NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 20, 2025

by | Apr 20, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 20, 2025

The Jets and Avalanche take the opening games of their respective series, the Rangers and Ducks fire their head coaches, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING SATURDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION

NHL.COM: Kyle Connor scored the winning goal with 1:36 remaining in the third period as the Winnipeg Jets defeated the St. Louis Blues 5-3, taking a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven opening round series.

Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor (NHL Images).

Connor and Mark Scheifele each had a goal and two assists as the Jets scored three unanswered third-period goals to overcome a 3-2 deficit. Robert Thomas, Oskar Sundqvist and Jordan Kyrou scored for the Blues. Game 2 is Monday, Apr. 21, in Winnipeg starting at 7:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Game 1 was anything to go by, this should be a fast-paced, entertaining series. The Blues set a physical tone, outhitting Winnieg 53-33. However, the Jets adapted and took control of the game in the final period.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and collected an assist to lead his club to a 5-1 win over the Dallas Stars to take a 1-0 lead in their first-round series. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 23 shots for the win in his first-ever NHL playoff game.

Roope Hintz tallied for the Stars to make it 2-1 in the third period before the Avalanche pulled away with three goals. Game 2 is Monday in Dallas at 9:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacKinnon was outstanding as usual, but Blackwood was the real star of this one for the Avs, coming up with several big saves to frustrate the Stars.

Avalanche forward Ross Colton left this game in the third period with a lower-body injury. An update on his status is expected Sunday. Meanwhile, sidelined Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen attended Saturday’s morning skate and has been upgraded to day-to-day. He’s been out since undergoing knee surgery in late January.

HEADLINES

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers fired head coach Peter Laviolette on Friday. Hired in 2023, Laviolatte guided the Blueshirts to the 2023-24 Presidents’ Trophy, but the club struggled this season and missed the playoffs. They are seeking their fourth head coach since 2021.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks relieved Greg Cronin of his duties as head coach after two seasons. The rebuilding Ducks improved by 21 points over last season but missed the playoffs for the seventh straight season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Laviolette firing was expected, given his inability to cope with the turmoil within the team as management attempted to remake the roster during this season. However, the Cronin firing was a surprise because of the Ducks’ notable improvement this season.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk was a full participant in practice on Saturday as his club prepares for Game 1 of their first-round series with archrival Tampa Bay Lightning. The power forward has been sidelined with a groin injury since the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning-Panthers series begins on Tuesday. Barring a setback, expect Tkachuk to return to action in Game 1.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of the Lightning, winger Oliver Bjorkstrand will miss that series with the Panthers because of a lower-body injury.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Jake McCabe were back in their usual spots on the blueline during Saturday’s practice. Both rearguards had been sidelined with injuries heading into the postseason.

DAILY FACEOFF: Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson revealed he played the final 12 games of the regular season with a broken fibula after blocking a shot during a March 25 game against the Seattle Kraken.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson kept playing because he was trying to help his club stay in the playoff race. While those efforts were unsuccessful, his toughness and will to win are among the reasons why management hopes to sign him to a contract extension this summer.

NEW YORK POST: Islanders forward Mathew Barzal and goaltender Semyon Varlamov are expected to be ready for training camp in September. Knee surgeries sidelined both players and their absence was partly responsible for the Isles missing the playoffs.

THE SCORE: Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen is expected to miss the start of next season after undergoing arm surgery. His last game of this season was March. 11.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ristolainen’s improved performance before his injury was among the few bright spots for the Flyers this season.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Sabres defenseman Owen Power won’t require surgery on his injured left knee. He’s been told to stay off the ice for two months, which shouldn’t interfere with his offseason training.

Meanwhile, Sabres forward Josh Norris revealed a torn oblique muscle limited him to just three games with the club following his March 7 trade from the Ottawa Senators.

THE TENNESSEAN: Nashville Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault was critical of head coach Andrew Brunette’s offensive system. “Clearly, it didn’t work,” he said, adding that there had to be adjustments before next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators were among this season’s worst offensive teams despite the additions last summer of scoring forwards Marchessault and Steven Stamkos. That inability to score occasionally sparked speculation over Brunette’s job security.

TSN: The Edmonton Oilers signed defenseman Ty Emberson to a two-year, $2.6 million contract extension.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 19, 2025

by | Apr 19, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 19, 2025

What could be in store for the Red Wings this off-season? Could the Sharks trade the potential first-overall pick? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE RED WINGS?

