JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 9/1/25

PHR Live Chat: 9/1/25

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Josh Erickson

12:48

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

Zakis

1:00

Just me, or do the Wild lack direction with the mix of youth and veterans but not seeming to get any better for this season?

Josh Erickson

1:02

I'd refute the notion that they're not any better. They have a fair amount of youth whose age-related development this season is likely worth at least one or two UFA pickups, while they're getting rid of some dead weight (Jon Merrill comes to mind). Zeev Buium will be a great rookie piece, Marco Rossi is playing with a chip on his shoulder, and just think about how they managed to get into the playoffs last year even with Kaprizov missing more than 50% of the campaign. They'll be fine.

Hanson Brothers

1:02

What is holding up Luke Hughes deal from getting done? Is there a need to move out some salary that's holding things up? Then there's the whole storyline about the brothers all playing together.

Josh Erickson

1:04

The latest reporting on that is the Devils want either a max-term or a two-year bridge, while Hughes wants a long-term deal but not max-term (five years to line up his expiry with Jack's).

Either way, New Jersey likely needs to free up a bit of cap space. They're at $6.1MM right now, but that figure is a tad misleading since it assumes a 23-player roster... they have a bit more space than that in reality since they'll need to send someone down from that projection to make a spot for Hughes. Still, they probably need to free up a bit of space.

I imagine this gets done at the beginning of camp. Wouldn't expect it before then. That gives NJ a little bit of time to get cap-compliant somehow, whether that's attaching an asset to dump Ondrej Palat's contract or making a different move.

LGD

1:05

Reading most Devils’ independent writers, they make it sound as trading Palat should be easy. Feels like if it were that easy, it would’ve already been done. Feels almost certainly he and Dougie are on the opening night roster and if that’s the case, I’m going to hold out optimism one or both will have a positive impact. Do you think either of them have any chance of playing to the level they’re being paid? Thanks for your insight as always!

Josh Erickson

1:07

You're bang on. I don't see a world in which they receive positive value for Palat. I'm sure Fitzgerald feels it's worth it to hold out to see if that miraculously happens, but will attach an asset to get rid of him if necessary. I wonder if Chicago would engage in those talks if they get through training camp and realize they need another veteran forward, picking him up would alleviate their cap floor concerns and allow them to trade away any veterans of value they have mid-season like Connor Murphy or Laurent Brossoit, if he gets healthy.

I don't view Dougie Hamilton as all that overpaid and I always thought the trade speculation surrounding him was overblown. Yes, he's a long-term redundancy with L. Hughes, but with that contract still a question mark, I don't think he's all that expendable right now. There's also only three years left on it. He'll be easier to move next summer if they end up in another crunch.

Blue Note

1:08

Should the Blues try to move Krug's contract out to bank salary cap space or add a piece later without going into LTIR?

Josh Erickson

1:12

They could, but teams will be reluctant to take on the deal since it has two years left. If it's a real concern, they should try to do it next summer instead. They're very close to having $0 in cap space, so it's going to be relatively easy for them to optimize their capture when the regular season begins and get very close to unlocking Krug's $6.5MM cap hit in relief. Since they already have a wealth of players competing for jobs and good organizational depth, most in-season trades they make are likely going to involve a contract heading the other way anyway. I don't think it's worth it to go through the effort of moving his contract now when their LTIR capture is going to be so straightforward.

Blue Note

1:12

Do you think a Binnington trade could happen this year, while his value is high and the Blues are not really contenders?

Josh Erickson

1:13

Don't tell the Blues that, they always intend on being a playoff competitor and I think their depth remains strong enough to do it. I think their goalie pipeline is maybe a bit overhyped and I don't think it makes sense to hand the reins over to Joel Hofer completely just yet. Binner's on a reasonable contract, too. Unless someone really makes a desperation offer that they can't refuse, I don't see a move happeing.

*happening

Mike

1:14

top line: Connor sheifele iafalo 2nd line: toews vilardi perfetti does this balance the top six better than having vilardi on the top line?

Josh Erickson

1:15

In a vacuum, yes, but I don't think it's a terribly wise idea. Vilardi hasn't really proven himself in Winnipeg away from Connor and Scheifele. The Jets' offensive identity has also revolved almost exclusively around their top line for the past while, depth scoring has been a question mark. It's even more so now without Ehlers in the picture. Their best chance of remaining competitive offensively is likely loading up the top line to overwhelm opponents and hoping the other puzzle pieces fall into place.

Monty

1:15

I am really rooting for the Sabres and their fans. Is it just me or is their forward group lacking something? A true take charge leader type maybe?

Josh Erickson

1:17

Given they've all but solidified a permanent move to the wing for Tage Thompson, that top-line pivot is a gaping hole. Norris isn't it. Kulich doesn't have that ceiling long-term, although he could be a 2C for them. McLeod isn't it. Konsta Helenius could get there, I really like him, but I always viewed him as a high-floor type of guy too. I know they've got to be happy with what they received, but they miss having a player of Jack Eichel's archetype.

Price

1:18

SJ is already over the salary cap floor so won't Mtl have to give them some good assets to make the deal ? Besides Beck or draft picks , who might be available ? Would Hage be a possibility ? (I tend to doubt it )

Josh Erickson

1:19

Nope, way off. San Jose is in a bind with the number of contracts they have on their books. This deal will be a good way for them to dump some excess AHL depth on Montreal, so don't expect them to be taking any players back other than Price. Having Price's deal is actually a good value proposition for them since it allows them to sell off anyone they want without worrying about the floor while paying him a fraction of his actual cap hit. He's an attractive asset for a team in the Sharks' position.

