NHL Rumor Mill – May 2, 2025
The latest coaching rumors, the Devils attempted to acquire Ryan O’Reilly at the trade deadline, and the latest on Red Wings forward Vladimir Tarasenko in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST COACHING RUMORS
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported sources told her and Kevin Weekes that the New York Rangers are in advanced contract talks with former Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan. It’s expected to be one of the richest coaching contracts in NHL history.
Kaplan also reported former Rangers coach John Tortorella is expected to rejoin the organization. She also indicated that Penguins assistant coach David Quinn is not expected to follow Sullivan to New York, but he will be a head coaching candidate, including in Pittsburgh.
**UPDATE***
New York Rangers hire Mike Sullivan as their new head coach (NHL Images).
The Rangers announced this morning that they’ve hired Sullivan as their new head coach. There was no word yet as to the contract terms or who would be on his staff.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was widely assumed that Sullivan would join the Rangers if he left the Penguins. No word from Kaplan as to what role Tortorella would have with the Blueshirts.
THE SCORE: Josh Wegman cited TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reporting the Anaheim Ducks are casting a wide net for their next head coach. LeBrun said they’ve interviewed former Edmonton Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft, met with David Carle of the University of Denver, and contacted Mike Sullivan. They also reportedly interviewed former NHL coach Joel Quenneville.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Scratch Sullivan from that list. Carle recently took himself out of the running for the head coach position with the Chicago Blackhawks.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James cited ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reporting the Flyers interviewed Western Michigan head coach Pat Ferschweiler for their head coaching job. Ferschweiler guided Western Michigan to a National Championship this season.
DEVILS TRIED TO ACQUIRE RYAN O’REILLY AT THE DEADLINE
RG.ORG: Jim Biringer reports the New Jersey Devils attempted to acquire Ryan O’Reilly from the Nashville Predators at the March trade deadline. However, the club didn’t want to pay a premium to get him.
O’Reilly lacked no-trade protection, but the Predators treated the 34-year-old center as though he had one. He didn’t want to leave Nashville, preferring to stay and help the Predators. That’s why the Predators set a high asking price for him, believed to be three young assets.
Speaking of the Devils, Biringer’s source believes they could move a young player like Simon Nemec or Dawson Mercer this summer to upgrade a roster need. The Predators will listen to calls for O’Reilly but the high asking price remains.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Biringer wrote that the Preds’ asking price was similar to what they sought for goaltender Juuse Saros last season before they re-signed him. That was a high draft pick, a top prospect, and a good young NHL player. The Predators re-signed Saros.
UPDATE ON VLADIMIR TARASENKO
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Kevin Allen reported the Red Wings could be willing to give Vladimir Tarasenko another chance.
The 34-year-old winger managed only 11 goals this season, prompting speculation he could be traded or bought out this summer. He has a year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $4.75 million.
However, Allen noted that Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman didn’t sound like he was considering parting ways with Tarasenko. During his recent end-of-season press conference, he said he felt the winger’s performance was better than his production. Yzerman thinks the veteran winger is capable of giving them more than what he did this season.
Will be interesting to see what role (if any) Torts may have with Rangers.
Will he join the coaching staff in a defensive capacity, similar to the Four Nations staff?
Will he join the front office in an advisory role?
Or will he just be brought in to scare Zibanejad into waiving his NMC?
That’s pretty funny. Would like to know how JT and Kreider feel about him coming back. Both played for him as rookies. Kreider could already be halfway out the door if rumors are true.
Guessing Torts is being brought in to teach players how to deal with the media. Especially Brooksie.
Also, Panarin left Columbus while Torts was there. Not sure how they got along.
Staples saying Torts won’t be joining Sullivan staff. Nothing about any front office positions
Of all the available coaching gigs, I would think the most attractive is Anaheim.
Quality young talent on that team up front, on D and Dostal looks like a tender long term. Quality vets to guide them.
Plus, still lots coming including Sennecke.
Perhaps not a playoff team next year, but should give it a run. After that might start getting in every year.
Can’t agree with you more. Nicely stocked cupboards, draft picks and cap space….add in the whole SoCal lifestyle it would be hard not wanting that job. I’m hoping they get a real good coach to bring them along.
Ducks should trade for Panarin. Reunite with Strome. They have cap space.
Not sure he fits their timeline Slick62.
Ray, used to hear same when Rangers signed him. Wishful thinking on my part as he’s heading into last year of his contract. Not sure Drury wants him back after next year. Would love to have some of that cap space now.