NHL Rumor Mill – December 4, 2024
Is a coaching change coming for the Rangers? Are the Avalanche done dealing? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON THE RANGERS
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports there is no credibility to a rumor that appeared on social media over the weekend linking the Rangers to former NHL coach Joel Quenneville. “There has been no contact between the parties and there will be no contact between the parties.”
Brooks adds the Rangers aren’t going to fire head coach Peter Laviolette. He claims they’re “committed” to Laviolette and won’t bum-rush him out of New York.
New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette (NHL.com).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers may be committed to Laviolette now but that could change if they don’t snap out of their funk soon. Nevertheless, Brooks’ sources within the organization seem adamant that Quenneville won’t be his successor.
Brooks also spoke with Chris Kreider, who was one of two Rangers (Jacob Trouba being the other) mentioned in the infamous “memo” circulated around the league by general manager Chris Drury. The 33-year-old winger dismissed the notion that the trade rumors and outside noise have affected the club’s performance, saying he and his teammates put plenty of pressure on themselves to play better.
Kreider insisted he and his teammates must work through their current slump and come out better on the other side.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Few observers believe the Rangers can move Kreider or Trouba at this stage in the season, and certainly not for a return that immediately improves their roster.
Kreider may believe Drury’s “memo” hasn’t put extra pressure on the Rangers. As Brooks points out, it hasn’t sat well with the players.
COULD THE AVALANCHE HAVE MORE MOVES IN STORE?
DAILY FACEOFF: Tyler Yaremchuk and Colby Cohen believe the Colorado Avalanche might not be done dealing after shipping goaltender Justus Annunen to the Nashville Predators for backup Scott Wedgewood on Saturday.
Cohen pointed out that the Avalanche are a “win now” team. He thinks they could be in the market for a centerman and doubts they’ll continue with Ivan Ivan and Parker Kelly as their third and fourth-line centers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche won’t be the only club in the market for a center. The Calgary Flames and Nashville Predators have made no secret that they’re looking for one while the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks need help at that position. The Toronto Maple Leafs could end up in the market for a third-line center before the March 7 trade deadline.
So Joel Quenneville to be named as Rangers coach in 5, 4, 3….
As the Times Square ball drops on New Year’s Eve?
Joel Quenneville will be back as a Coach later this season
Or the start of next season with a contender as there is a shortage of high end coaches out there,
NYR, could be a possibility❓
Maybe the Pred’s❓
Maybe the Sen’s next year❓
Could be up to 6 coaching changes…..🤔
Re Avs and more trades coming and taking into account Cap Space issues:
Puckpedia has Landeskog’s expected return in 4 days???
Avs followers, is that what is being reported locally?
Rangers going to be pressured into a knee-jerk trade in 5,4,3….
Canucks waiting for Drury to up the package for JT Miller
Rangers going to be pressured into a knee-jerk trade in 5,4,3….
8787, there are about 10-15 teams that should consider a trade! The league is stagnant! Washington made some trades including core players and look where they are at today!All these teams wait until they have money for free agents,then they spend it and are let down.Just look at Boston,Nashville and Seattle and see what those high priced free agents are doing with those teams?
Sr, agree 100% another off season option in lieu of trades is the offer sheet route the Blues took. Holloway has 8 goals despite missing some games, brings speed ,skill, and physical play where Broberg is a close to a point per game bringing size, and speed to the blue line.
Trading for both may have been costly, by using the offer sheets it was picks and money. And with another bold Armstrong move jumping on Montgomery the Blues rebuild is suddenly in high gear.
Agree Sr
Re Avs, I was trying to figure out space they are counting on. If Puckpedia is correct; that’s a big chunk of space needed by coming off LTIR
It’s really hard to swap out a star, but aging player. However, teams that don’t usually rebuild, while those that do often reload & stay playoff relevant. It can be very awkward, as the Stamkos & Sergechev situations were in Tampa, but the Bolts are younger, deeper, and a decent bet to make the playoffs again. It takes trust by the owner in the GM & vice versa to pull it off. It helps to have a loyal fanbase that will still sell out the building, and a fair press. not all markets qualify.
8787
Haven’t heard that but then again I am not “plugged in”. So, can’t say if that is a thing or not? Avalanche are not very forthcoming about Landeskog/or injuries to other players . I hope that is true but wouldn’t hold my breath either. Desperately miss Landeskog and it is reflected in lack of consistent play. These come acks are great and everything but doesn’t cut it against really good teams: spotting teams 3-4 goal leads is not a good recipe for success? It’s like the equivalent of being down 4 touchdowns and expecting a comeback all the time; ain’t gonna happen too often and a terrible habit to get into. Yet, the Avalanche seem to prefer it rather than play good hockey from the outset
Thanks Tommy Boy
If Puckpedia is right, big Cap number coming off LTIR in 4 days.
How do they fit that in?
@8787 Well now the Penguins aren’t quite as crappy as everyone thinks now are they?
They have reeled off 4 wins in a row all against playoff teams Vancouver Boston, Calgary and last night the Stanley Cup Champions in OT.
Are they a cup contender NO but they can easily make the playoffs and they are now only a couple points out of a playoff spot.
They are getting younger Tomasino has fit in, Owen Pickering 20 has done very well on the third pair defense. If they get Hoglander or Robertson they will get even younger. The bottom six Lizotte beauvillier and OConnor are contributing…and shock horror Jarry has been much better and Karlsson and Letang actually blocked some shots.
So the demise of there death has been greatly exaggerated. Two of their top prospects (every says Penguins farm system is bad) Tanner Howe and Harrison Brunicke were just named to the Canadian national junior team…they both will be up next year.
If Dubas makes a couple decent moves they can make the playoffs.
Hi BnG
By no stretch of the imagination are Pens good.