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman recently looked at some of the storylines facing the Detroit Red Wings following another disappointing season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings’ postseason drought is at a team-record nine seasons, with the last six under general manager Steve Yzerman. The first three seasons were expected because they were rebuilding, but their struggles to break through as a playoff contender have some observers suggesting the “Yzerplan” is broken.

Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

The Red Wings’ offensive depth remains a concern beyond Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. They’ll have to find a way to get more out of the group they have, or shake things up this summer.

Bultman thinks the Wings should bring back Patrick Kane. The 36-year-old right wing developed a strong chemistry this season with linemates DeBrincat and Marco Kasper. He seemed to like playing in Detroit the past two years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane is eligible for unrestricted free agent status but could be enticed to return for one or two more seasons. However, that could depend on management’s plans to improve the roster for next season.

The Red Wings could be aggressive this summer to improve their roster. Bultman doesn’t expect them to throw expensive contracts at as many big names as possible. He recommends adding a shutdown defenseman like Vladislav Gavrikov of the Los Angeles Kings.

Bultman acknowledges there could be some free-agent forwards to consider like Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett, Brock Boeser or Nikolaj Ehlers. He thinks they might only be able to make a big swing at one position.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Defense seems the priority for the Wings. The depth at that position really drops beyond top blueliner Moritz Seider, though Simon Edvinsson showed promise this season.

SHARKS COULD BE OPEN TO TRADING THE FIRST-OVERALL PICK

NBC SPORTS BAY AREA: Sheng Peng reports San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier could be open to trading the first-overall pick if his club wins next month’s NHL Draft Lottery.

The Sharks won last year’s draft lottery and selected foundation player Macklin Celebrini. Finishing last overall, they have the best odds of winning the lottery again.

Grier noted the consensus first-overall pick is defenseman Matthew Schaefer of the OHL’s Erie Otters, after which it’s more forward-heavy. He wouldn’t say no if he received a really good offer of young, established players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Every general manager holding the first-overall pick says they’re willing to listen to offers because they know it’s almost certain they won’t get any that’ll tempt them to part with that pick.

The last time that happened was in 2003, when the Florida Panthers traded it to the Pittsburgh Penguins. That pick turned into Marc-Andre Fleury. To be fair to the Panthers, they already had a future Hall-of-Fame goalie on their roster named Roberto Luongo.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 19, 2025

by | Apr 19, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 19, 2025

The Stanley Cup playoffs begin on Saturday, a brief look at each of the postseason teams, the league sets a new season attendance record, and updates on Roman Josi and Elias Pettersson in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF HEADLINES

THE WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets hope to soothe the bad memories of recent early postseason exits as they face off against the St. Louis Blues in their first-round series, with Game 1 starting Saturday. Since reaching the Western Conference Final in 2018, the Jets have advanced to the second round only once.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets face higher expectations after winning the Presidents’ Trophy this season for the first time in franchise history.

STLTODAY.COM: Blues center Robert Thomas returned to practice on Friday and is ready to go for Game 1 against the Jets. Thomas left Tuesday’s game against the Utah Hockey Club with a lower-body injury.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars will be without leading scorer Jason Robertson when they open their first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. He’s listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury (right knee) suffered during Wednesday against the Nashville Predators.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars are also without top defenseman Miro Heiskanen, who had knee surgery in February.

THE DENVER POST: The Avalanche spent most of this season with key players like Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin sidelined. However, they’ll have a healthier lineup going into their series with the Stars. Head coach Jared Bednar wouldn’t say if Landeskog will be in the lineup for that game but everyone else could be available.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators captain Brady Tkachuk looks forward to leading his club in playoff action for the first time. Their upcoming series with the Toronto Maple Leafs will be Tkachuk’s postseason debut.

