We’re now nearly a month into the 2022-23 regular season and things certainly haven’t gone as expected. The New Jersey Devils lead the Metropolitan Division while the Pittsburgh Penguins are on the league’s longest losing streak, the Vegas Golden Knights have received some of the best goaltending in the league from Logan Thompson and Adin Hill, and the Chicago Blackhawks have maintained some semblance of credibility with a 5-5-2 record despite admitting to a rebuild.
With that in mind, we’re well overdue for another edition of the PHR Mailbag.
Our preseason bag was broken into two pieces. In the first, our Brian La Rose broke down some of the specific details of professional tryouts and two-way contracts, and pointed out a few teams that seemed to be okay “running it back” instead of making significant changes in the offseason. In the second, he examined Matt Dumba’s future with the Minnesota Wild, predicted the St. Louis Blues as a team that would underachieve this year, and suggested how quickly Matthew Beniers could find relevance after his excellent late-season showing last year.
You can submit a question by using #PHRMailbag on Twitter or by leaving a comment down below. The mailbag will run on the weekend.
I know it’s early yet to talk trades, but what are odds Flyers try to move Risto and that terrible contract? He’s currently on the outs with Torts (but then on a daily basis someone always is) but I feel that even though he brings the physicality Torts wants, the defensive lapses are just too much to overcome. And, who would be more likely to move…Risto or JVR? I lean towards JVR, even though he has more value to the Flyers than Risto at this point. Between these contracts and the career threatening injuries, the immediate future seems bleak…hoping some of the younger kids in the AHL develop soon….
I kinda like this question, but it seems like there couldn’t possibly be a team that would be willing to take on Risto’s contract. Who possibly could and would? What would the price be? How many more days until Torts (I like the guy!) goes absolutely bananas in recognition of how tied his hands are? …But realistically, how does one manage that kind of situation where you have someone on a fresh and pretty hefty contract that feels like a sandbag in light of some pretty impressive winning momentum?
Personally, as a Caps fan, I wouldn’t mind seeing Washington picking him up, if they start a rebuild. A couple of draft picks as a sweetener. They only have Carlson signed beyond this year, with Fehervary as an RFA, so that makes 4 open blueline spots. Lucas Johansen for Ristolainen, 1st and 3rd
When can we expect the Bruins to hire a better PR department?
Could you see the Kings making a change from McLellan if their defensive, structural issues lead to a prolonged slump? The added offense is nice, but the breakdowns, turnovers, and various other miscues have cost them several games. System issues like that probably shouldn’t be happening now in year 4, especially since there are actual expectations for this team after last years’ playoff appearance. Are their any other potential coaching changes you could foresee that would be surprising yet plausible like that?
Will the Capitals do anything with their LTIR money?
Where is Bo Horvat going?
Where is Brossoit going?
Will the Sabers go after Kane?
I want Brossoit back with the Peg.
Only 22.5% of teams outside of a playoff position at American Thanksgiving make the playoffs. Washington may be outside looking in at that cutoff date, Peter Laviolette’s contract expires at the end of this season, and only Carlson is signed of their D corps, beyond this year. Are the Caps sellers at the deadline? Too early to speculate?
Coach Ruff has been seen as a stop-gap solution between now and the moment the Devils are ready for contention. The Devils had a strong start to the season and – perhaps even more importantly – have some impressing offensive and possession metrics. I guess that offensive uptick was exactly what they hoped for when they signed Ruff. Did this start to the season improve Ruff’s chances of staying at the helm long term? Or is he basically just accelerating time until his successor steps in?
Kings have given up the lost goals of any team what is wrong with them?
The kings have allowed the fewest goals of teams from their state. They haven’t allowed the most goals.
Should NHL Central Scouting investigate every player that could potentially be drafted or receive an offer of a college scholarship to determine if their background includes unsavory behavior at any point in their life? Shouldn’t the NHL specify the kind of things that would make an amateur player ineligible to play in their league and the things that wouldn’t necessarily eliminate them but would cast a shadow over their career and set limits on their contracts? Wouldn’t it also make sense to take steps to forbid attendance at games to spectators guilty of DWI and other anti-social behavior like domestic violence, bad checks and shop lifting?
