The Vegas Golden Knights ended the playoffs on Tuesday with a 9-3 win over Florida, giving them their first Stanley Cup in their short franchise history.
With the offseason now officially underway, it’s time for a final edition of the #PHRMailbag before the draft and free agency begin. Teams are already gearing up to participate in the trade market, and the news cycle is getting busier each day.
Our last mailbag covered what the Detroit Red Wings could do to push themselves over the hump next season, how the Edmonton Oilers move forward from here, and the Central Division trade market.
You can submit a question by using #PHRMailbag on Twitter or by leaving a comment down below.
jchancel
Given the ny rangers cap issues, what are the alternatives? Give up goodrow, mikkola, motte. Keeping one of kane or tarasenko?
Promote othmann and cullye? Does that alleviate some of the problem?
NSco1996
Do you think the NHL will address the LTIR/No Salary Cap loophole to add better quality/more expensive depth at the deadline for the future playoffs? as a Blackhawks fan it more notably seemed to have Started with the Blackhawks in 2015 with Kane, 2021 Kucherov and Stamkos, 2023 Mark Stone, all 3 teams added good quality depth that they otherwise couldn’t afford with their high price star not counting against the cap
Gmm8811
Just wondering what the latest news is on the Hockey Canada investigation into the alleged 2018 sexual assault is and where the investigation stands? Has the NHL become involved? Thoughts on ramifications if accusations are proven true?
Black Ace57
My question too is if there is a lot of trade talk/activity around players who were on that team is that any indication that they have been cleared or there is an idea behind the scenes they will be?
brodie-bruce
@gmm8811
Even though we should hear about what happened in 18 we probably won’t, not that we shouldn’t but there are a few factors that help in the case of “everyone forgetting about it”. First the biggest one it’s past it’s “24 hr cycle” and something just as bad caught our attention (if you follow mlb at all Trevor bauer seems to keep himself in the 24 cycle). 2nd and this is all conjecture on my part (and being cynical) but I’m sure both chi and the nhl want this to go away, they started damage control by getting rid of everyone but the owners. Here is where my cynical side comes in I’m sure right now as I type this chi and the victims representatives are exchanging figures and there going to hit a number that will make everyone happy and we will never hear of this again. Now if all the victims or just one of them (I can’t remember how many I just know the stories focused on 1 guy) wants to be the martyr and possibly forgo life changing money to prove a point and make us take a real look on what’s going on then that guy has my full support. Sadly support doesn’t pay the bills and when you see figures that set you up for life in front of you not the “would you do this crazy stuff for x dollars”, but after all the fees this is your cut all you gotta do is sign this nda, and I can understand that because if it was me I’m taking that cash.
wreckage
This is about the Hockey Camada world Jr team gang raping a girl after a Hockey Canada event and then using tax dollars to cover it up, not the Kyle Beach thing.
brodie-bruce
My bad I mis-read the post and got wires crossed in my head, let’s say my theory of people getting paid the people that were damaged need to be “made whole” and get paid, that aside if tax money is being used to cover up and then pay out to keep it covered is different, that needs to be public knowledge even if the majority doesn’t care, that’s our money being used to mask a problem not fix it. Also those involved in trying to cover this up should be held to the strictest punishment and here’s why. These individuals in charge of tax payer money did what “dirty cops” do, break the law full well knowing what there doing is wrong and do it anyways, I’m sorry but people in that position need to be held to a higher standard, and if you don’t like it don’t take the job
wreckage
No worries Brodie, I knew you were confusing stories. The Kyle Beach situation is pretty much settled I believe. The TC situation has been kept quiet. It is something that should be publicly finalized and reported. But for one reason or another will quietly be dealt with unfortunately. Here’s hoping all findings are released to the public soon enough.
Unclemike1526
Wreckage- Yeah the Kyle Beach thing is settled. For everybody except Kyle Beach that is. The Hawks hope someday everybody will forget it which is why they tried to cover it up in the first place. They’re my team, But it doesn’t mean they aren’t responsible. Getting rid of all of them isn’t the answer. Running towards it not away from it is the answer.
User 318310488
Why do GMs continue to be there own worst enemy when it comes to a player’s worth? The latest example would potentially be Tyler Bertuzzi who reportedly is looking for term and 7 million a season, His resume thus far tells me he would be 3 at 3 at best, Anything after that is just plane dumb!!!!! Don Waddell recently stated he’s not against bringing back Pacioretty, Just ridiculous. What kind of bad money will they thrown at Toews and Kane?
joebad34
Who are the next potential goalies coming into this years draft that may be targeted as a future starters?
joebad34
Is the NHL serious about Expansion, and are KC, Houston, Quebec, Denver and Atlanta potential sites for teams or are they pipe dreams?
Gmm8811
That was going to be one of my questions…I was going to speculate about Kansan City, Quebec, Houston, Portland Oregon, Saskatoon, Oklahoma(Tulsa, Oklahoma City), Hamilton, New Orleans,
rdiddy75
Bring the Houston Aeros or the Kansas City Scouts into the NHL. I would prefer the Nordiques but I know that’s not gonna happen.
M34
The avalanche play in downtown Denver. How does denver make your list?
joebad34
Error on my part. Just a dah moment!