SPORTSNET: With salary-cap constraints lifted for the playoffs, the Maple Leafs could work veterans Ryan Reaves, Max Pacioretty and Jani Hakanpaa back into their lineup at some point against the Senators. Sidelined players Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jake McCabe and David Kampf could be good to go for Game 1 on Sunday.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: The Golden Knights need Alex Pietrangelo, Brett Howden and Jack Eichel to be at the top of their game if they hope to stage a Stanley Cup run this season. They face the Minnesota Wild in the opening round beginning Sunday.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Wild rookie defenseman Zeev Buium could be in the lineup for Game 1 against the Golden Knights. During practice on Thursday, the 19-year-old blueliner took line rushes with Zach Bogosian on the Wild’s third defense pairing and was running their top power-play unit.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: New Jersey Devils starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom won’t be taking this postseason run for granted. His last playoff appearance was in 2022 with the Calgary Flames. Markstrom and the Devils face the Carolina Hurricanes with Game 1 beginning Sunday.

Speaking of the Hurricanes, they’ll need winger Andrei Svechnikov, defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, and goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov to step up against the Devils come Game 1.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Washington hopes to put their rough finish to the regular season in the rearview as they meet the Montreal Canadiens in their first-round series starting Monday. The Capitals finished atop the Eastern Conference standings but dropped eight of their final 12 regular-season games.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Canadiens defenseman David Savard announced his intention to retire following the postseason. He’s served as a mentor for one of the youngest teams in the NHL.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This could provide additional motivation for the Canadiens, rallying around Savard as they attempt to stage a bit of a playoff run for their beloved teammate.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Los Angeles Kings forward Alex Laferriere hopes to make a positive impact in the upcoming postseason series with the Edmonton Oilers. He’s a physical forward who has steadily improved since his NHL debut in 2023-24, finishing this season with 42 points and 124 hits.

TSN: Sidelined Oilers Jake Walman and Trent Frederic were on the ice for practice on Friday. Walman’s been out since April 7 with an undisclosed injury, while Frederic’s been sidelined with an ankle injury since April 5. The Oilers face the Kings with Game 1 starting Monday in Los Angeles.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: The Lightning must wait until Tuesday to start their opening-round series with arch-rival Florida Panthers.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Matthew Tkachuk could return to the Panthers’ lineup for Game 1 against the Lightning. He’s been sidelined by a groin injury suffered during the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: The league set a new regular-season attendance record of 23,014,458, surpassing the previous high of 22,873,142 set last year. That figure represents 96.9 percent of capacity.

Those figures included the 2025 Winter Classic at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, the Stadium Series between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings at Ohio Stadium, and the Global Series games in Czechia and Finland.

The Montreal Canadiens led all teams in total attendance, with sellout crowds of 21,015 at the Bell Centre for all 41 home games.

SPORTSNET: The Vancouver Canucks expect center Elias Pettersson to report to training camp in better shape for next season. He was in disappointing condition reporting to camp last September, which he attributed to a sore knee that affected his summer training.

THE TENNESSEAN: Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi confirmed he’d been sidelined by a concussion following a hit from Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett on Feb. 25. Josi said he’s progressed well in his recovery and will be ready to play at the start of next season.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 18, 2025

by | Apr 18, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 18, 2025

Check out the latest speculation regarding the offseason plans for the Canucks, Penguins and Islanders in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CANUCKS

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston wondered what the future holds for Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet and first-line center Elias Pettersson.

Tocchet’s contract expires at the end of this season but the Canucks hold a club option for another year. It’s believed they offered a contract extension, but Tocchet has strong bargaining power given his reputation around the league and his 2024 Jack Adams Award.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Management’s plans for next season and beyond will also factor into whether Tocchet stays or goes.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

Pettersson had an awful season, prompting Johnston to ponder if management still believes signing him to his long-term contract last year was a good idea. If they decide to move him, they must find a trade partner and a suitable replacement.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson has seven seasons left on his contract with an average annual value of $11.6 million. If the Canucks intend to move him their best opportunity is before his no-movement clause kicks in on July 1.

Pettersson’s performance this season makes him difficult to move unless the Canucks retain up to half of that cap hit, which they won’t do. They’ll likely hang onto him and hope he has a bounce-back effort next season.

Johnston believes the Canucks must find a suitable second-line center. Filip Chytil is talented but not a full-fledged second-line center, plus he’s frequently sidelined. Pius Suter has shown potential in that role, but Johnston wonders if he can truly fill that spot next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Suter can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Canucks could scour the trade and free-agent markets before then to see if there are obtainable options. They have over $16.7 million in cap space with 17 active roster players under contract for next season.

