JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 9/4/24

PHR Live Chat: 9/4/24

Josh Erickson

1:58

Hi everyone! We'll get going at the top of the hour.

Blue seats

2:00

I worded this question badly last time. Has ranger management stated they have never had any interest in trevor zegras? I find it ridiculous if thats true. The current makeup of lines needs a jump start. Zegras would bring new enthusiasm and he’s a home grown kid!! Give them chytil or kaako or both. Done with them.
Its time for a prospect to take kaakos place and zegras takes chytils spot. Thoughts? Is there something about zegras we as fans aren't aware of?

Josh Erickson

2:02

As far as I know, no such words have ever come directly out of Chris Drury's mouth. The intel on the Rangers' lack of interest in Zegras comes from Arthur Staple at The Athletic. He said last month that Zegras was interested in coming to the Rangers should he be traded from the Ducks, but he also didn't "think the Rangers have ever been interested in Zegras."

2:05

I mean, there's legitimate (and well-founded, in my eyes) concern about how Zegras can anchor a first or even second line. He's an extremely useful player offensively outside of the flash we're used to seeing from him. Last year was tough with injuries, but he was given a few more defensive matchups. Numbers say he held his own, but it definitely came at the expense of production. Just 15 points in 31 games.

2:06

Now, if he's slotting in as the 3C on a loaded team as you suggest, it's a completely different story. There won't be any pressure on him to defend against other teams' top competition, but his production also likely wouldn't be what you're hoping for in a limited even-strength role. It's a tough line to tread.

2:06

Ryan Greene decided not to turn prior with Chicago and return to BU. Without Celebrini and Hutson on the PP, his point total may not improve much even with more ice time. Since he will need at leat 1 yr n the AHL and he is almost 21, how is going back a good decision ?

Josh Erickson

2:07

Greene's certainly one of the safer prospects in the Hawks' system. Third-line center of the future, and I don't have many doubts about that.

2:09

So much so that I'd push back on the assertion that he'll need a year in Rockford. That's likely what Chicago will do – it seems to be a prerequisite under this management group. But he's a complete player, and I don't see the downside of him playing a third (or even fourth) year at BU before slotting into the NHL lineup in his first full professional year.

But because of how safe he projects, I don't think he has much room to grow offensively no matter where he plays next year.

Carson

2:11

my fellow Jackets fans and I are just gutted with the passing of Johnny and Matt as I’m sure hockey fans are everywhere. Out of respect none of us have talked about what comes next and it feels selfish to think about it.. but ultimately Waddell has some challenges ahead of him to get the team through the grieving process and ready for the season in addition to managing the cap. What options would he be juggling in a situation like this? CBJ fifth liners, with heavy hearts we’ll see you at tonight’s vigil

Josh Erickson

2:12

Yeah. Friday was certainly the toughest day I've had in this industry, and I still don't think I've quite fully processed what happened. I doubt Waddell has either, and I doubt his mind's in a place to focus on cap gymnastics. I don't blame him one bit.

2:13

I wouldn't be surprised if the league grants them some sort of waiver to be under the cap floor to start the season. I'm not sure what, if any, infrastructure exists in the CBA for something like that, but it's something I'll dig into.

King Leon

2:13

Didn't Stan Bowman learn from his mistakes in Chicago that full NMCs are a bad idea on expensive long term deals ? He couldn't negotiate longer and try to lessen the effect on the team cap situation ?

Josh Erickson

2:15

The NMC isn't all that surprising to me. For a player of Draisaitl's talent, it's almost a guarantee in negotiations nowadays to give them control over their destiny/legacy to some degree. What shocks me more is how the Oilers didn't seem to budge on, well, anything. He gets more than I thought he'd land at $14MM annually, especially this early in the process. He also gets a slightly front-loaded structure with over 90% of the total compensation paid out via signing bonuses, making it buyout-proof for Edmonton if things turn sour in the last few years.

2:17

TLDR, I wouldn't hang my hat on the NMC, but I would raise an eyebrow at some other things about this deal and how quickly Bowman was willing to dole them out. But there is something to be said for getting this done before camp and not having it hang over Draisaitl or the team's heads in a Cup-or-bust season.

Minny duo

2:17

Do you think it would be mutually advantageous for Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel to turn pro together after their sophomore seasons (assuming no significant development or injury issues) and move through the Chicago system together ?

Josh Erickson

2:19

I don't, no. I get quite a lot of viewings of them as I'm Minneapolis-based. Rinzel fared better than I thought he would in his freshman year, but it's important not to lose sight of the fact that he's a project. His first-round billing has everything to do with his ceiling and nothing to do with his floor. I think either player turning pro after this season is unlikely, but I could see it with Moore. I can't with Rinzel, and I think it would be best for everyone if he takes a full four years in college.

