JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 7/16/24

PHR Live Chat: 7/16/24

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Josh Erickson

1:58

Hi folks! Happy Tuesday. I'll be back to the normal Wednesday time slot next week, but needed to move some things around.

LGD

1:59

Where do you think Mercer’s contract comes in?

Josh Erickson

2:00

With just south of $5MM in projected cap space and Mercer coming off a disappointing year, this one screams short-term.

2:01

2 years, $3.75MM per would be my educated guess. That's a good deal for a player who's yet to miss a game in his three-year career and is averaging north of 20 goals a season.

2:02

Opens up the door for both parties to cash in on a longer-term pact while he's still a few years away from UFA eligibility. He is still just 22, let's remember.

mike123

2:02

What's the best type of contract for perfetti? Long term or bridge? And what would be the cost of a long term? And is Gabriel vilardi worth more then like 5 million per yr if he plays less then a full season every yr?

Josh Erickson

2:04

I like Perfetti and think he got the short end of the stick with how he was used last season, especially in the playoffs (barely at all). But in my mind, there's still too much variability in his projection to outweigh the benefits of getting him locked into a potential long-term bargain right now. I'd go bridge there as well, likely a two-year pact like Mercer, although it should be cheaper. Closer to the $2.5MM-$3MM AAV range, I'd think.

2:05

And yeah, Vilardi has to be one of the more frustrating players in the league – he's such an impactful piece when he's healthy, but just hasn't managed to shake injury issues. They've followed him around for far too long. I'd be comfortable with something in the low 5s, but I wouldn't go close to $6MM with him.

John

2:06

Do you think Yzerman is on the hot seat this year? What do you predict for him after another no playoff season?

Josh Erickson

2:07

With as much roster flexibility as he had on his hands this summer, it would be a pretty damning indictment on him if he can't construct a playoff roster. I don't have a good indication of what the organization is thinking, but he'd certainly be on the hot seat if I was in charge. For where they're at in their rebuild (Seider was drafted five years ago already, let's remember), this season screams "win or else."

2:08

Especially after jettisoning Walman, their safest LD next season, and giving up a second-round pick to create cap space for... nothing, so far. Still waiting to see what's up with that, although it's clear after today that it won't be Trouba.

Collin

2:09

Do you think the Penguins are content with Drew O’ Connor being Crosby’s left winger or will they still look to add or acquire someone?

Josh Erickson

2:10

I mean, it's becoming clear to me that they're rebuilding as aggressively as they can while still maintaining the facade of playoff contention with Crosby still around.

2:11

With that mindset, sure, they're probably fine with him. At 26, I'm not sure how much more he has to grow, but he's fine. Not a true impact piece (16 goals, 33 points in 79 games last year), but I wouldn't go so far as to say he's dragging the line down. Just not a Guentzel or Kunitz-type needle-mover, and there shouldn't be any expectations of that.

2:12

Ideally, I'd have him as my 3LW and be pretty happy with him there. Great depth piece, just not a first-liner.

Blues1967

2:12

The Blues signing Suter puzzles me. Does this mean another deal is coming up? One that dumps a defender?

Josh Erickson

2:13

It puzzles me equally. With their roster now, I'm not sure he's in the opening night lineup. No way he's in over Perunovich... right?

2:15

I would at least assume they're still trying to find a destination for Krug that he'd be happy with. Remember, he's got full no-trade protection, not a modified list, so he can say yes or no on a case-by-case basis.

The whole Barclay Goodrow situation could be repeated here, too, since Krug has an NTC but not an NMC. Place him on waivers as a workaround with an assurance that somebody will claim him. Although that team would likely want an indication that he'd report... which I don't think is a given.

Cbj4life

2:15

Are the jackets be coming the joke of the nhl??? No coach .. no trust in management

Josh Erickson

2:15

I mean, they'll have a coach by this time next week. It doesn't surprise me at all that Waddell waited as long as he did after being hired to fire Vincent... he obviously wanted to get his house in order before making any rash decisions.

2:17

But I'm not sure what's untrustworthy about Waddell. He was a gigantic part of building a perennial contender in Carolina, even if they haven't won the chalice yet. He's already done well to untangle a bit of a mess on the back end and has given more room for the high-priority prospects in Jiříček and Mateychuk.

Kraken Fan

2:17

Is it odd that Beniers isn't signed yet? Do you think Tanev and Gourde (both UFA in 2025) will be back?

Josh Erickson

2:18

Odd? Eh. I don't get the sense that there's anything particularly testy about their negotiations, at least not yet.

2:19

But a bridge deal is the clear outcome here after their spending spree. They simply don't have the space for a long-term agreement. Their roster is full otherwise, and they have $6.4MM in projected space. I'd guess Beniers' number starts with a 5 on a three-year deal.

Medic Mike

2:19

What are some of the biggest names that could be traded during the season?

Josh Erickson

2:21

First thought always goes toward the pending UFAs. Out of that group, I see Travis Konecny as the highest-impact player who I'd realistically see moving. Flyers are clear that they're bracing for a back-to-Earth season after last year's run, and I don't think they're anywhere close on an extension.

2:22

If the Jets don't look like a contender, I'd expect them to try to move Ehlers again if they don't this summer. Even if they're a strong wild-card hopeful... he's highly unlikely to re-sign and they'll want to get something for him.

Sabres3277

2:22

I am a little bit frustrated that the Sabres still have not acquired a top six forward. I like the additions in the bottom six but we really need a forward and we should use some of the young assets to acquire one. Thoughts?

Josh Erickson

2:24

I mean, they already blew the Savoie trade chip in the McLeod swap. Even if he is trending down, that was short-sighted and he could've landed more.

2:25

But after all these moves, I don't see how you add a forward without trading somebody already on the roster. They've got 13 NHL-caliber guys including the two RFAs (Krebs, Malenstyn), plus you need to give some sort of room for Kulich and Rosén (and, hear me out... Helenius) to compete for spots during camp.

Wouldn't be too surprised if Helenius is on the opening night roster.

2:26

At this point, Kevyn Adams has made the bed. Time to lie in it. I think the moment for a big swap is behind him now.

Jr88

2:26

Although Utah acquired Sergachev and Marino i don't see them making the playoffs. Whats your take on Utah for this upcoming season?

Josh Erickson

2:27

They'll be improved for sure, but yeah, I don't think they're a lock. Sergachev has never been "the guy" before. Time to see how he does as a true 1D, but I'm not yet convinced he'll be up to the task defensively.

I think they'll be in the race until pretty close to the end, though. They'll probably crack 90 points and fall a couple of wins short of a wild-card spot.

Joe Momma

2:27

With Michkov coming over what type of season do you think he'll have statistically speaking?

Josh Erickson

2:29

Man, I'm beyond excited for this guy. I could conceivably see him hitting 30-40-70, but in a Torts system, I'd probably chill out on that projection a bit.

Wayward

2:29

Hurricanes done outside of cleaning up their RFA's?

Josh Erickson

2:30

Yeah. Unless the Kuznetsov termination comes to fruition, they won't have the space for anything else.

Phil

2:30

What top 6 forward should the Sabres be targeting. I like the additions to the bottom 6 so far but have they done enough to not only make the playoffs but win a series or two?

Josh Erickson

2:31

Win a series? I'm not sure. But I think Levi's arrival could be enough to get a wild-card spot in and of itself. Hard to understate how bad Eric Comrie was for his 10 games of action last year, and Levi will take a step forward from his .899 SV%. They'll have above-average netminding, for sure.

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