The upcoming holiday roster freeze is a built-in demarcation line as we cross into the second trimester of the regular season. Teams have a clearer picture of where they stand, leading some to make significant changes to their coaching staff while others invest more resources in exploring the trade market.
As we prepare to turn the calendar to 2024 and start hearing some pre-deadline trade rumors in earnest, it’s good timing for another edition of the PHR Mailbag. In part one of our last edition, our Brian La Rose examined how the Blue Jackets front office could navigate another disappointing season and potential moves for the Oilers. Part two investigated just what’s been going on with the Wild’s roller-coaster season and how the Flames can shift more responsibility to their incoming wave of young talent.
You can submit a question by using #PHRMailbag on Twitter/X or by leaving a comment down below. The mailbag will run on the weekend.
The Red Wings clearly need to address their goaltending and could probably use another solid d man or two. What are some options that Yzerman could reasonably explore to address those issues? It looks like Jonatan Berggren is available for trade, he could maybe be a key piece heading the other direction in a trade.
If Bergeron is your “key” piece going the other way, don’t hold your breath on the return! It’s going to be underwhelming
With the recent up tick of play by the Blues what do you see as their biggest need to shore up their team?
Is it just me or is there more players on or heading to I R then previously,,if yes why ?
What do the Flyers do? Even with their success this year should they be buyers considering they are still trying to rebuild? Do they stand pat? Even with their winning do they trade off pieces?
Can you do a team comparison of injuries? Most specifically games lost to top 6 forwards or top 2 d? Interested to see if anyone had been as unlucky as NJD…
Who is the answer in net for the Devils???
I have a weird question. In the history of the NHL has there ever been a goalie play on the PP? Whether it’s the backup goalie playing on the PP or the starting goalie playing on the PP while the backup plays net for the 2 minute PP. Things were different 100 years ago so I was curious.
Yes, it’s happened. Chuck Rayner of the Rangers frequently tried to score in the 1940s, and the Rangers used him on point on a few power plays in the late 40s. The rule about goalies crossing the red line was established in 1967.
Apparently he played for a full minute as a forward on the powerplay (in full goalie gear) as the Rangers tried to tie the game on a late PP. The Rangers were unorthodox for their time – they platooned Raynor with Sugar Jim Henry. Most teams didn’t have a backup goaltender. If the starter went down, then the trainer or equipment manager might strap on the pads. Glenn Hall played 502 straight games (552 including playoffs) and for almost all of the years, he had no backup.
Well, other than the house EBUG. Which the Bruins didn’t want to wait for, the day in 1960 where Jerry Toppazzini became the last position player in history to don the pads and sub for an injured goalie.
I wondered about that – do you know how often this happened before 1960? I would think quite a few NHLers back in the day played goal & switched before playing junior hockey. It seems the early 60s was when a backup goaltender became more common. When Hall’s back forced him to stop in 62-63, Denis DeJordy came in relief. That year he played 5 games in the NHL, and 67 for the Buffalo Bisons of the AHL. The following year it was 6 in the NHL; 1 for the St. Louis Braves. I didn’t know St. Louis had a CHL team.
Not as much as you think. There was a stigma against playing goal, and a measurable percentage of NHL goalies were the younger brothers forced into it. (One weird tale was that Bryan Trottier’s dog had few teeth, because lacking other options the gang made the dog sit in the goal mouth.)
As far as how often a position player went into net, that was a vanishingly rare thing. There was Lester Patrick’s famous stint, and I know that King Clancy took a turn in goal, but I’d have to look it up to see if there were more.
Heh, the St Louis Braves are actually responsible for the Blues existing. St Louis didn’t put in a bid for the 1967 expansion (observers expected Baltimore or Vancouver to get that sixth slot). Thing was that the Braves were Chicago’s farm team, and the Black Hawks owned the old St Louis arena and wanted shot of it. So they made their approval of expansion conditional on there being a St Louis franchise, and there you go.
I didn’t mean to turn this into a continuing conversation, but I’m learning a lot. Vancouver thought they were robbed in the ’67 expansion. I understood why Toronto & Montreal nixed their bid – they didn’t want to share Canadian TV revenues. I couldn’t see why Bill Wirtz was opposed. It makes sense now. By the time I got to St. Louis, the Checkerdome was gone, but I heard about it. A bit of dump when the Blues joined the NHL but it turned into a pretty good arena.
You’re right about goalies. We used to play street hockey with those orange balls that are supposed to be soft. We had a pup who was good in goal. You could label a shot for the top corner and then a flash of brown fur would knock it away.
Could the Bruins acquire Elias Lindholm in exchange for Hampus Lindholm and a Lindholm to be named later?
Flames are looking for young controllable NHL ready prospects in deals. Not likely your proposal interests Conroy unless a 1st or upper prospect is included.
