The halfway point of the season has come and gone but aside from a few teams, there hasn’t been a whole lot of separation in the standings as several squads are still within striking distance of a Wild Card spot. That’s likely going to have an impact on the trade front as we get closer to the February 25th trade deadline as teams decide whether to add a piece or two to try to sneak in or try to sell and help their draft lottery odds.
With that in mind, it’s time to run another mailbag to take your questions on the upcoming trade deadline and other goings-on around the NHL. I’ll be answering your queries this coming weekend. You can submit your question on Twitter by including #PHRMailbag or leave a comment down below.
If you need to catch up on our last mailbag which ran in mid-December, you can do so by clicking here. Topics included who the Blackhawks may be looking to sell, trade targets for Carolina, the situation in St. Louis, and much more.
With the recent rumors, do you think a deal could be made involving Wayne Simmonds and Cam Talbot with picks coming to Philly? (For the record, I view Talbot’s involvement as more of a salary dump than an asset).
What kind of trade deadline pickups do you expect from Vegas and what do you feel they need?
Am I crazy to think the Penguins should NOT make a trade? Chemistry seems great right now.
Jimmy Howard to San Jose for two 2’s. Nyquist to Boston for a 1 and 3. Jensen to Edmonton for a 2nd. What are the odds Ken Holland can pull this off?
With the Blues yet again within striking distance of a playoff spot, do they add a goalie to slot in either behind Jordan Binnington or add a starter to move binnington to a backup role?
They should definitely move Binnington to a backup role
What will the Rangers roster look like after the trade deadline?
And yes the penguins have excellent chemistry and Sidney Crosby works well with pretty much everyone one the team so why trade when you already have great chemistry?
What will the capitals do before the trade deadline
I think the same thing
How will Marcus Sorenson work with San Jose
do you see the recent Toronto slump resulting in an earlier move by Kyle Dubas?
What does Mackenzie Blackwood’s emergence mean for the New Jersey Devils going forward? Surely the Devils aren’t looking forward to paying Cory Schneider 6 million a season to be a back up or play in a time share situation. What happens? Do kinkaid or Schneider have any trade value this season?
If you were in charge of the Oilers and your job wasn’t in jeopardy, what moves would you make to turn the team into a legitimate contender (either now or in the future)?
thoughts on Brian Burke’s comments about how Nylander should be dealt this summer?
Nobody talks about the Flames but this team looks like it is a dangerous matchup for many teams I the west. What addition(s) do you see them making at the deadline?
With Vancouver now holding a playoff spot, and they seem to be in a spot to stay the course and rebuild, do you see benning getting a nudge by the aquillini family to make it into the playoffs, just for the sake of making it in?
I know don sweeney is preaching patience with the youngins, but at what point does the throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks (cassidy’s line juggling) become enough? I’m not blaming Cassidy, but at some point they have to find someone to play talisman for the second line no? and given their reluctance (rightfully so I think) to part with too many younger types or too much draft capital, what is – in your opinion – a reasonable/realistic option and what might it cost? schenn/symmonds seem ideal – tarasenko may be pie in the sky-ish?