NHL Rumor Mill – April 22, 2025

by | Apr 22, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 22, 2025

Could Quinn Hughes reunite with his brothers in Vancouver or New Jersey this summer? What’s next for the Kraken after making changes behind the bench and in the front office? What’s the latest on the Bruins? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE HUGHES BROTHERS REUNITE IN VANCOUVER OR NEW JERSEY?

SPORTSNET: Iain MacIntyre thinks Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford was joking when he spoke about reuniting team captain Quinn Hughes with brothers Jack and Luke, who play for the New Jersey Devils.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Rutherford mentioned that Quinn had spoken of playing with his brothers one day. He said that was partly out of the club’s control, but it would be within the team’s control to bring Jack and Luke to Vancouver.

“We’ve got to be careful with tampering here, so we’ll just leave it at that,” said Rutherford. “I probably crossed the line anyways.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rutherford was speaking about the importance of ensuring sufficient cap space to re-sign Quinn when his contract expires in two years. He suggested money might not be what matters most to him, mentioning the blueliner’s brothers.

Rutherford’s remarks raised eyebrows and will undoubtedly spark speculation about how such a reunion might happen. However, there is no indication Quinn intends to leave the Canucks, while the Devils aren’t parting with Jack and Luke.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols believes it would be easier for Quinn to head to New Jersey than for Jack and Luke to go to Vancouver.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The path of least resistance is to wait for Quinn to become a UFA in 2027. It will only cost the Devils money to sign him rather than money plus a package of player assets to acquire him through a trade with the Canucks.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Canucks must come up with a plan to ensure they keep Quinn in the lineup for a long time. One way would be getting aggressive in the trade and free-agent markets over the next two years to make the Canucks the best competitive option.

Another would be acquiring Jack and Luke. However, that would be very difficult to accomplish given their lack of trade assets to make such a blockbuster occur.

The Canucks could also trade Quinn if it appears unlikely that he’ll sign a long-term extension next summer. However, they would get equal value for Hughes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The best way is for the Canucks to convince Quinn that they want to build a winner around him. That means trying to stock up their roster over the next two years through trades and free agency. Their moves this summer will determine if Hughes has a long-term future in Vancouver.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE KRAKEN?

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Matt Calkins recently looked at what the Kraken must do this summer to regain relevance after missing the playoffs for the second straight season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Calkins wrote this column on Apr. 17, before the Kraken fired head coach Dan Bylsma and replaced Ron Francis as general manager with Jason Botterill.

Team CEO Tod Leiweke said last week that Kraken fans should expect this offseason to be one of the most active and busy in the club’s short history.

Calkins believes the Kraken should leverage their draft capital to land one or two true scorers. He pointed out that they have five first-round picks and four second-rounders over the next three drafts. That’s ample ammunition to make some moves.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A lack of scoring punch has been the Kraken’s weakness. They’ve never had a true scoring star on their roster. Landing one won’t be easy, even with that draft capital. It’ll be interesting to see what approach Botterill takes this summer to address that need.

Calkin’s colleague Kate Schefte listed several possible coaching candidates to replace Dan Bylsma.

Former Rangers coach Peter Laviolette, Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet, and former NHL coaches Bruce Boudreau and John Tortorella were among the notables.

RECENT BRUINS SPECULATION

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss recently looked at what the Bruins might do to fix their roster and bounce back as a playoff contender next season.

Finding a legitimate top-six center is one issue to be addressed. The best potential free-agent option would be Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers. However, he’s not one the Bruins should spend major money on, especially if they want to take a crack at signing Mitch Marner if he parts ways with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent on July 1.

Goss believes the trade market is the best way for the Bruins to find a suitable top-six center. He points out they’ve got four first-round picks and five second-rounders over the next three drafts to draw on for trade bait.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Finding suitable centers in the trade market won’t be easy. The Bruins could target cash-strapped clubs to address that need.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 22, 2025

by | Apr 22, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 22, 2025

In today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines: recapping Monday’s playoff action, the Kraken make coaching and management changes, plus the latest on the Canucks, Rangers, and Red Wings as they head into the offseason.