Who could resist a Lindholm to be named later? If I were Allvin, I’d trade the Elias Pettersson playing for Vasteras and see if anyone notices they’re not getting the one on the Canucks. And no, I’m not trading Sebastian Aho for Sebastian Aho straight up.
1. Who do you think the Calder runners up will be?
2. It’s still early, but name your final 4 for this season.
3. Holiday dinner: what are you eating?
When did NHL officials stop calling games by the rule book and start calling games based on the score/situation? And why does the league think it’s okay that officials can now manipulate the outcome easily especially with the new revenue stream that is gambling?
Is Vancouver for real? I’m not a Canucks fan, but I’ve been impressed with their play. They are overdue for some success, as is Buffalo.
How can the oilers trade Campbell? With the cap going up is a buyout not feasible?
The Campbell deal is complicated. Oilers think they’re contenders, as did many going into the season. And many still think they can be. They still need another 1a or 1b goalie, depending if Skinner can become more reliable. Still need at least 1 top 4 D, Ceci needs to be dropped down a spot, and possibly need Bouchard to take on less defensive responsibilities. Then they probably need at least 1 more middle 6 winger if not 2.
Campbell isn’t their biggest issue, but his cap hit probably is. If they can move it, and what it costs them is HUGE. They’re not getting Saros, or any other potential #1, but if they can get Vjelmeka, or Allen, or someone else who can be a 1a/b without much injury risk/history they can play. they have 1sts, and future 2nds and a couple prospects. None prime.
If they’re willing to do something like Campbell, Brogerg, and a 1st they can get something competent, maybe not great. Return may be better with a bit of retention. But I doubt they get a great future G. And not sure if 1 G moves the needle enough.
Realistic returns for the Flames big 3 chips? I listen to Flames radio and follow a couple of their other sites and it seems all their fans are expecting close to, if not a 1st plus for each and all of them. They seem to value Lindolm as a 1C based off his 1 above average season 2 years ago with Gaudreau and Tkachuk on his wings. Every other year is closer to 65 points. Tanev is a great defender who often gets injured and if they hang on he could be hurt again. And Hanifin is good, but expiring… Are any really worth a 1st+ or is that wishful thinking?
A consistent 65 point scorer who plays an elite two-way game is sure worth plenty. How much do you figure that the Bruins could have gotten for Patrice Bergeron over the last few years, say?
Expiring or not, Hanifin would get a 1st at the trade deadline, so he should be able to bring in at least that much now. Tanev? Nah. He doesn’t bring any offense to the table, and as you say, he’s often hurt. Toss in that he’s well into his thirties, on an expiring deal, and carries a cap hit not many teams can absorb, and Calgary would do well to get a 2nd rounder for him … and might not get that much.
Tortorella for Coach of the Year! Has this team turned the corner enough to use some draft capital to add in an attempt for some playoff wins or hold the course in the rebuild since they have 2 First Round picks [Own & Florida] and 2 Second Round picks [Columbus & LA Kings] and Michkov, Gauthier, and Bonk in the system.
What additions do you see the Hawks making by the trade deadline? With Hall on LTIR and Tyler Johnson and Mrazek likely out the door that leaves the Hawks with a lot of Cap space money. They need more draft picks like I need hemorrhoids, But I would rather see them add some NHL ready talent to add to the pool. Nazar should be here 1 day after Michigan is out of the Frozen Four but most of the Hawks top talent is still a couple years away. Commesso might get some run after Mrazek is gone or if he gets hurt but I think some decent ready talent might be available. Thoughts? And no, Campbell is a hearty No Thanks.
Would the Hawks make a bid for Laine? Seems like CBJ would settle for a bit les to get his salary off the books and the Hawks have ample cap space.
That’s an intriguing thought. The Hawks definitely need someone who can put the puck in the net to play with Bedard. Plus he would help the PP immensely. Hawks biggest problem has been putting the puck in the net. Isn’t Laine only like 26? Why would they deal him? Seems more like a building block than trade bait IMO. Put me down as a yes.
Would Jay Woodcroft to the Senators be a possibility? Sounds like they aren’t going to hire a head coach until the off-season and have their eyes on John Gruden of the Marlies. I just don’t see hiring a guy that’s never coached an NHL game after the “DJ” experiment as an option with this team.
Looking at advanced stats and yadda yadda, which current “winning” team is most likely to fall off in the New Year? It’s sure been an experience watching Anaheim drop from near the top of the Pacific to the bottom of the league already!
Based on what you have seen this year, does Ovechkin ever pass Gretzky?
Does the flames recent success change the course of things? Do they still try to pony up $$ to keep this group? Is it the FAs that are contributing factors to the success or the kids? Is the success sustainable or should they continue on in rebuild mode anyway? Do we have to wait until the trade deadline to see where they are in the standings before any moves/signings materialize?