JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 3/19/25

PHR Live Chat: 3/19/25

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Josh Erickson

3:45

Starting to look like that won't quite be enough. I'm reminded of the 2005-06 Flames, who finished 27th in the league in goals that year (better than this year's current last-place pace) and managed 103 points on the heels of their league-best defense. Dustin Wolf has been spectacular, but the team possession game is average. Not enough when you can't finish.

White Out Spring

3:46

Which WildCard team poises the greatest threat to the Jets in the first round?

Josh Erickson

3:47

I think among the four WC2 contenders (VAN, UTA, CGY, STL), the Club and the Blues have the best chance of actually winning a series if they sneak in – especially the former. They're furthest behind in the race and would need to enter the postseason on a really strong run of play. They're also nearly even with Winnipeg in 5-on-5 expected goals percentage on the season. The Blues are further back, but they're weighed down by their early-season results under Bannister.

3:48

But if I had to pick between the two to upset the Jets, I'd roll with the Utahns.

DevilShark

3:48

I was curious about a recent take I heard about cellebrini being a 'poor man's crosby'. This seemed a ridiculous comment given his age. But it got me wondering... do you think he means relative to 18 year old Crosby or do you think his career ceiling is like Crosby but just not quite as good. I'd say that's a pretty high projection!

Josh Erickson

3:51

I don't really know what to make of that. Celebrini is already a legitimate 1C out of the gate, but I think he's closer to being a Tavares/Toews type in terms of stat legacy than Crosby.

USS Kraken

3:51

How aggressive do you think Seattle will be in free agency this time around?

Josh Erickson

3:53

They've got nearly $21MM in space. I imagine they have to set around $8MM aside, total, for Kakko and Evans. Not sure if they qualify Kartye. That leaves them with $13MM to fill another five roster spots, an average of $2.6MM per player. I don't see them pursuing anyone whose market value falls above $6MM-$6.5MM as a result.

Iceburgh

3:53

Do the Penguins and Dubas use all these picks and acquire a lot via trade and FA? Or is it a be competitive later outlook? I’m really hoping we accept the fact that the latter is probably better for the franchise..

Josh Erickson

3:55

Not even reading between the tea leaves – Dubas has pretty much said verbatim that the former is the plan here. https://x.com/penguins/status/1898167806266384407

Phanatic

3:55

If the Flyers get involved with free agency, is Philadelphia a place where players want to play? Does having Tortorella as coach make a difference or is it strictly highest bidder in a players decision?

Josh Erickson

3:57

In response to the second question, depends on the player. Tortorella is an extremely divisive figure – of course, one side of that coin means there's a good deal of players who love playing under him or are interested at the possibility. He's also alienating a wide base, too.

Blue seats

3:57

chance at a run for marner? Move kreider, lafren or k miller and jones maybe zban if he oks it? Lets lat more kids come up and play, thoughts?

Josh Erickson

3:59

Not in the cards. Moving K'Andre does absolutely nothing for the Rangers' financial flexibility for next season as he's not currently signed. They're not cutting bait on Lafrenière just yet, nor will there be takers given the year he just had. Zibanejad will only waive for a few teams, and if any of them made sense, I think they tried hard enough to move him that he would be gone by now. That leaves Kreider as the only legitimate cost-saving option, and even if they do that, they still only have $16MM in cap space with seven roster spots to fill. Can't fit Marner at what's likely going to be a $13MM deal.

Alright, last one here as it's almost the top of the hour

Cronin

3:59

If the Ducks move on from me, who is my replacement?

Josh Erickson

4:01

Y'know who we need back in the league? Gerard Gallant. Don't think the Ducks would go back in that direction if Cronin didn't work out, though. Imagine they'll be in on David Carle, too. If not, they'll likely look at some AHL bench bosses.

Thanks for the great questions today, everyone. See you next week!

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