RECAPS OF MONDAY’S PLAYOFF GAMES

NHL.COM: The Los Angeles Kings blew 4-0 and 5-2 leads before nipping the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 in Game 1 of their best-of-seven first-round series.

Phillip Danault scored twice, including the winning goal with 42 seconds left in the third period. Kings forwards Adrian Kempe and Andrei Kuzmenko each had a goal and two assists. Oilers captain Connor McDavid led his club’s comeback with four points, including the tying goal. Evan Bouchard picked up three assists. Game 2 is Wednesday, Apr. 23, in Los Angeles, with a 10 pm ET start.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A wild game that seemed poised for a blowout win by the Kings until Edmonton made it interesting in the third with McDavid leading the way. It certainly wasn’t a defensive masterpiece, with goalies Darcy Kuemper of the Kings and Stuart Skinner of the Oilers looking shaky at times, whilst both clubs committed costly blunders in their own zones.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored two goals (including his first NHL playoff overtime goal) to down the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in Game 1 of their opening round series. The Capitals jumped to a 2-0 lead before the Canadiens tied it on goals by Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, with rookie defenseman Lane Hutson collecting two assists. Game 2 is Wednesday, starting at 7 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals dominated the first two periods as their postseason experience was on display during that stretch. Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault was sharp, keeping his team in the game until they gained their footing and rallied back.

The Winnipeg Jets squeezed past the St. Louis Blues 2-1 with Kyle Connor breaking a 1-1 tie early in the third period. Mark Scheifele also scored and Connor Hellebuyck made 21 saves for the Jets, who take a 2-0 lead in the series. Rookie Jimmy Snuggerud scored his first NHL playoff goal and Jordan Binnington stopped 20 shots for the Blues. The series shifts to St. Louis for Games 3 and 4 with the next match scheduled for Thursday, Apr. 24, at 9:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both games have been closely contested and could’ve gone the Blues’ way with some puck luck. Scheifele (five points) and Connor (four points) have stepped up to lead offensively for the Jets, with the latter tallying both winning goals.

An overtime goal by Colin Blackwell gave the Dallas Stars a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, tying their series at a game apiece. Jake Oettinger turned aside 34 shots and Tyler Seguin scored his first goal since returning from hip surgery. Mackenzie Blackwood made 35 saves and Logan O’Connor had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche. Game 3 is Wednesday at 9:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche created a stir before the game by announcing captain Gabriel Landeskog was activated off long-term injury reserve. He was not in the lineup for Game 2, but he appears a step closer to appearing in this series at some point. Due to knee surgeries, Landeskog hasn’t played since Game 6 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final.

HEADLINES

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken announced Monday they fired head coach Dan Bylsma after one season on the job. They have reportedly reassigned general manager Ron Francis to team president, with assistant GM Jason Botterill taking over the management job.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken missed the playoffs for the second straight year under Bylsma, finishing 20 points out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot. Francis had recently come under criticism for the club’s stalled improvement, including last summer’s expensive signings of center Chandler Stephenson and defenseman Brandon Montour.

The Kraken reached the playoffs in their second season, but that set heightened expectations they have struggled to meet. Botterill has management experience, serving three seasons as GM of the Buffalo Sabres from 2017 to 2020. Time will tell if he’ll have better luck in Seattle than he did in his brief tenure in Buffalo.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford raised eyebrows during his end-of-season press conference, saying team captain Quinn Hughes hopes to one day play alongside brothers Jack and Luke, who play for the New Jersey Devils.

Rutherford said a reunion of the Hughes brothers is partly out of the Canucks’ control. He added that bringing Jack and Luke to Vancouver would be within the club’s control, adding that he had to be careful with tampering and left it at that. Rutherford also said his club cannot afford to lose Quinn and would do everything they could to keep him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rutherford wasn’t saying his club was trying to bring Jack and Luke to Vancouver. He also wasn’t saying Quinn wants out of Vancouver.

