NHL Rumor Mill – April 28, 2025
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the latest on Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad and what could be next for the Islanders after parting ways with Lou Lamoriello.
NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker reported that Mika Zibanejad knows his disappointing performance this season has put him at a crossroads with the Rangers.
The 32-year-old center was among several notable underperforming Rangers. He also reportedly didn’t like how general manager Chris Drury handled “certain business” this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That would be Drury waiving popular checking-line forward Barclay Goodrow last June, his attempts to peddle Jacob Trouba last summer before trading him to Anaheim in December, and the league-wide memo last November indicating veteran leaders like Trouba and Chris Kreider were available.
New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (NHL Images).
Walker indicates there is speculation about Zibanejad’s future in New York. He has five years left on his contract with an average annual value of $8.5 million and a full no-movement clause. She wondered if Zibanejad and the Rangers could put this season aside and trust each other going forward, or would Drury sit down with him and convince him to accept a trade.
“I know what my contract says,” Zibanejad said the day before the Rangers’ final game of the season. “Both parties agreed to it, and like I said, I think I’ve earned it. Until it’s time to adjust it, I have no plans of going anywhere. I’ve invested a lot of years here.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zibanejad saying “until it’s time to adjust it” suggests he could be open to waiving his no-movement clause for the right team. He was rumored to be part of the return to the Vancouver Canucks for J.T. Miller but was said to have refused to waive his clause. The Rangers part with Filip Chytil instead.
Zibanejad could be difficult to move even if he agreed to be traded. He turned 32 earlier this month, his production has steadily declined since his career-best 91-point performance in 2022-23, and few teams will be willing to take on his cap hit for the next five years.
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple recently looked at what lies ahead for the New York Islanders after parting ways with general manager Lou Lamoriello.
Certain players will want to know what the future holds. Kyle Palmieri was said to be close to a contract extension with Lamoriello before the latter was fired last week. Restricted free agents Noah Dobson, Simon Holmstrom and Alexander Romanov will also want to know where they stand.
There’s also the possibility of contract buyouts when the two-week window opens in late June. Winger Pierre Engvall and defenseman Scott Mayfield could be buyout candidates.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dobson, Holmstrom and Romanov will likely be re-signed. Palmieri’s future is less certain if the next GM believes the money would be better invested in pursuing a younger player.
Engvall has five years left on his contract with an AAV of $3 million. Buying him out would count as $1 million annually against the Isles’ cap until 2034-35. Mayfield also has five years left with a $3.5 million AAV. His buyout would run through 2034-35 with an annual cap hit of $1.166 million.
Penguins and head coach Mike Sullivan agreed part ways.
Him going to the Rangers has been on many rumor boards for a year.
Seems the road is now paved for that to happen.
Chicago
Boston too. Mass native, coached college there, and McAvoy is his son in law
Not sure coaching your son in law in the NHL is good idea.
The line forms to the left when scanning the names that have popped up to replace Lamoriello as GM of the Islanders: Ken Holland, Marc Bergevin, Peter Chiarelli, Pierre Dorion, Jarmo Kekalainen and Doug Wilson – to name the retreads along with Mathieu Darche, Evan Gold, Kevin McDonald. Brandon Pridham and Ryan Wilson as possible up-and-comers.
In the end it would not surprise me in the least to see Patrick Roy appointed and have him hire the coach to replace himself.
Chris Lamoriello still listed as assistant GM and GM of their AHL team in Bridgeport. Will he be promoted?
Slick62, the pathetic performance of Bridgeport would indicate not – see here
https://nyihockeynow.com/new-york-islanders-nhl-rumors-general-manager-search-lamoriello-kekalainen-friedman/
Slick62, the pathetic performance of Bridgeport would indicate not – see here
https://nyihockeynow.com/new-york-islanders-nhl-rumors-general-manager-search-lamoriello-kekalainen-friedman/
Agree with you on the outside chance Roy interviews for the job, AND might even get it. He may a different idea of personel decisions & hiring coaches.
Ryan Martin … not “Wilson”
I’m sure Drury wouldmt mind freeing up that cap space, but it doesn’t look like it could happen. Zib played better at end of season. “When it’s time to adjust” could allude to last year of deal when he submits partial no trade list. Team really needs to focus on defense. Pittsburgh and Sullivan parting ways. Rangers might have next coach in sight.
Sullivan gets off the sinking R.M.S. Dubas.
Watching the Penguins and the Rangers implode is glorious.
The “R.M.S. Dubas” was torpedoed by Hextall long before it ever left the docks in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh is a textbook example of the results of trading away the future in order to make the playoffs now, year after year after year after year. The good news for CBJ fans is that, with Pittsburgh bottoming out, their fans won’t be as eager to buy tickets at Nationwide when the Pens play here.
Paul…. When was the last time a team win a cup or cups without trading futures? Your team missed the playoffs cause they failed to do so. As a pens fan that lived in Columbus for years… it’s frustrating. There could have been a great rivalry. But even with the pens downturn… Columbus just isn’t a big deal. You are closer than Philly New York etc. but you haven’t earned rivalry status yet. Maybe in the future. Fingers crossed.
Sullivan isn’t Swedish, so he’s a no go.
– The Sedins & Alvin.
If Bruins want Sullivan they will probably make an offer quick and not drag it out …
Joe I Don t think coaching his son in law is a good idea. Besides Boston is not going to pay a coach what Sullivan is making.Not a good idea to mix family,work and pleasure.
Dubas saves the day and appoints himself as Head Coach, GM and Emperor Penguin!!!
Derek LaLonde sort of looks like a penguin, might be a good fit.
No he looks like Uncle Fester.
Could the Bruins move Sway this offseason for a center and go with DiPietro & Kop in the net , DiPietro is close to NHl ready and having a nice run in the minor lesgue playoffs
Lots of bruins fans looking to move sway. Right after signing a big deal. It is a shallow goalie market but what do you think is an honest market for him? Goalies don’t traditionally get good value. I’d wager Jarry could get traded for more value than swayman.
I don’t see any team out there ready to take on a goalie who turns 27 in November. is costing $8,250,000 off the cap until 2032, and just had a lackluster season – AND give up a top-flight C in the process.
George and Chrisms, yep. Sway is ours for the foreseeable future.
RY Bark,he is yours for the foreseeable future until his no trade clause kicks in next July,then he is yours forever.Boston not a Stanley Cup contender for at least 5 yrs should at least look into what the market is for Sway.
I agree 100% Sr, if they could trade him they should.
What I’m saying is they won’t be able too unless they eat a whole bunch of that salary for the next 8 years.
Ray Bark not so sure about eating a lot of his salary.There are several teams who are starving for that 1st string goalie!
Swayman and lorei for Bouchard and skinner. Who says no?
Edmonton:-)