JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 7/16/25

PHR Live Chat: 7/16/25

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NJDfan

2:44

Do you see the Devils resigning Markstrom or maybe using a Allen/Daws tandem next season?

Josh Erickson

2:45

Too early to say. It likely has more to do with Daws' performance than Markström's. If Daws can't force his way into starts, then they're not going to pencil him in for a job. Losing Markstrom may be out of their control depending on what he wants, of course, but I think extending him is the likeliest scenario, at least after the season he had.

MTL Habs Fan

2:45

Are the Canadiens a dark horse to do something this year? Do you feel like we’re at least getting closer? How would you break down this team and it’s future right now?

Josh Erickson

2:47

They're a better club under the hood than they were last season for sure. Without those moves, I would have actually expected them to backslide in the standings next season a bit because I felt as though their shooting luck was a bit unsustainable. At worst, though, I think they've done enough to insulate themselves against that regression. Things can always go wrong, but they're definitely closer to being a serious contender to win a round and shouldn't be counted out of a divisional playoff berth. That three seed in the Atlantic could end up being a real toss-up between MTL/OTT/TOR.

Jeff

2:48

Why do you think Tor won't trade Robertson? It seems that they don't have a fit for him and I've read Berube doesn't really like him as a player.

Josh Erickson

2:49

There's a clearer fit for him in their top nine than there was in years past. Even if they add someone else, it will likely come in conjunction with moving someone like Calle Jarnkrok or David Kampf in a cap dump. The Leafs probably prefer Domi in their bottom six. If they can't land an external top-six addition, then Robertson might get a crack at 2LW with Tavares out of the gate.

Mason McTavish

2:50

Um…did you just say I could actually be traded? Which teams would even be likely to acquire me and what’s going back the other way?

Josh Erickson

2:52

The obvious C-needy teams who weren't all that big on Rossi will be all over that, especially the longer he goes without a contract. Would expect the Habs to make a serious push. Ducks can't afford to lose a forward without taking one back, though, so not sure how that framework ends up looking. That might force McTavish into taking a bridge.

Log jam

2:54

The Caps didn't make many moves. They seem to have given a job to Sourdif even though he has only played 3 NHL games. And Beuavilier seems to have a slot. It seems then that McMichael moves to 3rd C. That leaves a fight for one 3rd or 4th line wing slot between Ethen Frank, Sonny Milano, Andrew Christall, Hedrix LaPierre, Ilya Protas, Miroshienko, Trineyev, Rybinski for esssentially one full time and one bench slot. Several would not survive waivers (Frank, LaPierre).. What are the Caps doing? or are we seeing another trade- who goes?

Josh Erickson

2:56

The Caps basically treaded water. Not sure they needed to do much else... their entire M.O. over the past few years has been to trust the process, and that means letting guys like McMichael and Ryan Leonard push the envelope. They were in on big guns like Nik Ehlers, sure, but they're not going to make a panic move because they didn't land him. Milano looks like he'll be healthy and is a perfectly fine 13th forward. I don't get the angst. Beauvillier was a good fit, I thought. Sourdif's chemistry as a fourth-line piece with Duhaime and Dowd looks promising. I think they had a fine summer, and players like Miroshnichenko and Lapierre now have more flexibility to make a push.

2:57

As an aside, is losing Ethen Frank to waivers really the end of the world? He's 27 years old. He is what he is.

heyo

2:57

There were unconfirmed rumors of a possible Hertl to Carolina deal. What would that trade look like to you if it happened?

Josh Erickson

2:58

Those were certainly unconfirmed. I don't think those talks really ever happened, maybe as a potential backup until they had certainty on Pietrangelo's injury situation. I certainly don't think it's something Vegas would explore now, their offense is among the deepest it's ever been. If so, the return would have been futures-based to help Vegas clear cap, but again, I don't think that's a road the Knights are still going down.

2:59

Almost to the top of the hour here, folks, so just a couple of more questions.

Monty

2:59

Who will be the 3 worst teams in 2025-26?

Josh Erickson

3:00

Give me the Penguins, Predators, and... *ducks apples* Blackhawks

Alright everyone, that's time. thanks for the great questions today, back next week!

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