JotCast | PHR Trade Deadline Live Chat: 3/7/25

PHR Trade Deadline Live Chat: 3/7/25

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Josh Erickson

6:46

Hello early birds! Hell of an evening as the lead-in. I'll start answering questions at the top of the hour and run until 8 a.m. Central.

6:58

I'll get started a couple of minutes early. I really just needed time to get coffee going

Mafiaso316

6:58

Does Little Ball of Hate get moved, and if so, to who?

Josh Erickson

7:01

It's really starting to look that way, isn't it? It's not something I thought was feasible two days ago, if you look at my chat logs from Wednesday, but things changed rapidly in Boston yesterday as they were getting a better sense of the market. The returns these guys are landing this year are insane – I'm not sure an injured Marchand gets you more than a healthy Nelson, but that type of return is absolutely worth pursuing for a Bruins pool in need of a major jumpstart. Watch for Winnipeg – they have the space and haven't really done anything yet. Would imagine Stars go heavy too if Rantanen doesn't get across the finish line.

Jeremy

7:01

Do you see the Devils going after more than 1 forward. Maybe O'Reilly and possibly Palmeri?

Josh Erickson

7:04

They'll have the flexibility to do so with Hughes on LTIR. It's a question of whether GM Tom Fitzgerald is willing to give up the assets. In the example you put, you've got one player with term in O'Reilly. I only see that happening if that's the case. They're not well-equipped enough to make two rental additions in this seller's market. They may have the assets to do it, but with their injuries, it's not wise to go that all-in without seeing any benefit in future seasons.

Eddie Mio

7:04

Anything left for the Rangers to do?

Josh Erickson

7:07

They're most interested in moving Kreider. With his struggles this season and the fact that he's on IR again as of today, I don't see it happening until the summer at the earliest. I think the likeliest scenario for today is that they're quiet. They've dumped all of their pending UFAs outside of Calvin de Haan, who I guess they could flip after acquiring him from the Avalanche in the Ryan Lindgren trade. The wild-card name to watch, of course, is K'Andre Miller. They've had so much turnover already on their blue line, though. I don't personally see it happening.

Tommy Hawk

7:07

Does Donato stay or go? If he goes, what do you think a realistic return is? If he stays, what do you think a reasonable extension would look like?

Josh Erickson

7:10

I understand the urge for Chicago to keep the good players they have, considering how this season has gone. Normally, at this stage of the rebuild, I'd advocate his value on an extension is greater than that of a rental trade return. Considering the seller's market this season, though, the Blackhawks have to try to land a first-round pick. They might get it. If they do, he should be out the door. If they don't land that, I think it's smarter to keep him and work out a deal to keep him in their top nine for the next few years. Shouldn't cost a ton – 3x3-3.5?

Cbj4life

7:11

What will the jackets do ?? Swing big for a top player ?? Or be conservative??

Josh Erickson

7:11

Coming straight out of Don Waddell's mouth, they'll be conservative. Don't expect movement today outside of adding a middle-six forward, preferably a winger with term.

Gr8 Chase

7:12

With both Washington goalies locked up for the next 3 years, does Clay Stevenson become an interesting trade chip if they decide to make a splash?

Josh Erickson

7:13

They could move him in a deal, sure, but he's not an interesting trade chip. A 26-year-old undrafted free agent with an .883 SV% in the AHL this season doesn't have meaningful trade value, especially not in this year's market.

Matt

7:13

What do the devils do to make up for Hughes loss, big move or stay the course

Josh Erickson

7:15

I do wonder if Dylan Cozens makes sense for them, but with Buffalo wanting a similarly-touted NHL player in return (Dawson Mercer?), that doesn't help them a ton now. I guess if they believe Cozens is better cast down the middle than Mercer in Hughes' absence, then they might explore that, but I've never heard the Devils as having interest. Would be fun, but I really don't think that's happening. They will kick the tires on all the available centers – O'Reilly, Laughton, Donato, Schenn, etc. I think they get one, not multiple.

