JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 4/30/25

PHR Live Chat: 4/30/25

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Josh Erickson

1:31

Hey everyone, start putting your messages/questions in the queue! I'll start answering at the top of the hour.

2:00

Alright, let's get started

positions

2:00

Tankathon shows Misa as a LW and C. One draft analyst said Hagens might not stick as a C. Can both play wing in your opinion ?

Josh Erickson

2:03

Not sure who said that, but in my view, saying Hagens might not stick at center is a rather weak critique of his game that one might say by simply looking at his frame (5'11", 176 lbs) without watching him. I don't think he has the offensive ceiling Misa has and that's why he's dropped from first overall for me, but he plays an incredibly intelligent, two-way game that's best served down the middle. Misa's playmaking is more about pure skill than intelligence, and I see that player archetype translating better to the wing. I think it's likelier than not he's a center, but I'd put that at about 60/40. Hagens will absolutely stick down the middle.

Gee Money

2:03

Which players do you predict the Bruins will pick up this offseason? Will it be enough to make the playoffs?

Josh Erickson

2:07

It doesn't seem like the Bruins will move out anyone else. They're intent on retooling, and it'll be hard to strip down the roster further past what they already did at the trade deadline without automatically triggering a full rebuild. Assuming they re-sign all their pending RFAs/UFAs (at least those on the active roster to end the season), they could have as much as just under $20MM in cap space if they play their cards right. Scoring depth will be their top priority. Not sure Marner is attainable, so Sam Bennett and Nikolaj Ehlers will be at the top of their wish list. I'm not confident in Bennett's ability to continue producing at the rate he is outside of Florida's system. Ehlers will desire more playing time, which the Bruins can give him. That seems like a good fit. I wouldn't bet on them making the postseason, but adding 30 goals on the UFA market, a bounceback from Swayman, and a healthy McAvoy and Hampus should be enough to make them serious wild-card contenders again.

coaches

2:08

Where do you think Sullivan and Tocchet end up as coaches ? NYR and Phila. respectively ?

Josh Erickson

2:08

It's the boring answer. It's also probably the right one. I'm almost entirely sold on Tocchet and the Flyers. It's a bit too early to say on Sullivan.

Unclemike1526

2:08

Hey Josh, Recent events have shifted my Hawks coach search from David Carle to now in this order, Mike Sullivan, Rich Tocchet and Dan Bylsma. What if any AHL coaches are deserving of an interview at least? I have little to none info about any of those guys who might be locked behind a solid NHL coach. Do you think any of the first 3 would be interested? Thanks!

Josh Erickson

2:13

I doubt Tocchet picks up the phone for a rebuilder. Sullivan, I could see for the right price. I would throw caution on Bylsma. I liked the promotion for the Kraken at the time but their team defense spiraled under him. He's not a good fit for a Chicago team needing structure, at least not based on what he showed in Seattle this year. In terms of AHL head coaches, Kirk MacDonald had a great first year with the Penguins' affiliate after they hired him from USHL Dubuque. I'm guessing he gets an interview to replace Sullivan there, and I wonder if he gets external interest too. There's also an obvious name in ex-Oilers interim head coach Todd Nelson, who's coming off back-to-back Calder Cups with Hershey and guided them to a second-place finish in the 2024-25 regular season. I'm surprised I haven't heard his name thrown around more yet this summer, but it's still early and Hershey's postseason is obviously still ongoing.

KHL

2:13

Have you heard any rumors of KHL players on expiring contracts coming over to N.A. after 5/31 ?

Josh Erickson

2:16

A few teams, including the Islanders, expressed interest in free agent center Maxim Shabanov at the beginning of the season (https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2024/10/metro-notes-panarin-rust-shaba...). I would guess there will be double-digit teams calling about him. He finished third in KHL scoring with 67 points in 65 games. He's tiny (5'8"/157lbs) but is still pretty young for European free agent standards at 24.

