Is an offseason shakeup in store for the Rangers? Is Alec Martinez any closer to re-signing with the Golden Knights? What’s the latest on Rod Brind’Amour’s contract talks with the Hurricanes? Find out in the Sunday NHL rumor roundup.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks recently suggested the Rangers could face an offseason shakeup following Thursday’s season-crushing 4-0 loss to the New York Islanders. He singled out marquee players such as Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad as well as the leadership group and head coach David Quinn.
New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (NHL Images).
Brooks pointed out the lack of production from the Rangers’ core players (Panarin, Zibanejad, Pavel Buchnevich, Chris Kreider and Ryan Strome) against the Isles throughout this season, combining for just one goal against their rival. He feels the Rangers lack the mentality and personnel to adjust against a tight-checking opponent.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brooks wasn’t as harsh in his assessment of the Rangers’ 3-0 loss to the Islanders on Saturday, perhaps because, as he pointed out, that loss felt inevitable. He did, however, suggest the Rangers lacked the physical presence to deal with rugged Islanders winger Matt Martin. He noted the Blueshirts attempted to sign Martin during the offseason before he returned to the Isles on a four-year deal.
The Rangers could make some offseason changes, perhaps behind the bench as well as in the lineup. There’s no shortage of former NHL coaches who’d relish the opportunity of coaching the promising Blueshirts. Gerard Gallant, Claude Julien and Bruce Boudreau could be among the potential candidates.
As for the roster, Cap Friendly shows the Rangers have $55.6 million invested in 17 players for 2021-22. Buchnevich and goaltender Igor Shesterkin are their notable free agents, with both being RFAs holding arbitration rights. Filip Chytil, Brett Howden, Ryan Lindgren and Libor Hajek are coming off their entry-level contracts.
The Blueshirts have sufficient cap space to re-sign their key free agents and perhaps have some space to tap into the UFA market to add some toughness to their lineup. They could, however, forego an expensive signing by going the trade route.
Zibanejad and Strome are one year away from unrestricted free agent eligibility. Their names popped up in trade speculation in the recent past and could surface in the offseason if management decides core changes are needed.
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: David Schoen recently reported there haven’t been any contract talks between the Vegas Golden Knights and Alec Martinez. The 33-year-old defenseman is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Martinez is hopeful this season won’t be his last with the Golden Knights. He has 27 points on the season and averages over 22 minutes per game. General manager Kelly McCrimmon acknowledged the blueliner’s value to the lineup, adding talks will happen when appropriate and declined to comment further.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Martinez is completing a six-year, $24 million contract and turns 34 in July. His age will work against him getting a significant raise. So will the Golden Knights’ limited cap space. They have $75.4 million invested in 17 players next season. He’ll have to accept at least the same annual cap hit on a short-term deal to stay in Vegas, and only if they can free up some cap room.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports one of the biggest issues in the Carolina Hurricanes contract negotiations with head coach Rod Brind’Amour is he wants contract extensions for his coaching, training and equipment staffs. Like Brind’Amour, their respective contracts expire at the end of this season.
Friedman believed Brind’Amour will re-sign with the Hurricanes. However, he’s made it clear the future of his staff is as important as his own.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brind’Amour was a team guy during his playing days. That attitude has carried over into his coaching career. Given the success he’s had turning the Hurricanes within three years from an also-ran to a Stanley Cup contender, he’s justified in wanting to keep his staff intact.
What coach would’ve made a difference for Rangers against Isles? They’re an experienced playoff team. Isles play a pretty good defensive game. Rangers are rebuilding. Their average age is lower than most AHL teams! Panarin stuck playing along side Strome and Colin Blackwell. Need another legit top 6 center. Team has improved each year with Quinn. He’s not going anywhere. Especially if they’re serious about chasing kid he coached in college, Eichel. Team is headed in right direction. Nobody expected them in playoffs. Fact is, they’d be in if in any other division. Unfortunately, they’re stuck in East with 4 legit contenders.
Eichel isnt going anywhere
Eichel could go but I would see the Sabres preferring to trade him out of the east. Both Anaheim and the Kings have the players, prospects and picks that could make this happen. Rangers would have to begin with LaFreniere and Zibanajad.
What Rod Brind’Amour wants , he will get !
By far , the most superior coach in hockey , hands down !!
jared bednar of the Avalanche gets no respect, he’s the best coach in the league and no one knows it except those who really follow hockey!!!!!
