JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 6/26/25

PHR Live Chat: 6/26/25

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Josh Erickson

2:01

Hi all, I'll start answering questions as they come in!

Apologies for the lack of chat yesterday. I'm also hoping to get one in during the draft if workload allows.

Khris-Habs Fan

2:03

Hearing lots of rumours of Habs and Dobson in the past 30 minutes or so. Do you think a package such as Habs 2 firsts + Logan Mailloux would be enough to acquire Dobson?

Josh Erickson

2:05

I'd pump the brakes on that a little bit. I'm seeing what you're seeing, but those aren't necessarily the best sources (had some overzealous Hertl reporting yesterday out of there that we didn't cover on our site for a reason). But if something were to get across the finish line, I think that value sounds about right. I think the Islanders would prefer a young forward instead of Mailloux, though. Not a huge need for them if they're drafting Schaefer.

Randyg

2:05

What will the Jets do to replace ehlers if he leaves and forget need to find a second line Center as well?

Josh Erickson

2:08

They're in a bind for sure. I think the first question is more pertinent than the second. The 2C spot at least has stopgap internal solutions that have proved to work (Namestnikov, Perfetti), even if they're not ideal long-term positions for a contender. They can afford to kick the can down the road to the trade deadline on that front. Replacing Ehlers, not so much. They need to be serious pursuers for names like Brock Boeser, Mikael Granlund, Claude Giroux, and Jonathan Drouin – perhaps multiple if they can afford it under the cap – to help replace that offense. There are a few options there, like Granlund and Pius Suter, that could be potential short-term 2C solutions as well.

Ducks

2:08

Were you surprised at the return out lack of return for the Zegras trade?

Josh Erickson

2:10

Initially, yes. Reporting in the days since indicates there wasn't anything better out there for the Ducks to accept. I understand the rush to trade him; they're trying to enter a new era next season and be in a playoff push and he obviously wasn't in their long-term plans anymore. I still think the rest of the league was likely too low on him. With the right mentality (focusing on emphasizing his strengths instead of trying to improve his value by lessening his weaknesses), he'll be back to being a 60-70 point threat in no time – barring injury, of course.

Not Stevie Y

2:10

Who do you think the red wings will sign this summer.

Josh Erickson

2:13

I imagine they re-sign Patrick Kane, for one. It's been a good mutual fit, as long as his base salary remains reasonable. Their top priority will be adding a top-four defenseman. I don't think it really matters what their handedness is. They can either get a legit LD partner for Seider or improve their second pairing with an RD to slot next to Edvinsson. I don't think Gavrikov is realistic; there appears to mutual interest between him and the Rangers so I think it's either there or Los Angeles for him. They'll be one of the more aggressive teams for Aaron Ekblad if he reaches the open market, I would assume. If they can't land him to serve in a one-two punch on the right side with Seider, then they'll start looking at names like Ryan Lindgren and Brian Dumoulin to see if they can be a potential LD upgrade.

Those will all be higher-priority items than adding a top-six forward, although I'd guess they'll still kick the tires on Ehlers/Boeser etc. Even a depth pickup like Drouin or Mangiapane would be nice.

Landyn

2:14

Does Gibson actually get traded? If so, where? Who plays backup?

Josh Erickson

2:16

Since he didn't get moved at the deadline, I wouldn't hold my breath. A team would need to step up with a really compelling offer. The aim in Anaheim is to make the playoffs, and retaining one of the best tandems in the league last year in Lukáš Dostál and John Gibson helps them accomplish it. They don't have anyone in the system ready to step up to NHL minutes yet, so they'd either need to acquire a goalie in return. None of the UFA options behind Jake Allen or, to some extent, Alex Lyon, are particularly compelling and would represent a significant downgrade as Dostál's No. 2.

Landyn

2:16

What happens to Georgiev? Not a lot of rumors. Just wondering?

Josh Erickson

2:17

I think he wants an NHL job, but it's likely quiet because he's nobody's preferred option. The teams who want goalie depth that fail to land Allen, Lyon, or even someone like Forsberg or Samsonov will likely call, but I wouldn't necessarily expect him to sign on July 1. If he goes a week without a deal, I wonder if he'll gauge KHL interest.

Landyn

2:17

Are Boston and New York really expecting to make the playoffs next year and is a Vegas retool on the horizon?

Josh Erickson

2:18

The Rangers, yes. "Expecting" would be too strong a word for the Bruins, "hopeful" would be more appropriate. Not sure what you mean by retool. They may make some surprising move to pave way for equally impactful/big-name additions (i.e. a potential Hertl trade after July 1 if Marner waits to sign), but no, they have no intent of even taking a temporary step back from Stanley Cup contention.

Jason

2:19

A lot of smoke with Marner to Vegas. You think that is really the destination

Josh Erickson

2:20

There's a belief that Marner doesn't necessarily want to sign on July 1 and wants time to weigh his options. That certainly works in Vegas' favor, giving them more time to clear necessary cap space. If he believes there's a strong enough mutual interest out of the gate and they agree on the framework of a deal, I could see it working out. If he goes to the Golden Knights, though, I don't think we necessarily hear about it on Day 1.

