The trade deadline is less than three weeks away, and the rumor cycle continues to ramp up. The Blue Jackets’ recent firing of GM Jarmo Kekäläinen means interim GM John Davidson will manage their deadline approach as a major seller. At the same time, an injury to Penguins winger Jake Guentzel may have taken one of the top potential rental options off the table.
With much more to come in the next few weeks, it’s time for more answers to your questions from our Brian La Rose in the #PHRMailbag. Our last edition ran in two parts during the All-Star break. Part one focused on the Kings’ struggles, Calder Trophy challengers, and some recent coaching changes, while Part Two discussed the Sabres’ crash-and-burn year, a potential deadline haul for Ducks forward Adam Henrique, and what the Red Wings could do with Patrick Kane.
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.
Unfortunately, Ryan Graves didn’t have the standout season everyone was hoping for in Pittsburgh. Any chance he will go back to the NJ Devils?
Less than zero. The D in NJD is set for years to come. Nemec is already better than Graves.
In NJ we liked Graves, Severson and even Miles Wood at times… but we all knew their warts and we all knew they all got hugely overpaid.
Will the PHR Mailbag ever get turned into a PHR Podcast ?
Never say never, I suppose, but at this point, that’s not in the plans.
Good. Me, I’m one of those fellows who likes to read words. I’m growling at how everything’s turning into podcasts now.
To keep the game moving, what do you think of icing and offside resulting in loss of possession by the offending team? The defending team then gets the puck behind their net and the offending team has to clear the offensive zone.
Thoughts on Doug Armstrong being a buyer or seller before the trade deadline? I don’t think he really has anything to offer that would be of interest to other teams. Scandella, Vrana and Kapanen could probably be had for a minimal return. I’m also not opposed to Perunovich or Saad being moved. Any type of minor league assets or reserve list players would be acceptable. I don’t think the Blues will make the playoffs this year, so maybe a few tweaks to increase the depth might be useful for next year.
I would not be surprised to see Buchnevich in play. Not sure the Blues want to give him a big contract in a year and a half. Might be worth it to see what they could get for him.
I’d be in at 5 mil for a 3 year contract for Buch.
What do you think Saros would cost? Both trade value and next contract. Which teams can feasibly afford both?
Good question. It would be quite the haul for Saros. Can’t see this team contending for the Cup by keeping him. The time to move him might be now.
Can Briere make a move that balances the playoff drive and rebuilding goals?
Anyone else besides Laughton, Walker, and Seeler likely or could be traded?
Save the draft picks and prospects and look forward to making a splash in the off-season with a signing [RFA Elias Pattersson]?
I think he’s actually tried to do both. Wheeler is likely gone and I think they finally trade Laughton too. Earlier in the year they really tried to get something done for Pinto. I think it has to really be the right guy to take a chance on for the right price. Drysdale was actually a great example of a guy they got even if it was a special situation.
Set of Deadline questions:
What teams do you expect to make a splash for bigger names versus teams who will focus on role players?
Who is the biggest name you expect to move?
Who is the biggest rumored name you suspect will stay put?
As always, thanks for your input!
Do the Jets really need to trade for a defenseman,,if so which one realisticly?
Tanev has to be out ,,, One of the flyers guys, maybe Dumba??
Marc-Andre Fleury was clobbered again on Tuesday night against Winnipeg and yet we keep hearing that a few likely playoff teams are showing interest, My question is who ? And why? Fleury is toast and he won’t make any team better in the playoffs!!!!
Thoughts on a Linus Ullmark for Dawson Mercer deal? It would benefit both teams, and it is possible Ullmark would waive his trade restriction for a short move down the road. This move would benefit both teams and NJ can certainly handle Ullmark’s contract.
Do you think the Red Wings use the deadline to add assets while also staying in the race? I’ve seen rumors of Perron being dealt to Edmonton which would allow Berggren to step in. A lateral move if you ask me, lineup wise, but could earn the red wings some decent assets. They also have a surplus on d and in net to deal from that wouldn’t necessarily hurt their playoff chances this year. What could some of these moves look like if they were to happen?
I’m just curious what you guys think if the Blackhawks end up with the worst record in the NHL and win the ping pong ball raffle again, Is Cellebrini the right pick for the Hawks? I mean if we can take Slaggert at his word and he signs with Chicago and Nazar comes after the College season is done is Cellebrini the best pick? We have Moore, Bedard, Nazar and Reichel for speed. Although Reichel is looking more and more like a bust here. I think he needs to go somewhere else to relax, He’s tight as a drum. As well as the Hawks young D has come along in the last couple of months if they get the pick who is it? Who best helps Bedard and Co. take the next step? Thanks guys, Looking forward to your answer.
Any chance the Caps change head coaches for next season? I can’t tell if it’s the roster underachieving on offense or Carbery’s coaching system?
Any chance Arizona would listen to offers on Clayton Keller? He has a full no trade that kicks in next year and Arizona still seems like there several years away and has tons of organization uncertainty. He’s already asked some questions about the team’s direction and the possibility of having a frustrated star player in a year of two with a full no trade wouldn’t be ideal. It would take a king’s ransom, but his value may never be higher prior to his no trade kicking in.
What do the rangers do before the deadline?trade for a center or defense?
IMO, 1RW is the priority for sure! Just extended Brodzinski – so presumably showing faith in him as 3C.
Any chance that Florida choose to trade Reinhart at the deadline, if they get a good package in return and feel they cant afford to extend him? Or Montour/Forsling?
Is there any way the Bruins can acquire Scott Laughton and would it be a good idea?
My vote would be No, and Hell No. Guy’s a bottom sixer having a poor season, and making about twice what the going rate; what’s he doing that offsets Geekie and Frederic outperforming him at lower cap hits? Meanwhile, the Bruins are projected to have about enough deadline cap space to get takeout at McDonalds, and need to go cash out/cash in for anyone. Given how bare the draft pick cupboard is, Boston really shouldn’t be making any sort of deals.
Have you been to McDonalds lately? Especially if you have it delivered and they increase the prices 25% plus the delivery. It can cost 30 bucks for a Happy Meal. Could kill the cap.
Thirty bucks for a delivered Happy Meal is God’s way of telling a person to get off his duff and cook some damn dinner.