NHL Rumor Mill – April 30, 2025
Check out the latest on the Red Wings and the latest on coaches Rick Tocchet and Mike Sullivan in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
UPDATE ON THE RED WINGS’ OFFSEASON PLANS.
THE ATHLETIC: Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman addressed team captain Dylan Larkin’s recent comments about his unhappiness with the club’s lack of significant moves at the March 7 trade deadline. He explained that he tried to address the club’s needs but there were “no good options.”
Yzerman claimed his team is willing to use premium assets (like draft picks, prospects and players) to get better, pointing out he did so when he acquired Alex DeBrincat in 2023. He added that he expected his best players to give the club a bit of a morale boost. Yzerman said he spoke with Larkin, but didn’t elaborate on that conversation.
The Red Wings GM acknowledged his club needed more production from their bottom-six forwards and more 5-on-5 scoring from their top six. He made it clear that he’s willing to make trades to address those issues, but doesn’t expect to go the offer-sheet route.
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff reported Larkin’s comment raised speculation that the Red Wings captain could end up on the trade block.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).
Duff dismissed that chatter, pointing out Larkin is the face of the franchise who carries a full no-movement clause in his contract. He also noted the Red Wings captain remains determined to get the team into the playoffs and contend for the Stanley Cup.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin doesn’t sound like he wants to be traded. He could waive his NMC if Yzerman asked him to, but that’s unlikely to happen.
Meanwhile, Duff believes Vladimir Tarasenko could be a buyout candidate following a disappointing performance this season. Defenseman Erik Gustafsson could be a trade candidate.
Forward J.T. Compher and defenseman Justin Holl are expected back next season.
DAILY FACEOFF: Yzerman said there was mutual interest in bringing back Patrick Kane for another season. He admits he and his staff hope to sign the 36-year-old winger to a contract extension.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE CANUCKS AFTER RICK TOCCHET’S DEPARTURE?
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma listed former former Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, former New York Rangers coach Peter Laviolette, former NHL coach Gerard Gallant, and coach Manny Maholtra of the Canucks’ AHL affilate in Abbotsford as possible replacement for Rick Tocchet, who decided not to return behind the Canucks bench.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre believes replacing Tocchet is the offseason priority for the Canucks. He also thinks team captain Quinn Hughes will have a say in the hiring process. Finding someone who works well with Hughes will be a significant step toward ensuring the latter’s long-term future in Vancouver.
Scratch Sullivan from Kuzma’s list. Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford said his friend wants a coaching job in the East.
It remains to be seen where Tocchet ends up. NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jordan Hall noted the recent speculation linking him to the Flyers, examining the pros and cons of bringing Tocchet to Philadelphia.
If the Flyers are interested in Tocchet, they could face competition from several other clubs seeking a coaching upgrade. The 2024 Jack Adams Award winner won’t be out of work for long.
MIKE SULLIVAN DRAWING INTEREST FROM SEVERAL TEAMS
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports five NHL teams have expressed interest in coach Mike Sullivan, who parted ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday. He claims there are varying degrees of interest in Sullivan, with some clubs simply curious and others very serious.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun didn’t indicate the identity of those clubs. The Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and the Flyers are among the teams linked to Sullivan in the rumor mill.
Bruins will be looking for one UFA Dman to sign thus offseason and the name that is making the rounds in the Boston press is Dante Fabbro who would be a VG choice … 26 years old BU product and has a nice all around game …Sweeney make it happen … then go get your 2 scoring wingers and sign Geekie ..trade Kop and bring up DiPietro to play with Sway… sign Tanner Jeannot .. draft a center with your first pick
Joe, Waddell is already on record as saying he has every intention of re-signing Fabbro and Provorov. He certainly has the cap to do so, and it’s known that Fabbro enjoyed playing alongside Werenski.
And if playing for an up-and-coming contender is any criterion, the Blue Jackets are a LOT closer to that than are the Bruins. I doubt the fact he played his college hockey in Boston carries much weight. What has one to do with the other? He’s also from Coquitlam, B.C., and I doubt he’d want to go to that currently dysfunctional franchise.
He would be a good choice Joe, but methinks plenty of teams feel the same way so will likely have to overpay. Or he just stays in CLB. Prefer Fabbro over Ekblad who has been replaced by Jones on the top pair in FLA as he should cost less and is younger and brings more of what the B’s need IMO. But again, plenty of teams will be in on him. Supply is low on RD’s.
Scoring wingers will be tough too. Marner is a great player, but super expensive. No interest in Boeser, methinks he gets paid more than he is worth. Ehlers, Marchy, Drouin, Roslovic and ?? Not sure any of those get us to the promised land, and likely only to the mushy middle if we stay healthy.
