There’s already been a bit of early-season trade action with a bevy of unexpected hot starts and disappointing runs. With every team now across the 10-game mark in their schedule, we’ll open the space to answer questions from our readers in the mailbag.
The last edition was divided into two parts. The first discussed a potential solution to the Oilers’ Darnell Nurse problem, expectations for the Maple Leafs, and challenges for the Rangers to stay atop the Metropolitan Division. The second covered the beginnings of a likely lengthy Connor Bedard/Matvei Michkov rivalry and the first player to land a $20MM AAV, among other topics.
You can submit a question by using #PHRMailbag on X or by leaving a comment down below. The mailbag will run on the weekend.
The Flyers rebuild has stalled… how does it begin again? Ersson, Fedotov, and Kolosov seems like a circus in goal; scoring and defense are horrible… will the 2025 draft offer hope since they hold their own, Colorado, and potentially Edmonton [top 12 protected] first round pick? Is Tortorella the right coach or Briere as GM? 1 playoff appearance in 7 years, and that was 6 years ago.
The Flyers also have 3 second round picks… Own, Columbus and Anaheim
With Columbus potentially looking to take on a big contract and San Jose actively improving by adding some talented misfits from other teams, who are some players you could see bound for each team as the season progresses?
And if Columbus does take on a big contract, do you think it will be another team paying to unload an overpayment contract, or a team like the Leafs offloading a decent contract as a result of cap crunch?
How is Spencer Knight viewed relative to other top young goalies at this point?
With the recent injury to Broberg and Leddy still out, do the Blues call up another d-man if they can or do they hold out until Leddy returns?
Also do you think this might cause an issue with the chemistry of the d-pairings?
The current pairings are listed as:
Parayko-Suter
P.O. Joesph- Faulk
Perunovich-Kessel
In Tampa, Nick Paul was on the second line with Hagel & Cirelli, the line was very successful at controlling puck possession at 5-on-5 and was one of the most dominant lines in the NHL over the first couple of games of the season. However, since Paul was put back on the third line at center, his possession numbers at 5-on-5 are starting to look like last year. Over the 2 game span against the Wild and the Jets, Paul had an 18.58 on-ice expected goals for percentage share (xGF%) at 5-on-5, ranked lowest on the roster. Furthermore, his 33.62 on-ice shots for percentage (SF%) ranked last on the team. In other words, with Paul on the ice, the Lightning gave up two shots for one they produced. As management starts to think about in-season acquisitions, a third-line scoring forward should be at the top of the list for Tampa especially since Mikey Eyssimont isn’t producing (he’s a better fourth line guy) though Mitchell Chaffee is playing solid, who would you think be some valid options for that third line to help Paul & Chaffee?
Jake Evans is attracting a lot of interest right now. Personally I don’t want my beloved Habitants to trade him. Really like the player. I hope they re-sign him. 3 yrs/3.5aav would be the max in terms of yrs and AAV.
The Habs are also looking for a forward with edge. What would be your top 3 targets that would fit with our rebuild/progression?
I was amazed that the Edmonton Oilers said that Connor McDavid has an ankle injury and not just a lower body injury.
Could you see more teams actually saying what the injury is, instead of just saying it’s an upper or lower body injury?
Can’t imagine so. Teams have gone to such nonsense across the sports for a simple reason: to keep their opponents from knowing exactly *where* their players are hurt.
Dallas making any calls on defenders ? Fowler, Provorov, or even maybe Arber Xhekaj? Which would require the most in return then the one that would require the least?
With the latest update on Landeskog it certainly sounds like if it doesn’t happen this season it doesn’t happen at all. What team is going to take on his contract to free the Avs from the cap hit in the event he can’t play? That $7mil could go a long way in helping fix some of the problems up front.
I think the Blues have proved to be exactly what everyone thought they would be this year. How much further do they sink before Army starts showcasing youth and moving older vets for draft picks?
How do you evaluate players from the high school ranks, to the CHL, BCHL, NCAA, etc, to how they may or may not perform in the NHL?
How do you think the season will go with Torts and Michkov? I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all to hold him accountable and bench him at times if he’s making mistakes or not putting in effort. Saying that, sometimes Torts goes too far with the Couturier benching last year being a good example. Do you think Torts will manage Michkov well or do you think he will be fired before the season is over?
Sample size is getting reasonable now… I’m curious who you think have been the best acquisitions at each position this season (FA or trade) in terms of driving their teams success.
Optional extra, how about the inverse? Who was meant to be good but has been abysmal.
Josh- Isn’t there a draft rule that you can’t have a high pick so many years in a row? So even if the Hawks keep losing what would be the highest pick they could possibly get next year? How does that work or am I completely wrong? Thanks as always.
Which star(s) gets injured during the 4 Nation’s cash grab & cost their team(s) a shot at the Cup?