The wait for hockey to return is just about over. While the regular season is still a few weeks away, training camps are now underway and preseason play will soon follow. With that in mind, it’s a good time to once again open up the mailbag.
Our last call for questions yielded enough for three separate columns. The first discussed the significant movement from CHL players to the NCAA, the now rapidly increasing salary cap, and August 15th free agents. Topics in the second included the Robertson brothers and the state of the Bruins heading into the season. Meanwhile, the third included talk about Toronto’s top six, my annual prediction for a breakout player, and potential playoff newcomers.
You can submit a question by using #PHRMailbag on Twitter/X or by leaving a comment down below. The mailbag will run this weekend.
I thought I saw somewhere that players that go on and clear waivers have to actually play at least 1 game with their AHL affiliate. Did I hear that correctly? Is that starting this year? Would you expand on that info please? Do you foresee any drawbacks to that? Looking forward to the new season. Drop The Puck already!!!
Hi! Thanks for doing these. Getting out the crystal ball: are there any teams you think will underperform this year? Who is a shocking team that we could see having problems and dropping out of the playoffs?
Caps
What would it take to get Kirill Kaprizov to be a Wing? Yes I realize the Wings are not a contender, but getting KK would be a big step towards the prize.
… for a guy who can choose his destination to want to go to an underperforming team in the mushy middle? Good luck with that.
Nothing because he isnt getting traded to anyone and was once again addressed today at the start of camp by BG
To piggyback off Johnny Z, what would realistic packages be for Kaprizov for any team in two scenarios: 1) Kaprizov doesn’t sign an extension.
2) He agrees to a sign and trade.
Who’s an under the radar pick to surprise in camp and force there way onto a roster – PTO, long time AHL, rookie??
What’s the next move for Briere? Collect 2026 draft picks; is there anyone on the roster worth a first round pick? Flyers hold 2 first round picks in 2027, The new arena is to open in 2030, will the team be winning by then?
You’re drafting a Dynasty Team and are looking for future scoring studs; you get 3 of these forwards + 2 D-men. GO!
Lysell, Nikishin, Savoie, Perrault, Snuggerud, Lekkerimaki, Turcotte, Howard, Parekh, Calem Ritchie, Brunicke & Levshunov.
Why are teams not more pro-active with expiring “super-star” contracts when they get NOTHING in return if deals don’t get done and the guy bails in FA?
They will never get true, or even fair, value if they move them out with a year or less to go and fanbases will beat on management relentlessly, almost regardless of the return, but that would seem to be a better business practice than running the risk of a no-return departure.
I know it’s not as simple as that but what am I missing?
Hypothetical question. Say the Blackhawks show a marked improvement this year and some of the young talent starts to shine. With a boatload of draft picks in a deep 26 draft, Name some FA’s or trade targets they could chase for 2026? I know big time FA’s probably won’t go to a declining team just like last year but with some improvement who should they be chasing? Thanks.
What type of impact will Toews have in wpg ?
Do you think it will be a one and done ?
Most UFAs are 29, and the good ones sign for 7 or 8 years, bringing them to their age 36 or 37 season, at which point, it’s exceedingly rare (Marchand notwithstanding) for a player to get much more than a 1 or 2 year deal. There’s a lot of smoke these days about players signing NBA-style 3 or 4 year deals on their UFA. Will that make any sense? It’ll be really interesting to see what happens with Panarin given that he’s had an unconventional career, having started so late, and he’s going to be a UFA at 34. Assuming he has a solid year this year, what do you think Panarin’s next deal looks like?
There’s a lot of talk about the Hughes brothers wanting to play together. How, then, does a team (Devils?) tightrope the salary cap while having a 12million Quinn, 8Million Jack, and 5million Luke all needing to be signed around the same time (Quinn expires in 2, Jack in 5, Luke maybe in 5)
Do you see either the Flyers or Predators making the playoffs?