With the second round of the NHL playoffs set to conclude tonight, more and more fanbases are re-focusing onto their team’s offseason work, while a lucky four markets will have the chance to see their teams remain in contention for a Stanley Cup.
Keeping that in mind, it’s time for another edition of the #PHRMailbag as many teams’ trajectories have either become a bit clearer with the second round behind us, or, in some markets, far murkier after another playoff disappointment.
Our last mailbag featured topics such as the upcoming Vegas Golden Knights offseason, second-line center options for the Detroit Red Wings, offseason offer-sheet possibilities, the futures of Alexis Lafreniere and Jeremy Swayman, and more.
You can submit a question by using #PHRMailbag on Twitter or by leaving a comment down below.
What do the Devils do at the goalie position this summer? Obviously Bernier retires, Blackwood isnt qualified, do we run a Vanacek/Schmid platoon or trade Vanacek for someone like Saros or Hellebuyck?
In what parallel universe does ANYONE trade Saros or Hellebuyck for Vitek Vaneček…?
I am pretty sure that the question is not about a direct trade goalie for goalie but rather about replacing Vanecek with one of these
Vanacek would be included in the trade, not a 1 for 1 kinda thing thats just insane
Do the Jets get rid of trio of Dubois, Scheifele, and Wheeler and retool the team?
Which players will be available for trade during the off-season that the red wings could look to acquire to put some more pucks in the net?
What players if any could be considered busts in the upcoming draft? And could any teams trade up for a higher pick by moving reasonable assets?
As the Sabres approach the NHL Draft do you think they will address the goaltending position via a trade/free agent to ensure that D. Levi has a veteran partner and mentor? I believe the Sabres need to acquire a solid veteran defenseman to bolster the young defense. Thoughts?
Been wondering about Shane Wright’s next few seasons. Would a trade scenario be unconscionable? If not, what is his value like? Who would be a good fit and why?
Not sure how I got to thinking SW is a left shot, but apparently he isn’t. Trading him seems less strategic with that new info, but if you want to speculate anyway, I’ll be interested. Ah!
Could Ryan O’Reilly be a realistic top 6C option for Detroit on a short 2-3 year deal?
If they could get him for cheaply enough, that’s plenty realistic: a guy like O’Reilly has much to teach a young team.
Edmonton? what do they do this offseason.
What’s the long-term plan for the Phoenix Coyotes and Columbus Blue Jackets?
Phoenix has become a dumping ground for bad contracts, and they trade away every quality asset they develop. They’re playing in an OHL-sized arena and icing a team that has no chance of competing. Are they build to serve other teams? I don’t see the goal here.
Columbus has flirted with the playoffs and hosted some genuine star talent at points, but they seem to be cursed with injuries and mediocre depth/prospects. Does Columbus ever pull it all together and reliably compete, or do they simply continue to exist in perpetual suffering?
Kinda easy to answer for Phoenix, after last night: the long-term path is “Rebuild in the new city, after Meruelo sells the team out of market, to the accompaniment of Bettman snarling and gnashing his teeth.”
I wrote this before I even knew there was a vote. For some reason I thought the arena was already a done deal. Even IF the Yotes rebuild in Hamilton… Where do they go from here?
What do you make of the Flyers’ new front office approach? I personally think Briere and Jones will do a good job helping rebuild the Flyers brand, but what are the chances of power struggles between the FO and Tortorella with this setup?
What youngsters make the Wild opening day roster next year and what kind of impact do you think they can make? To piggyback on a comment, what is the role of a poho? More focused on the on ice product or business side? Thanks as always
With the talent in this years draft, I don’t see the possibility of the Hawks trading up far from 19. Maybe a couple of spaces even with 4 2nd rounders and 2 3rd rounders. How far do you think they can realistically move up? Obviously they’re not trading Bedard, But I’m sure they would love to move up from 19. Barring that, Who are some guys they could use those picks to trade for players already in the NHL, That they might like?
Sabres question: It is obvious V. Olofsson will be on the trading block. His upside is 25-30 potential goals. His downside is business decisions heading into corners, that being said can he be moved for a R-Shot D-man or just a draft pick or two? What would the value be?
What can the Sabres get in value for Victor Olofsson? Right shot Defenseman or draft picks? What’s his value in a trade?
I’m hearing serious rumors about Drew Bannister moving up from the Springfield Thunderbirds to an assistant spot behind the Blues bench. If that happens, who do you think gets a shot at the T Birds HC position? Daniel Tkaczuk or Jordan Smith?
1) If you were the Bruins’ GM, how would you approach the future?
2) The Bruins long term core (3 or more years remaining) is Pasternak, Zacha, Coyle, McAvoy, Lindholm, Carlo. Is that good enough to rebuild around?
Where do you see the Senators going from here? Obviously, it seems as if their goal was to try and complete for the playoffs this season but they fell short. Do you think they run it back with this current team, try and retool, or something else? How do guys like DeBrincat or Chychrun fit into the mix? Who’s in net on opening night, is it Forsberg or Sogaard or someone else? When is their contending window?
Since the Predators became sellers at the deadline, and with a GM change coming, do you see them aiming for a rebuild/retool? Are they likely to try and move some more of their players this summer?
Rumors surround MN defense prospect Calen Addison. Are there any similar prospects (hopefully centers) out there who need a change of scenery and seem like a close value swaps?
Where will Connor Hellebuyck be playing next season?
Is there a possibility a team ends up convinvicing the Blackhawks to trade the 1st Overall Pick?, If so who would it be and what could a possible return be?
what the hell is going on with Jason Robertson? this is 2 years in a row he has disappeared in the playoffs.
If players have to be cleared to return from injury then why are their so many injury reveals by players after they are eliminated from the playoffs? Is a player or players really helping there teams odds of winning by playing injured? It just all seems like a Neanderthal approach. Perfect example. Gabriel Landeskog.
I’ve been a diehard hockey fan since I saw my 1st hockey game in 1992. I’ve never lived in 1 place long enough to ever like 1 team more than another. I just love the game & everything about it. It’s the greatest sport on earth by far & the playoffs are so intense that if you can’t enjoy them I can’t even respect you. That said, I’m done watching. It use to be the best team wins. Now it comes down to which team gets the benefit of the refs horrible calls. I understand that the game is played at an extremely high pace & human error is unavoidable. Bad calls happen & its just part of the game. But these officials get worse every year. The refs miss so many obvious calls yet they’re so quick to call the softest infraction. They cant even get the call right after reviewing it on their tablets for 10 minutes. Each linesman calls icing differently. The Department of Player Safety is so clueless its comical. It all blows my mind. The only consistency the officials display is their inconsistency. It’s truly pathetic.
Hockey is a sport with a culture like no other. These guys play through injuries that would send most people to the ER. The softest player in the NHL would still be the toughest player in the MLB, NBA or NLS. It’s just so sad that a sport as great as this is way too often decided by the flakes in zebra stripes.
I read everyone’s comments about how the refs or the league are against your team. But you’re wrong. The officials are so clueless I’m pretty sure they don’t even know which teams are on the ice. They’re not bias they’re useless!
So my question is….. am I wrong?