During what has been a busy week around the NHL, the writers at PHR still had some time to produce some original content. Check it out:
With the NHL Trade Deadline just over a week away on Monday, February 24, we continued to take a look at how teams are approaching their last chance to make deals this season. We wrapped up the Atlantic Division, as Gavin Lee anticipated the Tampa Bay Lightning’s pursuit of bottom-six grit – they got that and more in Sunday’s acquisition of Blake Coleman – while Brian La Rose looked at the Toronto Maple Leafs’ continued needs even after the additions of Kyle Clifford and Jack Campbell. Attention then turned to the Metropolitan Division. Gavin examined the Carolina Hurricanes’ reported willingness to make a big move on the blue line, Brian pondered whether the Columbus Blue Jackets would make a splash this year, and Holger Stolzenberg offered a well-time preview of the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders, who came together for a trade on Sunday.
In addition to team previews, big names on the trade block are also worthy of a closer look at PHR. This week, Brian took the time to examine the market for well-regarded defenseman Brenden Dillon of the San Jose Sharks. An impending free agent, Dillon is a lock to be moved, but the destination remains a mystery. The stay-at-home specialist could be that key defensive presence for a team fighting for a playoff spot or an extravagant depth addition for a major contender.
While it’s one of the most exciting stretches of the NHL season right now, it is also an important time for the college game, as teams march towards conference tournaments and the start of the NCAA postseason next month. I took my bi-weekly look at the college landscape in the latest edition of College Hockey Round-Up, discussing the dominance of Jordan Kawaguchi and No. 1 North Dakota, the raging battle in Hockey East, an unlikely commitment by a future NHL prospect, and the Olympic dreams of the first Japanese Division I hockey player.
In another regular piece, Brian answered your questions in another edition of the PHR Mailbag. Topics ranged from trade deadline rumors about the likes of Chris Kreider and Jesse Puljujarvi, to the future of Montreal’s Shea Weber, and the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft.
Finally, of course, is Gavin’s weekly PHR Live Chat. He fielded numerous questions pertaining to the impending trade deadline, including the possible plans of the Golden Knights, Blues, Capitals, Maple Leafs, Bruins, Blackhawks, Flames, Wild, Penguins, Senators, and more. And if that wasn’t enough, he also discussed the future of Nolan Patrick, tried his best to explain Player Safety decisions, and threw out his top five prospects for the upcoming draft.
Don’t miss out on all thee great original content from PHR, coming at you each and every week!