NHL Rumor Mill – May 9, 2025
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: changes are coming for the Devils, the latest on former Canucks coach Rick Tocchet, and the Flyers could be heading to arbitration with Noah Cates.
CHANGES ARE COMING FOR THE DEVILS
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols reports Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald isn’t happy with his club’s performance this season. He explains there will be changes coming for next season.
Fitzgerald indicated there are decisions to be made about certain players, saying the Devils won’t be back with the same group for next season. He acknowledged the injuries to key players like Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton adversely affected the club’s play, but felt several players did not play up to expectations.
New Jersey Devils forward Dawson Mercer (NHL Images).
The Devils’ offense suffered this season, dropping from a goals-per-game of 3.22 last season to 2.98 in 2024-25. Depth scoring was an issue, as off-season acquisitions Stefan Noesen and Paul Cotter cooled off after strong starts to this season.
Nichols also pointed out Dawson Mercer’s struggles this season. Expected to have a breakout performance, the 23-year-old center managed only 19 goals. Nichols suggested the Devils need a top-six winger and a few bottom-six forwards who can score.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of the changes Fitzgerald could be referring to are the Devils’ pending unrestricted free agents. They include forwards Tomas Tatar, Daniel Sprong, Curtis Lazar and Nathan Bastian.
Fitzgerald proved last summer that he’s willing to make big off-season moves to improve his club, acquiring goaltender Jacob Markstrom and signing defensemen Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon. He has over $12 million in projected cap space with 19 active roster players under contract, but a big chunk of it will go toward re-signing defenseman Luke Hughes.
The Devils GM alluded to the possibility of making trades this summer. He could gauge Mercer’s value in the trade market. The young center’s name surfaced occasionally in this season’s rumor mill.
THE BRUINS ARE INTERESTED IN RICK TOCCHET
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports former Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet has emerged as the top targets for the Boston Bruins to fill their vacant coaching position.
An NHL source told Murphy the Bruins are trying to secure an interview with Tocchet. CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal also believes they’re a club worth watching as a possible destination for the former Canucks bench boss.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Winner of the Jack Adams Award last season, Tocchet is the hottest coaching commodity available this summer. The Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Seattle Kraken are among the clubs he’s been linked to.
FLYERS COULD HEAD TO ARBITRATION WITH NOAH CATES
DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco believes the Philadelphia Flyers are likely to go to arbitration with Noah Cates.
The 26-year-old center is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights and is a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. He’s completing a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.625 million. Cates had 16 goals and 37 points in 82 games this season.
Di Marco writes that it was assumed Cates would be in line for a long-term extension, but it doesn’t appear that’s in the works, suggesting arbitration is the most likely destination.
A Flyers source said Cates isn’t interested in a long-term deal and is willing to bet on himself on a one-year contract. The team views his value in the range of $3.5 million annually on a four to six-year contract.
Di Marco believes Cates would be willing to commit to the Flyers long term. However, it would be at a price the club considers too high.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A trade is possible if the Flyers don’t see Cates as a part of their long-term future. Doing so would hurt their depth at center unless they can swing a deal that brings in a suitable replacement.
I’m curious what the level of interest in a guy like Dawson Mercer is for the Habs. If they’re looking @ Mercer as a cap dump, maybe they can swing a package of picks and prospects to NJD for Mercer and maybe Nemec.
NJ Devils moving Mercer and Nemec doesn’t make sense unless they have lost patience with them.
On the other hand they have traded away their round 1 and 2 picks and start in the 3rd round.
A package of picks and prospects could be Habs 2 1st rounders for Mercer and Nemec.
NJ isnt moving Nemec and isnt moving Mercer for picks
Agreed Kent. Nemec going nowhere. Mercer may be traded if the right deal comes along but would require a return that helps immediately. But as he’s been playing at wing rather than center he doesn’t fit the Habs needs at this time.
No offense to Boston fans, but Philly seems like a better coaching opportunity right now. Good young players. (Though I have no idea who Cates is). Boston seems to be in transition. Add fact Tochett spent most of his playing days there and it seems like a no brainer.
NJ would be crazy to trade Mercer. 23 and has not missed a game in his 4 seasons. Very reasonable cap hit. When team is healthy, he’s a solid 3C with a higher ceiling than other bottom 6 guys there.
NJ should realize the problem is behind the bench, not on the bench. Let Keefe jump to his beloved Dubas and go after Tochett
Tocchet cant see offence if it stares him in the face. He is good at creating a defensive structure but cant coach any offensive structure except dump and chase
I like Forester with the Flyers.
Mercer is quick and has some offence in his game. However on the defensive side he is a bit of a lightweight . Needs to get bigger to help on the forecheck and PK. Certainly not getting any taller.
Meier disappoints . Palat should retire