The NHL has passed the halfway point of the season which means the trade deadline is less than two months away. In fact, with the Olympic break also carrying a trade freeze, we’re only a couple of weeks away from a soft deadline. With that in mind, it’s a good time to open up the mailbag once again.
Our last call for questions yielded enough queries for three columns. Topics in the first included a possible sleeper candidate to move before the trade deadline, discussing when the right time for Chicago to move Connor Murphy, and some standings predictions. Included in the second were thoughts on the Atlantic Division and the potential for Nazem Kadri and Jordan Binnington to be moved. Lastly, the third looked at possible trade candidates if the Kraken sell at the deadline, player development, and the worst contracts in the league, among other topics.
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.
I’m curious as to where the Artemi Panarin sweepstakes are at, and if the Kings are considered a frontrunner or possible landing spot here. Does Holland’s aggressive nature end up landing the Kings they’re much needed scorer, or will another team end up out bidding LA once again?
Hi Rangers fan here. A few things. First of all, if you were in the GMs shoes (which you would probably do a much better job than Chris Drury) what direction would you take from here as in what kind of moves would you make? Second of all, do you think that a retool is enough (like Drury says) to put this team back into contention or is he just sugarcoating a long rebuild? Thank you!
I think part of the reason it’s a retool is because of all the NMCs… but to piggyback here
Curious if you expect any of the NMCs under contract to waive? Would you expect Drury to inquire with JT, Mika, and/or Trocheck and consider a heavier rebuild?
I imagine Trocheck would return quite a sum given what Canes gave up for Danault.
Are Mika and JT high value given the current Center market, despite the length of their contracts?
What are your thoughts on Steve Ott being named the HC of the Thunderbirds for the rest of the season?
Also do you think this is a potential tryout for Ott to be the next HC if the Blues move on from Jim Montgomery? (which I don’t foresee happening but it’s not completely off the table).
Probably overdue. Springfield went on a major winning streak for about three weeks there, and has completely sucked the rest of the season. The team’s offense has been pitiful, and Belleville’s the only team in the league that’s allowed more goals.
With what the Avalanche are doing right now and with Vegas acquiring Rasmus Andersson, is there a world in which my Stars can possibly make the Stanley cup finals?
Do you think the Pens will be buyers or sellers? Dubas is real quiet right now, I wonder if he has something big up his Sleeve
What surprising team in each conference is, in your estimation, for real, and which one is overhyped and waiting for a fall?
Wpg Jets always claimed to be a draft and develop team ,meanwhile they are one of the oldest teams , the moose are not very good ,and alot of young players want out as they feel they are not getting a chance with the big club ,,their drafting is poor as well .
Do you think it is time to shake up the management and scouting staff? Scott Arniel should be safe as he doesn’t have much to work with .
Scott Arniel has pretty much the same roster he worked with last season.
Am I the sole defender on Chicago keeping Connor Murphy past the deadline? I get he’s on an expiring contract and know his advanced metrics have declined this year but on a team with next to no experience on the blue line (other than Grzelcyk) I do put a decent value on a) his experience and b) his physicality. Am I wrong?
Should there be a cap penalty for teams in no-tax states? It seems like an unfair advantage.
Penalize a team based on geography? You must work in government.
Followed by the cap adjustments done monthly to cover the differences between the strength of the Canadian dollar vs the US dollar, and the adjustments to cover people not wanting to play in small markets, and the adjustments to cover players not wanting to play in places like Winnipeg, and the adjustments to cover Cup contenders vs perennial losers … and that the NHLPA would not for a second sign off on it.
After a brief hiatus, let’s get to it: Who are your under-the-radar, pre-playoff fantasy hockey players (scoring & GAA only); 2 D & G + 4 skaters, please. Thanks, Crystal Ball!
Can you explain one more time how it’s supposed to work when a player gets sent down? I thought under the new CBA players were required to play at least 2 games before getting recalled.
Thoughts on how the Hockey Canada scandal players are doing as they attempt to resurrect their careers?
Besides Mc Kenna and Stenberg, what 3 forward prospects are now in your top 5 F prospects for the 2026 draft ? thanks
I have 2 questions to curiously ask about.
1.) Nikita Kucherov’s is up for a contract extension on July 1st. What do you think that extension will look like overall as I feel money wise he’ll either stay at $9.5M AAV or getting raised to $10M AAV. What are your thoughts overall?
