The first round is complete and many teams are facing significant questions about their future. How do you bounce back from another first-round exit? Which managers and coaches are now on the hot seat? What will happen to those deadline rentals that were unable to provide any postseason push? The offseason is right around the corner and things are starting to get exciting.
With that in mind, it’s time to run another edition of the PHR Mailbag. Last time, it was split into two parts. The first included a discussion about Ryan Ellis’ future in Philadelphia, Evander Kane’s ongoing grievance with the Sharks, and touched on a potential Kevin Fiala offer sheet. The second looked at Filip Forsberg’s pending free agency, the mess that the Golden Knights find themselves in, and some buyout candidates for this summer.
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 we will try to answer as many questions as possible.
When do the maple leafs win a first round series? 2023? 2025? 2040?
Better question. After all these years of early exits, would the leafs have a better chance of getting out of R1 if they played with golf clubs.
Actually, the Leafs are victims of the little known “Hall and Oates Curse”. It is a fact that any NHL team that ever used the Hall and Oates song “Makin’ my dreams come true” has never won a playoff round. It goes back to the 1941 New York Rangers, who finally ditched the song after 1993. Please don’t dispute my info. I have Facebook Fact Checkers on my side.
I can answer that question. They are targeting the centennial of Bob Hassard’s birthday.
What is the next step for the Sens. The team has stockpiled a good core of youth (especially on the Blue Line) but what do they have to do this off-season to take the next step?
It’s been a rough few years to be a Devils fan, though the future is bright, especially if they can get a goalie this off-season. It would be even brighter if they made their goal song “Runnin’ With the Devil”. Can you help start a grassroots movement?
With the questionable coaching from hynes, and moves by poile, where do you think the preds go from here? Two forty goal scorers, a record season by Josi and a vezina caliber goalie in Saros and a arguable Calder trophy finalist they still could barely squeak into the playoffs
The NYR need a 2C next year while being in a cap squeeze. Strome seems unaffordable. Do they a) sign Copp, b) go with Chytil and back fill at 3C c) trade some of their many prospects for a C (and who would that be) or d) ???
Great question. I’d avoid option B though. Chytil has yet to show he can be a dependable #2. He’s shows flashes here & there but is invisible way too often.
In your opinion who are the most underrated players in the league?
I’ll expand on the Devils question.
With a pretty strong young core and some team friendly veteran contracts with plenty of room to spare, which UFA goalie does NJ pursue?
Kuemper?
Fleury?
Husso
Can’t imagine that either Kuemper or Fleury will be interested in ditching highly successful teams for a perennial bottom-feeder like the Devils.
Grubauer did
How’d that work out for him?
Oh mighty & all-knowing PHR Crystal Ball, 3 quickies for you here: 1. Where will Evander play next season? 2. Do Seth Jarvis and Alex Holtz get Top-6 play – and which one has the brighter scoring future? And 3. Does UPL begin his starting assignment next season? Thanks in advance – but then, you already knew I’d thank you.
NJ hinted at trading #2 OA. Do you think it could be offered for a player such as Fiala or Willie Nylander?
Another one regarding the Devils — It appears as if they have the assets and cap space to acquire an elite goaltender, which many believe is their biggest need. Is the notion of needing an elite goaltender done? The Oilers are primed to go deep and look at all the goalie problems they’ve had. Carolina is a revolving door of consonants between the pipes. How many elite goalie are there, really? Vasy, Shesterkin, Bob?
I’d prefer the Devils to shore up the netminder for 7+ years to come, but I’m not sure Kuemper, Gibson, or Husso are the ones. Who do the Devils look to to improve the goalie situation and what do they with all their assets?
Edmonton is primed to go deep? How so?
They needed 7 marches to take down LA, who was never supposed to make the postseason. I wouldn’t be shocked if Calgary sweeps them in round 2 due, in large part, to the goaltending issues you referenced.
When Evander Kane is putting at least one in the net every game, they are scary. I know they didn’t exactly skate through the first round and, yes, it was a shock that LA was even in the playoffs. But McDavid is doing McDavid things and with Leon and even Evander Kane performing so highly, I can see them making a run even with all the goaltending problems. My point is, for the first time in my 25+ years of NHL fandom, I’m not convince a team NEEDS and elite goalie to win.
[I grew up the Marty Devils teams]
A healthy Jonathon Bernier!
Interesting premise. I give you in return an observation of Ken Dryden’s (written in 1979, at the end of the Habs’ four Cup run) about bad-team goalies vs good-team goalies. No one expects perfection of a bad-team goalie, he said. They can give up three goals a game, and as long as they make some spectacular saves the rest of the way, everyone sees them as great goalies.
But what was expected of a Dryden — what Montreal *needed* from him — was to stop them ALL. It was unacceptable for him to boot a couple while making great stops on 35 more; he’d only have to face half that many shots, and he’d be expected to save them all.
Would bringing back Joonas Korpisalo on a one year deal make sense for Columbus? Now that we know Korpisalo played hurt all year a healthy Korpisalo, plus an improved defense might give him better numbers and allow him to re-establish his value. It would give Columbus depth at the goalie position (remember, at one point the top three goalies on the Jackets depth chart were injured simultaneously this season) and if he plays well, Columbus could move him at the deadline. Besides, Korpisalo would probably come cheap because right now, his value couldn’t possibly be any lower. Korpisalo is only two years removed from being an all star. Your thoughts?
Absolutely nailed it!
If the Kraken do not “do anything” in free agency and or struggle at the beginning of next season do they fire the GM?
Does Hextall’s tenure in Philadelphia tell us anything about how he intends to manage the UFA situation in Pittsburgh?
I’d like to hear more on the Kraken.. seems they have a buffet of conundrums: 1. Goaltending, 2. Jaden Schwartz, 3. Victor Rask (why’d they play him so much?), 4. Massive amount of ‘22 picks, 5. Fleurys, 6. RFAs, 7. Captain, 8. Cap space… Speculate vigorously!
With his name in past rumors and MIN needing to make a move, I wonder, can PHI make a move for Dumba? They need to get better on the back end and he could br available for 80 cents on the dollar with MIN’s crunch. I presume they need to move out a JVR than. Can they move enough of JVR’s cap without having to give someone a pick with it so they can reasonably fit Dumba in?
What do the Bruins do if Bergeron retires?
… wail in horror and dismay?
Should the Kings swing for the fences this off-season or is it too early? They have a ton of young assets, some cap space, and an appealing situation to incoming FAs. Should they make some major trades or be patient another year to see what develops with the young group?
Any chance Quenville is back with the Panthers next season?
Who is the next head coach of the Red Wings.. Peter DeBoer, Barry Trotz or bring back Mike Babcock?
Is Sullivan and his “system” on the hotseat? Perhaps Reirden?
Which coach is the best fit for the Detroit Red Wings?
Jim Montgomery
What are the most realistic destinations for Trotz?
Cancun, where he’ll drink fruity drinks with umbrellas in them.