margin. The only upper-echelon teams they have left to play are the Capitals and Stars. The Blues have four games left against WPG/COL/EDM, while Calgary has six left against DAL/VGK/LAK/EDM/COL – not even considering the CGY/MIN game on 4/11

Bruins

2:10

Do bruins make WC or is it rebuild time for a little?

Josh Erickson

2:12

Not a chance. Boston is closer to being mathematically eliminated than they are to making the playoffs. They're six points out, two games behind, and would have to pass five teams. They've lost three in a row and are 2-7-1 in their last 10. They have an exponentially larger chance of drafting first overall than making the postseason. The retool is on.

Brian

2:12

If Landeskog makes it back is Colorado your favorite to make it out of the west? They have looked good lately.

Josh Erickson

2:15

No, it would still be the Stars. I have greater concerns about the Avalanche's defensive depth than I do Dallas', a large enough gap to trump any positive offensive impact on Colorado's end from a Landeskog return. They have been on a run here, but so have the Stars. What a tough first-round draw for both clubs, but I still like Dallas' ability to load up Lindell/Harley/Bichsel on the left side despite Heiskanen's absence. Colorado doesn't have that depth spread throughout their pairings, especially considering how injury-prone their secondary blue liners are behind Makar and Toews.

goalie issue

2:18

Since Brossoit is unable to play the remainder of this season, he can't be given a buyout in June ?

Josh Erickson

2:18

Likely, yes. He can't be bought out if he doesn't clear his end-of-season physical.

Brian

2:18

Will the playoff format be something that is changed back to the 1v8 format in the next cba? Seems players do not even like this format with players like Crosby speaking out against it.

Josh Erickson

2:20

Highly unlikely. At the GM meetings early last week, Bettman was quite clear about his distaste for moving back to that format.

Overall, I don't imagine that being a big enough sticking point for the NHLPA to hold up talks in any meaningful way.

signings

2:21

What is the rush to sign later round draft picks in the CHL like Wooley when you have over a year left before you lose the rights ?

Josh Erickson

2:22

Even though those ELCs are typically slide-eligible, signing bonuses are still paid out in those slide years. The financial incentive is two-fold: one, you reward the player for positive development; and two, paying out the signing bonus away from the rest of the contract decreases the cap hit of the deal slightly when it does go into effect.

Bedard

2:23

Despite needing improvement in faceoffs, what is the point of moving Bedard to right wing ? Do you think it's a good experiment now or for next year (with a new coach)?

Josh Erickson

2:25

I don't know, but man, you gotta get this kid shooting again. He's actually finishing at a slightly higher rate than last season, but on pace for fewer goals because his shots on goal per game have dropped by 21% year over year. That's hugely concerning.

Dave H

2:26

Wild are a mess of a team what should they do to fix it.?

Josh Erickson

2:28

Most teams would not do very well without a Hart-caliber winger in the lineup and their best two-way center. Get a new medical staff – like, legit. Kaprizov's absence seems to have been mismanaged from how it transpired, as was Jakub Lauko's before the trade to Boston.

Avs Fan

2:32

Will we finally get to see Landeskog in the playoffs? How angry will teams be if he plays game 1?

Josh Erickson

2:33

Not sure about Game 1, but it sure seems like he's really going to try. Expecting anger to be the predominant reaction to one of the game's most respected players returning after a three-year absence seems misguided.

UHC

2:34

Who does Utah realistically target among this years UFA's and will it be Mammoth or Outlaws? Thanks.

Josh Erickson

2:36

Whoever the top targets end up being on the wings, they'll pursue. There was already a bit of a hole there, and it's been exacerbated by Crouse's and Maccelli's struggles this season. If those guys replicate their 2023-24 campaigns, Utah is in the playoffs. It's a shame. I think they're the most realistic non-Toronto destination for Mitch Marner, and if that doesn't work they'll go after Ehlers/Marchand/Boeser/etc. assuming they hit the market

And I vote Mammoth!

draft

2:36

Aside from Dickinson, couldn't the Sharks use another top D prospect rather than another top F prospect in the 2025 draft if they pick first again (assuming they have no clear cut BPA) ?

Josh Erickson

2:38

Assuming those are the only two options, I would agree with you. I view Dickinson and Matthew Schaefer quite similarly in terms of projection and NHL value. You're right in that there isn't a clear-cut BPA this year. If I'm San Jose and there's an established defender out there with similar upside to Schaefer, I would seriously consider trading the pick to see who you could land to help accelerate the rebuild.

Trade Larkin

2:39

with the annual MARCH tank job. What do you think of getting new leadership as far as the Captain goes. Trade Larkin. Get a legit goal scorer to compliment the abundance of secondary scorers on the team.He will/would be a great #2 center, with cap going up & up, great value in a year or two.

Josh Erickson

2:40

Unless you're expecting Dylan Larkin to play defense, I'm really unsure how you can possibly quantify him as the problem in Detroit. He's gonna hit 30 goals for the fourth year in a row. Playing 20 minutes per night, stellar defensive impacts. That would be a franchise-ruining trade that sets them back at least five years.

2:41

And only four guys on the team have 50+ points. That doesn't scream "abundance" of secondary scorers to me.

2:42

Of course, if you can attach an asset to him for an immediate, surefire upgrade, then you do it – but I don't see what's out there that qualifies. You're certainly not trading him for futures.

gmm8811

2:42

Is there a limit on how many players can be carried on the "Black Ace" squad during the playoffs?

Josh Erickson

2:42

Nope. No roster limits at all after the trade deadline.

Unclemike 1526

2:44

Do you think that Kyle Davidson's long term future is tied to his next coaching hire? I think this will be the most important decision he makes. I think they need to go all Chicago Bears here and throw caution to the winds ande sign the next Hockey Ben Johnson. Thoughts? Thanks

Josh Erickson

2:45

I agree that it's an incredibly important decision, but I'd argue the *most* important decision he makes is how he spends his cap space this summer. Nonetheless, this is the make-or-break summer for KD. It's not a failure if they don't make the playoffs next season IMO, but they need to be playing meaningful hockey in February/March.

Schmebulock

2:45

Are the hawks going to sign Dominic James this season?

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