{"id":515620,"date":"2026-03-21T22:46:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T22:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/515620\/"},"modified":"2026-03-21T22:46:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T22:46:14","slug":"kings-rangers-raddysh-lightning-sabres-red-wings-cba-pro-hockey-rumors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/515620\/","title":{"rendered":"Kings, Rangers, Raddysh, Lightning, Sabres, Red Wings, CBA \u2013 Pro Hockey Rumors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Topics in this edition of the PHR Mailbag include forecasting the next contract for the top-scoring pending UFA, Buffalo\u2019s turnaround, and more.\u00a0 If your question doesn\u2019t appear here, check back in last weekend\u2019s column<\/a> while we have one more mailbag to come from our latest call for questions.<\/p>\n

bigalval: Does Ken Holland have any clue what he\u2019s doing? Rob Blake was bad and Holland\u2019s moves have been puzzling at best.<\/p>\n

Holland has been around long enough that I\u2019m confident in saying he knows what he\u2019s doing; there is a plan in place.\u00a0 His moves over the offseason clearly signaled that he was leaning into the team playing a slower, more deliberate game and that after being unable to land a big fish, he leaned into building up their depth.\u00a0 You can quibble with some of the moves made (and I\u2019d say you\u2019re probably right to do so) but I understand the method to the madness.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s the Artemi Panarin<\/a> move.\u00a0 If you\u2019re thinking that moving a first-round prospect in Liam Greentree<\/a> to get him with a two-year extension doesn\u2019t make sense for a bubble team, I get that.\u00a0 The rebuild is probably coming at some point; it can only be stalled so long.\u00a0 And with Los Angeles struggling mightily offensively, this might not have been the right time to take a big swing.\u00a0 Clearly, Holland believes that this group could do some damage in a Pacific Division that\u2019s up for grabs; they just have to get there first.<\/p>\n

That belief I suspect also shaped the decision to make a coaching change, even if it came a lot later than most would have expected.\u00a0 The results have been middling since D.J. Smith took over (not unlike how they were before) but there\u2019s still time to win a few and really lock down a playoff spot.\u00a0 I like the approach to go with an interim coach in case they want to pivot to a different option over the summer and perhaps change their system a little more drastically.<\/p>\n

So far, things have largely looked like more of the same under Holland despite a much higher volume of moves.\u00a0 But there\u2019s a plan in place; I\u2019m just not sure it\u2019s necessarily the right one as again, that rebuild is bound to happen at some point and it wouldn\u2019t shock me if it\u2019s sooner than later.<\/p>\n

lgr34561: Do you think this recent hot streak with Gabriel Perreault<\/a> and more specifically Alexis Lafreniere<\/a> is legit and something Rangers fans should be seriously optimistic about or just assume it\u2019s Lafreniere just going on a short streak then back to his old ways?<\/p>\n

Generally speaking, I try not to read too much into how players perform down the stretch when they\u2019re on teams playing for nothing but pride.\u00a0 However, there\u2019s still room for some optimism with how those two have performed as of late.<\/p>\n

This month, Perreault has four goals and eight assists in 10 games.\u00a0 Perhaps more notably, he\u2019s averaging over 18 minutes per game in March.\u00a0 Those are legitimate top-level reps that are going to help him beyond this season.\u00a0 The Rangers drafted Perreault with the hope that he can be an impactful top-six forward for them.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure he\u2019s going to be fully ready to be that next season (a lot will depend on offseason moves as well) but this stretch suggests that he\u2019s trending in the right direction to have that role.<\/p>\n

As for Lafreniere, he has done this before, where he has a good stretch.\u00a0 However, he hasn\u2019t followed that up by continuing it for an extended amount of time.\u00a0 He\u2019s not going to have that chance here either with the season almost over.\u00a0 Don\u2019t get me wrong, 14 points in 10 March games is nice to see but I\u2019m not ready to think that this is the beginning of the long-awaited breakout.\u00a0 I think this But if GM Chris Drury is pondering trading the 24-year-old this summer, this performance certainly can\u2019t hurt from a value standpoint.<\/p>\n

FeeltheThunder: I already asked about Nikita Kucherov<\/a>\u2019s extension. Now, I must ask about Darren Raddysh<\/a>. How do you think Tampa will approach the intriguing Raddysh conundrum? GM Julien BriseBois had recently stated he wants to keep Raddysh wearing a Bolts\u2019 jersey after this season and Tampa will have an admirable amount of cap space this offseason ranging around $15 to $16 million. I feel Tampa will keep him, it\u2019s just what is the final price and term going to be?<\/p>\n

