As December rolls along and we get closer to the NHL Christmas break, teams are starting to realize just what they are. Some are accepting their fate as a team outside of the playoff picture, making names pop up in trade speculation all over the league. Others know that they have a squad good enough to compete, but might want a little addition for the stretch run.
With that in mind, it’s time to run another edition of our mailbag. You can submit a question by using #PHRMailbag on Twitter or by leaving a comment down below. Make sure you get your questions in early and we’ll try to get through as many as possible when the mailbag runs on the weekend.
If you missed our last edition it was split into two parts which you can read here and here. In the first, Brian tackled questions about the San Jose Sharks’ slow start, the Toronto Maple Leafs backup goaltending situation, and the Boston Bruins’ secondary scoring depth. The second part looked at the future for Kyle Turris, Ilya Kovalchuk and Henrik Lundqvist.
How do the Rangers make the playoffs this year?
Win!
The Islanders are dominant when they score 3+ goals. The question is can they consistently score 3 goals especially as the season progresses and the playoffs begin. Do you see LL making an impact trade for a top 6 forward and would they be willing to make a move even if for a rental to give the Isles a legit shot at the ECF or even Cup finals?
Yes
Yes they can consistently score 3 goals! But I don’t know if they have enough power to unseat conference champion Bruins or the Capitals
The trade deadline is approaching. What assets, if any, do the Rangers trade and what do they seek in return?
Your best guess for Hall’s landing spot?
How about a potential sleeper suitor that could emerge?
How is Detroit so bad this year, even with some pretty good building blocks on the team?
As a Devils fan … should I be hoping our team can resign Hall or should I hope he ends up with someone like Colorado Edmonton (again) or Arizona? What kind of package should I expect back?
The Metropolitan Division is very competitive this year.How do you see it playing out?
who or what can the b’s do to bring in help with scoring goals on any other line than the 1st line
Could they trade Krug for that help maybe for Hall or somebody a long those lines
Would you do a Krug a 3rd and a prospect for Hall and a 5th
Lol! It would be a whole lot more than that! Krug is also a ufa and pretty sure he would not resign with the devils! So giving a 3rd aswell would have to be atleast 1st,2nd and prospects. In other words not happening
Presuming kreider is already gone can the rangers resign all their rfa’s? Lemieux, Strome and de’angelo have all done well under David Quinns system do they take less to stay or has their play priced themselves out of new york?
Bruins lost another game last night on the RIDICULOUS off side review after a goal they scored…. thats now four games this year they have lost by losing a pivotal goal (or two), by i goal reviewed and changed that they score 30 seconds or more after the ticky tack off side occured. If the supposed offside does not occur directly in the result of the goal… why is it reviewable. This rule has got to be changed.
Frustration is evident when looking at Toews and company in Chicago. Lehner has been candid saying the team has the talent but doesn’t play defense. Is the Colliton experiment over soon? Who else would they bring in?
Where do you see players such as Bobby Ryan, Ilya Kovalchuk who are not playing for sometime for team or personal reasons , released, signing elsewhere for less money , buyouts, trade , etc. ?