JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 4/16/25

PHR Live Chat: 4/16/25

Josh Erickson

1:46

Hi folks, I'll get started with questions at the top of the hour!

2:00

Alright everyone, let's get started

Zoe

2:00

What do you think will happen with Ryan Graves on the Penguins, if anything, this offseason?

Josh Erickson

2:01

I'd understand the appetite to buy him out if the Penguins thought they were going to return to playing meaningful games next season. I don't think that's the case. They likely imagine 2026-27 as their return to relevance as the soonest amid a quick retool, mainly because there are no needle-moving upgrades available on defense on the free agent market this summer. The Erik Karlsson situation will be the most interesting to watch. But I don't see them making a move this summer that would necessitate a Graves buyout. I think that's more realistic in the 2026 offseason. Certainly can't imagine a world where there's a trade partner for him.

DStars

2:02

Does Michael Misa go to Chicago if they get no.1 or 2 ? and Sharks Schaefer if they get no.1?

Josh Erickson

2:05

If I'm drafting, I'm taking Misa for either team. You don't draft for need with the first overall pick. You take the best player available, and that's Misa in my view. I think it makes little to no sense for Chicago to select Schaefer especially when considering positional needs. And honestly, I'm pleased with Dickinson, Cagnoni, and Sahlin Wallenius as San Jose's top three defense prospects. If we're saying the Sharks need Schaefer more than Chicago does, I'd agree with that statement. Just not sure I'd select him over Misa in any world. If the Sharks feel differently in how they evaluate the two, then yes, Schaefer does fill a bit more of a need.

StlBlues25

2:05

What’s your most intriguing 1st round matchup? Who’s your “dark horse”?

Josh Erickson

2:09

How can anyone not love the drama of Stars/Avalanche? I think that'll be the closest series. It may not have the true rivalry air of a Leafs/Sens or Lightning/Panthers series, but they're two insanely deep offensive teams. Oh, and there's Landeskog chilling, waiting to make one of the most arduous injury returns in the sport's history. Depends on how you want to define "dark horse." If we're talking about a non-division champion or defending champ, I would be putting my money on the Hurricanes or Kings. Just not sure you can call Carolina a dark horse at this stage, but I like their composition.

Cbj4life

2:09

Proud of my jackets playoffs or not hell of a season … will we buyout Elvis . Trade him or what . If we had better goaltending we would have made the playoffs ???

Josh Erickson

2:13

Oh, what could have been if Greaves were on the roster for just another two weeks. Let's see what happens over the next 48 hours. Merzlikins seemed to have it together there for a stretch, but that's gone now. On the season, he surrendered 8.2 goals above expected, per MoneyPuck. That's certainly the difference in a few games. Regarding his future, I could see a buyout if the Blue Jackets are confident they'll be able to upgrade on the free agent market this summer. There aren't a ton of appealing names out there. Greaves will obviously be on the opening night roster next fall. I think the likeliest scenario is they roll a Greaves/Merzlikins tandem and reduce the latter's workload, but I really wouldn't be shocked by a buyout. It's achievable at $1.5MM/$2.8MM/$1.625MM/$1.625MM for the next four years.

Mafiaso316

2:13

Who do you see as the next Head Coach for the Boston Bruins?

Josh Erickson

2:15

They'll scour the market. I don't imagine it's Sacco. I also don't imagine it's Laviolette if the Rangers fire him, nor do I think they're interested in Tortorella. It'll be a new name since there aren't many other current NHL coaches expected to be available. I guess they could examine a few of the guys sitting on the sidelines (Gallant, Quenneville, Boudreau), but my gut doesn't point me in any of those directions. I wonder if they approach Jay Pandolfo, coming off a national championship appearance with BU. He was previously on their staff from 2016 to 2021 as an assistant and has been considered for the role before. Now might be the time.

Geo

2:17

What’s your take on the cross check to Byfields head when he’s laying on the ice. If that was McDavid that got cross checked, the suspension would’ve been 5 games

Josh Erickson

2:18

Yeah, it looked malicious enough to me to at least warrant one playoff game as well. I've largely given up spending energy on Player Safety decisions under George Parros. Spin a wheel, get a number.

Mitch Marner

2:18

Best guess (or even guesses) on my next team, contract, and terms?

Josh Erickson

2:22

I do think the Leafs can get it done for under 13, but it'll likely need to be 12.75. I still see that as the most realistic option. Their appetite to extend him has to be at an all-time high now after the regular season he had – of course, the postseason could change everything.

In terms of free agency destinations, I said at the beginning of the season that the Blackhawks and Utah jump out as the most realistic destinations. Nothing's happened to change that opinion. With the steps forward Utah took this year, I'd give them the edge – they could also offer north of $13MM on a seven-year deal without breaking a sweat. No way he gets $14MM... right?

Pens Fan 76

2:23

Would absolutely love to see Kyle Dubas draft James Hagens but I’m guessing that it’s unlikely the Pens get him at this point. Which prospects ARE the Penguins likely to be able to choose from and why, if applicable, should we spend fans be excited about any of them?