Brooks is an idiot !! I agree with him that the team lacks some toughness but toughness is something that takes a bit of time and experience to develop at the NHL level. Most of these players are all almost all under 25 and years away from the playing prime. The Rangers have a number of big forwards and D-men that just have to grow into the game. First you have to get your game to be on an NHL level and then you can add some physicality to your game. I could see the Rangers going out a getting a young forward with some grit to his game. Possibly one that needs a change of scenery, but no big splash. As for Quinn I think he is doing an exceptional job of developing these young players. I have been a Rangers fan for 54 years and I am really excited about the years to come.
Yep, that was my reaction too. Idiocy. Zibanejad’s reputation is top notch. Without him there’s no way Rangers will remain a contender next season.
Spector even found a picture to match Brooks words…
The photo of Zibanejad is his official NHL headshot. Take it up with them.
The NHL needs more Brind’Amour types on all levels. He’s the man!
I know this is a super long shot, and won’t happen, but I would be over the moon if LA signed Martinez on a 4×4. That is a bit high in years 3 & 4, but for a team that’s struggling with defense, he’d be a great role model and mentor, could easily help out the young guys. In the last 2 years, could send him to a contender while retaining salary if LA is not pushing for a run. Pipe dreams that probably are crazy stuff to GMs.
What do you think of my “out to lunch” thought Spector? Would love to see what a pro thinks of that idea.
Why is this Rod Brind’Amour “demand” news at all? Every coach wants to surround himself with assistants, trainers and equipment staff of their choice.
You can dress it up as loyalty but the reality is you surround yourself with the people you believe give you the best chance of success.
Brind’Amour “demand” is news because it is a fresh look at another team other than the HABS. How about that?
It also sheds light on the possibility that RBA may not stay in Carolina. He is not one to bluff. Dundon better pay his staff the going rate. I always thought Dundon would pay RBA what he deserved but now I understand why the deal hasn’t been completed.
Habsfan30
Your beloved Canadians would be an entirely different team with Brind’Amour behind the bench
Players like him, respect him , he gets the job done …
Great clutch hockey player in his day , as well
“Why is this Rod Brind’Amour “demand” news at all?”
Seems self-explanatory to me.
Slick62,
While I agree with you on the NYI being a seasoned playoff team, with a superior coach, I disagree with you on Quinn.
The NYR have gone as far, as they will with Quinn as their head coach. He is good with the young guys, but his inability, to get his team to adjust to other styles, has been shown throughout this year, as well as last year in the bubble.
They are in need of a coach, who can now get them to the next level, and unfortunately that’s not Quinn.
And as for trading for Eichel, it’s totally possible, but I don’t think Eichel turns down a trade to the NYR because they move on from Quinn.
I’m not sure the Sabres would be willing to move JackE to NY. He would be too close and would end up burning them too often.
I think a move out west is more likely, imho.
Agreed LA would be a destination for Eichel before anywhere on the easy coast.
Re
“ Is Alec Martinez any closer to re-signing with the Golden Knights? ”
and
“ David Schoen recently reported there haven’t been any contract talks between the Vegas Golden Knights and Alec Martinez. ”
Unless Martinez would agree to 50% (of current contract ) or less (which he should not agree to, he absolutely deserves more for sure)… the Knights should NOT peruse re-signing him
Note: this is NOT a knock on Martinez or his value… very good player; value is there for sure…. they just can’t fit him in
It is all about the team
They (Knights) are currently one of the 3 Cup favs (with Bolts and Avs); and are the ONLY team that will NOT lose a player to Krakken…. and this cup Fav team can have 22 of 23 current players back (20 of 23 are already under contract for next year) plus sign 1 depth forward; and still be UNDER Cap ceiling next year with about $1M to spare… with only losing Martinez from what could be a Cup winning team
If they sign Martinez for what he is worth…. they will lose at least 2 and possibly 3 players off of this years possible cup winning team
So lose Martinez and remain a cup fav next year; OR re-sign Martinez but weaken elsewhere on team and lessen the probability of “cup fav” status for next year
So no real incentive to re-sign him at market value
Knights can go with (next year)….. Theo, McNabb, Hague as their 3 LDs, with Holden (also LD) as their 7th D. Right side is Petro, Whitecloud, Coughlan…. 8th D would likely be Dhalstrom, OR Hayes (I think he will end up being a very good “sleeper” late bloomer) or Korczak
Martinez would be the perfect veteran to mix in with Ottawa’s kiddie-korps D … and they can afford whatever contract he gets
If (big if)…. Gorton can somehow finagle Handsome Jack from Adams…. look out….. that’d be a Rangers team certainly going far
Package would need to be big though…otherwise I see the only possible deal (that’s if Adam’s does part with Handsome Jack) being with Blake
Pengy… Hearing that there may be a chance of Tortorella going to Buffalo as their next head coach. Eichel may want to get out of town…..quicker.
