We’re at the time of year when the field of focus for NHL fans splits evenly into two, with some eagerly watching postseason hockey while others look ahead to next season. Keeping that in mind, it’s time for another edition of the #PHRMailbag as teams’ trajectories have become clearer with the regular season behind us.
Our last mailbag focused on the future in Philadelphia, potential roster decisions in Pittsburgh, and what might happen with Toronto management.
You can submit a question by using #PHRMailbag on Twitter or by leaving a comment down below. The mailbag will run on the weekend.
Do the Capitals look to shop Kuznetsov?
Who do you see as up and coming AHL coaches? Have you heard of any recent former players that want to make the jump to coaching?
What wizardry does the golden knights’ off-season have in store for us?
Any players you see that could get a serious offer sheet this summer and could the Predators be the team to make the offer?
Who will be this year’s John Druce: the guy who comes from nowhere to light it up and make a stab at the Smythe?
Do the Sabres move on from Okposso and Girgensons? What Defenseman would they potentially look to pursue in a trade or free agency to fill a top 4 spot? Is Dumba a fit?
Does new Preds GM Trotz keep John Hynes behind the bench or move on from him?
What are some 2nd line center options for Detroit heading into next season?
Larkin is the #2 Center. People must realize this. They need a #1 desperately. They have no goal scoring at all. Larkin is a very good checking center. He has hands of rocks and has no touch at all. Look at all his Shoot Out attempts. Pure Garbage. OK let’s here all the Wings slappies reply. It’s so comical. Listen I have been a Red Wings fan & season ticket holder for years. It doesn’t feel good to say this stuff. I think Stevie Y made a big mistake signing him.
I actually fully agree that he’s a second line center. I just assumed most people, especially Wings fans, thought he was a first line center lol. While I agree the team has no goal scoring, Larkin did score 32 goals this season. That’s not a number to scoff at. Also can’t be a point per game player in the NHL without any “touch.” He’s better than you’re giving him credit for, although I do agree with your initial argument.
I don’t watch many Red Wings games. So I won’t comment on whether he is a 1C or a 2C. But if you want to prove your point, simply list the 32 centers you think are better and let people decide how they feel about your list.
What are some second line center options for Detroit heading into next year?
2nd line center for Detroit?
Red Wings – who’s their #2 center and why?
Do you think trotz will try to move either ryan johanson or matt duchene this summer?
Any NHL Coaching spots opening up for Rand Pecknold after leading Quinnipiac to the National Championship?
Good morning,
The Rangers being in win-now mode, and the Canadiens being in a rebuilt, any chance at all that the Canadiens might be able to trade for Lafreniere? And if yes, would a 1st & A prospect enough to get the deal done?
Thank you,
Paying as much as a 1st rounder for Lafreniere would be nuts. The guy’s a solid 3rd line player at this point, and he’s done nothing to show he’s likely to deliver more.
Leaving aside the value of Lafreniere, why would a win-now team trade a useful piece for futures, and why would a rebuilding team trade away top prospects/picks?
On the latter count, I expect the issue is simply that Montreal has just a bare handful of Quebecois on the roster. What, after all, does Lafreniere do for a team that any number of UFAs — who require surrendering no assets beyond $ — don’t?
Although on the other hand, Lafreniere can probably be had for cheap. The Rangers are screwed next season: only fourteen guys under contract, and only $12 MM cap space available.
I don’t think they are as screwed as many are saying. The KK and Lindgren deals will be used as comparables to get Laffy and Miller to sign (but with a bit added to each respective deal). The 6th will be either a rookie (Robertson) or a low cost vet (think Marc Staal type). The two rental wings will likely be replaced by rookies (2 out of Othmann/Cuyllie/Sykora) or Vesey and Goodrow play up with low cost guys getting signed for the 4th line. In that case, the rookies become the “deadline acquisitions,” promoted after some AHL seasoning. The get a backup G for $1MM or less (probably offer to Halak). And carry 22 players most of the year. Leaves them with around $1MM of cap space. Not ideal, but that was how they started this year. If they need to deal anyone for space, it will be Goodrow
If he’s too expensive to resign, what can the Bruins get for Jeremy Swayman in the off-season?
Ugh. Hate to lose Swayman, but yeah, there’s not going to be much space, and given the dearth of goaltending leaguewide, my answer to the question would be “Quite a bloody lot.”
Is there a rational explanation for the Leafs’ playoff successes?
Are there any rumors of Rand Pecknold moving on from Quinnipiac to a NHL Coaching position?
You already asked that.
Your Mom wanted to know too
Switching gears from the Crystal Ball this time: I’m wondering if you (or any reader) knows of a Web site or 2 where one can “build” their own fantasy hockey keeper league scoring mechanism (only need goals/assists/GA stats)? Thanks in advance.
Like fantrax or officepools?
Wreckage: Not sure really. We’ve decided to step into the 80’s and attempt to set up a Web-based SCORING system, while we still use some of the 1950’s ways of drafting/trading – so we’d need to find a site that we could input 12 teams’ rosters; change them a few times/season and then be able to input our game schedules, etc.
Ringing any bells?
Hello, what do you think the Coyotes are gonna be doing during the off-season? Are they going to trade for players with bad contracts? Like Mike Reilly, Josh Bailey, is there anyone else you can think of? Or do they just focus on resigning their players? Thank you and have a great day!!!