Tim

2:20

Can the wings please make a move for Dobson and include Compher in the deal. If so what else would it take to get that done?

Josh Erickson

2:21

The Islanders don't really have a need or use for Compher. They're already trying to unload a similarly priced player in Pageau. I don't think that's a feasible trade.

2:22

Detroit would need to overpay significantly in the rest of the deal – probably two first-rounders and a top-five prospect in their pool – as a start to get the Isles to take on Compher as well.

Frankfurrr

2:22

Do you think St. Louis moves out Faulk, Leddy, or another defenceman. Could Nick Blankenburg or Luke Schenn be a target. Who else do you see them targeting. Maybe Army shocks the world and trades for Niko Mikkola back and Florida tries to clear out some cap space.

Josh Erickson

2:24

Reading between the tea leaves of what Doug Armstrong said earlier this week, Nick Leddy is the most likely trade candidate. Ryan Suter won't be back. They want to give more playing time to Matthew Kessel and Tyler Tucker to see how cost-effective they can be for them. I don't see a fit for Niko Mikkola because of that. If they make a move on D, it's for more of a needle-mover. I think they're content with the depth they have.

2:25

Do you think the Blackhawks intend to keep Bedard & Nazar at center long term? Will our pick at 3 affect that at all? Thank you!

Josh Erickson

2:26

I don't see a universe in which they walk out of Friday without either Michael Misa or Anton Frondell. Both probably have a 50/50 chance of playing center or wing in the NHL. Misa's probably a better fit as a natural center compared to Frondell, who could be a great right-wing option too. I don't think it really matters, they'll be happy to have so much flexibility down the middle with players who are comfortable on the wing too.

Frankfurrr

2:28

Do the Blues actually trade Kyrou?

Josh Erickson

2:29

Not for the sake of trading him. It would only be in a one-for-one or as a starting point for an upgrade elsewhere on the roster. I could see a Kyrou/Dobson framework happening or even Kyrou/Byram after STL seemed to have offered him for Peterka.

Frankfurrr

2:30

Mathieu Joseph to Anaheim? He would bring Anaheim veteran leadership, skill, speed, playoff experience, defensive reliability, and more to the team.

Josh Erickson

2:32

Not sure I see it. The Ducks already have similar, younger names like Brett Leason. Sam Colangelo and Nikita Nesterenko look NHL-ready, too. Their eyes are set on more impactful targets rather than a bottom-six refresh.

Veno Mous

2:33

Do you see Zegras as more of a center or winger in Philly?

Josh Erickson

2:33

Center. He's had his best years at center, that's where his play style is very clearly most effective. Get him a winger that's competent at faceoffs if it's that much of a concern.

Veno Mous

2:34

Zayde Wisdom from Philly to Seattle to play with his old teammate Shane Wring and brother Zach?

Josh Erickson

2:35

If the Flyers want to free up a contract slot, maybe. He got his development back on track this season so I'm not sure why Philly would be in a rush to get rid of him, though.

Jim Nill

2:35

What type of package would it take to trade for Rasmus Andersson?

Josh Erickson

2:37

I'm not sure the Stars have the assets to get it done. They don't have a first-round pick until 2027 and it's not a high-value one with their contention window set to last through then. They might need to give up both Lian Bichsel and Mavrik Bourque plus other futures to get a deal done, and that doesn't even consider the cap hurdles to clear.

Army

2:37

Who should I select as the Blues' first rd pick? Are Fiddler or Kindel good options?

Josh Erickson

2:39

The Blues pick 19th overall. Kindel would be a great pick, I have him in thee 11-13 range on my personal board. Fiddler is still a first-round talent but likely a bit of a reach at 19. If they're set on a defenseman, I would prefer Cameron Reid or Kashawn Aitcheson. Other good forwards who could be there in that range: Jack Nesbitt, Braeden Cootes, Lynden Lakovic. Probably too early to take a swing on Ivan Ryabkin.

Sircoblestone440

2:40

With the Vlasic surprise buyout what Target San Jose could get on the RHD front and FA Summer target

Chum Chum

2:40

Sharks cleared cap space today. Why? Who are they signing for big bucks this offseason?

Josh Erickson

2:41

I don't think the Sharks are all that interested in depth pickups. They'd rather let the kids play but will examine the likes of Marner, Tavares, Ekblad, etc. to see if they can be a cornerstone piece as they exit their rebuild.

I'll answer these questions together. I don't believe the Vlasic buyout has anything to do with cap space, they have plenty. It's more about freeing up a roster spot for names like Dickinson, Cagnoni, and Thrun to get reps while fully signaling the end of the previous era. Made little sense outside of Vlasic's contract to hold onto him, especially since he was going to be their No. 7 D at best and Couture had confirmed his retirement.

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