The Canucks might have to find a scoring right wing if Brock Boeser departs as a free agent on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Boeser recently expressed doubt that he’ll be back with the Canucks. If they don’t re-sign him, it’ll give them more cap space to add that second-line center, likely the more pressing need in management’s eyes.

Team captain (and reigning Norris Trophy winner) Quinn Hughes has two years left on his contract. They can sign him to an extension next summer, but Johnston believes he’ll want to see improvement before he commits to a long-term deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes isn’t going anywhere this summer but the Canucks’ performance next season could determine his future in Vancouver. That will play a role in management’s moves this summer.

PENGUINS

POST-GAZETTE.COM: Matt Vensel had nine questions that will define the offseason for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

One was whether it would be the status quo for next season. Vensel doesn’t think so, suggesting defensemen Erik Karlsson and winger Rickard Rakell as trade candidates this summer.

Winger Bryan Rust’s no-movement clause expires at the end of this season but it would take a significant offer to convince management to part with him. Much-maligned defenseman Ryan Graves and goaltender Tristan Jarry could be shopped this summer, though the latter is no sure thing if they can’t find a suitable replacement.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Josh Yohe of The Athletic believes there’s a real chance Karlsson could be moved if a suitable offer from a team he’s willing to join should emerge, but it would take the Penguins retaining part of his annual cap hit.

As for Jarry, Yohe believes he’ll be back next season, citing his improved performance following his stint in the minors. Of course, the Penguins will listen to offers if a rival club expresses interest in him.

Vensel wondered if the Penguins would make a splash in the trade or free-agent markets this summer. If they do, improving the blueline is the priority. Vladislav Gavrikov and Ivan Provorov are the top left-handed defensemen potentially available in the UFA market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vensel also mentioned that Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner will be the player we hear the most between now and the start of free agency on July 1. He cited Marner’s relationship with Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas during the latter’s tenure as Leafs GM. However, that relationship might not be enough for the rebuilding Penguins to win a bidding war for his services.

ISLANDERS

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple addressed questions over how the New York Islanders intend to address their crowded blueline during the offseason.

He believes restricted free agents Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov will be re-signed. Dobson’s difficult season could land him a four or five-year contract with an AAV between $7.5 million and $8 million. He suggested a six or seven-year deal for Romanov for between $6.5 million and $7 million.

Dobson and Romanov would receive lots of interest in the trade market, but it would be difficult getting equal value for either guy.

Scott Mayfield seems the main candidate to be moved. He’s got five years left on his contract with a full no-trade clause, but they could attempt to buy him out. Ryan Pulock has five years left with a full NTC for the next two years.

Adam Pelech had four years left on his contract with a 16-team no-trade list. Of those three, he’s the one they could prefer to keep.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 18, 2025

by | Apr 18, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 18, 2025

Recaps of the final night of this regular season, Nikita Kucherov wins the Art Ross Trophy while Leon Draisaitl takes home the Maurice Richard Trophy, the full schedule for the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is revealed, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust scored twice to reach the 30-goal plateau for the first time in a 5-2 victory over the Washington Capitals. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby had two points to reach the 90-point plateau (91) for the third straight season. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin potted his 897th regular-season NHL goal as his club finished in first place in the Eastern Conference standings with 111 points.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: What’s impressive about Crosby reaching 90 points for the third straight season is that he did it at an age (37) when a normal player would be in decline or retired. The same can be said for the 39-year-old Ovechkin, who finished this season with 44 goals.

Ovechkin was honored by the Penguins for breaking the goal-scoring record, receiving a standing ovation from the Pittsburgh crowd. The club also gifted him a Rolex watch, with Crosby and teammate Evgeni Malkin presenting it to him following the game.

The Capitals’ captain also silenced rumors that he might retire at the end of this season. “I’m not retiring yet,” he said. Ovechkin has a year remaining on his contract and intends to honor it.

Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff got the 900th regular-season win of his career as his club held off the Philadelphia Flyers 5-4. JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch each had a goal and an assist for the Sabres, while Flyers rookie winger Matvei Michkov scored twice.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ruff is the fifth coach in NHL history to reach 900 wins, joining Scotty Bowman (1,244 wins), Joel Quenneville (969), Paul Maurice (916) and Barry Trotz (914).