It’s unlikely that Rutherford gets his fingers slapped for any violation of the league’s tampering rules. Realistically, such a move is highly doubtful. I’ll have more about that in today’s Rumor Mill.

Quinn Hughes has two years remaining on his contract with the Canucks. Whatever Rutherford and general manager Patrik Allvin do this offseason could determine whether he remains in Vancouver beyond 2027.

Rutherford also said the Canucks won’t pick up the option year in head coach Rick Tocchet’s contract. If he returns next season, it’ll be on a new long-term deal. Tocchet is at his Las Vegas home, taking a breather and mulling things over. He could make his decision later this week.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rutherford and Allvin are keen to keep Tocchet behind the Canucks’ bench. They commended him and his coaching staff for their handling of a difficult season, including a major rift between Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller that led to the latter’s trade to the New York Rangers in January.

Speaking of Pettersson, the club plans to stick with the struggling center, hoping a stronger off-season training regimen will help him regain his high-scoring form. Allvin is keeping his options open, but insists the team still has faith in Pettersson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks options will narrow considerably when Pettersson’s no-movement clause kicks in on July 1.

TSN: The Canucks also intend to let Brock Boeser reach this summer’s free-agent market on July 1. However, they haven’t ruled out bringing him back if he doesn’t find a better deal elsewhere.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Boeser could return to the Canucks after July 1 on the latter’s terms. However, there will be teams with plentiful cap space seeking scoring depth who could be willing to meet his asking price.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider underwent surgery on Apr. 17 to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder that’s been nagging him for the past two years. He can resume skating in three months.

Rangers winger Chris Kreider revealed he suffered back spasms in November and vertigo in December. He also injured his left hand in February following the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, which could require surgery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those issues explain why Kreider’s production dropped significantly this season, making him the subject of trade speculation.

The Rangers don’t intend to approach former NHL coach Joel Quenneville about their vacant head-coaching position. It’s believed there is a mutual recognition that it would not be the best landing spot for his potential return to the NHL coaching ranks.

THE SCORE: Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin believes management’s inaction at the trade deadline didn’t help the club gain momentum in the playoff race. Their only move was acquiring goalie Petr Mrazek and forward Craig Smith from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for center Joe Veleno. The Wings wound up missing the postseason for the ninth straight year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin’s frustration over the club’s long playoff drought could raise further questions about general manager Steve Yzerman’s efforts to build this club into a postseason contender.










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 15, 2025

by | Apr 15, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 15, 2025

The Kings clinch home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs, Ivan Demidov shines in his debut as Canadiens earn a point in the wild-card race, Sharks captain Logan Couture will announce his retirement, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF MONDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: The Los Angeles Kings clinched home-ice advantage in their upcoming first-round series with the Edmonton Oilers by blanking them 5-0. Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich combined for the shutout while Adrian Kempe had a goal and two assists for the Kings, who sit second in the Pacific Division with 103 points. The Oilers are third with 99 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings pulled Kuemper at 8:13 of the third period after going up 5-0 in favor of Rittich to give him some playing time before his start on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken.

Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for cross-checking Kings forward Quinton Byfield during the second period. Byfield left the ice and missed the rest of the game in concussion protocol. His teammate, Philip Danault, wasn’t pleased with the Oilers’ actions in this game. “They have their B squad in trying to hurt us,” he said.

Before the game, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said defenseman Mattias Ekholm will miss at least the first round of the 2025 playoffs.

Montreal Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov (NHL.com).

Montreal Canadiens rookie winger Ivan Demidov scored his first NHL goal and collected his first assist but his club dropped a 4-3 shootout decision to the Chicago Blackhawks. Frank Nazar tallied the game-winner and scored a goal and an assist in regulation time. Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky scored to reach 50 points for the second straight season as his club picked up a point in the Eastern Conference wild-card race. They hold the final berth with 89 points, four ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Demidov handled the pressure of his first NHL game quite well but Montreal failed to clinch a playoff berth and are 0-1-2 in their last three games. They have one game left while Columbus has two. The Canadiens can clinch if the Blue Jackets lose in any fashion to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday.