Also, Tampa didn\u2019t get an extra RD at the trade deadline, so do you think they\u2019ll search for an additional RD in the offseason of FA even with Raddysh, Cernak, and Crozier and if so, who might those prospects potentially be?<\/p>\n

This might be the most fascinating contract of the offseason.\u00a0 Heading into the season, Raddysh looked like he was heading for a nice raise after back-to-back 30-plus-point years.\u00a0 Making $975K this season, if he landed in the $3.5MM range or so with his limited usage, that would have made sense for both sides.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>But then this season happened.\u00a0 Raddysh doesn\u2019t just lead all pending UFA defensemen in points but rather pending unrestricted free agents, period.\u00a0 He\u2019s up to 60 points in as many games.\u00a0 And it\u2019s not as if he\u2019s still getting limited minutes either; he\u2019s averaging close to 23 minutes per night and even seeing light penalty killing playing time.\u00a0 Being a right-shot defender with this type of output in a market where cap space exceeds the quality of players available and you have the perfect storm for a huge offer.<\/p>\n

Given where things are, I could see a team, perhaps begrudgingly, offering $7.5MM per season for Raddysh, rationalizing that even if he winds up in the 45-50-point range next year, it could still age well.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think Tampa Bay would be willing to go quite that high, even with their cap space and right-side situation.\u00a0 GM Julien BriseBois isn\u2019t known for paying top dollar.\u00a0 I could see a long-term pact (six years or so) around $6MM or so being where the two sides ultimately settle where he leaves a bit on the table to stay but still gets life-changing money.<\/p>\n

Assuming that they get Raddysh re-signed, I think they\u2019ll be content enough with him and Cernak as their top two right-shot rearguards.\u00a0 I could see them looking for a third-pairing player that keeps Maxwell Crozier<\/a> in a reserve role, however.\u00a0 Nick Jensen<\/a> coming off an injury-riddled season is eligible for a one-year, bonus-laden deal.\u00a0 That feels like a good fit, giving him a soft landing spot to try to rebuild some value while possibly giving Tampa Bay some value for the role.\u00a0 A reunion with Luke Schenn<\/a> could be a viable option as well.<\/p>\n

FeeltheThunder: I want to add one more question here. I think Tampa should look for a new backup goaltender this offseason as Jonas Johansson<\/a> is just way too hot and cold. I think if they bring in competition this offseason like a UFA in Matt Murray<\/a>, for example, would be an improvement. Also, Tampa may need an AHL goaltender for Syracuse if they don\u2019t bring back Brandon Halverson<\/a> (which would be surprising) but they could have Johansson for that if so. What do you think of the whole situation?<\/p>\n

For years now, the Lightning have been in a spot where they haven\u2019t had a choice but to go with low-cost options.\u00a0 Some of that has been self-inflicted with their other moves but now, as you noted with your first question, they have a lot more cap flexibility this summer.\u00a0 I think they would benefit from upgrading on Johansson, it just comes down to how much more money they want to spend on the position.\u00a0 Murray is one who isn\u2019t exactly the most consistent either but if they just wanted to bring in someone for competition (and waive the one who doesn\u2019t make it), I could see that happening.\u00a0 And if so, that might push Halverson out.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, I\u2019d hope they\u2019d aim a little higher and try to get someone who can maybe cover 25-30 games a season.\u00a0 With the increased minimum salary next season, they\u2019d clear all but $25K of Johansson\u2019s salary off the books with an AHL assignment so I think it\u2019d be worth their while to explore it.<\/p>\n

As for the AHL side, it feels like about a third of the veteran goalies bounce around from year to year.\u00a0 If Halverson leaves, there will be plenty of other AHL veterans to choose from so I wouldn\u2019t worry too much about that situation.\u00a0 It actually wouldn\u2019t surprise me if they look to an international goalie in free agency, a younger one that could see some time with the Crunch while trying to see if they can develop a future backup for a couple of years from now.<\/p>\n

frozenaquatic: How do folks around the league view what Kevyn Adams built? Obviously, the Sabres are pretty strong, but they didn\u2019t turn it around until he was fired. But that team was undeniably constructed by him. Does he, and should he, get any credit?<\/p>\n

In the same breath, it seems like the Wings have begun to show cracks as they seem to do annually in March\u2013losing Larkin for any amount of time exposes their reliance on his leadership. Do the Wings need to move on from Steve Yzerman to excise their own curse?<\/p>\n

Daniel M: So, how about those Sabres, huh? Umm\u2026 Do we need to apologize for all the mean things we said about Kevyn Adams?<\/p>\n