Which is why I am firmly in the camp of don’t blow your wad this off season Bruins. Plenty of teams with lots of cap $ and supply on difference makers is really low. Which is pretty normal.
Take stock again at next years TDL, if we need to sell again, then sell again. Collect young assets and draft picks. This isn’t a quick fix situation IMO.
Agree with George that the B’s aren’t extremely attractive to players who want to compete for a cup now.
Seems obvious to non Bruin fans? Or no?
Kind of like the Pens & NYI, we need to accept reality.
If the Jacobs family wants to push for the playoffs next year Sweeney will be a good soldier and try and make it happen. Which is how they usually roll. I just hope I’m wrong about that.
This isn’t the same situation and Washington, which is the example often used this year. At least IMO.
Ray Bark Ihope they learned there lesson on high priced free agents after Lindholm and Zadorov!would rather see them sign a young player to an offer sheet.
Keeping FA’s in Columbus easier said than done. NYR need upgrades on LD. Hoping they don’t overpay to keep K Miller. Rather pay a little extra for Provorov. Or package Miller for a top pair LD.
UFA’s usually follow the $$$ let’s see what happens
currently dysfunctional franchise ? be sure to let me know the first time the Senators win a Stanley Cup
Am I missing something here, Joe? What have the Senators got to do with the discussion?
I mentioned Vancouver simply because, coming from British Columbia, it could be argued that that would be as good a reason to want to go to the Canucks as it would be to go to Boston simply because he played his college hockey there.
As for the dysfunctional comment, in reference to a sports team it means that they are not functioning effectively and is experiencing various issues that hinder its performance and success. Go back over critical discussions in here surrounding several players as well as management … and then give me a better word.
None of which has anything to do with Ottawa. Or am I somehow restricted in your view from commenting on any subject if Ottawa is not involved?
George .. my bad I went back to read your comment again I thought you were calling the Boston Bruins a currently dysfunctional franchise.
Heh … no problem Joe … and I see I could have worded it better after re-reading it again myself.
Slick62, every player in the league wants desperately to win .. it’s in their blood … and they can sense far better than anyone, from either playing for them or against them, those teams on the verge of becoming serious factors.
And I truly think – at least from my distant position but having watched them a lot on TV – that Waddell will have them ready to take that next big step with some judicious summer transactions. They were so very close to doing it this season despite the tragedy followed by some key long-term injuries (e.g., Jenner).
He has the cap with which to satisfy Fabbro and Provorov on that score, and plenty left over to upgrade in a couple of places – including goaltending.
Ya George, I think Waddell knows what he is doing too and has brought stability. Which they needed.
Players know each other and talk. They will know what the deal is in Columbus.
George, I don’t doubt that maybe CBJ could take next step. They have some good young pieces. But, Provorov was traded there and they had him at a bargain price after LA retained part of his salary. Totally feasible he explores FA. Can weigh offers and still go win somewhere else. Panarin and Bobrovsky left after making it to playoffs.
Slick62, I agree. If either Provorov or Fabbro don’t like what Waddell is offering in terms of extensions, they’d be nuts not to test the UFA market.
Just that I believe that, if Waddell sees them as vital components going forward, and unless someone offers some ridiculous contract, he will make certain they are both offered reasonable deals. Then it will be up to them to decide which team – Columbus or whichever ones expressing interest – have the best shot at moving into contender status.
Red Wings overpaid 3rd liner UFAs – Copp and Compher make almost a combined $11M per season and didn’t even contribute a combined 60 points. That’s just not good cap management or talent acquisition.
If I were Boston I would consider signing Jokiharu as a second pair RD. 25 yrs old,making a little over 3 million,FA was a plus player for an awful team after acquiring him from Buffalo.Certainly as good as Fabbro!
I agree. Scoring is the Bruins top priority IMO, not sure why people keep saying they need get D in FA. Jokiharu wont cost a ton (I think 3 is right on) and I think he can fill the void left by Carlo’s departure. If they resign Wortherspoon then they have experienced depth.
As for forwards, I know people say don’t overpay, but that is free agency. Players will go where they get paid. I’d be fine with signing Marner, Ehlers, or even Granlund. I can’t see Marchand not coming back. Something feels like it was the plan all along, they just couldn’t get it nailed down by the deadline.
I bet Maholtra gets the job in Vancouver .
Is H.Linholm done ? Him and Mcavoy not bad in top 4.
Bruins might get lucky at this years lottery.
Some team is going to get real lucky in 2026. McKenna is the “next one “ .
Tocchet is a good coach, but surely not a great coach Adams award or not. He is good at making teams play good defence making bad teams average and average teams good. But he cant teach them offence or PP or….. and even if defence wins cups, you do have to score. So whoever pays him the big bucks will be disappointed