It has been a busy last month or so around the hockey world. The 4 Nations Face-Off came and went with plenty of success while the trade deadline featured several swaps of note with some teams willing to significantly shake up their rosters. Now, the stretch run is upon us with several close battles shaping up for a playoff spot.
With all that in mind, it’s a good time to open up the mailbag once again. Our last call for questions yielded enough for three separate columns. The first focused primarily on the 4 Nations tournament as well as Kevyn Adams’ future as the GM in Buffalo. Among the topics in the second were offer sheets and plenty of trade deadline talk. Meanwhile, the third included a discussion on Chicago’s goaltending situation (which has since been simplified a bit), the old Tagging Rule, and more.
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.
Do the Bruins continue the (arguably long overdue) retool next year? It seems they need to find – at a minimum – a middle paring defender; middle six scoring depth; and wether Sacco is the right voice behind the bench. Sweeney has been very hit and miss with free agent signings… so naturally as a Bruins fan, I’m skeptical they will achieve what they want by the moves made this year. Your insight and opinions are always appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
What are some notable examples of players that have gone from so-so to nearly elite after being traded to the right team?
I feel like we’ve seen a few examples in recent years, but it’s always fun to think a 3rd liner from Pittsburgh could become a playoff-defining top-liner on, say, Calgary.
Chandler Stephenson
Would Burnzie fit on this list?
If the playoffs started today which teams are paper Tigers?
Is Levi an AHL lifer?
Is it true if you don’t use it. You lose it?
Your mind or your hoo hah?
What is your evaluation of Kyle Davidson? I think he’s done a fine job of acquiring talent while taking some shots at veterans to try and catch lightning in a bottle to maybe make the Playoffs. None of those contracts are bad enough to block anybody important. Moving off Jones and Mrazek was a stroke of genius IMO. This seems to be the year where some serious talent arrives at the end and they move up. Moore, Rinzel, Thompson should be here soon. However where he has been lacking is picking the right coach to blend the young and the old. If his next coach pick fails is he in trouble? I feel this is a crucial decision for him AND the team. Your thoughts? Thanks as always.
Curious to hear your thoughts on Chris Drury’s attempts to ‘retool’ the NYR roster. I think he certainly blew up the locker room chemistry, but obviously cleared some bad contracts that he inherited.
– do you see Kreider and maybe Mika (if he waives trade protection) moving out this summer? Seems to further prioritize cap at risk of further damage to the room? What kind of trade value do you see here – or is this an attach an asset to rid the contract?
– also thoughts on the D extensions, I feel Borgen has been better than expected, while Urho seems to maybe block some AHL prospects / Zac Jones. Is K’Andre going to see an extension as well? Perhaps price dependent?
Urho + Soucy**
Read that some Hawks fans want Bedard run out of town due to regression and some silly penalties recently. First, what are they thinking? And two, in the nonzero chance they think about moving him(0%), what would the return look like?
Now waiting for UncleMike’s response lol
OK I think you’re absolutely right. It’s not happening. Peoples expectations of a 19 year old never cease to amaze me. He has no coach or a scoring winger to play with. He’ll be fine. Think Chicago fans need to get a grip.
well the Caps wouldn’t mind getting Bedard like Strome if CHI is still in the biz of giving away talent :)
There are any number of Hall of Famers who had mediocre seasons at 19.
Any ideas on good LW UFA or trade targets for the devils this off-season? Much talk about C depth but outside Bratt LW scoring is just about non-existant…
Frost/Farabee trade. Woof.
I genuinely thought Frost was a breakout candidate. Boy was I wrong (as was Conroy).
Can a coach be fired in the middle of a game? Asking for Laviolette.
What are the realistic odds that the Blackhawks can get Kantserov to come over from Russia next year? Asking for whoever the Hawks hire for a coach next year.
Q I asked in the goalie trade market (or lack thereof)- Do teams ever try to poach AHL talent stuck behind NHL goalies that are set for awhile/unmovable contract. I know the Sharks got Askarov from the Predators but are there other examples. You note the goalie FA market is very weak so has to be creative trade? Anyone from KHL that could come over? Zac Fucale?
How worried should the Panthers be about a team throwing an offer sheet to Samoskevich? He has played really well this year, and the Panthers will be tight with the cap depending on whether they re-sign Ekblad and/or Bennett.
Your Steve Yzerman. You have Chiarot/Gustafsson/Holl under contract for next year at over $10M, and little chance of making the playoffs this season. You have let go Hronek/Walman/Maata/Gostisbehere.
Do you stay with what you got or do you try and unload a couple of contracts and work to to improve your defense for next season?
In your mind has Joel Hofer done enough to warrant a 2 year extension or has Colton Ellis overtaken him? If Hofer gets offer sheeted, does Armstrong take the draft pick?
In your opinion, how much job security does Burnette have with Nashville? Last season, multiple players hit new career highs. This season? well, everyone knows how this season has gone for multiple reasons.
Apart from GM Trotz being buddies with Andrew Brunette, can you see anyway that Bruno doesn’t get fired at the end of this season?