Boy, have things ever turned for the Sabres.\u00a0 For a time, it looked like they were heading for a spot near the bottom of the conference and now, they\u2019re battling for first place in the East.\u00a0 They\u2019ve been on quite the run since Adams was fired and really, beyond adding some depth at the trade deadline, Jarmo Kekalainen hasn\u2019t exactly done a lot since taking over.<\/p>\n

I find it hard to believe that the reason for their turnaround is the GM change.\u00a0 Maybe there\u2019s some relief from no longer having the distraction about the speculation of the change happening but that isn\u2019t enough to make them one of the top teams in the league since then.\u00a0 I think that reflects reasonably well on Adams.<\/p>\n

Over the past few years, many have looked at this roster and wondered how they could be that bad.\u00a0 The roster was too good on paper to struggle this much; at some point, they had to turn things around.\u00a0 That\u2019s what other teams should remember.\u00a0 In the end, the roster was pretty good.\u00a0 He should get some credit as a result.\u00a0 As for apologies, well, that\u2019s more between him and Buffalo fans.<\/p>\n

Onto Detroit.\u00a0 \u00a0I think we\u2019re getting to the point where if they fall out of the playoffs again that the question about Yzerman\u2019s future should start to garner some consideration.\u00a0 There are some quality pieces on the roster and in the system, no doubt.\u00a0 But they\u2019ve been out of the playoffs since 2016 so if they miss here, it\u2019s a full decade between playoff appearances.\u00a0 That\u2019s too long for a rebuild, even with some foundational pieces in place.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think a change would be excising their curse, mind you, but rather bringing in a fresh face to add the final few pieces to the roster.\u00a0 Having said all that, they\u2019re still very much in the thick of things and if they make it back to the postseason, this hypothetical will be all for naught.<\/p>\n

Jolly Roger: When players are traded, do they receive any compensation for moving costs or any other type of compensation?<\/p>\n

Players are entitled to be reimbursed for \u2018reasonable moving expenses\u2019 incurred, regardless of whether those costs are incurred during the season or after the season, as long as the player moves within 12 months of being traded.\u00a0 (A player might wait to move his family and incur the full costs until after the season and just live on his own until his season ends.) It includes the cost of moving two automobiles if the player has a spouse or living companion.\u00a0 There are also entitlements for penalties for early terminations of leases, utility cancellations, and costs for new documents such as a driver\u2019s licence.\u00a0 The 2020 MOU also went as far as noting that these incidental costs must have valid receipts; a player can\u2019t be reimbursed for estimates.\u00a0 The 2025 MOU limits reimbursement for incidental costs at $20K, moving up to $22.5K beginning in 2028-29.<\/p>\n

Additionally, a traded player is to receive 21 days of single-room hotel accommodations following the move.\u00a0 Beyond that, traded players receive six months of rent or mortgage payments.\u00a0 The 2025 MOU sets the limit for 2026-27 at $6,200, increasing by $200 per season for the following three seasons.\u00a0 (And yes, they pro-rate for a player traded mid-month.)<\/p>\n

Jolly Roger: When a player gets traded to a team that has played a different number of games, does his salary get adjusted? For example, if someone has to play 84 games instead of 82?<\/p>\n

No.\u00a0 Players are paid on a per-day basis, not a per-game basis.\u00a0 This season, the NHL schedule (regular season only) spans 192 days.\u00a0 Let\u2019s pick a hypothetical player making $2MM.\u00a0 He\u2019s paid a daily salary of $10,416.67.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s a game day, a practice day, or a day off, he gets paid that daily rate.\u00a0 As long as that player is on the roster, that\u2019s what he\u2019s making, regardless of how many games he ultimately plays.<\/p>\n

Jolly Roger: Does the CBA impose any restrictions on what coaches, trainers, and other personnel get paid?<\/p>\n

There are no restrictions in the CBA in terms of maximums (or minimums) that off-ice personnel receive.\u00a0 The CBA governs things between the league and the players, not the support staff.\u00a0 This is one area where some of the bigger-market, higher-spending teams can get an edge.\u00a0 They can hire more coaches (and pay more), more scouts, invest more in analytics, etc.\u00a0 Some of those franchises have indeed gone in that direction but others have been more incremental in terms of adding extra personnel.<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Topics in this edition of the PHR Mailbag include forecasting the next contract for the top-scoring pending UFA,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":423685,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[5,4,860,697],"class_list":{"0":"post-515620","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nhl","8":"tag-hockey","9":"tag-nhl","10":"tag-phr-mailbag","11":"tag-pro-hockey-rumors-originals"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nhl\/116269599913265864","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/515620","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=515620"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/515620\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/423685"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=515620"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=515620"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=515620"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}