JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 8/6/25

PHR Live Chat: 8/6/25

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Josh Erickson

1:57

Hi everyone, I'll start answering questions at the top of the hour.

Dan

2:00

Hi! Would Mailloux and Stenberg be a starting point for getting McTavish or would Dvorsky have to be in the deal? Or are the Blues just not a match for a possible trade? Thanks!

Josh Erickson

2:01

I don't think it's a match. The Ducks have no real reason to trade McTavish unless they're either informed he's refusing to sign or if they have a perfect offer. The first one hasn't happened, and the perfect offer will revolve around a more dynamic two-way right-shot defenseman than Mailloux.

wpgjets

2:01

what does Neal pionks contract looks like if he signs in free agency this year?

Josh Erickson

2:03

Before he signed the extension, I initially thought a six-year deal at $7.5MM per season was a good call on his market value. Based on his platform year and the market correction undergone in late June/early July with those surprising deals for Kevin Bahl, Nic Hague, and the like, getting him at $7MM for that six-year term is good work in hindsight. I don't think the Jets have gotten any major steals on contracts this summer – it's Winnipeg, I'm not expecting them to – but largely good work value-wise.

Chris Haddad

2:04

Do the Avs actually have more B6 depth than we realize? Are Bardakhov and Ivan legit 3rd liners for a contender? Could Brindley or ABB develop into 3rd liners this season? Why aren’t they spending on Roslovic? Seems like it’d be better to have a patchwork 3L of Roslovic-Colton-Kivi than just hand it over to unproven/replacement-level guys.

Josh Erickson

2:08

I think the answer to those first questions is a clear no. Ivan is an extra forward on a contender at best, at least at this stage of his development. As for Bardakov... his ceiling is high-end 4C/low-end 3C. That's ceiling, not present impact. Based on Barré-Boulet's age and Brindley's difficult AHL adjustment last season, I wouldn't bet on either panning out as a top-nine piece, at least not in 2025-26. You don't mention Daniil Guschin, who I actually think has a higher impact potential than any of those four. Roslovic would be nice. He has enough interest that I don't think they can afford him, though.

The Avs only have $3.34MM in space and that's with an open roster spot.

2:08

Where do you think Roslovic will sign if you aahd to guess two or three teams ?

Josh Erickson

2:10

Leafs still make the most sense and have been in on him since the start. I'd go Vancouver 2nd, a potential Columbus reunion 3rd.

draft

2:10

On your own draft board who did you rate higher Prokhorov or Ryabkin (I read he didn't look in shape at the combine) thanks

Josh Erickson

2:11

Ryabkin, but I'm of the mind that the late first round is a good time to take swings on high-upside talent with some real standout flaws, as is the evident case with his conditioning. Admittedly, I did not watch Prokhorov enough before the event. I really like that selection for the Islanders, though.

Kyle D

2:11

Rickard Rakell, Tristan Broz, 2rd pick 2026(pens own), 2nd rd 2027…for…Mason Mctavish and a lottery protected 2026 1st rd..goes to unprotected 2027 1st rd pick…who says no or who needs to sweeten the deal?

Josh Erickson

2:13

The Ducks don't give it the time of day, both because of the value imbalance and the utter lack of addressing their primary organizational need – a blue chip RD. Pittsburgh is a non-starter because they don't have one in the system. I like Harrison Brunicke, but he doesn't cut it.

Duck fan

2:13

Who is the most likely top RW the Ducks will trade for before training camp?

Josh Erickson

2:15

The most likely answer is none. Outside of what happens with McTavish, I think they're done. There are three names out there that qualify – Jordan Kyrou, Rickard Rakell, and Bryan Rust. I haven't heard any meaningful connection between the Ducks and any of those names.

linemates

2:15

One Chicago writer suggests that newcomer Burakowsky and Donato might be the best linemates for Bedard (likely by default) Do you think there are better options now ?

Josh Erickson

2:16

Donato, yes. That situation might be best for Burakovsky, but I don't think it's best for Bedard. Doesn't have the wheels. I really thought Teravainen would be a spectacular fit alongside Bedard; I'm really floored they barely explored that last season. Hopefully, a new coach helps that along.

Devils

2:16

Can the Devils rid themselves of Palat's contract?

Josh Erickson

2:18

They shouldn't have much trouble doing so if he waives his no-movement clause; he only has a 10-team no-trade list after waiving the NMC. That's still an if, though. He's on a likely playoff-bound team. Why would he waive, unless they somehow convince him there's no other way to get Luke Hughes signed and essentially force him out?

