The NHL trade deadline is now three weeks away, meaning the playoffs are starting to crest over the horizon. Five teams in the league have already reached the 55-game mark, and only the New York Islanders have yet to play 50. Trades have started, sort of, with Tyler Toffoli easily the biggest name dealt so far. But that won’t last long, as things are heating up all around the league as teams realize whether they’re really in the playoff hunt or just pretending at this point.
With that in mind, it’s time to run another edition of the PHR Mailbag. If you missed the last one, it was broken into two parts. In the first, our Brian La Rose examined the surging Los Angeles Kings, how the Boston Bruins might approach the trade deadline, and New Jersey’s goaltending situation moving forward. In the second, the New York Rangers’ deadline plans were discussed, along with the Philadelphia Flyers players that are pending free agents.
You can submit a question by using #PHRMailbag on Twitter or by leaving a comment down below. The mailbag will run on the weekend and answer as many questions as possible.
What are reasonable moves the islanders make at the trade deadline?
With the emergence of husso, do the blues look to sign husso so he doesn’t depart at the end of the season, and then try to trade binnington? Or let husso walk and hope binnington plays better?
Should the Jets make a move to shake up their leadership group? If so, who goes where, & what should be the return?
Copper needs to go and get whatever they can for him.
Even if the capitals move Samsonov, what value does he bring being an RFA after the season?
How does the Pacific division play out by the end of the season?
What do the Devils do on or before the deadline? Who do you see us bringing in/shipping out?
Where might Namesnikov be traded to and for what?
As is almost always the case, the Preds could use another top 6 forward. What 2nd tier forwards do you think could be trade options for them?
Do we have a big deadline day?
How do the Red Wings address the left side of the defense? They have given up over 6 GAA in the recent stretch and it’s mostly due to left side deficiencies (Leddy, DeKeyser, etc.)
I don’t see a lot of top 2 D-men in FA that fit with the Red Wings timeline.
Can they swing for Chychrun without giving up Seider, Edvinsson, or Raymond? I imagine Berggren would be going the other way, as unfortunate as that would be. Combination involving him and then from Wallinder, Sebrango, McIsaac, Johannson, Mazur, picks? I’d prefer to avoid 2023 picks given the draft prowess projected.
Target a different defender with term remaining?
Be nice to target a LD with 1yr left on their deal such as Soucy, Sanhiem, Graves, Gavrikov, even Ghost (AZ). All can be place holders and dealt next TDL if needed.
Oh, all-seeing & -knowing Crystal Ball: Please rank in order of scoring only the following – and which ones attain their success earlier: Matty Beniers, Jarvis, Perfetti, Zadina & Alexander Holtz. Thank you, Mighty CB.
My bad: please add Connor McMichael to the Crystal Ball list. Thank you!
Is there anything else confirming what Anthony SanFilippo reported that Risolainen turned down 6 years and $6.3 mil AAV from the Flyers? And if something like this is accurate, is there any hope the current decision makers can actually turn this team around with thinking like that?
With Edmonton once again struggling…even if they make the playoffs they are likely facing the Avalanche who are incredible at home and far deeper than them…will McDavid be happy being bounced in the first round? (that is if they MAKE the playoffs!).
Could he demand a trade this off-season?
What would a trade with Giroux going to the Avalanche look like? Any chance the Flyers can get Barron and Behrens in that deal? That would help their blue line for years.
Could Cam Atkinson be on the move this deadline?
Do you think the NHL works with major betting places like Vegas to give voted on awards to people that will get them the most profits?
How would that possibly be? The hockey writers’ association vote on all the major awards except the Vezina. A number of those writers disclose their votes in advance, in “I don’t know how the other guys voted, but I gave X my vote for the Calder” columns.
Easy. “Vote for this guy” slides a fat wad in their pocket.
What piece should/can the Kings get and for what price to guarantee getting to the playoffs? A LD, a third line forward, a scoring forward?
Rickard Rakell to the Bruins…what would it take?
Cal Foot has been a healthy scratch for two games (three if out tonight) in favor of woeful Andre Sustr. Possible trade bait for a deadline deal for the Bolts for a seasoned RD? Evidently, Bogosian’s injury is worse than originally thought and they may need some depth or Foot to step up (pun intended).