1:22

Again, the pendulum shifts here because unlike some guys that have been thrown out in the chat today (Palat, Krug), Price is a pending UFA. There's no obligation for the Sharks past this season.

Landyn

1:23

Do the Blues have any other off-season transactions up their sleeve?

Josh Erickson

1:24

As a blanket rule, I wouldn't expect anything of significance between now and training camp. Once that gets going and preseason injuries arise, there will be some action. But otherwise, everyone is pretty much set.

DStars

1:25

Do you think Blue jackets are a likely destination for Rasmus Anderson? If not who are the teams that are likeliest to go after him?

Josh Erickson

1:26

They're not, and not just because he's reportedly being restrictive about where he's willing to sign an extension. CBJ already has four guys on the back end making $4MM+ long-term, not including a blue-chip youngster in Denton Mateychuk. They don't really have the room unless they move someone out.

prospects

1:26

Who did you rank higher on your own 2025 draft list- Nestrasil or West ? Did you have either in the late 1st round or had them in the 2nd round ? Thanks.

Josh Erickson

1:29

They were both reaches for me, but as I've said before, I just don't view projectable bottom-six pieces without higher ceilings as a worthy first-round selection in the vast majority of cases. I had Nestrasil a bit higher. In West's case, picking guys out of high school is always a bit of a toss-up, but Chicago's had recent success there with Sam Rinzel.

DStars

1:30

with the continued development of Utah’s youngsters coupled with the arrival’s of Peterka, then Tanev on the bottom 6, do you think that’ll be enough to push them into at least a wild card spot?

Josh Erickson

1:32

They could have run the exact same roster back, and I would have penciled them into a wild-card spot, honestly. They were one of the league's best-coached and most possession-dominant teams last year and, if not for that iffy goaltending run to start the season from Connor Ingram, likely make the cut. Add in another year of development from Cooley/Guenther/Hayton and they were likely on the right track anyway, but yeah, working Peterka in there likely helps kick the offense into the next gear that was missing at times last year.

8/15 FA

1:33

Have you heard any rumors or intel on any college FA ? The ones who didn't send in the paperwork can still only sign with the team that has their signing rights before 8/15 ? Don't these prospects need to decide soon ?

Josh Erickson

1:33

Those who haven't signed NHL contracts by now likely aren't going to. The ones that never file paperwork just don't bother with it because they're either not interested in NHL offers or know they aren't going to come.

1:34

It's been tough sledding for this year's class. If I'm remembering correctly, only Alex Gagne landed an ELC. Guys who I thought were strong candidates, like Red Savage, have signed multi-year AHL contracts.

Dan C

1:34

who are the Wings top 6 D-Men to start the year? Any get released?

Josh Erickson

1:37

The roster math depends on if one of Nate Danielson, Carter Mazur, or Michael Brandsegg-Nygard forces themselves into an NHL spot at forward. If they do, they likely carry 14/7, if not, 13/8. Given how thin their defensive depth still is, I think it's incredibly unwise to deploy Axel Sandin-Pellikka in NHL minutes with the lack of support he'll have without giving him at least a month or two in Grand Rapids to start.

You can't outright release players in the NHL unless the player agrees to a mutual contract termination. I would imagine the six guys on opening night are Chiarot, Seider, Edvinsson, Johansson, Gustafsson, and Bernard-Docker with Hamonic and Holl in the press box. If they only carry seven defenders, I would anticipate Hamonic being waived before Holl is. Lagesson and Ian Mitchell will likely be waived and assigned to Grand Rapids if they clear.

Shi' Thede

1:39

Karlsson/Rickell/Rust, most likely traded without improving the team, traded for assets, and retained in 2025-2026?

Josh Erickson

1:42

Most likely traded without improving the team: none. They all have some degree of term left. The youth movement in Pittsburgh isn't fervent enough yet to force any of them out. The Pens aren't trading anyone unless it nets them legitimate value.

I think Rust is the most likely to be traded, then Rakell, then Karlsson. The Rust/Rakell deals are almost identical but the former doesn't have trade protection. He's a bit older but also more consistent year-to-year, so he carries a little less risk in my view.

I don't think Erik Karlsson is the type of player they can move in-season. I imagine he plays out another year in Pittsburgh and they try more aggressively to move him in the summer of 2026.

Monty

1:43

Could Chytil surprise and be a more than adequate (even really good) 2nd line centre?

Josh Erickson

1:45

Yes! I've always really liked him. Health is an obvious concern, but I do think that second-line ceiling is still in him if the dominoes fall correctly. I wouldn't go so far as to call it likely given his injury history, but it wouldn't surprise me if he breaks out for 50+ points. Remember, he had a 22-23--45 scoring line playing less than 15 minutes a night for the Rangers a few years ago.

Landyn

1:45

What's the latest on the remaining ufas and rfas

Josh Erickson

1:46

All quiet on the UFA market, other than that recent report of Calvin de Haan likely going over to Sweden. The only real bit of news on the unsigned RFAs in the last week was that Hughes bit we covered earlier.

Trade Market

1:48

It's been very quiet this summer. But there's plenty of talk about teams like Calgary and Pittsburgh with players to move. Do you see an uptick in activity as it gets closer to camp? Or will Conroy and Dubas hold their trade pieces until the deadline?

Josh Erickson

1:49

Not necessarily in the lead-up to camp, no, but I would expect it to pick up in the days after it starts. Getting everyone together has a way of making teams more worried about holes in their roster, plus the potential for injuries in preseason games.

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