M34
It happens
Black Ace57
I think that Salt Lake City should be added to this list since Ryan Smith seems hellbent on bringing a hockey team there.
Unclemike1526
The Blackhawks have Mrazek and Soderblom-Stauber for this year. We’re stuck with Mrazek. So Commesso, and Maybe Basse in the system. I think the Hawks should draft Hrabal, However they need to. I saw one mock draft saying the Hawks would draft Trey Augustine in the second round. What is your opinion of Hrabal and Augustine? I think the Hawks stay put at 1 and 19. Then they take their high second round pick and package it with a player or more picks to get back into the late 1st round and take Hrabal or if he’s gone Gauthier. I think that would be a great scenario for the Hawks. I think you can never have enough good Goalies. Thoughts?
random comment guy
I would like to piggy back of this, with the Hawks needing to reach the cap floor (roughly $16M or so), what teams will be calling to get high salary players of their roster? I assume the Hawks will want 1-2 year contracts as it will fit their timeline. Also, do you feel that the return should be more draft picks or prospects/players?
Emoney123
Petersen making 5m as a backup to Hart 3m? 2 #1 picks this year and next with Gauthier, Brink, Foerster hopefully coming up and a relatively young roster, are brighter days right around the corner? Flyers back in the Playoffs next season!
User 318310488
Latest news on Alex Formenton, Is he going to be in the NHL this season, Is Ottawa going to sign him.
rdiddy75
I forgot about him. Maybe the Sens trade his rights.
dano62
Who are the next players after Dubois to flex their impending UFA status to force a trade? Do you see Pettersson as doing that during this season (he’s an RFA after 2024, UFA after 2025)
aka.nda
So, what’s the current status of throwing rats and water bottles onto the ice, rules-wise? I kinda dig the rats after the game or maybe on an actual hat trick, but isn’t it “banned” during the game? I agree with Eddie about the water bottles.
Red Wings
Panthers should have some cap space this summer. If they add one piece, should they target Bertuzzi or Orlov?
FearTheWilson
Orlov
User 318310488
Orlov.
Gbear
If the Preds are going in a rebuild phase, doesn’t it make sense to move Josi? He’ll be on the downside of his career once the team becomes above average again, so why waste his prime years in a rebuild when you could get a huge return for him now?
User 318310488
They have 4 or 5 veteran assets that they could move for value, Johansen, Duchene, Sissons, Josi, Saros. I don’t think there rebuild will be long and painful like Chicago.
Gbear
Doubt anyone is taking Duchene or Johansen off their hands though.
M34
Waaaay too early predictions.
2 or 3 teams from each conferences playoff picture, that won’t make the playoffs next year.
And who takes their spots?
SkidRowe
What could the Bruins get for Linus Ullmark? A soon to be 30 yo Vezina trophy winner signed for 2 more years at a reasonable $5 million?
wreckage
a 4M goalie, a meh prospect and a above meh pick.
SkidRowe
I see you’re not an Ullmark fan. What would be the point of trading him then? He was the best goalie in the league. He’s not a salary dump. I would insist on two first round picks or a young top six center.
Unclemike1526
Ullmark simply played behind the best team in the league this year. Nothing else is relevant. Goalies rarely get drafted in the first round so to get 2 1sts for any Goalie would would be a complete fantasy. The main key in today’s NHL is to have more than 1 competent Goalie as opposed to 1 stud. Sure you’re hoping for the stud and guys like that don’t get traded. Usually.
Schwa
With speculation of Konecny being moved by Flyers, and it seeming they are willing to retain salary. Could you see the Rangers making an offer here / the teams working out an in division move? Konecny plays a scrappy two way game and is a solidified top 6 RW. Seems to fit Rangers need if he can be had for the right price. 1st and a prospect for Konecny with 30% retained by PHI? Thanks!
The Duke
Crystal Ball – Goaltenders Edition: Where do Gibson, Saros, UPL & Adin Hill play next season – and how successful will each be?
brodie-bruce
@the duke
Perhaps I’ll get a chance to look ahead and see
Soon as I find myself a crystal ball “ Dennis DeYoung”
aka.nda
Semi- related.. thinking about Logan Thompson.. // Brossoit.. Hill. What’s Vegas gonna do with their goalie situation?
User 318310488
Thompson starter, Hill backup if they resign, Brossoit minors, Lehner LTIR, Quick gone.
liljoe12
How can hill not be the starter next year
User 318310488
Thompson is better in fact I had him winning rookie of the year before his injury. Hill was darn good In the playoffs but It’s likely a case of catching lightning in a bottle.
jason830
Is Clayton Keller an option for the Blackhawks to trade for if he is available? Also would pick 19 plus some prospects entice the Coyotes to trade him.
mhaftman7
Who falls the furthest in the draft? Who is taken early?
PyramidHeadcrab
So what’s the deal with Sergei Bobrovsky? Every player has ups and downs, but this guy seems to swing wildly from Vezina caliber to 10 million dollar paper weight. Has any other goalie in NHL history been so wildly inconsistent? And what might you surmise the reasoning behind it is? Injury? Personality? Poor coaching?