The Toronto Maple Leafs overcame a 3-1 deficit to beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 on an overtime goal by Scott Laughton. Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies each had two assists for the Leafs, who finished atop the Atlantic Division with 108 points. Alex DeBrincat netted his 39th goal of the season for the Red Wings.

Four unanswered third-period goals lifted the Ottawa Senators over the Carolina Hurricanes 7-5. Drake Batherson had two goals and an assist, Adam Gaudette scored twice, while Tim Stutzle and Dylan Cozens each had a goal and two assists for the Senators. Hurricanes rookie Skyler Brind’Amour (son of head coach Rod Brind’Amour) scored his first NHL goal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Senators captain Brady Tkachuk returned to action after missing eight games with an upper-body injury but left in the second period after taking a stick to the face. Tkachuk later said it was for precautionary reasons and he’ll be ready to face the Maple Leafs when their series begins on Sunday evening.

The Columbus Blue Jackets ended their season with their sixth straight win by downing the New York Islanders 6-1. Jet Greaves made 36 saves in his fifth straight start while Adam Fantilli scored his 31st of the season for the Jackets, who finished two points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth. Hudson Fasching scored for the Islanders.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets could’ve gone through the motions after their playoff hopes were dashed the night before. Instead, they were determined to end this season on a high note.

This team persevered through offseason tragedy and could be a playoff club next season if management addresses its roster weaknesses.

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin ended his club’s season with a 27-save shutout performance in a 4-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mika Zibanejad scored two goals for the Rangers. The Lightning finished second in the Atlantic Division with 102 points.

The Calgary Flames finished their season with a 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Dan Vladar stopped 30 shots, Nazem Kadri scored twice to reach a career-high 35 goals, and Sam Morton and Zayne Parekh each scored in their NHL debuts for the Flames. Taylor Ward also scored in his first NHL game as his Kings finished second in the Pacific Division with 105 points.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: The league released the full schedule for the upcoming first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. It begins on Saturday with the Winnipeg Jets facing off against the St. Louis and the Dallas Stars meeting the Colorado Avalanche.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link provided for the full schedule.

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov is this season’s winner of the Art Ross Trophy with a league-leading 121 points. It’s the second straight season he’s won the award and the third time since 2018-19. Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers won the Maurice Richard Trophy for the first time as the league’s leading goal-scorer with 52.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draisaitl was the only player to crack the 50-goal plateau this season. Seven others finished with over 40 goals.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Connor Bedard addressed rumors he wasn’t happy playing for the rebuilding Blackhawks.

“I’m a pretty mild-mannered guy and if I look a little sad on the bench or something, maybe people can take it out of context,” said Bedard. “I’ve said it so many times, I love being here and the city, the people.”

Bedard acknowledged that the club is rebuilding and it is sometimes frustrating as the losses pile up. However, he also cited the positivity around the team, especially with promising players like Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov joining the roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blackhawks management will attempt to bolster the roster this summer around Bedard through trades and free agency. Nevertheless, their future lies with their youngsters.

Bedard had 67 points in 82 games despite the sometimes frustrating stretches of the season. Nazar steadily improved throughout this season. Moore, Rinzel and Levshunov showed potential in their brief appearances down the stretch.

BLACK N’ GOLD HOCKEY: cited The Boston Herald’s Steve Conroy reporting Bruins center Elias Lindholm said he suffered a back injury during training camp which contributed to his disappointing performance this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm played all 82 games for the Bruins but finished with 47 points.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets signed defenseman Neal Pionk to a six-year, $42 million contract extension. Pionk, 29, was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The average annual value of the contract is $7 million.

TSN: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini has committed to playing for Canada at the IIHF World Championships in May.

NHL.COM: Florida Panthers winger Jesse Puljujarvi received a two-game suspension by the department of player safety for an illegal hit to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Mitchell Chaffee.

KSL SPORTS: Utah Hockey Club winger Michael Carcone expects to head to free agency on July 1. After meeting with management and coaching staff, he doesn’t expect to reach an agreement on a new contract.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 17, 2025

by | Apr 17, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 17, 2025

Check out the latest about the possible offseason plans for the Rangers, Blackhawks and Flames in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

BIG CHANGES COMING FOR THE RANGERS THIS SUMMER?