Yes 4 wins in a row; but still reeling defensively as a team.
A tweak will not at all get Pens in
The downside of 4 straight wind is that Sullivan’s job stays safe for now
His line-up choices, line combos and D-Pairings continue to be problematic; and Sullivan in no way is the right type of coach to lead (in next couple of years) a young team through a rebuild
Had they lost 3 of those 4 instead of winning them; then Dubas would then HAVE to fire Sully
I would have been OK with that change
Yes some youth in ranks looking good for future (Pickering, Howe, Brunicke)
If Dubas does opt for more pipsqueaks (Hoglander , Robertson) then Grzylcyk ABSOLUTELY must go.
Nedjelkovic had a shutout going until Grzylcyk pulled a Grzylcyk
He pulled 6 full montr Grzylcyks last night. Were it not for complete acrobatics by Jarry; we lose in regulation
Sully is either completely blind to (which is awful in and of itself) Grzylcyk’s brutal defensive play OR is ignoring it (ignoring it is criminal) all because he gets the odd assist AND because he’s from Boston (Sully from Boston burbs and went to BU)
Sully also has blinders on defensive play of Hayes, Nieto, Accairi, and Shea.
Hayes is literally the slowest skater on the team and only knows how to play from center ice onward
Nieto playing instead of at least 4 different forwards on WBS??? Come on!!
I think Shea just needs a couple of weeks in WBS to get hid D game back; so no absolute need to move him
Most media are talking about Dubas moving Pettersson (Pend best defensive defenseman)
That loss makes an already brutal defensive team worse.
If Pettersson goes, Grzylcyk absolutely must go too. Can’t give him some of Pettersson’s minutes
Tomassino deal was a good move. Glass and Pulljarvi size and good depth additions.
Lizotte has had a couple of very good games but also a couple of stinkers. Potential is there but value still TBD
IF Dubas can sit two of Hayes, Nietto, Accairi and acquire a young solid 3rd pairing RD; then Pens can fight towards moving up
No matter what; Playoffs in ‘25 are s very big longshot
@8787 Some of what you said is true and most of what I said is true.
yes i would absolutely sit Nieto Accairi and Hayes..
Shea will be fine..yes the defense is a concern but like you said if they add a d-man and another young forward they will move up..
They did win 4 in a row you cant say if this if they would have lost they didnt..
You seem to like Glass he is fine Hoglander is much better a 24 goal scorer just last year like Tomasino just needs a change of scenery.
I agree with you on Grz…he has been brutal move him.
Tanne Howe maybe up before the end of the year. Bruincke is a stud too..he is hurt right now.
Dubas makes a few solid move Pittsburgh will push.
From what I’ve read about Drury and memo. He’s open for business. Don’t believe either Trouba or Kreider were specifically mentioned. Out of the older, high cap hit players, they’re the only 2 that don’t have full ntc or nmc. Easy assumption that Trouba has and is available. I don’t see Kreider going anywhere this season. Definitely don’t see Q in NY. Starting to wonder about Shesterkin. The way he’s playing, there’s no way I’m paying him long term with money he’s asking.
Read a lot of chatter on Twitter last night that Drury might be on the hot seat more than Lavy. That would be interesting.
They cited how many on the team are not happy with the way he handled Goodrow last year, the botched Trouba trade this summer, and now the “memo”.
Not sure your best sources are on Twitter, foleyd7.
Has a president and gm ever been fired before the coach?
If this rare event happened, wouldn’t the new gm want his own coach? That seems to be far more common.
Dubas, you have a short memory
Yes, I can have a short memory. But Dubai wasn’t fired, he was not re-signed.
That should read Dubas.
Anyone else hate auto-incorrect?
Stories weren’t from just randos. Several stories from newspapers and local sportswriters. There is a sense that Drury has cast a dark cloud over the team and it’s weighing on the players.
I find when coaches are out of the business for a while and then return they are almost ALWAYS a disappointment.
Quenneville will likely be a huge letdown to whomever hires him. He is only mentioned all the time because of name recognition.
Remember how GREAT Ted Nolan was when he finally coached again..?
Re Snold 49: I think the price for those two were a bargain, a 2nd and a 3rd for a middle 6 winger with speed and a top 4 D who is almost a point per game player. And both young. Sure, the salaries were a gamble but as it is its paying off
Kent Nisson without a doubt, they got 2 NHL experienced players including a coveted big fast skilled dman that is playing over 20 minutes a game and last night played top pair with Parayko and looked right at home.
And by going the offer sheet route they kept all of their top prospects for next year or later this year and still have tradeable veterans they can move for picks.
Armstrong I believe knowing next year he’s moving upstairs and Steen is taking over as gm can make moves without looking over his shoulder and has been pretty fearlessly making moves. Much different from the usual conservative approach many gm’s take. Maybe a lesson to be learned and probably will see more of this from now on.
On a side note has anyone heard from George?
Canucks & J.T.Millar
wrote about this an a couple of hours ago but did not get it posted i must have messed up…..!
Sounds like why JT.Millar is Not with the Canucks…
is a Big Fall Out with Head coach Rick Tocchet…⁉️
A couple of teams intrested in J.T. Millar were NYR, and cant remmember the other one mentioned
Canucks need a Good younger Centre & A top 4 d/man…
What about a trade with Buffalo… 🤔
Buffalo need leadership up front in the top 6….
A Trade,
–23 yr old top 4 d, LD Bowen Byram @ $3,850,000
–A 1st or 2nd pick and
–A player at $2.m to $3.M for the Canucks
JT.Millar……..❓
good for trade for both teams
Ottawa would be an other team i think that would have interest in J.T. Millar,
they are looking to move 25yr old Centre
Joshua Norris, a Centre Swapp both are on the same money…?
Miller’s not going anywhere.