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PHR Live Chat: 08-13-23
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Josh Erickson
5:00
Hi all! Figured with an understandably slow Sunday August afternoon, it would be a nice time to get a chat going.
Since the queue was opened up a bit early, let's jump right into some questions.
feeling a draft
5:00
I am not a Coyotes' fan , but do you have any idea/theory why they took Russuans with both their 6th and 12th overall picks, but passed on Michkov at #6 ? If they didn't want him, wouldn't it have been better to trade down with Phila (7th) or Wash (8th) and get an extra pick ?
Josh Erickson
5:02
I don't know specifically why they passed on Michkov, but let's assume they were scared off by his contract situation.

If I'm Philadelphia, I'm not spending the assets to trade up because I know Michkov's going to be available with the 7th pick anyways. Washington did want Michkov as far as public reporting goes, so that is a bit of a puzzling misstep in my eyes. It's evident Arizona was extremely high on Simashev and likely had him ranked as the best defenseman in the class internally.
5:03
If that's how they viewed him, it makes sense they wouldn't have traded down and risked the Flyers picking him at 7th overall, assuming Washington did take Michkov at 6th.
I'm not saying I agree with it, but that was likely the rationale behind not trading down.
Guest
5:03
Ugh
Josh Erickson
5:03
August weekends, yep.
Connor💪🏼
5:04
Expect a down year from Boston now? bruins fan wondering what to expect..
Josh Erickson
5:05
Depends on your definition of a down year. Considering the absolute dominance of last year's team, they could very well drop 30 points in the standings.

They did, however, finish with 135 points last season. I'd expect Boston to be a standard playoff contender – not world-beaters, but still solid, even with Bergeron and Krejčí gone. The defense and goaltending is still near the top of the league.
5:06
Depth scoring will be an issue, as it was for many years in the past. They'll rely on DeBrusk to do a lot for them, and I'm not sure if he's ready or if he can drive his own line.
They're also putting an awful lot of responsibility now on a 35-year-old Marchand. I'm not saying he falls off a cliff next season, but I do think his and the Bruins' eventual downfall are linked.
losers
5:07
The Ducks lost their last 13 games to try to get the #1 overall and then passed on Fantilli with the #2 pick.   If they liked Carlsson so much at #2, why did they have to try so hard to lose ?
Josh Erickson
5:08
I'm not sure I understand the question here. The lottery's done after the season – surely, they went into the end of the campaign with Bedard on their mind. Just because they preferred Carlsson to Fantilli doesn't mean they would have preferred Carlsson to Bedard had they ended up with first overall.
Adam
5:08
When will the Wild see Yurov in uniform?
Josh Erickson
5:09
Yurov was one of my personal favorite prospects in 2022 – I feel he deserved a top-ten selection.
5:10
His game translated well to the KHL this season despite playing a very limited role as a 13th forward/4th liner, as normal for teenagers in that league. He's under contract through next season with Magnitogorsk, but not any longer. Yurov was in the Twin Cities earlier this summer for a brief development camp appearance, too. I would expect an ELC coming next summer.
Nick
5:11
Are the blues a playoff team this year?
Josh Erickson
5:13
The defense is a huge weakness still – not enough speed. I don't believe Binnington is a playoff-caliber starter at this stage in his career. That being said, I've liked their moves over the last few months. A lot of shrewd pickups that I think will keep them in the conversation. I see them sitting in a tier with the Coyotes and Predators – between 80 and 90 points.
Not much different than last year.
Phil
5:14
What is your prognosis for the Sabres this year? Love Levi but do you think their overall goalie situation comes back to bite them?
Josh Erickson
5:14
It's hard to envision them missing the playoffs in my eyes. People have their doubts about Levi being a star right away, but at worst, it's a lateral move from the subpar goaltending they had last season.
5:15
Clifton was an underrated upgrade on the back end – I think he'll be quietly important for them over the life of his contract. Given the entire team is pretty much just a year ahead in their development and they were just one point out last year, they should be fine to secure a wild card spot.
Random
5:15
As a kings fan, I’m interested to see who becomes the next “Alex Iafallo” (guy that the coach moves up & down the line up to help other Lines or fill in for injury)
5:16
(continue) who fills that roll? Also who are the better “Swiss army knife” guys?
Josh Erickson
5:17
I think that naturally goes to Trevor Moore. He's had three really solid seasons there now and averaged almost 17 minutes per game last season.
5:18
I think in general there will be a lot of moving parts in LA's top nine. There will be players shifting units, shifting from wing to center and back as well. It'll be a fun year for McLellan.
Adam
5:18
I know you weren't high on the pick, but a few local articles say the Wild had to pick the boom or bust Stramel because of the need for C depth over a sager pick. What say you about that?
Josh Erickson
5:19
I think Calum Ritchie, who went to the Avs at 27, checks those boxes better.
Guest
5:20
What will the Habs do with Petry and DeSmith ?
Josh Erickson
5:21
Petry is almost a guarantee to be flipped in my eyes. I haven't heard much about DeSmith, but I would move him if I were Kent Hughes. He's a reliable enough backup making under $2MM.
5:22
That being said, all appears quiet on the extension front between MTL and Montembeault. I wonder if that impacts things short term.
5:24
I do think they will move *a* goalie, although I'm not sure which one. It's hard to imagine them using a roster spot on one with all the young defenders and forwards they'll want to rotate in.
Guest
5:24
what will MTL’s goaltending situation look like during opening night?
Josh Erickson
5:25
Just putting this here to make sure I answered this enough above. Let me know if I didn't!
Unclemike
5:28
Do you think this is the last year of College for Moore and Nazar for the Hawks? They in the NHL for 2024?
Josh Erickson
5:29
Absolutely yes for Nazar. My early guess would be two years of college on Moore.
RocktheRed8
5:32
Do the caps make a trade for a top 6 foward and what would it cost?
Josh Erickson
5:33
They seem to want to, although I don't think it's wise. They haven't been connected to any specific names that I've seen, so I'm not sure I can comment on the cost.
Random
5:34
Who has the better regular season, Buffalo or Ottawa?
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