JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 5/29/24

PHR Live Chat: 5/29/24

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Josh Erickson

1:48

Hi folks! Welcome back. I'll start answering the questions in the queue in about 10 minutes or so.

1:59

Okay let's go

Scott

1:59

What do you think of the Waddell hire and what’s his first move? Thank you

Josh Erickson

2:00

It's a B+ hire judging by his work in Carolina, and it's an A+ hire when you consider the other options linked to them were Bergevin and Holland

2:01

There is a pretty high degree of uncertainty, though, considering Tom Dundon is one of the more... let's say "involved" owners in the league. Columbus is very hands-off. What can Waddell do with full autonomy?

2:02

But I do think it's a strong hire – more importantly, one that shows a clear intent from management/ownership to contend as soon as possible. I wouldn't be surprised to see them be a late addition to the coaching carousel as his first move. On very few teams is your coach your true weakest link – but I think that's the case in Columbus. Nearly every choice Vincent made this season was questionable, and it didn't seem to benefit anyone. He wasn't good for development and he wasn't good for vets. Gaudreau had 12 goals!

Utah

2:02

Which RFAs do you think will sign extensions in the next few weeks? Luukkonen? Durzi?

Josh Erickson

2:03

In terms of the big-ticket names, I haven't heard much. There's often not a rush for teams with a lot of cap space, so no, I wouldn't expect Luukkonen to be one of the first to sign.

2:04

I do think Boston will try as hard as they can to get Swayman done as soon as possible so they can have cap certainty heading into July 1, and it would make dealing Ullmark that much safer. I haven't heard anything specifically yet, but that one would make sense to me.

2:05

It's hard to handicap anything Utah does with a lack of reporters/sources/etc.

Utah

2:05

my next question is when will Durzi, Moser, and Valimaki extend? Because free agency is almost 4 and a half weeks away and Utah has 0 DEFENSEMAN signed for next year.

Josh Erickson

2:06

But yeah. They can wait however long they want – not like their signing rights will expire once they qualify them – and they have pretty much no risk of running into the cap ceiling with their UFA signings.

I don't sense a ton of urgency there.

Pawtucket

2:06

Which non-playoff team not only makes the playoffs next year, but possibly wins a round?

Josh Erickson

2:07

Maaaaan. Detroit is further away than people think. Unless they make some significant upgrades, they might even backslide. Their possession numbers were really ugly.

2:08

In the East? New Jersey is the obvious pick, assuming they figure out goaltending. If not, Buffalo – had the strongest 5v5 numbers out of the BUF/DET/OTT gauntlet and will have good goaltending next year, whether it be from Levi or Luukkonen (or both!). In the West... hear me out – Utah

ray

2:08

Wit no clear cut/consensus 2nd best prospect in the 2024 draft, should the Blackhawks look to move down a few spots with Ottawa, Montreal and Calgary to get a second 1st round pick while still getting a top prospect ? Another option is to move down 1 with the Ducks. thanks

Josh Erickson

2:10

I wouldn't. They already have 18OA and they have two picks in Rounds 2 and 3. Unless they really don't like Demidov AND Levshunov – which I don't get the sense is the case – keep the second pick so Anaheim doesn't grab the one you prefer.

Sweeney

2:10

Many media pundits like to pat Don Sweeney on the back for the "success" the Bruins have had. I feel it's a smokescreen. When not facing Toronto, they usually have lost in Rd 1 over the last decade. Sweeney falsely thinks they're Cup contenders, thereby sacrificing the future for the right now. B's have a bottom 5 farm system and 8 picks in the next 2 drafts (no picks until Round 4 this yr). Yes, 20M in cap space, but some of that will be needed for Swayman's next contract. I'm also not comfortable giving $8M to Elias Lindholm or even $6M for a Stephenson or Monahan. Sweeney has backed this team into a corner with his "this year or bust" mentality, at the expense of building for the future. Many have general suggestions to improve the offense, but nothing specific. Yes, we can trade Ullmark, but that's about it. We don't have the prospects or picks. If you're DS (who should be fired), what would you specifically do to improve the Bruins before they fall off a cliff?

Josh Erickson

2:11

Boston is one of the GM jobs I'd want the least for that reason

2:12

I'm not sure I have a creative solution. I'd echo pretty much everything you said. They'll likely end up with a first-rounder this year in an Ullmark trade, though, so there's that

But you have one bonafide first-line forward in Pastrnak. That's it. You can't give Marchand that title anymore heading into his age-36 season

2:14

But the defense and goaltending is Cup-caliber, even without Ullmark. Good enough to avoid rebuilding. I'm with you, none of the impact centers on the market are particularly high-value options. My last-ditch effort to keep the team in contention is to flip a lot of the Ullmark assets for a better center than Lindholm on the trade market. Not sure who that is, though.

risk/reward

2:14

I was only wondering why you like Demidov so much if presumably you haven't seen him live and his availability after one year will likely still be in doubt until next season ends.

Josh Erickson

2:14

No I have not been to Russia but game tape exists hahaha

2:15

And look – everybody's availability in doubt. Signing rights only last for so long. If somebody doesn't want to sign with you, you have no control over it. In that sense, taking prospects from Russia is safer because there's no transfer agreement and their signing rights last indefinitely!

2:16

But I'll say this – it is highly, highly unusual for a KHL club to not even give a player of that caliber a cup of coffee in the pros in his draft year. That, to me, indicates SKA isn't expecting him back after next season.

LGD

2:16

Do the Devils make a goalie trade prior to the draft? Do you see their 1st rounder as part of the deal?

Josh Erickson

2:16

Yes and yes

2:17

I mean, it's 10th overall. I wouldn't be surprised if it's a one-for-one deal, either, depending on who it's for.

2:18

Saros I'd imagine they'd have to give up another piece because he's younger. But Markström... I'd imagine Calgary takes 10th overall there and call it a day. They could package it with ninth and move up further into the top 10 if they wanted

gmm8811

2:18

It looks like the Blues are loading up on youth. I foresee some veterans that might be moved to start the transition to the kids. Any interest in a Kevin Hayes? Saad? Krug (NMC).

Josh Erickson

2:19

Saad has a full no-trade clause, too, so that's not happening unless he wants out. Worth noting it downgrades to a 12-team no-trade list on July 1, 2025

2:21

Hayes only has a 12-team no-trade list, but I'm not sure what the appetite is for him. Haven't heard any rumblings.

moving up

2:21

Do you believe there is a talent drop based on tier rankings roughly in the middle of rounds one and two in 2024 which would explain why the Blackhawks traded pick #61 to NYI to move up 2 and 4 spots respectively ? Would this probably help them obtain a better forward prospect in either or both rounds ?

Josh Erickson

2:22

I do, but I don't think that's the reasoning for the trade. I think it's more about Chicago wanting to have the option of moving up further from 18 if they want and the Isles getting an additional second-rounder to flip. Seems like a precursor to other moves from both teams.

2:23

What do you think of potentially Zeev Buium to the Kraken?

Josh Erickson

2:24

Love it. Totally fits their puck-moving mold. Think he's the third-best D available behind Levshunov and Parekh, but there really isn't a ton of difference

Duck King

2:24

What is your top five picks in order of best players/potential?, not taking into account teams picking or best fits.

Josh Erickson

2:26

It's Celebrini, then Demidov, then I really can't discern much of a difference between picks like... 3 through 8. Right now I'd opt for Levshunov at 3, Parekh at 4, and Helenius at 5

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