The regular season has come to an end with half the league heading home and the other half in the playoffs. We’ve already seen some fallout from teams missing the postseason with more to follow while there have been some big performances in the early going of the playoffs as well.
With that in mind, it’s time to open up the mailbag once again. Our last call for questions yielded enough for three columns. The first included the future of Tom Fitzgerald in New Jersey, Edmonton’s trade deadline activity, and some discussion on insured contracts. In the second, among the topics were Darren Raddysh’s next contract, some young Rangers finishing strong, and Steve Yzerman’s future in Detroit. Lastly, the third took a tour around the Pacific Division, while captaincy candidates for St. Louis and what Washington can do to fix their roster were also discussed.
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.
What do you think an ideal offseason looks like for the Rangers and what are your expectations for them next season?
Who gets the Preds GM job and does Bruno stay or go?
What do think Dylan Holloway’s next contract looks like?
I think it’s another 2 year deal with a bump up in pay from his recent deal.
What is your opinion of the draft lottery which is approaching on 5/5 ? Is having teams like the Islanders and Mammoth move up so many slots as they did in 2025 really help promote league parity?
It would be hilarious if Florida wins the lottery. Our favorite Tampa fan will be yelling “CoNsPiRaCy”. Will McKenna play with Barkov right away? 😎
Can the Jets actually find a 2C in free agency ? Can Lambert and Rosen be second line players with perfetti ?
It’s time for KD and the Hawks to poop or get off the pot. Do you see any big signings this off season? Do you see them making any big trades? If they don’t get one of the top two picks, who do you see them drafting (or trading it away).
Wings need help. Robert Thomas could be the 1C and Larkin could slide down to 2C. What woukd it take to get him out of St. Louis?
Matthews might be more desirable for the price…
Is there anything in the CBA regulating advertising on players’ helmets? Does every team make their own deal for such advertising? Do players receive a cut and can they opt out, for example if they disagree with the advertiser policies, or just don’t want to be a skating billboard?
I hate the thought that I’m going to live to see uniforms covered with ads like the European teams are.
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Anything on Team uniforms is regulated by the team. Not sure about any of the other questions, but would assume its part of the players contract to wear the uniform as presented. Hence why some players got in trouble for failure to wear some pregame uniforms a couple years ago and why the league no longer enforces them to wear certain uniforms that may be against certain religious situations.
What teams that missed the playoffs this year do you suspect will git ‘er done next season?
Who’s most likely to make a braindead long-term signing that handcuffs the team?
Who’s going to have the most ill-advised rebuild?
If the Hawks aren’t one of the top two picks in the draft, who would they draft or would they trade it? Secondly, with all the draft capital and cap space, who do you see the Hawks signing or trading for in free agency?
Which end of season rookie callup impressed you the most? The Hawks fan in me has loved Frondell but Martone has been very impressive as well.
If I can add onto this, is there anyone you can remember who hit the ground running and impressed as quickly as Martone has in an end of season debut like this? 10 points in 9 games, 2 goals in 2 playoff games, all at 19, I’m trying to think up a comparable player.
Claude Lemieux
That is actually a good comparison. It’s still crazy though Claude Lemieux was a year older and technically played games in 2 previous seasons to the 85-86 one but the playoffs part is a nice match.
Fellow by name of Dryden has to be the all-time winner there.
In answer to your underlying question, he’s off to a flyer for sure (all puns intended). I’m curious to see if he gets 10 – 15 playoff games or more and how that develops. It’s a shame we couldn’t see Frondell in the same light.
Has there been any investigation, suspicion, controversy or rumor about match-fixing in the NHL or at any other level in professional, collegial or amateur hockey in any country, including misconducts by officials?
With Hellys frustration with the Jets season do you see a trade if so where do you think he lands and what does the jets get in return .
Keep in mind he wants to contend not rebuild and NT / NM contracts come into play .
If he’s made available the oilers will send three 1s and any combination of players not wearing 29 or 97 for him.
Alot of their players have NMC ,,but maybe start with Matt savoie and see from there .
The Hawks Goalie situation is in a transition period right now. Knight is now a known commodity but is he a definite 1 or a 1A in perfect world? He has solid technique but isn’t the biggest guy in the world. I was on the fence about Gajan but after seeing him in the Frozen Four I’m on board. Less sure about Commesso and Soderblom is bad. Who is the best Scandanavian G the Hawks could draft in the 2nd round who could play in the SHL and not have Gajan and him trip over each other? Thanks
Adam Gajan and UMD did not play in the Frozen Four. Eliminated by Michigan in the regional final. He did have a great year and should be a nice addition to goalie depth in the Hawks system.
You’re right. Should have just said tournament. They did make the elite 8 though. But thanks.
The NYR have a long standing interest in getting B. Tkachuk. Would a package of Cuylle, Schneider, their 1st rounder (#3 overall) and either Trochek or Laba get it done?
I’d take that deal. In a heartbeat.
I think you’re offering too much, Chris.
Which FAs and trade candidates have the most to gain / most to lose in the playoffs?
While it may be common sense, is there any empirical data that confirms NHL players’ stats are worse in the second game of B-2-B games?
Hah, this isn’t a question so much as an observation: how many of the pundits who bleat about the so-called “President’s Trophy curse” have bothered to check on the Cup-winning odds of the *second* place regular season team? Or the third? Or the fourth?
Will the league rig the lottery so the Toronto Maple Losers are in the top 2?
If you let your paranoia run unchecked, anything is possible.