In terms of already-drafted prospects, the Ducks' Artyom Galimov (https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2025/01/anaheim-ducks-close-to-signing...) and the Devils' Arseni Gritsyuk (https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2025/04/devils-likely-to-sign-arseni-g...) will likely ink their deals immediately after their May 31 KHL expiry date.

buyout

2:17

I assume end of season physicals for non-playoff teams has occurred. Did Brossoit pass his and is thereby eligible for a buyout ?

Josh Erickson

2:18

I'm not sure on that assumption. I'd have to do some CBA digging on that and I don't really have that time during a chat session like this. Last update was a couple of weeks ago, when the organization said they're hopeful he'll be ready for training camp. Doesn't sound like there's an intent to buy him out (https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2025/04/blackhawks-notes-james-bedard-...).

Cbj4life

2:19

Do we have a chance at marner or ant other big name free agents

Josh Erickson

2:23

They'll certainly have the space to write him a blank check. He'll be the highest-paid UFA, so they can afford to land anyone they want as their "big fish" pickup. Marner has spurned any pathway that takes him out of Toronto. It's really hard to get a read on what teams he may be interested in signing with if he hits the open market. I don't think he's given it much thought yet. Realistically, I would expect them to emerge with one of the B-tier UFA forwards. I don't think they'll strike out entirely. Maybe Brock Boeser?

college seniors

2:23

They say a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. Aren't average college seniors better off taking an offer from the drafting team than waiting to see who else is interested on 8/15 (assuming there has been no tampering) ?

Josh Erickson

2:24

Yes, although a good agent (or "family advisor") will have a sense of external interest without any legitimate tampering. But in the instance you lay out, truly average NCAA seniors hitting Aug. 15 free agency is usually a result of the team's doing, not the player's.

gmm8811

2:24

How bout that Cam Fowler!!!! What an under the radar move.

Josh Erickson

2:26

The old fella's still got it in him, huh? What an incredible year with the possession numbers to back it up, too. I really wonder if seeing him flourish to the degree he has in St. Louis played a role in the Ducks' decision to fire Greg Cronin.

Hell, he's even playing more minutes in St. Louis than he was in Anaheim to begin the season. Just incredible stuff from Cam.

Rags Fan

2:27

What do you see the Rangers doing this off season? Trade Krieder? Trade K Miller? Drury needs to work some magic for the cap, no? And who do you think is coaching them next season? What do you think they do with their #1 pick this season.... give it to Pitt or bank on being better next year?

As always... thank you for your time and insight!!

Josh Erickson

2:31

Cap magic is right. They have $9.67MM in space. That conservatively drops to $6MM after a new deal for Will Cuylle. With K'Andre Miller still to deal with, that's not much flexibility at all and certainly no room for external additions. With Drury staying in his post, I see no reason he'll let up in his efforts to move Kreider. Whether that gets across the finish line is a different question, but he'll keep trying. The $6.5MM in cap flexibility amid a retool is likely more valuable to the Rangers than Kreider's on-ice ability at this stage. I'm less sure about K'Andre. If I'm in Drury's shoes, I need to kick that can down the road another year and I'd try to get him to accept his $4.65MM qualifying offer. The smart decision is to give the pick to Pittsburgh. Even if they're better next year, the difference between quality of draft class makes it extremely ill-advised to surrender a 2026 pick.

draft lottery

2:32

If SJ stays at #1, do they need Schaefer with a potential #1 d man like Dickinson already in the system ? Would Schaefer be redundant as another top LD ?

Josh Erickson

2:35

I'm of that train of thought, yes. I view Dickinson and Schaefer as extremely comparable prospects in terms of pure floor and ceiling. I don't think either is a slam-dunk No. 1, though. Not saying they can't, just not certain. Depending on how bullish they are on Dickinson's ceiling, I understand adding Schaefer and building your defense by projecting even deployment for Dickinson and Schaefer across the first and second pairing. Don't forget lefty Luca Cagnoni's in the pool as well, although he may be best served as a 3LD/1PP guy long-term ala Gostisbehere.