2.) There has been rumored rumblings and reports of Tampa looking at potential trade targets such as Blake Coleman (this one getting maybe the most attention), Artemi Panarin, Alex Tuch, Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust & such. Many know GM Julian BriseBois is one of the more creative GMs in getting things done and typically goes for guys with term usually, so what do you think Tampa will do and who should Tampa target or if they shouldn’t bother?…Btw it doesn’t have to be from the list of names above either who you may think those targets should be.
I think the Kings need a full rebuild and changes on administrative side also. Luc, Holland and Hiller should all be fired. The game has passed Holland by he had a brutal start when becoming the king’s general manager. Luc also has no clue and Hiller doesn’t know how to fix things. It was a horrible decision to let him coach this year. He should be fired soon.. even with a rebuild. It’s probably gonna take four or five years to fix this mess. Thoughts ?
by all accounts the Bruins made a legit effort/offer for Andersson. I get that didn’t get him (he wanted LV and I guess Calgary took a better deal since he hasn’t signed an extension yet), but he clearly filled a glaring need. Who do they pivot to in terms of finding someone to fill that hole – given that their internal options aren’t cutting it at the moment?
With Frondell and Kantserov coming late this year in all likelihood, And Murphy and maybe Dickinson too being moved, Name the one guy the Hawks could get in a trade that can put the puck in the net? A flat out scorer. They need that more than anything. Frondell can take Dickinsons spot eventually and Del Mastro can take Murphy’s there has to be somebody out there right? I don’t want to move Mikhayev or Grelcyk and would rather re sign them. Grelcyk is solid and Mikhayev is too valuable as a PK guy. They need a scorer right? The time for draft picks is over. Thanks
Amendment to my question- Must be under 30 years old. No Panarin’s, Kadri’s or the like. Sorry. LOL
Not starting an argument, but why would you not want Panarin on a 2 or 3 yr deal? He’s still at point per game. It might end the revolving door playing with CB.
His contract is up, He’s gonna be expensive to re sign, The Hawks are trending up but still have a ways to go and probably won’t be Cup worthy until his deal is up. Plus he won’t re sign for just a couple of years nor will anyone that age. So checkmate. He has one more bite at the apple.
So, are you implying the Hawks are 5 or 6 or 7 years from contending? “Probably won’t be Cup worthy until his deal is up. ”
Let’s hope not!
Uh not at all what I said. I think the Hawks probably miss the Playoffs this year. Make the Playoffs easy next year. Then go for it in 27-28. Panarin will be 37 0r 38 then and making big money. No thanks. I’d rather put my faith in Frondell and Kantserov and a young guy like a Pettersson or Lafreniere.
I really think the Sabres should resign Tuch and continue to build this team around the core of Tuch, Thompson, Dahlin etc. The talent is in place to be able to deal from our young players such as Ostlund, Rosen and maybe even Power to acquire a solid secondary scorer. Thoughts?
Is it finally time for the Flyers to follow the Rangers lead and give up on this season and sell at the deadline?
To add onto this, why not do what the Flyers did in the past with trades like the Carter and Richards ones and at least try to shake things up without strictly buying or selling? Examples I’m thinking of are Wright with the Kraken or Power with the Sabres as targets.
What the heck is happening with the Caps? If they sell, who could they offer and what would they net? ( LaPierre, Duhaime, Sandin, Van Riemsydk, McMichael, Milano, Lindgren, prospects,etc)
The Mammoth seem to be a legit threat to make the playoffs, what move(s) do you foresee them making near the trade deadline? I’ll hang up and listen for the answer. ☎️
Blake Lizotte’s recent resigning has me wondering if the Penguins have the best 4th line in the NHL right now. Their underlying numbers look really good even though they start a ton of their shifts in the defensive zone. They contribute offensively too. What are some of the NHL’s best 4th lines?
What do you think the chances are that Russia and Belarus are re-admitted to international play in light of their appeal? Bonus tongue-in-cheek “question”: what are the chances the USA is similarly banned for “safety concerns”?
The NYR now have only $2.26 mill in cap space. Even at the deadline, how can they find teams Panarin okays (has NMC) that can afford him at his big salary even with some salary retention ? Most of the contender have little cap space also and will need the max retained.
Should the Hawks make serious run at Planarian?
Which pending UFA among Dickinson, Mikheyev and Murphy has the most deadline trade value and which the least assuming salary retention for all 3 ? thanks
Just my opinion but looking forward to seeing the answer too. But Mikheyev is the most valuable to me. He is one of the best PK men in the League and I hope he’s re signed. Grelcyk too.