Josh Erickson

2:28

Right now, the Pens would be drafting No. 8 overall, and you're correct in your assumption that Hagens doesn't make it there. I highly doubt center Anton Frondell falls that far either, but I'm quite high on him – No. 3 on my board behind Misa and Schaefer. The players I'd be most excited about in that range are a pair of Canadian centers -- Caleb Desnoyers and Jake O'Brien. I think the latter still being available at No. 8 is more likely. He's a 6'2" pivot out of OHL Brantford, really good playmaker. 32-66--98 in 66 games this year to rank eighth in the league in scoring (but just third on his own team!). He needs another year but wouldn't be surprised if he's seeing NHL minutes in 2026-27.

He was also the OHL Rookie of the Year in 2023-24, and I'm really perplexed why most think he's more likely to go in the 11-15 range. He's in my top 10 without any hesitation.

Dblek

2:29

Wow Letang had surgery today on his heart. With his health issues the last couple of years,could this push him into retirement?

Josh Erickson

2:30

Doesn't appear likely. It's important to know that the surgery he's undergoing addresses the biggest contributing factor to his strokes. As mentioned in our piece, he's got a fairly common genetic defect that usually carries no symptoms and only needs surgery when it's causing problems. One of its effects is an increased risk of stroke. He's had two in his career and, as head coach Mike Sullivan said today, is banged up so figured now was a good time to get it done. It's not a particularly invasive surgery, either.

2:31

This is to say it's been a known issue for him, at least since the strokes, and he's had it for his whole life. Just chose now to undergo the surgery.

Chris Drury

2:31

Am I getting fired? Either way, what is your current assessment of the New York Rangers and what do they need to do this summer? Any specific targets (trades, free agency, etc.) is a bonus. Ditto for ideas for who to jettison.

Josh Erickson

2:37

It doesn't sound like you'll be joining Laviolette on the chopping block, no. It's inexplicable that the Rangers' top offseason priority is to make cap-clearing moves after going through all that trouble to trade Trouba, but that's where they find themselves. They have less than $10MM in space for next year with five roster spots to fill, which is practically no flexibility.

I think finding a new home for Kreider is priority No. 1. You can re-assess trying to deal Zibanejad, too, but I just don't think it's likely. He did kind of turn things around to end the season, but is that enough? Full NMC will just be too hard to work around, I think. He's got a small list of places he'd be willing to go and I think they examined them midseason and didn't find a match. Maybe they try again with some more offseason flexibility, but again, trading Kreider is more realistic.

Have to decide whether to re-sign or trade K'Andre. No suitable UFA replacements, so I'm bridging him.

Cup

2:38

Who do you pick for the finals and who wins the Cup ?

Josh Erickson

2:39

Knights over Leafs.

playoffs

2:39

For the integrity of the playoffs, shouldn't Carolina paly all its healthy regulars tonight ?

Josh Erickson

2:40

Why is that the Hurricanes' responsibility? They earned their record, which affords them the luxury to sit players for injury protection in the final game of the regular season. How that affects other teams shouldn't be on their plate.

CHL prospects

2:40

4 year CHL players who have turned 20 are eligible to be redrafted if not signed by 6/1/25 ?

Josh Erickson

2:41

Yes, but have to be born later than 6/30/2005

Tommy Hawk

2:43

Are you excited about the Hawks future? Do you expect they'll be able to attract a top free agent forward this offseason? Or perhaps trade from their young d corps to get a young top 6ish forward?

Josh Erickson

2:45

I am, and I do. I'd like to see the Blackhawks take a little bit more time to evaluate the players they have (particularly Del Mastro and Rinzel) to see how they perform at the NHL level before gauging whether to trade them for forward help. I also think it's unnecessary. They have the draft capital and cap space to improve their offense without subtracting from their defense. If there ends up being a logjam, they'll trade somebody, but no rush to make a D-for-F move.

sabres3277

2:45

What do you think about John Tortorella becoming President of Hockey Operation for the Sabres?? There has been some talk around the Buffalo media that his name is on the radar if Pegula decides to hire for that position. Interesting if nothing else.

Josh Erickson

2:45

I don't think he would be interested. He was obviously no longer pleased with working in a rebuilding/mushy environment. If he lands somewhere else, it's going to be a team with a more established core. No need for him to take a job for the sake of taking one.

2:47

what options do you see available if the Hurricanes choose to pursue a goalie upgrade in the offseason?

Josh Erickson

2:49

I don't see why they would. Kochetkov is a top 20 starter behind a team that doesn't need a superstar goaltender to be successful. There are comparable UFA options out there to replace Andersen. I do wonder if the Devils let Allen go to market and promote Nico Daws to be their No. 2 given what he's shown on his NHL recalls this year. I imagine teams will continue to call Anaheim about John Gibson over the summer, but his injury troubles to end the year likely put a damper on teams' interest.

Steve

2:49

Will we see Nikishin in the playoffs?

Josh Erickson

2:51

I think so, just not to begin the series. He should be stateside sometime within the next week from what I understand. I wonder if he could play in AHL Chicago's season finale on April 19. He'll need some time to adjust, but could see him entering the lineup around Game 3-4 against NJ if Canes feel like they need a shakeup.

Eddie Mio

2:51

Next Rangers HC?

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