Connor

2:19

Bruins expectations this year?

Josh Erickson

2:21

It all depends on the Swayman situation. If he holds out into the regular season, I think they're toast. There's an expensive question mark at 1C with Lindholm. There's questions about Marchand's health (and, let's be real, he's 36). Pastrnak is as bonafide of a superstar as you'll get, and I love what Coyle and Zacha have done, but I think they're still a legitimate 2RW away from being able to comfortably produce what they need to offensively at the top of the lineup to cover up any other flaws.

2:22

I still like that defense, although there's still a question there of how well Zadorov fares in likely top-four usage after being a third-pairing fixture his whole career. That's a lot of pressure. I think Swayman is a big enough band-aid to still keep them squarely in the playoffs despite all that, but if he's out for any stretch, that's a significant concern.

Turcotte

2:22

Do you think LA's Turcotte is an NHL er or is he a failed top 5 prospect ? Is he available like Kaliyev ?

Josh Erickson

2:24

I mean, he's not gonna give fifth-overall value down the line at this stage, no. And I'm not sure I can even comment on if he'll be a useful NHLer because he averaged under 10 minutes per game last season. Not sure how anyone is supposed to extrapolate a legitimate evaluation of his game against NHL talent with fewer than 200 total minutes of play last year.

2:25

But last year was a big breakthrough for him in Ontario. I would like to see them give him Dubois' 3C vacancy out of the gate. If he really falters, I don't think it'll tank his already mediocre trade value by too much. But right now, it's Schrodinger's Turcotte. Gotta at least see what you have in him before moving him.

2:26

I certainly haven't heard his name in conversations like Kaliyev.

HockeyBoz

2:26

With the slow go on the Raymond / Seider extensions, do you foresee a possible BIG trade coming ? Seider i would assume no, but maybe Raymond. Thoughts or rumors ??

Josh Erickson

2:27

It's Steve Yzerman we're dealing with, so the likelihood of hearing anything legitimate before a sign (or trade) happens is pretty low. I think negotiations are probably turning a bit contentious, seeing as they're not done by now. But I don't get the sense we're close to a move from what's been reported.

Ello Mate

2:28

If Crosby doesn't sign an extension soon what teams do you believe would make a good fit for a potential trade? Crosby to the Avs?

Josh Erickson

2:31

Anything involving Crosby trade talks remains a pure hypothetical. But even in that case, I can't see Colorado being the destination, as much as I think a lot of people (including myself) would love to see it. They have no financial flexibility as things stand, and it's far too traditional of a front office to make the tough decisions that would need to be made to get him in there. And would those decisions even be worth it for a 37-year-old, even one as good as Crosby?

2:32

When Vegas does it, it's almost always for sub-30-year-old talent. Use your development resources to acquire ready-baked talent, and ditch the declining assets to get fresher names in the door. It's cutthroat and unique, but it's certainly proven effective for them thus far. But that's also why I don't see Vegas as a hypothetical destination for him, either. He's just too old.

2:33

Dallas or Detroit, though... I could see.

Jeff

2:33

Is there any buzz around Lucic now that teams see a need for protection?

Josh Erickson

2:34

He's training for a return, and there was a report (I believe from Frank Seravalli) earlier this summer that he wants to continue his career. But I haven't heard anything about that interest being reciprocated by any team.

Robrob

2:34

Who’s the most likely player to get traded before the season starts. If anybody

Josh Erickson

2:36

Kaliyev. It seems the winds in Toronto are blowing toward Treliving and company forcing Robertson's hand there. They're not inclined to honor his request, at least before training camp.

Robrob

2:37

Does Riley Heidt make the initial roster for the Wild?

Josh Erickson

2:39

I could see a nine-game trial, pushing Lauko to the press box to start the year. But him sticking would be a surprise. I'd like to see him get just a bit more involved physically in juniors.

Robrob

2:39

Give me you season breakdown on games in goal for the Wild Gustavsson? Fleury? Wallstedt?

Josh Erickson

2:40

35 for Gustavsson and ~25 each for Fleury and Wallstedt. They'll be playing roster gymnastics all year if they don't move Gus.

Darrell73

2:40

What do you think of draisatils extension do you think he could have got a max contract if he would have went to free agency and do you think Edmonton is now a prime destination for players

Josh Erickson

2:42

Assuming the cap does hit $92MM in 2025-26, a maximum contract would have been an $18.4MM AAV (20% of the cap). While he may have outpaced a $14MM AAV, there's simply no way he'd become the league's highest-paid player by a margin of more than $5MM per season.

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