With the holiday break in the rearview mirror, it’s time for the next edition of Brian La Rose’s PHR Mailbag.
Last month’s edition ran in two parts. The first dealt with some potential cap dumps, some Central Division teams’ interest in defensemen on the trade market, and the playing future of Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog. The second covered the state of the Flyers’ rebuild, potential buy-low trade candidates for the Canadiens, and some of the best off-season pickups.
You can submit your questions in the comment section below or by using #PHRMailbag on X/Twitter.
Is a Jakob Chychrun extension with the Capitals going to happen?
Now there’s a player I’ve wanted in St Louis for several years.
He’s been amazing
It’s looking like the Broberg/Holloway offer sheets have worked out really well for the Blues. Do you foresee more GM’s taking a harder look at that option in the future? Thoughts on next year’s steals?
Great question. A list of speculative offer sheet targets would be interesting. Also interesting would be a list of teams best positioned to make said offers. The Flyers stand out – decent cap space, no pending RFAs in line for big raises, and have all their own picks in the upcoming draft. Sabres too.
Zegras, Mintyukov, Siderov, and a 2026 1st for Brady Tkachuk. Who says no?
Brady Tkachuk, I dare say.
I say so…Brady to St Louis
Need MORE Spengler Cup coverage!!! What have been the most significant signings of Spengler participants that weren’t on anyone’s radar? Who has benefitted the most from a good tournament showing?
Are good old full-scale rebuilds still a thing? It’s been a while since we’ve seen a team pull it off. Red Wings had multiple top 10 picks who should deliver by now, but they are still playing catch-up. Sabres had two firsts overall, and they are nowhere near playoff contention. Coyotes have been at or near the bottom for years, and they are a bubble team at the moment. The Devils are leading the Metro, but it’s already been more than 5 years since they drafted Jack Hughes, and they have been lucky to trade away their prospects at the right time since then. Do we need to be more patient with rebuilding teams? Is it the fault of the individual GMs? Or is tanking for high picks a strategy of the past?
You used a perfect example there of the devils. The oilers too. Chicago and San Jose are in the midst of coming out of their full tear downs and look promising. Pittsburgh did it best this 15 years. Evidence suggests it’s the only method that really works over a sustained period. TBL have been the exception to the rule – outstanding drafting. A full rebuild takes so long. Better part of 10 years before the high picks mature. It’s been 5 years of pain in SJS and will be another 3 yet.
As a Tampa fan, I’m wondering the type of combo Tampa will go for in the trade deadline. Tampa is a much improved team from last year (night & day, really). I feel Tampa may go for 1 or 2 forwards to add more additional depth to their middle/bottom six group like they did a few years ago with Brandon Hagel & Nick Paul (that’s worked out quite well). They have a pretty good defensive group overall & have some depth so I don’t know if adding a defensive piece is necessary. What do you think of the combo they’ll go with & who may the targets be?…
I feel one name for starters (if available) Jake Evans from Montreal has a number of qualities Tampa tends to aim for in a player & Tampa/Montreal have traded in the past.
Let me also add another name like Luke Kunin from San Jose. But there are other potential names that could be added.
Will Cuylle from New York is another candidate I should have mentioned too.
If Cuylle is available Drury will be getting a lot of calls. This guy would be a gem for any contender.
There has been no word specifically on Cuylle if he is or not available but based on reports, it seems he is available to teams as the vast majority on the Rangers roster is with the exceptions of Artemi Panarin, Igor Shesterkin, Vincent Trocheck & Mika Zibanejad.
Cuylle has come into his own & would be a real nice piece for any contender as he has a lot of good qualities in his game. That’s why I said TB should definitely be looking into his availability.
Any potential for a deal centered around David Pasternak for Brady Tkachuk?
OTT got pretty mad when Brooks made up the rumor of Brady to NYR and came out and said he is not available. I also can’t see them giving him up for a player 3.5 years older who seems to be declining a bit already. Would need to be a fairly significant add in I’d think.
It might be a bit early, but is it safe to throw Werenski’s name into the Norris conversation?
100%. It’s between him & Makar if the season ended today.
Do you think Panthers can extend both Ekblad and Bennett? Guess Bennett will earn a raise, while Ekblad might have a cut. What do you think about their next deals?
New year, new speculation. Looking into 2025, who are your top picks to regress completely out of the playoff picture, and who puts on the thrusters to sneak into a surprise playoff spot?
And endulge me – who finishes at league bottom?
What do you see as Hughes III ceiling in Norris voting this year? Could he crack the top 10?
Is there a trade or potential 2025 free agent the Flyers can pair with Michkov?
What’s the trade that puts the LA Kings into true Cup contention? Doughty coming back soon (Hopefully) should already be a boost.
I read somewhere that the Islanders are in murky water (obviously) but if they don’t make the playoffs this season, they could start to consider a complete rebuild & surprisingly, sell off top talents like Mathew Barzal, Noah Dobson, Ilya Sorokin, & such during the summer. Granted, Brock Nelson & Kyle Palmieri are being considered potential trade deadline candidates this season but is this an actual possibility top talents like Barzal, Dobson, Sorokin, & such could be up for grabs during the summer as these players would be some hot commodities among teams?
If you became the owner of the Sabres what would you do? I don’t remember a team being such an enigma. I can’t tell if they are a coaching change and a player away from being something exciting or if they need to blow things up yet again. What do you think?
Honestly, all Buffalo needs I think is above-average goaltending. They have a lot of talented skaters, but their goaltending has been in the bottom half of the league since Ryan Miller.
Can Columbus build on their spirited play at home in the first half of the season to challenge for a playoff spot?
Anything to report or update on the Hockey Canada sex scandal players?
What does a Marco Rossi extension look like?
Why are the Iowa Wild perpetually bad and has that had influence on prospects seemingly not reaching another level(thinking Hunt, Lambos, Jiricek)?
Realistically, what kind of return could the Red Wings expect for any of Compher; Tarasenko or Talbot? Detroit needs to make some room in their Cap and roster for ‘25-‘26.
Not being able to watch the games this year, I’m just curious is Soderblom that much better or is it just a mirage? After being able to watch the last 3 games I’m not exactly missing watching them anyway. It would be nice to get an opinion. I’d dare say right now Soderblom is the best G on the Hawks since Broiisoit can’t play. As bad as Soderblom was last year it’s hard to believe he is that much better. Thanks Josh, Happy New Year!
What realistic trade can the Wpg Jets make to aquire a top 4 D or #2 center? I mean players with NMC, NTC, will probably not wave to come to the first place overall Jets .
Kadri and andersson from calgary,
Not sure who they give up for that but would be huge if they could pull it off
How does the NHL get their Winter Classic magic back? Or has this event just ran its course?