JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 7/2/25

PHR Live Chat: 7/2/25

Josh Erickson

1:55

Hi all, I'll start answering questions at the top of the hour!

Jon

2:00

Ehlers prediction? Where does he end up?

Josh Erickson

2:01

Until I have reason to believe otherwise, the Hurricanes are the destination. My guess is 7 years at $8.75MM per season.

Mike

2:01

Why is N. Ehlers having a difficult time committing?

Josh Erickson

2:02

Not being snarky – serious rhetorical question. Would anyone, faced with that kind of commitment, not prefer a few days to make their final choice if given the option like Ehlers has?

Chris Haddad

2:02

Can the Avs compete with the Canes for Ehlers?

Josh Erickson

2:03

Technically, yes. They have over $7MM in space and can exceed the cap during the offseason by 10%, so they can make a competitive offer. I imagine Carolina would be his preference climate/weather-wise, but the Avs can make a legitimate offer if they want.

Still an A

2:03

What players trade or free agency should the Sharks be targeting?

Josh Erickson

2:05

I thought a Granlund reunion would have been nice, no dice there I guess. Have to imagine they'll pick up Nick Leddy on waivers here, it makes too much sense. He can play both sides and gives them a legitimate partner to pair with Sam Dickinson – John Klingberg, Timothy Liljegren, and Vincent Desharnais ain't it. I know he's aging, but had some decently nice seasons recently before this injury-plagued one. Would be a good pickup for them on all fronts.

2:06

If they're still in a pinch to hit the cap floor, I wonder if they'd call Montreal about Carey Price's contract. If not Leddy to augment the defense, I'd look at Matt Grzelcyk.

Mike

2:06

Do the caps sign ehlers? If not do they sign Roslovic and another depth forward?

Josh Erickson

2:08

I think it's clear-cut 1. CAR 2. WSH in terms of Ehlers likelihood. I see the Avs smoke, I just don't think it's his preference unless they blow his socks off. If WSH offers 7x8 and he takes it, they can be cap-compliant with a Milano LTIR placement, I believe. No guarantee he plays next year with his concussion issues. Either way, they could clear his salary some other way. I would imagine Roslovic becomes a serious target if they miss out, yes. Don't think they're in the Pius Suter market. Could see Mason Appleton fitting there too for wing depth.

Medic Mike

2:08

Do the Blackhawks realize that free agency has started? I feel like so much was talked about this being the summer for them to take the next big step and now, nothing?

Josh Erickson

2:10

I think the Blackhawks realize that acquiring mid-tier talents on overpays – which these certainly are – are not conducive or helpful to their long-term plan. They would have made serious ploys for Marner/Ehlers/Bennett etc. if they either hit the market or were interested in signing with them. Unfortunately, neither of those things happened. Sometimes the best moves are the ones you don't make. This season can still be a turning point, although it'll rely on the kids to fuel it. Make or break time for some of them for the Hawks to see whether they're worth keeping or leveraging in a trade.

wpgjets

2:10

can the jets afford plus suter at 6x6? is he worth that and do they have the cap space to do that?

Josh Erickson

2:13

Yes to the first question, no to the second one. Jets have Vilardi and Samberg still to re-sign. I imagine, worst-case, that duo takes up $13MM in cap space. That still leaves them with over $9MM to spend, so they can totally accomodate a 6x6. I'm a Suter guy for sure, but you're much better off rolling with Namestnikov as your 2C at $3MM against the cap and trying to upgrade the position at the deadline or in free agency next summer. Suter isn't that considerable of an upgrade on him, let alone one worth double the price. Namestnikov averages 35 points per 82 games throughout his career, Suter 36 – albeit with more defensive upside, but that's not what the Jets need.

LGD

2:13

Yay or nay on Devils’ past couple weeks? I was surprised they wouldn’t bring back someone like Lazar on league minimum. If Nico goes down we may never win another FO

Josh Erickson

2:16

Yay, cautiously. Getting out of Haula's deal was good work. As I said earlier, I don't think Palat is movable, so I'm not chastizing Fitzgerald for him still being on the team. Dadonov at a $1MM base and reasonable performance bonuses was one of the best value pickups yesterday. I certainly don't mind Connor Brown at $3MM per year, although the term scares me a little. They kept Glass on a very reasonable deal just now. Really like the Bordeleau trade. I know nothing particularly flashy happened, but they're a deeper and more cost-effective team than how they ended last season.

Keaton

2:17

Prediction for Utah this season? On paper they have insane depth and a top 3 defense in the league.

Josh Erickson

2:18

That's... a bold claim on the latter half. Won't question the depth, though. I thought they deserved to make the playoffs with the way they played last season. They were one of the league's better possession teams. I love Tourigny as a coach, really didn't understand some of the calls for his firing I saw from the Mammoth fanbase. Still haven't sat down to do "official" post-FA predictions, but a wild-card spot should be the expectation, with a divisional berth being achievable.

