JotCast | PHR Live Chat: 7/3/24

PHR Live Chat: 7/3/24

Josh Erickson

2:01

Hey everyone!

2:02

What a hectic past few days. Let's get into it.

Dan

2:02

Wings chasing any actual scorers? Can you grade what they have done so far?

Josh Erickson

2:02

Well, I'd sure hope so. The Kane extension is good, and Talbot is fine for what they signed him for.

2:03

But the Walman dump remains dumbfounding to me without a big move following it. He was providing fair value for his cap hit, and they lost a pretty decent pick to get him cleared from the roster.

2:04

The two names who appear to be linked as a "big move" are Gibson and Trouba – both of whom are overpaid. So far, it's a D+.

Even Buffalo, who I don't think has had a GREAT summer, has made some quality bottom-six adds (Zucker is overpaid, though). They've squarely jumped ahead of Detroit, which also downgraded by replacing Gostisbehere with Gustafsson.

Kenny Powers

2:04

Are Breisbois and the Bolts done? They still have roughly $5 M left for this year. Also does Moser get an extension with his RFA offer?

Josh Erickson

2:06

They have closer to 6, yeah. I like the Moser pickup. I'd imagine he takes up about half of that space... his cap hit probably starts with a 3 on a bridge deal

2:07

So, more than half. Still, they have room for an extra forward or two. Nobody big, but can probably land a couple of other Atkinson-type guys as insurance.

Lloyd Christmas

2:07

I'm sure this won't be your only Trouba question, but do you think he should accept a trade? If a team has pretty much told you that they don't want you and would be a better team without your services, why would you want to stay with that team? If I was fired from my job tomorrow, I wouldn't keep showing up and expecting them to change their mind.

Josh Erickson

2:08

Let's be clear – it's not entirely up to him at this point. His full NMC is gone, and he can only block a trade to 15 teams.

2:09

He obviously doesn't want to move, and for good reason. I wouldn't want to uproot my family's careers, either. Sometimes it's not just about the playing situation, and this is a good example of that.

2:10

I also don't think it's as cut and dry as the Rangers thinking they'd "be a better team without his services." He's still a good player who I'm sure they'd love to have around – he's their captain, overall – but he's definitely overpaid. That's the reason for shopping him, just as it was the reason for waiving Goodrow.

Alfonse

2:10

Are the Red Wings at this time weaker or stronger than they were at the end of the hockey season?

Josh Erickson

2:11

Goaltending has been slightly upgraded with Talbot replacing Husso (likely 3rd string/AHL or gone, IMO) and Reimer. Forward group is the same, if not worse without Perron (and I feel like they lost someone else who I can't remember). Defense is drastically worse without Walman and Gostisbehere, although Gustafsson is a decent pickup.

2:12

At this time, considerably weaker.

They've got nearly $21MM in space, but they struck out on all the big UFAs. Without a trade seemingly imminent, I'd be in panic mode right now if I'm the Red Wings' front office.

Tarasenko would be a nice Perron replacement if they can get him, though.

Atlantic

2:13

How do you rate the Atlantic after the first days of free agency? Did every team in the Atlantic just get worse?

Josh Erickson

2:14

BOS - slightly improved until you consider the major downgrade in goal from Ullmark to Korpisalo. UFA-wise, C+. Addressed needs, but those Lindholm and Zadorov contracts will age like milk.

2:15

BUF - C. I think they're due for some bounceback regardless from last season and will likely challenge for a playoff spot like they did in 2022-23. But no needle-movers. I do really like the new-look fourth line of Malenstyn, Lafferty and NAK, though. They'll be effective.

Zucker's a significant downgrade on Skinner, though. Can't harp on it too much since it's a one-year deal.

2:16

I've been clear on Detroit. Florida... B. They need to find a better Montour replacement to have a prayer of back-to-back Cups, though. Schmidt is really good value for $800K, but he won't cut it. The forward group still looks really good, though, and I love the Reinhart deal. Knight is ready for backup duties, IMO, and Driedger is a fine enough insurance policy.

2:17

The Habs didn't do anything to rate, haha. Quite literally, their only signing was Barré-Boulet. For a team that's still a couple of years away, that's fine. Let everyone cook for another season.

2:19

Ottawa must reallllly hope Ridly Greig has a lot more offense to give next season. Perron at $4MM is rich, but I do like the Amadio deal. Gregor's an upgrade over a lot of who they had on their fourth line, too. Obviously had a vast improvement in goal. Not a fan of dumping Joseph, though, especially for how cheap Pinto ended up being. B-

2:20

TB... I actually think they've had the best offseason of anyone in the division. Guentzel for Stamkos straight-up definitely is a gut-punch to the room, but I think he's the better player next season – especially with those linemates. He's also 5 years younger, a pretty big win. Sergachev was out for most of last season anyway, and they have added depth with Moser and McDonagh.

The Leafs... for $5, name a forward!

I like their D adds and think the cap hits are fair, even if the term on Tanev and OEL is tough to swallow.

2:21

Stolarz was the best goalie available on the market, too. Good work snagging him.

But they need more depth scoring. Not sure where it's gonna come from.

No one gets an A, but I'll give Tampa a strong B+.

Wingnut

2:21

I hate the Red Wings' inactivity in these first days of free agency. Talk me off the ledge. Why did Walman's salary have to be dumped if Stevie ended up signing nobody? The only signings for us so far (except maybe for Talbot) are depth/minor guys at best. What gives?

Josh Erickson

2:21

You and me are both wondering.

StickyRicky

2:21

What do you think of the Blues off-season so far? No real splashy pick ups, but I think it sets the team up well to eat contracts for picks at the deadline. And the Buch extension seems lower than I thought he’d get.

Josh Erickson

2:22

Yeah, I like that Buchnevich extension. They're asking a lot of Perunovich to help that blue line along, but I like what they've done up front. I don't think I'd label them a playoff team, but they'll still be competitive.

mike123

2:22

Is winnipeg gonna make a big move before the next season starts? Is lambert good enought to take over 2nd centerduties next yr?

Josh Erickson

2:23

Not sure what big moves are left to make, aside from Necas. But I bet Carolina holds onto him for one more year at this point with how many other forwards they lost.

And that would be tanking Lambert's development and asking way too much of him too soon, I think. Perfetti is a much better answer at 2C.

M. Satan

2:24

What are your thoughts on Ottawa’s asset management

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