Cbj4life

7:17

Can we get a better goalie than Elvis

Josh Erickson

7:17

The only goalie available who I'd consider a legitimate upgrade is John Gibson, and I've never heard the Blue Jackets in those conversations. I really wouldn't expect a goalie move today.

Chris

7:17

Do you see Steve Yzerman making any serious moves?

Josh Erickson

7:19

I believe their priority remains to avoid the rental market. Despite their holes on the blue line, I haven't heard them connected to a ton of defensemen. Their interest leading into the deadline has lied mainly with acquiring a young center with term – think Cozens/Zegras type. They'll reengage on those efforts today. If they strike out, I'm not sure what they're willing to pay for a rental in this market with playoffs not a guarantee amid a tough schedule down the stretch.

Justin

7:19

Who else are the bruins trading today? Feel like it's time for Sweeney to rebuild and move Marchand, coyle, geekie, zacha, etc.

Josh Erickson

7:21

I really don't think Coyle gets moved. His stock is too low and his contract too steep with too much term remaining. Marchand and Geekie are the most likely of the group you mention. I would also throw Carlo out there. Jets are sniffing, I believe. Zacha is interesting, but I just haven't heard his name out there much besides that initial report from David Pagnotta on Tuesday.

Rickard Rakell

7:21

If I’m indeed traded today, where am I going and what is the return?

Josh Erickson

7:23

The Nelson deal is a decent blueprint. His stock isn't as high as Nelson – he's got a more inconsistent track record and isn't a center – but the contract helps his value since he's not a rental and would likely command more on the open market this summer. He's a right-shot. Look at the Kings. Might they be willing to do Liam Greentree and a first-round pick?

Kings also make sense because they're one of the few teams overstocked on goalie prospects.

based

7:24

Hey Josh, if the Stars add Rantanen are they YOUR pick to win the Cup?

Josh Erickson

7:26

I don't know why I haven't heard Dallas sniffing around on Brandon Carlo. There is something as too much of a good thing. They're fourth in the league in goals per game. They need a right-shot defenseman. If they don't do that today, even if they pick up Rantanen, I'd pick the Panthers to repeat.

nhl fan 76

7:26

any more unexpected names you wouldn’t be surprised to see moved today?

Josh Erickson

7:28

I wouldn't be surprised if with names coming off the market last night, teams start calling the Canucks on EP40 again. That relationship is starting to turn a bit toxic too. I wouldn't bet on him moving in the slightest, but I wouldn't be surprised if it happens.

Gary Bettman

7:28

Should I just not have games scheduled on Deadline Day? I know that it’s not exactly a fresh take.

Josh Erickson

7:29

Trade deadline day is super fun for fans, but it does very little in creating revenue for the league. Games do. For that reason, I don't think you'll ever see that happen.

Sharks

7:30

Where does Luke Kunin get traded to and what will the return be?

Josh Erickson

7:31

I wouldn't do it, but I think it takes a second-rounder in this market. I think he's going north of the border. We hear the Leafs a lot, but I think/hope they have their sights set on bigger targets. I think Jets and Senators are more likely to look to him to complement their bottom six.

7:32

I get the appeal, but he's just horrific defensively and has always graded out that way. I don't think he helps a team in the postseason.

nyr94

7:32

Who is Chris Kreider playing for by 3 PM?

Josh Erickson

7:32

The Rangers' injured list.

Deven G

7:36

Been quiet on the Penguins front since the Bunting deal. Is this just a case of the market waiting for Rantanen to move? I thought at least a little more would be dealt away off this current roster

Josh Erickson

7:37

Patience! There's still seven-plus hours until the deadline. More will be moved. But yeah, I don't think many Penguins assets are teams' first choices to fill a hole.

Nitro1978

7:37

With what appears to be a sellers market, can the Jackets get some middle six help without giving up a 1st round pick?

Josh Erickson

7:39

Yeah. I wonder about Matias Maccelli out of Utah. They're barely using him, just 8-10--18 in 52 games this year, but solid rebound potential. One year left at $3.425MM. Don't think he commands a first-rounder right now.

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