Wayward

2:18

What would it cost the Canes to get McTavish in terms of trade and contract? Would it make sense for them?

Josh Erickson

2:20

I implied in an article we posted earlier today that I don't think the Hurricanes have the right trade assets to get it done. In a way, McTavish's situation is similar to Marco Rossi's. Neither player has much leverage. Rossi may have more because Minnesota has more of a need for him than the Ducks do for McTavish. In any event, the Ducks can be picky about what they want. That will mean a first-round caliber RHD who projects as a two-way guy. Carolina doesn't have that.

2:21

When all is said and done, I think McTavish's deal will be six years in the $7MM range annually.

Who's Fabio?

2:21

Hi Josh - just wondering what your thoughts are on the future of the CHL being that it looks like high end players may forgo the leagues in lieu of getting paid in the NCAA. A further setback of course is allowing 19 year old players to play in the AHL. I think these moves are great for the sport but how much does the CHL miss out?

Josh Erickson

2:25

I think leagues need to stop viewing themselves as complete developmental packages. The days of the CHL being a 16yo-20/21yo league for guys with legitimate NHL futures are likely gone. Leagues need to adjust and become hyper-catered to certain phases of development. My colleague Gabe Foley said something the other day about the USHL being about learning the ropes of high-level hockey, the CHL about having enough challenge to master niche skills, and the NCAA to learn how to play against men. Players will switch leagues more often, not completely abandon one development path for another.

Monty

2:26

I have been a big Yzerman fan and I get that there are prospects on the way. But I look at the likely lineup for 2025-26, and it is underwhelming in so many ways. This is barely a middle-of-the-pack team, and too many prospects seem too far away. Am I being too negative?

Josh Erickson

2:28

No, you're not. Even if he could theoretically address a top-six hole with McTavish, how much can that really move the needle for them when they only have two true top-four caliber defensemen at present, and both of them are younger than 25? Even if Sandin-Pellikka is further along and can be 2RD this year, that will still be an extremely flawed unit in front of an aging and injury-prone goalie tandem.

Schwa

2:28

Do you think any surprise teams will jump into the mix and complete a deal for Rossi, McTavish, or Rust / Rakell?

Josh Erickson

2:30

Rossi is staying put. I would love to see the Sabres finally pony up and get one of the other names, Rust would probably be the most likely out of that group. Wonder if the Sens, eager to make up for lost time, get aggressive.

DStars

2:30

The panthers have already shown interest in retaining Rodrigues and Eetu, what moves do you think they’re eventually gonna do to get back under the Salary cap?

Josh Erickson

2:33

Some clarity as I've seen some different responses to this – the new LTIR rules do not apply until the 2026-27 season. Florida still needs to be cap-compliant to start the season in order to maximize their capture before placing Tkachuk on LTIR. They will still have to make some surprise waiver placements (think Boqvist, Greer, etc) to just temporarily clear enough cap to get at $95.5MM, essentially as paper transactions, then place Tkachuk on LTIR and then recall whoever's cleared. To that end, I don't know what the long-term plan is. The current plan is just buying more time.

2:33

Any thoughts on what the Avs do with Necas? Trade, sign?

Josh Erickson

2:34

They can't really afford to trade him. They've gotta convince him to take a discount or write him a blank check. Their scoring depth is so thin now that they can't afford to downgrade another top-six talent. Their cap mismanagement with Manson and Nelson is putting them in a tricky spot.

DStars

2:34

I think Drouin was one of the better value signings in free agency, does he move the needle for them in the least bit?

Josh Erickson

2:35

Yeah, I liked the pickup too. Is a humongous difference maker? No. He is, however, someone who's now confident enough to play a strong complementary top-six role and is another fine insurance policy for a forward group that's pretty injury-prone (including himself, of course).

VGK

2:36

Any chance Vegas ends up with Rasmus Andersson before the season starts???

Josh Erickson

2:38

I think he ends up there eventually, but not before the start of the season. Vegas is still deep enough that they can afford to let the market come to them. Calgary is disinclined to trade him this late in the summer and would presumably rather try to build up his value in-season.

Devilshark

2:38

Any update on L Hughes?,

Josh Erickson

2:41

Nope. No movement on anything Devils-related in, well, quite some time.

Brian

2:41

Would Ryan Leonard benefit from some time in Hershey? I understand it’s a huge transition from college to the NHL, but only scoring one goal(and an empty net at that) and an assist in 17 games I would think the minors might jump start his scoring abilities and his confidence.

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