JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 6/4/25

PHR Live Chat: 6/4/25

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Josh Erickson

1:56

Hi all, I'll start answering questions at the top of the hour.

2:00

Thoughts on Lane Lambert as the Kraken's new head coach?

Josh Erickson

2:01

I think there were worse options out there. I'm not sure how much of the defensive regression under Bylsma he'll be able to clean up, but I think it's an improvement for a Seattle offense that didn't generate enough quality scoring chances this season.

Zakis

2:01

What would the framework of a Rossi for Peterka trade look like?

Josh Erickson

2:04

That might make sense as a one-for-one. They're from the same draft class and obviously had vastly different billings at the time. I understand Peterka has a bit longer track record of NHL success here, but Rossi plays a more valuable position and, even at present, I believe he's the more valuable all-around player. That said, I don't think that's something the Wild entertain. With the center market this summer looking mighty thin after Nelson extended (they don't stand a chance of landing Bennett or Tavares), I don't think they're in a position to deal Rossi without getting a center in return, unless they want to push all their chips in on a Mikael Granlund reunion or something.

Walt Poddubny

2:05

If the Rangers trade K'Andre Miller, would they be able to get back a meaningful player or would it be only for draft picks/salary cap space?

Josh Erickson

2:06

Value-wise, they could net either. It depends on the trading partner they zero in on and the type of assets they're prepared to part with. The former would obviously be preferable given their roster construction, but I haven't liked Drury's recent track record with player-for-player swaps.

Medic Mike

2:06

Who do you see the Blackhawks signing this offseason?

Josh Erickson

2:10

They'll submit serious offers for the top wingers available. I think the ones they stand a realistic chance of landing a couple of Brock Boeser, Jonathan Drouin, and/or Jack Roslovic, as well as re-signing Ryan Donato. I don't believe they pay a premium for a bona fide center on the open market since they have so many young players with flexibility down the middle. I see one depth signing on defense, especially if T.J. Brodie is bought out.

Medic Mike

2:10

What are some of the bigger names that could be traded this offseason?

Josh Erickson

2:12

Things have quieted down around Elias Pettersson in the last few months. A team has to really want him to make a deal work, and I don't sense that appetite is there, especially with Marco Rossi now seeing so much trade chatter. He's available. I think Bowen Byram, Chris Kreider, and K'Andre Miller are the most prominent names out there in terms of impact and feasibility of a trade.

draft

2:12

If you were drafting for Chicago, Utah and Nashville after Schaefer and Misa are likely gone, who would you select ?

Josh Erickson

2:15

Martone for the Blackhawks, Frondell for the Mammoth, and Jake O'Brien for the Preds.

Mc Queen

2:15

Mc Queen announced his back is at least 95 % healed. If recent imaging tests support that, could he move into the top 5 picks ?

Josh Erickson

2:16

It's feasible. That size/skill blend is obviously quite desirable. Personally, it's still not a risk I would take. I believe there are plenty players out there who earned a top-five selection in this class over a larger sample size.

*plenty of players

Ducks

2:18

Any word on who the Ducks might be looking at as new assistant coaches under Coach Q?

Josh Erickson

2:19

Haven't heard any firmly linked names out there yet. I would speculate about Joe Sacco since it looks like he's not returning to Boston. Jay Woodcroft could make sense as well in a different capacity.

Unleash the Kraken

2:19

Seattle still lacks a game breaking scorer in the forward core. Who do you think are some realistic trade targets they could go after this offseason with all the picks and prospects they have accumulated to this point?

Josh Erickson

2:21

I think there are two of them really out there, and they've both already been mentioned in today's thread in JJ Peterka and Marco Rossi. Both of them are gettable with what they have. I would seriously consider a Beniers/Rossi swap.

Cbj4life

2:22

do we have a chance to sign marner ?? If so will we over pay to get him

Josh Erickson

2:23

A chance, yes, but certainly not a favorite. In a more cap-strapped environment, I would give Columbus a better chance, but there are more desirable destinations than usual for a top UFA with the cap space to burn.

Panthers

2:23

Do you think Fla. will be able to keep Ekblad and Marchand, one of them, or neither ?

Josh Erickson

2:25

If they anticipate having the flexibility to carry a full roster next season, then one of them. I imagine Ekblad would take a deal mirroring his current $7.5MM cap hit. Marchand will cost north of $5MM unless he really wants to stay. Add in Bennett, and there isn't room for all three.

Mike

2:26

does Minnesota agree to wpg 2025 1st and yager for Rossi?

Josh Erickson

2:26

That's an awfully late first in a mediocre draft. Based on Minnesota's evalutation of the player, they might accept that, but I would personally ask for a tertiary asset coming from the Jets.

Mario 66

2:26

Um…Dan who? Didn’t see this one coming, that’s for sure. Your thoughts? #Penguins

Josh Erickson

2:27

It's an interesting swing, and the right time in the rebuild to take it. The focus is very obviously on developing young, in-house talent. Muse has done that well in his coaching career. I think his impact on team success over the next few years wasn't much of a consideration.

environment issue

2:27

Someone theorized that there will be more activity at the draft since they are not meeting in person this year. When I attended 3 drafts (not recently), I saw a lot of GMs on the phone and meeting at their tables. I don't follow the logic. What do you think ?

Josh Erickson

2:28

That's not what I've understood. I believe most have theorized there will be more activity at the ongoing draft combine, as this is the time when everyone will be in the same place, than usual, since the draft itself is decentralized.

Flyers

2:29

If the Flyers move up from their 6th slot, who do you think they are after who they don't think they can get if they stay at #6 ? (I tend to think Desnoyers.)

Josh Erickson

2:29

That would be my guess as well. Utah likes him. I'm not sure how his subpar Memorial Cup showing has affected his stock. It shouldn't over such a small sample size, but it might.

DStars

2:31

Any smoke to the fire on the Jason Robertson trade rumors that are floating out there right now? And if that’s already the case, just how different will the Stars roster look next season with that very difficult salary cap crunch?

Josh Erickson

2:31

Too early to tell. I don't think there's a lot of smoke yet. I think names like Dumba, Marchment, etc., are more realistic targets to free up space.

Toews

2:32

Doesn't Toews have to have some sort of informal showing for all interested teams (like they do in baseball) before anyone offers him a contract ? Or, because it can be mostly bonus/incentives at his age , someone will take a chance.

Josh Erickson

2:33

More likely the latter. The only recent example of the former I can think of is Phil Kessel skating with the Canucks' AHL affiliate last year before not getting a deal.

Eric Tulsky

2:33

Where do we go from here now? The conversation went from how suffocating our team play was to playing against and getting completely dismantled by the defending champions. What changes should (and can) be made and what available talent should I be targeting both thru trades and via free agency?

Josh Erickson

2:35

Let Nikishin and Morrow cook in place of Burns and Orlov. I thought both veterans were highly underwhelming the further along the postseason went. Leverage that cap space for the best available forward you can land. The intact core has still been good enough to get the Canes that deep frequently. No drastic trades of players on long-term deals should really be considered outside of a depth player like Kotkaniemi.

Nelson

2:36

Does Nelson's $7.5 AAV deal for 3 yrs affect the UFA market as of 7/1 ? Will younger players under 30 ask for at least 6 yrs ?

Josh Erickson

2:37

For those on the bit older edge of that range, yes. In the younger 27-29yo bracket, though, I could see some preferring three-to-four-year deals to try and capitalize again in a few years as the cap continues to rise dramatically.

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