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PHR Live Chat With Gavin Lee 12-27-18
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Gavin Lee
6:03
Hello hello folks, and welcome to another live chat.
My thanks to Brian for filling in last week, hope you didn't treat him too rough.
6:04
I'll let some things roll in for a few minutes and then get started.
Rob Duguay
6:16
What are the chances that the Rangers can take advantage of a projected weak trade market for defensemen and can acquire decent returns for a couple of their blueliners?  Thanks.
Gavin Lee
6:17
I'm not totally convinced that it is a weak trade market in terms of defense as a whole, just on the rental side.
There aren't very many guys who can really make an impact before hitting free agency.
6:18
Players like Pietrangelo, Muzzin, Martinez, Faulk, etc could very well be available though, which is a very strong group.
For the Rangers specifically, there's not a lot that you can really cash in on.
6:19
Brady Skjei is a core piece despite his inconsistencies this season, and Marc Staal is still a really tough contract to move.
I can see someone wanting to add McQuaid as a physical, playoff-type, but he certainly won't provide the type of return you are hoping for.
scott
6:19
Do the Flyers and Blues make a deal?
Gavin Lee
6:20
They have certainly gotten together before, but that was with Hextall at the helm.
With Fletcher, it's not clear what direction he's planning on taking the Flyers.
6:21
They don't seem like perfect fits to me, as both have good young defense and questionable goaltending depth.
Mike
6:22
Do you think Delia or Blackwood have a chance to run with a starting job? It seems with the smaller pads, the younger, quicker goalies have an advantage over the bigger, positional goalies.
Gavin Lee
6:22
I'm not sure that you can really call Delia or (especially) Blackwood small, but you're right in that it may have leveled the playing field a bit.
Still, there are plenty of big positional goaltenders doing just fine.
6:23
As to those two in particular, Delia should be given the chance to run with the job for the rest of the season I believe, with Ward mentoring him along the way.
Blackwood I'm not so sure about, as I think he might have a higher ceiling that should be considered and protected.
Cody
6:24
What kinds of trades and players the leafs will target this year
Gavin Lee
6:25
It's clear that they want an upgrade on defense, but it's not as easy as just plugging in a new name.
That team has Stanley Cup aspirations, and taking a piece out of their forward group right now is a dangerous proposition.
If you wanted to get an impact, top-4 right-handed option you'd need to be dangling real contributors. Their system doesn't have enough prospect depth to really get one without.
6:26
I actually wonder if they might add ANOTHER forward for the run, one with a bit of experience and leadership like they have with Brian Boyle and Tomas Plekanec in recent years.
Mike
6:28
What’s wrong with Taylor Hall? Any word on what the injury is or how long he’s expected to be out?
Gavin Lee
6:29
It's the same lower-body injury that kept him out a few weeks ago, the one that appeared to happen in practice.
But the Devils aren't giving details.
It's expected to be minor.
Mark
6:29
I asked Brian this question last week, and I’d like to see how your answers compare: You’re starting a new team. Choose one of each position: C: Pettersson or Barzal. RW: Marner or Rantanen. LW: Svechnikov or Connor. D: Chabot or Dahlin. G: Hart or Samsonov
Gavin Lee
6:30
Oh man, how'd he decide.
6:31
At center I would go with Pettersson, if only because I think he has a better defensive upside.
6:32
Boy on the left side is tough, because we haven't really seen what Svechnikov is really capable of.
I think he's going to be an incredible player, but Connor is a downright force in the league already.
6:33
I'll put Connor there, if only because of a little more certainty.
6:34
On the right I'll take Rantanen, because Marner and Pettersson both carry the puck.
Rantanen doesn't carry it as much, but is extremely dangerous creating room for his linemates and getting opportunities that others would miss.
6:35
I'll take Dahlin, sort of begrudgingly, given what Chabot is doing this year.
6:36
And Samsonov.
Mark
6:36
Brian went with Pettersson, Marner, Svechnikov, Dahlin, Hart. You both used great reasons on building the ideal line. Can’t really go wrong with any of the choices!
Gavin Lee
6:37
Now let's battle to the death.
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