NHL Rumor Mill – March 31, 2025
Should the Rangers fire coach Peter Laviolette and re-sign K’Andre Miller? What should the next contract for Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko look like? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON THE RANGERS
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple recently looked at the case for and against replacing Peter Laviolette as head coach of the New York Rangers.
If the Rangers decide to replace Laviolette, Staple doubts they’ll hire a coach from the amateur ranks like David Carle of the University of Colorado or Cam Abbott of the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.
New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette (NHL.com).
Staple observed that Pittsburgh Penguins bench boss Mike Sullivan was on the Rangers’ shortlist two years ago. However, Sullivan said he isn’t ready to leave the Penguins and there’s no certainty he’d want to join the Rangers if he became available.
The league has cleared Joel Quenneville to return to the NHL coaching ranks. However, he comes with considerable baggage.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laviolette’s status will come under scrutiny after this season, especially if the Rangers miss the playoffs after winning the Presidents’ Trophy last year.
LOHUD.COM: Vincent Z. Mercogliano believes the Rangers are reaching a crossroads with K’Andre Miller. The 25-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1
Miller struggled through injury and inconsistency during the first half of this season. His performance improved after being paired with Will Borgen but his name still surfaced in trade rumors. Despite his inconsistencies, he remains the best left-shot defenseman in the organization.
Finding a suitable replacement for Miller if they trade him won’t be easy. There are limited options in the unrestricted free-agent market. Vladislav Gavrikov of the Los Angeles Kings and Ivan Provorov of the Columbus Blue Jackets are older and would cost more to sign.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mercogliano suggests the Rangers sign Miller to a two-year deal to take him up to his UFA eligibility. A better option could be available by then or Miller’s performance might improve enough to earn him a lucrative long-term deal with the Rangers.
What do you think, Rangers fans? Should your club trade Miller or sign him? Should they replace Laviolette or give him another season? Let us know in the comments below.
WHAT COULD THATCHER DEMKO’S NEXT CONTRACT LOOK LIKE?
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma recently observed that Thatcher Demko has a year remaining on his contract with the Vancouver Canucks.
Demko’s average annual value of $5 million is below what comparable goalies are making. Linus Ullmark of the Ottawa Senators will earn $8.25 million annually on his new four-year contract starting next season.
The 29-year-old Demko’s strong performance last season made him a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. However, he also has an injury history.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuzma believes Demko should seek a deal similar to Ullmark’s. The Canucks could lock him up this summer on a four or five-year contract extension. However, his injury concerns could have them wait and see how he performs next season.
Demko’s injury history certainly should have a bearing on his next contract – especially those knee problems
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/thatcher-demko-player-injuries
IF Demko is healthy he is an 8m goalie, however har has played 2 seasons healthy of the last 5, the other 3 he has played only 25-30 games. I bet they will wait and see how he starts next season as playing is a quality of its own. Miller will sign a short term extension due to the alternative is worse and if the Rangers miss the playoffs or loose in first round I bet Laviolette is gone, Drury too? Tocchet would be a good choice I think, the idea of him going to Philly has no credence
Given history Thatcher Demko has to be paid like a platoon goalie for short or medium term.
They can’t tie up a ton of money for a guy needing costly backup.
You can pay the farm for a guy giving you 60 games and all the playoffs.
Use Swayman as an example of paying a platoon goalie to be a 60 game No. 1
Lyle, Carle is DU: Denver University not University of Colorado . …..
Should be interesting tilt between Avalanche and Flames. Binnington was really good but Avalanche shot themselves in the foot by taking stupid penalties and missed the net a lot. Bare down and finish…..
Canadians are impressive, like to see them make it. Kind of rooting for them in WC. Ottawa and Columbus, too
Trade Demko to the Oil for Skinner and a 1st or Savoie.
Sign K Miller for 3 x $5.5M or slightly more salary.
Johnny, Oiler may well address their goaltending this off season, playoffs will go a long way to determining that.
But I would bet my truck they don’t do that. Not against taking a chance on Demko, but the cost to do that will be substantially less IMO. Won’t even cost a 1st, which means VCR keeps him.
Please trade Miller and fire both Lav and Drury.
This is a very poorly motivated and trained group.
No heart, no Fire!!!
I never liked the Lavi hire for the Rangers when it happened, and its time to move on. Rangers need a coach with some new ideas / systems to run the offense. Lavi is clearly not making any adjustments or improvements.
And throw in the ongoing arrival of prospects (Othmann, Perreault, Berard, Brisson, Rempe) and getting a coach who can develop young talent is key.
But not sure who that actually is.
Re “However, Sullivan said he isn’t ready to leave the Penguins ”
Penguins need a new face for the rebuild/retool
Re Quenville and baggage,
Same baggage as Bowman; and he got flak in his return; but it seems that flak has considerably subsided
Sully to Bruins
Quenville at the Helm here
I am in no way condoning or supporting his baggage; I’m just stating the if Bowman can come back; so can Quenville
Bowman isn’t behind the bench and visible to the fans in the building every game.
Very true
All I’m saying is if Bowman has been back this long; then Quenville back next season is rationalized
If Quenville is back next season; he’s the best coach available
Sully to Bruins; Quenville here
I have no idea what he knew, when he knew; what he ignored; what he did or did not do
All I know is that they were both exiled; both formally allowed to return; one already has
If not Quenville behind Pens bench; then one of Gallant, Boudreau, Woodcroft
Do NOT even suggest Torts
Bowman doesn’t interact with the players everyday and who’s respect he needs to be successful. Big difference. We know enough about what Q knew, that I don’t respect him, have to think a certain amount of players will feel the same way.
I wouldn’t have signed Bowman either, same reason, he did his penance with the victim and some other work, so OK fine, not against him being in the NHL. I just wouldn’t hire the guy. When difficult issue came onto his desk, but also a straight forward simple decision, he choked.
Lots of good coaches out there.
87, still surprised Woodcroft hasn’t had a chance to be a head coach again. Or maybe he has and didn’t accept the job as he is still getting paid by the Oil until after this season.
Knoblach was a great replacement though, and he came with zero NHL experience. Those guys are out there.
Ray, can you imagine the fans reactions in places like MSG and Chicago if Queneville returned as a coach? Talk about a distraction for whatever team hired him. And let’s not kid ourselves … that would quickly spread to other rinks.
It just is not worth the chance of being disruptive.
Ya George, why take the chance when the potential downside is so high with your players, and your customers; the fans.
Still don’t understand why the Oil hired Bowman. I get that Staios was likely being groomed to take over for Holland, but he had a personal connection to the new Ottawa ownership and that forced a change in plans.
But there are many quality asst GM’s out there, probably could have even kept Holland around as a consultant for a year to ease the transition.