The NHL finally has some idea of how hockey will look if it returns this summer, and players are back on the ice today as facilities start to open for Phase 2. Front offices are preparing for the draft–whenever that will be–and a playoff that may include 24 of 31 teams.
With that in mind and the hockey world buzzing once again, 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 last mailbag, it was split into two parts that you can read here and here. In the first, Brian gives his thoughts on which of the extra playoff teams will be the biggest threat to go deep in the postseason tournament, while the second gives some insight into the financial situation of the league going forward.
The proposed NHL roster size of 28 players seems low to me. There could be a rash of injuries due to the long layoff. If a team carries 16 forwards on their 28-man roster and gets 5 forward injuries, they will be shorthanded. Will teams be allowed to keep a black aces squad practicing in another location in case they get overrun by injuries?
Who starts for the Rangers in goal? Are the Rangers the biggest sleeper in the whole postseason?
Who would you see as the biggest surprise in these playoffs ? After all, there is no momentum for anyone, all the teams are a little rusty and are starting a new season
Two questions in one here. Do you think the degree in which individual states have reopened their economies and allowed for social gatherings might be the determining factor as to where the games are played, and linked to that, could a limited number of fans in attendence be a possibilty?
Do you think compliance buyouts will happen?
Thanks!
I saw that my question was answered in a previous mailbag. Thank you!
Do you think an increased roster size could be made permanent and not just for this playoff tournament? The salary cap might not go up by much but rosters could be filled up with young players or veterans on cheap contracts allowing players to heal properly from injury
you would have to raise the cap to add more to a roster. I doubt players would go for it without a raise in the cap otherwise the avg player salary would decline. owners than as a result likely would not be in favour of it meant the cap going up simply to accomodate more players.
Hey Gav, I hope all’s well. What two teams do you believe will make for the most competitive and entertaining finals this year, as that’s exactly what the NHL needs now more than ever?
I have a few points I’d like to add to this.
The simple resumption of play allows for the ability to capitalize on the greed of MLB. But a finals as memorable as what I’m saying, can you imagine the boost the NHL will get
NASCAR needed the 1979 Daytona 500. For those unfamiliar with this story the national tv broadcast cut away from the ending for the 4pm NFL game. 1st and 2nd wrecked each other on the last lap and a corresponding 20 vs 20 brawl that’s worthy of a hockey fan occurred. And that sport gained so much exposure which led to higher paying sponsors which led to higher prize money per race. Think of what this could do to future salary cap figures.
Maybe the two teams in the finals can negotiate a line brawl before one of the games. No way, but we need something special this playoffs. Die hard Avs fan here rooting for something this memorable instead of my Avs. We’ll get em next year. What I’m saying is so much more imperative then my team winning.
Go into pretty much any bar and start chanting USA. Others will join in, it’ll sound like a European soccer match in unison. American’s needed that opening pitch strike George Bush threw at Yankee stadium reopening MLB following 9/11. We’re waiting to cheer like when the Pens fans gave Miller a louder ovation than Crosby following the 2010 Olympics.
Thank you,
Coach
Why did my dad leave me?
He went to the mall to get some stuff…he’ll be back…eventually…but, if he tries to filch your allowance out of your wallet, give him a good two-hander and tell him to get his butt back to the mall!
Luke, I am your father. :D
@Gbear – I can’t understand you through your CCM-COVID gear! ;)
@Mac – My Darth Vader goalie mask intimidates even McDavid and Matthews. :D
Isn’t it time Vegas got its LAS back?
They never lost it, LAS is the code for their airport. ;)
Does Seattle benefit or suffer from the recent world events impact on the NHL?
imo having $0 on the books with a potential cap squeeze incoming is a great position to be in
what do you see this year’s crop of FAs doing (especially the mid to high tier guys) with a presumed cap freeze or decline? do you think we see more 1-2 year deals as a result? also as a result of the playoffs not finishing till likely September/October, when do you think we see the start of Free Agency?
Detroit shocked most when they drafted Moritz Seider 6th overall, a possible reach. Opposite of that, Arthur Kaliyev was drafted at 33 overall. He went lower then most mocks had him going, a definite slide. Which two players do you see filing these roles in the upcoming draft?
Future question – so 20-21 will be delayed, most likely resulting in a mid-summer 2021 end, thereby pushing the draft/FA back again, and presumably the expansion draft. How do you think this will impact Seattle if the expansion draft isn’t until July or Aug, 2021 and you’re starting that October?
What do you think the 2 hub cities will be? In an ideal world, I think they’d like to have them in Vegas and Toronto. But with Canadian COVID regulations, it might need to be shifted to a US Eastern city. In that case, thinking either Columbus or Tampa.
For our dynasty league I have the misfortune of having the 4th pick. One through 3 are expected to be Lafreniere, Askarov (goalies are gold) and Byfield. Scoring cats for skaters are Goals (G), Assists (A), Points (P), Plus/Minus (+/-), Penalty Minutes (PIM), Powerplay Points (PPP), Shots on Goal (SOG), Hits (HIT). Trying to figure out which of the following would be best at 4th. Marco Rossi, Lucas Raymond, Tim Stutzle or Alexander Holtz. All of the top prospects from previous drafts were picked up. The only one that might be worth considering is Victor Soderstrom.