The end of March is upon us and playoff scenarios are starting to become more and more clear. Teams like the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs have a good idea what is coming in the postseason, and are trying to peak at the right moment. Meanwhile, the draft lottery is just around the corner and the Colorado Avalanche look like they’ll have the best odds despite currently sitting in a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Los Angeles Kings and Detroit Red Wings meanwhile hope they can jump up a few spots and land their choice of Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko.
With the regular season coming to an end, it’s time to run another mailbag. We’ll be answering as many questions as we can this weekend. You can submit your query by using #PHRMailbag on Twitter or by leaving a comment down below.
If you missed our last mailbag, it came out in two parts given all the questions. First Brian tackled the Columbus Blue Jackets aggressive trade deadline and gave his thoughts on the playoff format, before digging into the upcoming negotiations with Erik Karlsson, Alex Pietrangelo and Brayden Schenn while taking a shot at the next Edmonton Oilers GM hire.
What conference will the caps be in
does anybody in the east have a legit shot at beating the buzz saw that seems to be Tampa? I know it’s the playoffs/anything can happen and the track record of president’s trophy winners winning it all is spotty, but it’s hard to want to bet against them given everyone else in the east (or west it would seem). thanks in advance.
Is Kuhlman an adequate replacement for Kuraly? I saw he scored the other night after picking off a pass but that’s the only clip I’ve seen of him so far. Should I be worried about that line against Toronto come playoff time?
After Hughes and Kakko who are the next best prospects? How many goalie prospects could be drafted in the first round?
Are the Rangers a few big signings away in FA from being contenders again? Big signings I mean Karlsson and Panarin
How do you rate the jobs Quinn and Gorton have done for the rangers? Is Quinn good enough to be a nhl coach? and Gorton gets a lot of bad press off ranger fans but most of his trades and signings aren’t hurting the team either now or in future like previous gm’s did
Adam Fox is reported to be going back to Harvard for his senior year. He was the key to the Calgary/Carolina deal from the Canes side. Yes, we are deep on defense, but you can’t just lose a young stud like that. Think the Canes will try to sign him as a free agent?
Which team who struggles in the playoffs could you see making major changes this off season (outside of Columbus obviously)
Do you think between a poor 1st season and collapse in the 2nd half this season that Housely is shown the door?