Landyn

2:18

Do you see Byram going to st. Louis and at what price

Josh Erickson

2:21

The framework is still there. Does Kyrou one-for-one get it done? Is that a trade St. Louis actually benefits from? I'm not entirely sure the answer to either of those questions is yes. I wonder if the Sabres would be open to taking Faulk in this deal if it happens, they have the cap space and that would help shore up their top four with Kesselring in the mix too. Deal isn't an anchor with two years left.

Monty

2:21

I can’t figure out the Kings strategy. Acquire a bunch of middle of the pack defenders and forwards? This is a big step back isn’t it?

Josh Erickson

2:26

Eh. Keeping Kuzmenko was big. They're a better scoring team than they were on June 30; I liked the Perry and Armia pickups. Yes, the defense will have to be watched like a hawk. They're anticipating Dumoulin and Ceci will replace Gavrikov by committee. I actually don't hate the Dumoulin signing, I think he's still effective as a 2LD and that's a stomachable price tag, but Ceci is way too pricey. I wouldn't call it a big step back, but the allocation of funds was certainly underwhelming.

Patricia D.

2:26

Now that the Penguins have picked up a couple of left side defensemen, what do you think will happen with the current ones?

Josh Erickson

2:28

Graves probably ends up buried in the minors. There's no moving that deal with four years left on it. Try again in two years to see if someone will take it on for a pick if they're trying to be a cap team that quickly again. But considering their contention pathway, they can afford to ride things out with the Graves cap penalty if he's in the minors. I imagine the four lefties on the roster to begin the season, in rough order of usage, will be Pickering, Wotherspoon, Shea, and Alexeyev.

Phil

2:28

Any chance whatsoever the Sabres could offer Ehlers enough cash to take them over the hump?

Josh Erickson

2:29

He's not a center, so I'm not sure how much he forces the issue if they're intent on keeping Tage on the wing. I don't see it. I don't think the Sabres are team he'd consider if more competitive clubs like Carolina and Washington are still willing to offer him a deal in the 8.5 range.

DDUBS30

2:29

Hi Josh , what do you think the plan is with Schaefer …. Will he make the roster or just get a 7- 9 game look or go back to Jr’s ? I think if he looks good in camp they will give him a shot . Wondering what your thoughts are ? Thanks

Josh Erickson

2:31

His play will dictate the plan, and they'll let it happen. They have the defensive depth now after their moves over the past few days to operate without him. Play-wise, I think he's projectable enough that there would be no negative impact on his development by playing him the full season in the NHL. I worry about him not having played organized hockey since December, though. I think a nine-game trial is most likely, see how he does in Erie, and consider adding him back to the NHL roster at the WJC break if his conditioning holds up.

frankfurrr

2:31

Byram for Faulk, Ralph, and a 3rd?

Josh Erickson

2:32

Kevyn Adams deletes your number, and that's saying something. If that's what they get, woof. Offer sheet compensation would be universes more preferable, at least they could flip those picks into something meaningful.

Seattle

2:32

Thoughts on the Lindgren signing? Do you think his addition means Oleksiak gets shipped out? What sort of market could there be for the Big Rig?

Josh Erickson

2:34

It's an overpay for a player who I don't really think moves the needle anyway. It was one of the worst signings yesterday, in my book. I think Oleksiak is the better player. Regardless, you're now stuck paying a bottom-pairing defender upwards of $4MM, whether it's Lindgren or Oleksiak on the left side. Did they not learn their lesson with Brian Dumoulin two years ago, who was a better signing but still simply wasn't a fit and had to get flipped the following summer? Problem is the term they gave Lindgren will prevent them from doing that. When their defense prospect pool is as thin as it is, though, I at least understand the reactionary nature of the signing.

Kyle Dubas

2:35

Best guess on where guys like Rakell, Karlsson, and even Rust might go and what the return for each looks like? Or even the timetable for any of them?

Josh Erickson

2:36

Likelihood (timetable) of getting moved if they move, IMO:

Rust
Rakell
Karlsson

As for returns/destinations...

2:38

If Chicago is serious about adding a veteran forward and none of the UFA options were amenable to them, Rakell's contract is one that makes sense. The acquisition cost is a different story, and because of that, I think he's less likely to move compared to Rust. Pittsburgh appears to value him very highly. I don't think the Blackhawks are quite willing to give up the types of futures it would take to acquire Rakell just yet, maybe they revisit it midseason if they start the season well.

2:40

Rust is also an attractive contract. I see CBJ as being a suitor there, potentially for Rakell too. Not sure if PIT wants to trade with a divisional rival, but CBJ would be more willing than CHI to part with the futures Dubas wants. As for Karlsson, again, that's going to take longer because of the cap implications and the need for a team to view him as a perfect fit to go through the trouble of acquiring him. Carolina made some sense, not anymore after the K'Andre Miller deal. After that, I'm not sure where... I'd think about Detroit as a RD2 with Edvinsson, but I haven't heard any smoke there at all.

Marco Rossi

2:40

How does this saga end?

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