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh reported the New York Rangers have fallen behind younger Eastern Conference rivals like the Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Rangers carry an older roster that fell from being considered a Stanley Cup contender a year ago to missing the playoffs, raising concerns about their future. They have a middle-of-the-pack prospect pool and gave up one of their next two first-round picks acquiring J.T. Miller from the Vancouver Canucks.

New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Baugh expects general manager Chris Drury will fire head coach Peter Laviolette. He’ll likely try to keep reworking the roster as he did during this season. However, the Rangers only have $9.672 million in cap space for next season. Most of that will have to go to re-signing restricted free agents Will Cuylle and K’Andre Miller, though the latter could become a trade candidate this summer.

Chris Kreider is the most obvious cost-cutting candidate. However, the 33-year-old winger had a disappointing performance this season. He also has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million and a 15-team no-trade list. Drury could also try moving Mika Zibanejad, but his full no-movement clause gives him complete control over his situation.

RG.ORG: Jim Biringer reports the Rangers face a massive roster overhaul after missing the playoffs this season.

Teams called about Zibanejad and Kreider last fall when Drury let it be known they were looking to make changes. Biringer wondered if they could be moved this summer. He also wondered if Artemi Panarin could be shopped. He’s in the final year of his contract. Like Baugh, Biringer suggested Miller could become a trade candidate.

The Rangers could also decide to make a coaching change. Biringer also cited a source suggesting a management change might be in order.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panarin, Zibanejad, Kreider and Miller have frequently surfaced in this season’s rumor mill, with Kreider considered the leading trade candidate.

Like Zibanejad, Panarin has a full NMC and controls his fate. That doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t accept a trade, but their preferred destinations would be limited.

Laviolette seems all but certain to be relieved of his coaching duties. As for Drury, he’s not going anywhere. He wouldn’t have made the moves he did in this season’s trade market without the blessing of team ownership.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE BLACKHAWKS?

THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers wondered who would become the next head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks.

They believe interim bench boss Anders Sorensen will probably get an interview. University of Denver coach David Carle is the hottest name among this year’s NHL coaching candidates, but there’s no guarantee he’ll leave Denver.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: RG.Org’s James Murphy cited a league source claiming the Blackhawks want Carle badly and are willing to “show him the money if the situation presents itself.” However, they’re not the only NHL club hoping to pry him away from his current job. Another source told Murphy to keep an eye on the Seattle Kraken and the Utah Hockey Club.

The Blackhawks would love to re-sign UFA-eligible forward Ryan Donato. There is a three-year offer worth an AAV of $4 million on the table but the 28-year-old hasn’t accepted it. Donato’s coming off a career-best performance of 31 goals and 31 assists for 62 points.

Lazerus and Powers believe the Blackhawks would be first in line if Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner hits the open market on July 1. They have the cap space to offer him an AAV of between $12 million and $14 million.

The Blackhawks could also get creative by going the offer-sheet route. “The Rangers’ Will Cuylle could be a target, or maybe Dallas’ Mavrik Bourque.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks have the cap space and tradeable assets to improve their roster through trades, the unrestricted free-agent market, and offer sheets. Whether they can land the talent they need could be easier said than done.

Signing Marner would be a major acquisition by the Blackhawks that could accelerate their rebuild process if he clicks with franchise player Connor Bedard. However, he could prefer signing with a playoff contender if he goes to market.

THE LATEST ON THE FLAMES

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes the Calgary Flames must improve an offense ranked 30th overall this season.

GM Craig Conroy knows a team can’t be built through free agency, but he isn’t ruling out finding assets that could improve their roster in the UFA market. He’s also looking at adding young players from within their system.

The Flames’ top need is a right-shot center. They were interested in Dylan Cozens before the Buffalo Sabres traded him to the Ottawa Senators at the trade deadline.

CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson reports the Flames must decide on Rasmus Andersson’s future with the club. The 28-year-old defenseman is a year away from UFA eligibility. He could be traded away if he’s not signed to a contract extension this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like the Blackhawks, the Flames have a lot of cap space for next season ($34.2 million) and tradeable assets like draft picks and prospects. Some cap room will go toward new contracts for Matt Coronato, Connor Zary, Adam Klapka, Morgan Frost and Kevin Bahl. However, there should be enough to add that elusive right-shot center if one can be found this summer.

Andersson indicated that he loves living and playing in Calgary and wants to stay. Whether he and the Flames can find the right deal remains to be seen.