Good grief, this is a sports league, not the enforcement arm of a police state.
I’m pretty sure he’s being sarcastic.
Off-season regrets: It is still early in the season but what move(s) (Free agent and/or trade) does a team(s) wish they could do over?
St.Louis and Chicago regrets not hanging on to Peron and Kubelik. They are making Detroit happy!
Oilers adding Campbell.
Nothing tops Marino to the Devils – bet Pit is regretting that one.
The Kraken have won seven (possibly eight) games in a row as of November 8th and I was wondering why have they kept winning?
They score more than their opponent, while allowing fewer goals. That’s how they win.
Sorry that’s five in a row not eight.
With the Wild in the midst of mediocrity, even with Kaprizov, what is the best course of action? Full rebuild, trade a few assets and see how the highly ranked prospects do or maintain status quo?
I’m sorry about asking two questions. Are there certain plateau numbers in the NHL that should get someone into the hockey hall of fame, say 500 goals and or 1,000 points?
For example in MLB if a hitter gets 3,000 hits and or 500 home runs there’s a decent chance they get in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Same with a pitcher getting 300 wins.
Thanks…..
Mm, that’s something of a fluid bit. I wrote an article for a hockey site back in 1999 seeking to predict which active players that year would be in the Hall of Fame in 2020. Leaving aside that a few of those were still playing this past year, point thresholds are generational. Fifty years ago today, Johnny Bucyk became just the seventh NHL player to hit 1000 points, and it was axiomatic that anyone netting a thousand was an immortal. Now, meh, nice career; nearly a hundred guys have done it.
One key marker that isn’t statistical is this: be a key player on multiple Cup winning teams. Bert Olmstead, Kevin Lowe, Bob Pulford, Gerry Cheevers, Dick Duff, there are a bunch of guys who fail the Bill James HOF test question: was this player ever, at any point in his career, regarded as the best at his position in the game.
What is the status of Ivan Fedotov; any news, progress, or development for joining the Flyers?
The Preds have for the most part looked like a well below average hockey team so far this season, how long of a rope do you think John Hynes has if this type of play continues?
P.S. After another dismal performance tonight in Colorado, Hynes end has to be near. His systems are garbage.
Oh almighty Translucent Orb, in the vain of a mock trial cross examination, here are some one-word-answer questions: Does UPL replace Craig Anderson next season? If so, does he become the #1, 1A or 2 goalie? Who has the brighter scoring future: Simon Nemec or Luke Hughes? Are Ivan Provorov’s days as a PP stalwart over? Who has the brighter scoring future: Quinton Byfield, Logan Cooley or Wyatt Johnston? I am finished with this witness, your Honor.
Is there any indication Anaheim might move Gibson? What sort of haul could they expect?
Gibson has 4+ years @ 6.4M per year left on his contract with a limited NTC on his contract and his numbers have declined significantly in recent years. I dont think they would get a “haul” for him.
It’s still early in the season…I usually wait till 20-23 games played to decide if a team needs to be blown up or not. With that being said, What are your thoughts on the Blues dumping players for draft picks? We’ve talked salary cap issues coming up in past conversations…the fact that Armstrong isn’t afraid to let a team favorite go…I think it was a big mistake to give Kyrou and Thomas those huge extensions. Might be time to make some significant moves. 6 mil for Binnington is ridiculous also.
Blues likely have to attach draft picks to get rid of most of the players they would want to shed.
As per Twitter, Connor McDavid was traded!!! It wasn’t real but what star player could be traded that has most of us saying… “I didn’t see that coming”?
Can you explain why players who crash the crease (inside the blue paint) without being pushed by a defender then make primary or significant contact with a goaltender’s head are not subject to supplemental discipline for illegal check to the head? See Vitek Vanacek injury vs Ottawa for specific reference. Thanks.