We’re almost two rounds deep in the NHL playoffs and most of the league is now focused on the 2019 offseason. Already we’ve had some long tenured executives and coaches change teams and are sure to see top players follow them as soon as trading season really kicks off. The draft next month is sure to bring about plenty of fireworks given the overhaul expected in several markets, and July 1st still has plenty of talent scheduled for unrestricted free agency.
Will Erik Karlsson re-sign in San Jose? What about the trio of forwards in New York? Can the Oilers crawl back into the playoffs? There should be countless questions on the minds of hockey fans everywhere, and with that in mind we’ll be running another edition of the mailbag this weekend. You can submit your query by using #PHRMailbag on Twitter or by leaving a comment down below.
If you miss the last mailbag it was split into two parts because of the volume of questions. First, our Brian La Rose tackled questions like Nazem Kadri’s future in Toronto and the Philadelphia offseason, and then took a look at some of the league’s worst contracts and the future for Petr Mrazek. Make sure to submit a question early so we can include it in this edition.
what happens in Nashville? Sounds like Subban is on the table as a trade candidate and am wondering what team you see as a fit and what a trade could look like.
With another failed playoff, do you see the leafs finally sacrificing some of their young forwards for defensive depth. everyone loves the kids coming up but no way they are comfortable come playoff time with 2 maybe 3 rookies on that back end.
Is there a way that the Sharks can re-sign Karlsson, Pavelski and Thornton considering their limited cap space? What will that mean for RFAs Timo Meier and Kevin Labanc? Does Nyquist even get an offer from SJ?
How active do you think the Rangers will be in free agency?Will they buyout any contracts?
Which of the capitals free agents are most likely to be resigned?
what/whom do you think will be the biggest over-pay in terms of aav/length of free agent contract and where might they be going?
my money is on duchenne. while not a terrible player he is not anyone’s idea of a team’s alpha dog, but might actually get paid like one.
How do you see the rangers defense pairings next season they carried 8 this year but with addition of fox and hajek and possibly Lindgren ready to suit up some will have to go. All the other teams will know this and will weaken any trade attempts
Will Lundqvist waive his NTC? If so where’s a likely destination? Florida? Edmonton? Carolina?
There are a lot of good FA goalies (Varlemov, Bobrovski, Lehner, Mrazek, Talbot). Where do they all end up?
Is there any talk, anywhere about changing the playoff format somehow to allow an extra team or 2 into the playoffs? With Vegas and now Seattle joining, it’s a shame that a team like the Habs (not a fan) at what, 14 games over .500 didn’t make the show.
What will Yzerman look to do in terms of either moving out some of these bad contracts or possibly using some of their cap space to take on a bad contract while adding picks?
How hard would it be salary cap wise for Minnesota to dump Parise and Suter of work out deals to get them off the roster? Those two suck up so much cash it makes it impossible to surround them with enough talent to win. It’s getting really really old…mediocrity is the standard with this club.
Are there any defense prospects (either ranked outside of the 2019 top ten or a non-first rounder from any previous draft) or a defenseman toiling outside the NHL who could feasibly step into a team’s top four next season?
What’s the likelihood of Karlsson resigning in SJ?
Compared to recent years,how deep in talent is the upcoming draft?
Sharks v bruins final game 7 overtime jumbo Joe Thornton scores winner against team that drafted him with his last touch before retirement. Written in the stars???
Not a chance buddy, get ready for the series you have coming up with the blues. You better hope your sharks aren’t acting as grandiose as you as last time I checked the blues have been the best team since January! What about us. Exactly when we keep getting written off but yet it’s us ending seasons.
Ferland was set up for a nice payday, but he’s so darn injury prone. Think he comes back to the Canes on a good deal now or will someone still overpay?