The playoffs have arrived while half of the teams in the NHL have started their offseason. Several teams will have a viable chance to win the Stanley Cup while several others will be embarking on some big changes in the coming months, some of which have already started in the form of coaching changes.
With all that in mind, it’s a good time to open up the mailbag once again. Our last call for questions yielded enough for three separate columns. Among the topics in the first were Devon Levi’s time with Buffalo and if he can one day live up to expectations and going over the big changes for the Rangers and what moves could be coming this summer. The second included Joel Hofer’s strong season in St. Louis and Nashville’s season that was anything but strong. Lastly, the third included thoughts on the thin goalie market this offseason, Detroit’s back end, and the possibility of Mackie Samoskevich being an offer sheet candidate in July.
You can submit a question by using #PHRMailbag on Twitter/X or by leaving a comment down below. The mailbag will run on Saturday.
What are the Red Wings offseason plans? Trade and draft targets? Will they shed some bad contracts? Seems after today that the players expect more from management than what they’ve gotten recently.
Of the lottery teams trending up, who has laid the groundwork for future success? Calgary has Wolf, but relying too much on a keeper isn’t a recipe for success (Coronato looks great though), and are in reality a trending-down older team that happens to have a great keeper and a top D-man in Andersson. The Flyers are the opposite, and could build around Michkov, but their D is suspect, and they forever seem a good goalie away from being decent. Utah is pretty well-rounded, but got bit by the injury bug, and may need an upgrade in goal. The Wings have some nice pieces, but seem snakebitten, and who knows if the Sabres will ever make the playoffs again. My vote would be split between the Ducks and the Jackets — both have potential — though for the Jackets going into ’26 with Jet Greaves, hot as he was down the stretch, as the best option net feels a bit scary.
Lots of chatter about San Jose moving their #1 draft pick if they win the lottery. Seems counter productive to a re-build??