The playoffs are right around the corner and several spots are still up for grabs. Season-ending injuries are being announced daily, while top prospects are finally getting their first shot in the NHL. The contenders are fine-tuning while the rebuilders are mixing things up.
With that in mind, it’s time to run another edition of the PHR Mailbag. If you missed the last one, it was broken into two pieces. The first part dealt with trade deadline targets in the East Division, correctly suggesting that the Islanders would be looking at both Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac (and noting that the Devils would likely get more than a second-round pick back). The second looked at the future for Jaden Schwartz in St. Louis and examined the fit of Patrik Laine in Columbus.
You can submit a question by using #PHRMailbag on Twitter or by leaving a comment down below. The mailbag will run this weekend.
How is Pavel Gogolev doing and where is he playing right now? I really think this kid could be good and he went undrafted.. Am I the only one who believes in him?
With the exp draft coming who should the B’s protect we know the big 3 and Coyle (nmc) they should trade DeBrusk should’ve last season when he had value the 3 D are Carlo McAvoy and Grez (imo they should look to move him as well long list of injuries) but goalie not sure and not really worried about some of the other guys this season has showed me the need to blow up the bottom 9
What is the current status of Jonathan Toews?
Who (or what) will Seattle’s biggest acquisitions be?
Hi Gavin, if you were in Joe Sakic’s shoes, what would you do with goalie regarding the expansion draft? Dubnyk and Gruby are UFA after the season, Johansson and Francousz are in their 2nd season and I believe that means they are exempt.
Where does Taylor Hall fail next season?
Oops, I meant fail. Fail.
Hmmm… if I type the word p l a y in the same post as Taylor Hall, it seems to autocorrect itself….
He’s played pretty well in Boston so far but he also has Krejci who happens to be a free agent in the offseason personally I think they both stay they’ll look to trade Smith or Coyle (less likely with his nmc) or anyone else not part of the big 5
Crystal Ball fortunes/rankings, please, for points & time frame for: Jarvis, Newhook, Krebs & Veleno; Kotkov, Denisenko, Kravtsov & Podkolzin; Valimaki & Fabbro – and GAA/time frame for Melnichuk, Vladar, Ingram, Larsson & Petruzzelli? Thank you in advance.
Is Waddell’s lack of a move at the deadline going to hurt the Canes? With Jesper Fast out last night they dressed 7 defensemen and the third and fourth lines weren’t anything great.
Why would Sakic go out & get 2 questionable backups instead of getting one solid one?
Whom are the biggest sleepers entering post season? Everyone expects big things from Tampa, Colorado, Vegas, and Toronto. Could a Minnesota, Edmonton, Montreal, or Florida surprise and make a run?
Do the Penguins have the goaltending tandem to make it to the big show or is the lack of experience going to be an Achilles heel?
Who are the Selke trophy candidates?
I ask as Draisaitl is looking good, but wonder about all of the variables in play. It feels like there are always the incumbents.
You mentioned in prior mailbags that the Devils lack an identity (which i sort of agree with you about) that being said name 3 free agents the Devs should go after this offseason to compliment the pieces that we do have and that start acquiring that identity
I’m in a 12 team dynasty league counting G, A, Pts, +/-, PIM, PPP, SOG and hits. Last year I joined as expansion team and attempting to build a contender. I’m on the bubble this year as to whether the following players well break out to meet potential ; Sam Steel, Dillon Dube, Jordan Kyrou, Sam Poulin and Cody Glass. Other than Poulin they’ve appeared to get some opportunity but have struggled to date. Any opinion on these is appreciated.