JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 12/18/24

PHR Live Chat: 12/18/24

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2:37

With the Luke Richardson firing, is there any warmth to Kyle Davidson's seat at all? He seems to get such a free pass, but very little progress. How much longer does he have to come up with some results?

Josh Erickson

2:38

A low simmer, at best. His failure to get higher-powered linemates for Bedard and overlooking some potential future pieces there in the draft is his biggest area of concern, and that's quite valid. Other than that, I don't think they're lagging far enough behind where they "should be" in their rebuild to really turn up the heat on him.

In fact, firing Richardson probably helps his case to stick around. His coaching was the central reason for Bedard's slow start, IMO. Realizing that there needed to be a systems/linemates change to get him going was the correct call on KD's part.

Johnny J

2:40

do you think the nhl will follow the nba and create a mid-season “nhl cup” type tournament? the idea seems like a money-grab but money (and tv viewership) talks!

Josh Erickson

2:41

Eh. Not sure how much of an appetite there is from the players, and that type of event needs NHLPA approval. The focus from the PA's side remains on opportunities for best-on-best international play, and that's where it'll remain for a bit. If the NHL does go that route, it's likely at least four or five years away. And, given how NBA ratings are continuing to decline, I'm not sure it would achieve its intended result, either.

waivers

2:41

Did you think Wahlsrom would make it all he way to local team Boston ? Don't teams like Nashville, SJ, Mtl and Chicago need cheap help with little commitment (RFA who ca be let g at season end) ?

Josh Erickson

2:43

"Help" is the key word there. With how Wahlstrom's performed this season, he was actively dragging the Islanders down when he was in the lineup. His minimal point production and team-worst possession numbers had him positioned as one of the worst forwards in the league this season, if not the worst. Any claim is a pure bet on draft pedigree upside. Nothing he's done this season indicates he still has it. There's a reason he hasn't made it into Boston's lineup yet.

2:44

And six years on from his draft date, I'm not sure how much upside there is left. I'm more surprised that he didn't clear more than I'm surprised that he got passed over by the teams you mentioned.

projection

2:44

If you project down the road, do you think Celebrini may end up better than Bedard ?

Josh Erickson

2:46

I wouldn't go that far. But maybe in the same tier. There are plenty of players who emerged as the superior all-around talent early on in their careers but didn't develop much further, while higher-upside talents took an additional year or two to figure it out. I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case here. I'm not saying Celebrini won't develop past what he is right now, but I am saying to have a little grace with Bedard given the situation I outlined earlier.

coaches

2:46

Often a coaching change results in improved team play at the start, but then falls back to a prior level . Roughly what range of time would give you a more accurate assessment if the change has helped ?

Josh Erickson

2:46

Need at least a 25-game sample, IMO.

robrob

2:48

Would the Wild be better off giving up the assets for Brock Nelson at the TDL or waiting to sign him as an UFA? Or maybe compromising and giving up assets for him at the TDL, if somehow they can have an agreed upon extension in place, if they want him for a playoff run.

Josh Erickson

2:49

The answer depends on what the deadline ask is. I think they're better off waiting to UFA in a vacuum because they've still got a fair bit of time left in their contention window. But if other teams are willing to hand out extensions on deadline day, they'd obviously have to move now.

Demidov

2:49

Demidov's stats have cooled off the last few weeks in the KHL. Is that any cause for concern for Mtl ?

Josh Erickson

2:50

Not really, no. An arbitrary lack of ice time has pretty much everything to do with his production declining, as it often does in that league. He showed what he could do in the early going when given the chance. He'll be in North America in four months anyway, and 20 points in 34 KHL games is still an extremely respectable total for someone who just turned 19.

robrob

2:51

Who's the BEST potential rental, as a top six scoring forward that the Wild can go after at the TDL?

Josh Erickson

2:53

It's either Nelson or Granny Two: Electric Boogaloo. Point-per-game on the Sharks is no small feat.

robrob

2:53

How many Rangers get traded before the Hoilday Break? How many go before the TDL?

Josh Erickson

2:54

None before the holiday break. Not enough heat there from what I've heard in the past few days. Hard to imagine anyone other than Kreider and Kakko getting dealt (and moving the latter is absolutely a mistake)

robrob

2:54

Is Dylan Cozens traded and end up being like Eichel and Reinhart? Or (if traded) does he end up a BUST?

Josh Erickson

2:54

Somewhere in the middle. I don't think his ceiling is much higher, if at all, than the 30-goal, 70-point form he's already shown off.

Tim

2:56

Is this a year for the red wings to write off and hopefully for the first time ever get some draft lottery luck?

Josh Erickson

2:56

That's what I'd do if I was entering Yzerman's seat tomorrow. The best impact prospects have already made the team. They're too far off. They need a top-5 pick.

Ron Duguay

2:58

Who are realistic, potential upgrades to the RangersM defense corp? Would Nashville ever consider dealing Josi?

Josh Erickson

2:58

Wonder if something could be worked out with the Penguins around Kakko and MPettersson. Never Josi, but Alex Carrier out of Nashville is likely an upgrade over a couple of names on the NYR roster right now as well.

Newbie

2:58

Do most teams keep a full 23 man roster or will they leave a couple spots open for possible waiver claims/call-ups etc?

Josh Erickson

3:00

Whether teams choose to keep a full 23-man roster or not usually comes down to salary cap considerations. Roster flexibility is pretty easy to create in other ways. If you have a 23-player roster and need a call-up or make a waiver claim, there's usually an injured player that can land on IR. Since only a seven-day absence is required for an IR placement, and they can be retroactive, it's pretty flexible. Waiver-exempt guys on the fringe of the roster can be sent down in corresponding transactions along with a waiver claim a as well.

Alright, folks, it's the top of the hour. Thanks for all the great questions today and I'll see everyone next week!

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