There was an expectation of a busy trade market this summer with many teams up against the salary cap and while that hasn’t quite come to fruition, there certainly have been some notable swaps made. Meanwhile, a lower-end free agent market has yielded some different strategies with some players opting for short-term deals in the hopes of landing a better contract down the road.
Our last mailbag came before the draft and was broken into three segments. Among the topics in the first was a look at Linus Ullmark’s possible trade value, the next RFAs to try to force a trade to a desired destination before reaching UFA eligibility, and the goaltending depth in the draft. Included in the second column were Nashville’s roster restructuring, the LTIR ‘loophole’, and if Clayton Keller could be a trade candidate in Arizona. Topics in the third one included Sergei Bobrovsky’s volatility, early playoff predictions, and expansion.
You can submit a question by using #PHRMailbag on Twitter or by leaving a comment down below. The mailbag will run on the weekend.
Which teams draft selections did you really like and which did you really not like?
Considering the changes brought by the draft and UFA day, what are some teams you see making the playoffs in 2024 that weren’t really in the picture in 2023? And what are some teams you see missing the playoffs?
And who’s your favourite 3 teams to finish with the highest draft lottery odds?
Which team do you think has the best bottom 6 in the league?
Which team do you think has the best 5th and 6th D pair in the league?
Which team do you think has the best league ready depth playing in the AHL and ready to call up?
Take your pick of any or all of the above <3
I’m wondering why Ty Smith seems to be buried in the minors, And when he gets called up he does quite well.
Can’t really say Smith did quiet well for Pens last year. He didn’t suck but didn’t know anyone’s socks off.
Did quite well? Average at best in fact I expected much more. He looked terrified first few games.
Did the Buffalo Sabres announced who their ECHL affiliate will be? If not, who potentially could be the Sabres ECHL affiliate?
That’s easy: barring more affiliates dumping ECHL teams, it’s Jacksonville or no one. The Icemen are the only uncommitted ECHL team right now.
It’s not totally uncommon for teams to share an AHL affiliate.
What can we expect from the Flames and the Jets? Both teams have players who want out but apart from Dubois to the Kings we haven’t seen anything so far.
Could be just about any team at this point — and rosters are far from settled — but who makes the playoffs out of the Atlantic this coming season?
Good morning,
I think Maxim Lajoie would thrive in Montréal and be a nice supplement to Anderson as another big power forward. I’d love for my beloved Habitants to go get Lafreniere from the Rangers. Thoughts on the cost? Also I think Ethan Bear would be a nice addition to our defense. Thoughts?
Thanks!
After signing Cates and York this week, will the Flyers score enough to compete this season?
What is the status of the Flyers goalie chart? They seem to like drafting Russian goalies with Fedotov, Kolosov, and Zavragin… will any make it to the NHL with the Flyers? Will Sandstrom and Ersson start the season at Lehigh Valley while Maier at Reading and Bjarnson staying in the WHL? Hart as the presumed starter with Petersen as backup or does Briere dive headfirst and trade Hart to continue the rebuild? What would a probable return for Hart look like?
A lot of young talent in Columbus with their forward group. What are reasonable expectations for Babcock year one with the CBJ?
I think Columbus will really surprise people this season, No team in the NHL has more depth right now than the Jackets. As for Babcock as coach, That’s a wild card.
Thanks for answering my question last go round – first time!
Two questions today (not offended if you skip one or both!)
– with rumors that Tarasenko wants to stay with the Rangers, so you see them moving Goodrow and Vlad taking a discount? What does it take to move Goodie’s contract out?
– what big name(s) do you think is most likely to move next? Are teams gambling they’ll get better offers after big UFA names sign or even at the trade deadline?
Perhaps a better question to the latter is – out of big names on the trade block / rumor mill – who moves versus who stays?
How do performance bonuses affect the cap situation of a team? Does the structure differ for someone on an ELC or 35+ or 1-/2-way deal? Is there a limit to the amount of bonuses a team can offer or time limit in which they must be paid? Not sure what the Bergeron/Krejci deals were last season, but my gut tells me the bonuses were somewhere in the 2-4mm per. Why not sign Kane or Tarasenko to a similar or higher-bonus deal? What are the loopholes/pitfalls?
The bonuses for Bergeron and Krejci totaled $4.5 million; it’s the overage applied to Boston’s cap hit this season.
Performance bonuses affect the teams cap the following season. For example, BOS is going to lose roughly 4.5M in space for next season due to the bonuses paid to their players. So their cap for this season is closer to 78M than the actual 82.5M
Wondering if you can share any info on how the salaries work in the KHL? Cap? Minimum salary? Top pay? Any info on AHL salaries also? Does a player on a non NHL contract have a minimum?
How likely is it for players on AHL contracts to actually play in the NHL this season?
Take Jonah Gadjovich for example. He played a combined 78 games over the past two seasons with the Sharks. He was left unqualified, and now signed a one-way-contract with the Charlotte Checkers. So I’m curious: Are players like him actually giving up on playing NHL games this season? As far as I understand you’ll need an NHL contract for playing NHL games. Or is it common they can get back via PTO, or getting an NHL contract after they signed their AHL contract?
Great question and observation
Every so often a player stands out on the AHL team and the parent club sign them to a NHL deal part way thru the season to be able to call them up. It’s not often, but it does occur.
What would it take to bring Mark Scheifele or Elias Lindholm to the Bruins?
Ty Smith, 23 years old, 47 points in 123 games, If anyone is concerned about his defense Erik Karlsson has never played defense in his life and everybody seems to want him. Your welcome!
Comparing Ty Smith to Erik Karlsson. A completely Wilf thing. Well done! You have become a reason to spend time in these forums.
FYI. Paul Coffey was the biggest defensive liability I’ve ever seen and he’s in the HOF.
Will the Red Wings finally make the playoffs this next season.
Best and worst stadiums to see a hockey game?
Best ??? Worst is probably Calgary at this point. Maybe Mullet arena but it seems the limited fans are at least having a ship tonne of fun.
Did the Kings push their chips in too soon to try to take advantage of Kopitar and Doughty still being productive? Traded away a lot of draft capital and upside players over the last year.
Robby Fabbri is a decent player when healthy, but I’d like to see younger players get their chances. Any likelihood that he gets bought out or traded?