Game watcher

2:35

I know some are saying with Bérubé and Brad the leafs are built different but after watching the playoffs so far, it seems apparent that while they are better at the backend than any other recent times, there is still just too much "softness" from the core to make a serious run. Agree or disagree?

Josh Erickson

2:37

Matthews and Marner both have more hits than Knies in that series, so I'm really not sure how that can be apparent. The killer for the Leafs in this series has been depth scoring, sort of opposite of the past few years. None of their forwards outside of their top six in terms of average time on ice have a goal. Their fourth line has played a really good possession game, but the third's gotten caved. Domi has had a really difficult series outside of the OT goal, and the rotation of McMann, Pacioretty, and Robertson as wingers there have been non-factors.

UHC

2:38

Is Andre' Tourigny safe, or is Utah kicking tires on a replacement? Thank you.

Josh Erickson

2:39

I really don't get the chatter around Tourigny. Utah was one of the league's best possession games this season. I thought he did a masterful coaching job given the injuries he faced on defense early in the season. Utah was probably one of the league's unluckiest teams this year – certainly played like they were deserving of a playoff spot. Stay the course and they'll be in one next year. The only way I see him departing is if they believe an unequivocal upgrade is available. Let's see about those Jon Cooper rumblings.

StlBlues25

2:40

How do you see the rest of the WPG-STL series playing out?

Josh Erickson

2:42

What a series that's been. There's rightful talk around Hellebuyck, but the Blues simply outchanced the Jets in Games 3 and 4 as well. Unfortunately, taking goaltending out of the equation, Winnipeg steamrolled St. Louis at home in Games 1 and 2 more than the Blues were able to counter with. I'd still be surprised if Winnipeg doesn't counter with a win here, but I do think the Jets are the least safe of any team currently leading their series.

Unclemike1526

2:43

So everyone says if the Hawks win the Lottery they can't be in it again for 5 years? Is That right? Even so I'm not really worried about it because the Hawks have built up a trove of draft picks and young players they will never use to use as trade up material. What exactly is that rule and what are the ramifications? Thanks !

Josh Erickson

2:48

Honestly, it's unclear. The rules don't specifically state whether that refers to the first lottery draw or both lottery draws. I interpret it as a team can't move up in the draft as a result of winning a lottery more than twice in five years. Since they moved from third to first in 2023 to draft Bedard, if Chicago wins first overall this year, they can't move up in the lottery again until 2029. If they end up with second overall as their standings position predicates, that won't matter.

King Duck

2:49

Given the updated teams that need a new bench boss and the available coaches out there, who are your top 2 most likely coaches for the ducks next season. Does not necessarily mean who would be the best fit with all the competition for coaches.

Josh Erickson

2:50

Verbeek strikes me as a guy who will overvalue a personal connection (i.e. having played with or worked with a candidate before). In that vein, I imagine they'll go hard after the two TB assistant coaches drawing interest (Jeffs Blashill and Halpern).

Kevin A

2:50

Hi Josh, Sabres Nation is really frustrated after 14 years no playoffs. We already were told Lindy will be back but it's been silent about Kevyn Adams' status. Have you heard anything on your end?

Josh Erickson

2:51

Nothing new. I don't think he's gone entirely. They're going to search to see what hockey operations hires are out there. I think they're going to make a move. That could be hiring a new GM and moving Adams to a different role, or hiring a president of hockey operations to oversee Adams.

DevilShark

2:52

4 pretty close games in the CAR NJD series despite NJD seemingly having half it's team on IR... surprising stat is NJD outscores them 5v5 in the series but PK died when we ran out of defenseman. 2 years of injury hell in a row... Can this NJD roster win a cup with a healthy roster? What do they need to add?

Josh Erickson

2:53

Yep. I think another year of patience was needed on the blue line, and it'll be here in 2025-26 with Casey and Nemec ready for full-time jobs. The defense obviously doesn't need to be touched over the summer. They should go hard to retain Jake Allen or devote significant resources to a quality backup for Markström. That path worked well for them this season. Another top-six winger is likely a missing piece there to help get them over the edge, assuming health holds up as you say.

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