The 2025-26 NHL regular season is now underway. As is often the case, we saw a flurry of extensions before the season started, plus one more early on in the year while there has been some interesting action early on. With that in mind, it’s a good time to once again open up the mailbag.
Our last call for questions yielded enough questions for a pair of mailbags. Topics in the first included one of the early CBA changes regarding paper transactions, getting out the crystal ball when it comes to non-playoff teams, and the Hughes brothers. Meanwhile, included in the second column were thoughts on what’s next for the Flyers, what type of impact Jonathan Toews could have with Winnipeg this season, and why we don’t see a lot of prominent players signing short-term contracts compared to other leagues.
You can submit a question by using #PHRMailbag on Twitter/X or by leaving a comment down below. The mailbag will run this weekend.
Thanks again for putting these together! The last 6 cup winners have had depth in common, running out four lines that grind down opponents. I know bottom sixes are deployed differently (and also are more easily shuffled–though the best bottom sixes have chemistry and identity), but they’re usually a combo of grit and timely tertiary scoring. In your view, who has the most effective 3rd line in the league to start 2025? What’s the worst 3rd line on a supposed contender? Would you say Taylor Hall’s 4th line is the best? Who has the weakest 4th line?
What do you think the biggest surprises have been over the first week or two? Perhaps a positive and a negative
Any rumors of Erik Karlsson to the Wings? Or are the summer rumors dead?