It’s trade season. Jason Zucker, Jack Campbell and Kyle Clifford have already been dealt, but who is next to be sent packing by a rebuilding club? Which rentals will be most coveted at the deadline? Can anyone land another ticket in the Alexis Lafreniere lottery?
With those questions in mind, it’s time to run another mailbag. You can submit a question by using #PHRMailbag on Twitter or by leaving a comment down below. Make sure to get your questions in early and we’ll try to get through as many of them as possible when the mailbag runs on the weekend.
If you missed our first mailbag of 2020, it was split into two parts you can read here and here. In the first, Brian answered questions about the struggling Buffalo Sabres, why the Nashville Predators went after John Hynes as head coach, and how the Detroit Red Wings might navigate the trade deadline. Part two discussed the ongoing questions surrounding the New York Rangers, the league’s biggest disappointments, and took a quick look at the 2020 draft class.
how much stock do you (or anyone in a front office I guess) put in chemistry amongst players in/at the minors level transitioning to the pros? I ask, because, i watched MacKinnon and Drouin play together in Halifax (QMJHL). The year they won the memorial cup, they had Martin Frk on thier line (he seems to be doing ok for himself as part of the kings AHL squad – but languishing a little at sticking with NHL opportunities). Would the habs or avs (or any team that has players that have juniors chemistry) target a player like that as an inexpensive deadline pickup? or am I putting to much stock in such things? – thanks for your insight.
I don’t want to usurp anyone or try to answer you question, but wanted to say a) what a great Mooseheads season that was and b) The Habs did something like this when they reunited Dagenais and former Rouyn-Noranda Huskies Mike Ribeiro on a line with Michael Ryder. Dagenais had a career year.
thanks for the input! :)
Where does Kreider end up and what do the Rangers get for him? How about Georgiev?
With the expansion draft looming, one would have to think that teams need to be mindful of their assets versus their protection rights.
What does a team like Colorado do regarding a contract like Erik Johnson’s? He has a full NMC, but certainly the avalanche do not want to be forced to use a protection slot on him. Is a buyout a realistic option or do they have to try and convince him to waive the NMC? Of course they would have to take a minimal return, probably retain salary, etc, in a trade scenario.
Also, what other players fall in a similar category?
Are the Ranger Russian goalies exempt from the upcoming expansion draft?What is the criteria for exposure?
Shesterkin is exempt from the expansion draft, since he is a first or second year player
Just curious – why nothing on Bouwmeester? Or the postponed game? Seems important.
What’s the chances that Shea Weber is done for season/career? And what does Montreal do in response to either
he has an ankle sprain. he didn’t have his leg amuptated
Has age finally caught up with henrik lundqvist or is it David quinn/lindy ruffs defensive system which regularly gives up 40+ shots per night to blame for his dramatic decline over last 18 months? Can he rebound and help the rangers make playoffs next year or is he a back up goalie nowadays?
Do you think the flyers can move anyone, or at least accomplish bad contract swaps. Lots of things suggest Gostisbehere would be traded but I cannot imagine moving that contract would be that easy.
do you ever see players in the league eventually following basketball and NFL players in holding out for trades or new contracts if underpaid? players like MacKinnon and Pastrnak certainly deserve more but seems like hockey players just are content to ride out the bad contract.
pastrnak signed his contract extension willingly. he signed a slightly below market deal so they could sign/shore up elsewhere.
Red Wings trade AA to St Louis for a 2020 2nd round pick, 2021 1st, and a conditional 2023 2nd (1st rounder if Blues repeat as cup champions. Sound good?
I have read rumors that the Rangers are listening on Brady Skej, which makes sense. He is a big ticket item and hasn’t lived up to the hype. What are you hearing?