NHL Rumor Mill – April 12, 2025
With their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, here’s the latest on the Rangers and Islanders in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun recently looked at what could be in store for the New York Rangers if they miss the playoffs.
The club is staying tight-lipped about its offseason plans. However, there is speculation around the league that head coach Peter Laviolette could get fired. He has a year left on his contract, but the body language and performance of the players over the past month suggest a change could be required.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larry Brooks of the New York Post shares that opinion. He believes Laviolette didn’t do enough to keep his players focused and motivated, which could cost him his job.
LeBrun and Brooks don’t solely blame Laviolette for the Rangers’ collapse this season, pointing out that management deserves its fair share. They also believe several core players bear some responsibility. Nevertheless, a coaching change seems more likely than a shakeup in the front office.
NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker believes distinct changes are necessary as the Rangers bury this lost season. She believes everything about the club’s “epic implosion” must be analyzed and action taken to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
New York Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere (NHL Images).
Some of this falls on management and the coaching staff for doing a poor job navigating through the issues that derailed this season. Nevertheless, there could be roster decisions that otherwise wouldn’t have been made if the season had gone the other way.
Walker believes that means determining if restricted free-agent defenseman K’Andre Miller has a future with the Rangers. They could have a conversation with center Mika Zibanejad about waiving his no-movement clause. It could also mean attempting to move Chris Kreider or Alexis Lafreniere.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Miller, Zibanejad and Kreider frequently surfaced in the rumor mill as general manager Chris Drury attempted to remake his roster in this season’s trade market. Lafreniere didn’t pop up as much in the media trade chatter but his disappointing play could have Drury rethinking his long-term commitment to the 23-year-old winger.
At least one of those players mentioned by Walker probably won’t be in the Rangers starting lineup for next season. Kreider and Miller seem the more likely to be moved.
Kreider has two years left on his contract with a 15-team no-trade list and could still be enticing for clubs seeking an experienced scoring winger. Miller struggled this season but he’s still young and his potential upside will draw interest in the trade market.
Zibanejad reportedly declined to waive his NMC to go to the Vancouver Canucks as part of the return in the J.T. Miller trade in January. He could agree to accept a trade elsewhere this summer but he’ll likely have a short list of destinations. His age (31), cap hit ($8.5 million through 2029-30) and declining production could also hurt his value in the trade market.
Lafreniere would also draw lots of attention if he hit the trade block. However, Drury could keep him in the hope he’d regain his form and meet his full potential on a retooled roster.
NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears examined the plethora of options facing the Islanders and Noah Dobson during their contract negotiations after this season.
The 25-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. He’s completing a three-year deal with an average annual value of $4 million.
He could go for long-term stability or pursue a shorter deal bringing him up to unrestricted free-agent eligibility and the opportunity for a more lucrative contract as the salary cap keeps rising. Meanwhile, the Islanders could try to lock him up long-term as a core piece of their roster or prefer a shorter term after his production dropped this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sears also pointed out that the threat of a possible offer sheet for Dobson hangs over his negotiations. The blueliner hasn’t revealed if he’s willing to entertain that option but it should be kept in mind if his negotiations stall should he forego arbitration.
NYR should send Lavi walking. Send Housley with him.
Bring in Denver coach David Carle on a 7 yr deal and maybe Dan Girardi to help the defense.
Maybe see if WPG wants Zib and Kreids for Yager plus
Yager new 3rw with Cuyle
Leave Gabe and Laffy with Miller
Leave Othman with Bread
As far as 3c…take a look at what Mcann on the Kraken would cost vs looking at Sam Bennett
No way Mika agrees to go to the Jets and I bet they are on Kreiders list as well
No way Winnipeg wants Zibs as you say who ever that is and Kreider for a young player like Yager. Winnipeg is a well managed team may be try Ohman, Lafrenière fand a first for a young Jets player like Yager or Barlow.
Ihatecrosby. Do you really think that either or both of Kreider and Zib would waive their clauses to go to Winnipeg??
Of the 4 teams that made the playoffs last year but are all but out of it this season, I’d say the Rangers core puts them in the better spot to rebound next season than any of the other three – in order of their chances as I see it: Vancouver, NYI, Boston.
All will, however – including the Rangers – need to make significant changes to both the coaching and perhaps management as well as to key elements of their rosters.
Boston made a decision to go to the next step towards rebuilding , by trading Frederic,Coyle,Marchand,Carlo,Brarreau. Ny
keeps talking about getting rid of Zibamajad,,Laf,,Kreider,and Miller.Vancouver is in a mess with Demko,Boeser,and down the road Hughes. The Islanders are in better shape if you trust Lou.It will be interesting if Sweeney,Drury,Lamoriello,and Allvin survive to retool or rebuild!
Perhaps a little early to write post season analysis, but to me the clear winners of Biggest Fall from Grace are the Rangers in the East and the Canucks in the west.
Each team seemed to be on clear ascension t the end of last year, and it seems that each were dramatically affected by high profile player disputes (Rangers – Trouba, Canucks -Miller). It’s not as simple as that, and the players were moved for different reasons. But both teams are surely the biggest disappointment to their fans this year.
Anything to do with Kreider will revolve around the extent of his back issues.i still think Zib to Vancouver makes sense. He might be more amicable to a move in off season. 1 more year of Panarin, who’s still producing. Extend or move him while his value is highest? Laviolette has to go. I’d like to see Muse get bumped up. He’spent a few years coaching US natl teams and has worked with some of Rangers younger players and prospects. Crazy watching other former assistants doing well in Pitt and Edm. Team really needs to package some of their young talent in deals. No room for all. K Miller and Laf are expendable. Look for other young talented young layers that maybe need a change
Can’t fire 20 players .
Rangers defence not that deep and overall not that talented. Fox Schneider. Then what ?
I think you need to keep K’Andre. If you move any players out they should get defence back.
Blue shirts will rebound next year. Not sure on the Canucks led by EP40
Would you like Karllson @ 50% of remaining???
Make us an offer
Soucy for Karllson 50% off
Drury is more the problem than Laviolette. The way he went about his business imo contributed to the downfall of the team. Hard to motivate your players when the GM snakes your captain and then leaks to the media a bunch of husk players are on the trade market.
Two acceptable paths for Rangers
1)Win enough of balance of season to finish just out of playoffs but no lower than 19th overall;
Or
2) finish 20th or lower this year; completely throw in the towel this summer for a full rebuild; and finish bottom 3 next year
-#1 gives Pens a 2nd 1st rounder (14th -16th overall) this year
#2 gives Pens at least a 12% chance at wunderkind McKenna