Torts is leaving Columbus…
While Torts will instill discipline and turn them around like he has many cubs……
. Superstars don’t always buy in to his system…. LOL
Penguins looked great in their 3-0 win at Washington. If Geno comes back he needs to buy in to the team play concept that has worked so well…
Hi BNG
Yes looking good and looking forward to Gino,Turbo return
As long as Zucker is on bench when Gino on ice ; Gino will do very well (and therefore a boon to Pens)
Top line no change
Carter McC Zucker seems to work
Blueger , ZAR Together
Gino will be with Kappy
So who is winger with Gino/Kappy and who is winger with Blueger/ZAR
Those two wing positions need to be filled by Turbo and Rodrigues
The alternate roster settings:
Sid Guentz Rusty
Gino McC Kappy
Carter Zucker Turbo
Blueger Gaudreau ZAR
Need to decide now and get them playing as units before playoffs begin
Torts to Sabres ???? Pagulas can’t be that dense
Torts needs to retire
@ Pengy.Geno needs to buy in to the team game.
I have the lines a bit different yes zucker Malkin not good together..
But…
Zucker McCann Carter terrific.
Malkin Kapanen Turbo.
Tanev mKes Malkin faster and gives this line some credibility…god knows geno cant play any.
I just hop he buys in to the team game that has got us to first place in his normal 20 game absence..
Time for him to get moved in the off season to a destination of his choice..for all his contributions..
Get what you can get use the money wisley..sam Bennett who I wanted at the deadline tearing it up in Florida..
Be happy next year with Crosby Carter McCann blueger..
Meant Tanev gives Malkin line defensive credibility..ooppss
Pengy..Buffalo is an organization who signed jeff skinner to $ 9 million a year for what 5 years??
Torts…nothing compared to that debacle..
Hi BNG
Yep…. Turbo just might work with Kappy and Gino
Turbo has speed to match Kappy; not as good offensively but energy abound and very good defensively
Gino for sure will need to play the team game plan…. he was playing a massively better 200’ game in March (after Zucker injury)…. with Zucker (Before March)…. huge minus player…. way off his PPG pace
Zucker gets injured …. Gino goes 18 points and plus 9 …., in 13 games in March; before he (Gino) gets injured in the Bruins game
He will likely start off slow; but once he gets his legs back ; if they keep Zucker away from him; he should be back to performing near his March levels…. a great sign
I’m not sure Sully tries Turbo out at 2LW…. but it would be worth a try
I certainly wouldn’t want to break up Carter/McC; but if they don’t put Turbo at 2LW… it would have to be McC….
Leaving likely the 3rd line as
Carter Turbo Zucker
Having 2 natural C’s on the 4th line (Blueger and Gaudreau) is not a bad idea…. they are both excellent defensive guys
I hope the versatile Rodrigues is back soon…. he has fit in wherever they ask him to play
Rod Brind’Amour’s demands sound noble, but he’s either posturing to mollify his staff, or he’s cracked under the stress of battle. If management calls his bluff and refuses to re-sign his staff, he can either put his tail between his legs and accept what he can get, or he can look for another job, In either case, his staff is unemployed.
I’m willing to bet they’d (Rod’s staff) follow him all the way to Seattle.
Which is why this is Elliotte Friedman’s way of making a story out of nothing.
Even in the AHL coaches bring their assistants with them.
Good Pt – Shoreorrpark ..
I have thought about that!
Ron Francis and Brind’Amour are tight , but I just can’t see Carolina , allowing that to happen , but never say never
Just curious–Is it common for NHL teams hiring a head coach to allow the coach to name his entire entourage? You might read of head coaches hiring their assistant coaches, and even of GMs firing assistants, but not the head coach (such as happened in Pittsburgh after last season), but I can’t say I’ve heard mention of training and equipment staffs being coach-hired.
who is turbo? Teravainen is on Carolina.
The Rangers are in year 2(?) of a rebuild. Give me a break, Larry Brooks.
Just saying ….Rask,Krejci Hall all want to come back to the Bruins next season but nobody wants to take a team discount somebody isn’t coming back of the three the money won’t work
If I’m Boston and they don’t take discount I let Rask walk Swayman is real deal.
That’s a big 10-4, Obe. See ya Tuukka.