Speaking of Canadiens rookies, Lane Hutson collected an assist on Slafkovsky’s goal to break the franchise record for the most points by a rookie defenseman with 65. Chris Chelios held the previous record with 64 points.

A four-goal third period lifted the Detroit Red Wings to a 6-4 win over the Dallas Stars. Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider led the way with a goal and two assists each in the third period. Jamie Benn collected two assists for the Stars, who sit second in the Central Division with 106 points but have gone 0-4-2 in their last six games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars general manager Jim Nill said sidelined defenseman Miro Heiskanen will miss the start of their opening-round series against the Colorado Avalanche. He didn’t rule out Heiskanen’s return later in the first round.

The New York Rangers upset the Florida Panthers 5-3 with J.T. Miller, Juuso Parssinen and Matt Rempe each collecting a goal and an assist. Sam Reinhart tallied twice for the Panthers, who sit third in the Atlantic Division with 98 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers center Sam Bennett picked up an assist in his return to action after being sidelined on Apr. 5 with an upper-body injury against the Ottawa Senators.

Vancouver Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk scored in overtime to nip the San Jose Sharks 2-1. Linus Karlsson scored for the Canucks in regulation while Macklin Celebrini netted his 25th goal of the season for the Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks captain Quinn Hughes collected an assist on DeBrusk’s goal to tie Alexander Edler’s franchise record for most points by a defenseman (409).

The Utah Hockey Club got a four-point performance by Clayton Keller for a 7-3 victory over the Nashville Predators. Keller scored two goals and set up two others while Logan Cooley and Alex Kerfoot each had three points. Ryan O’Reilly had a goal and an assist for the Predators.

HEADLINES

DAILY FACEOFF: The San Jose Sharks will hold a press conference on Tuesday to announce captain Logan Couture is unable to continue his playing career due to injury.

Couture, 36, has been sidelined since February 2024 by a groin ailment. He missed all of this season and only appeared in six games in 2023-24. He spent 15 seasons with the Sharks from 2009-10 to 2023-24, sitting fifth among their franchise leaders with 933 games played and 378 assists. He was also third in goals with 323 and fourth in points with 701.

Named captain of the Sharks in 2019-20, Couture was a proven postseason performer with 48 goals and 53 assists for 101 points in 116 playoff games. He led all scorers with 20 assists and 30 points during the Sharks’ run to the 2016 Stanley Cup Final.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: An unfortunate, premature end for Couture’s playing career. He will be remembered as one of the great players in Sharks’ history.

NHL.COM: Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, and Winnipeg Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck are the league’s three stars for the week ending Apr. 13, 2025.

The department of player safety suspended New Jersey Devils forward Paul Cotter for two games for an illegal check to the head of New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech on Sunday.

THE ATHLETIC: A post-mortem analysis of the brain of former NHL player Chris Simon revealed he had severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) when he died by suicide in 2024.

According to the Concussion Legacy Foundation, Simon is one of the 19 of 20 NHL players’ brains to have tested positive for CTE following their deaths. They include Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Ralph Backstrom, Bob Probert and Derek Boogaard.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Meanwhile, the NHL remains in denial about CTE, claiming more study is required.

MLIVE.COM: The four US-based Original Six franchises (Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers) have all missed the playoffs for the first time in the post-expansion era (1967-68 to the present).










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 13, 2025

by | Apr 13, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 13, 2025

Check out the latest on the Canucks, Islanders and Lightning in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

CANUCKS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Vancouver Canucks have some business to take care of when they head into the offseason by the end of this week.

Head coach Rick Tocchet’s contract is up at the end of this season. The Canucks have a club option for one more year but they seem to have cooled on that, preferring to sign him to an extension. Neither side wants this situation to drag on too long into the offseason.

Friedman believes contract term is the big issue regarding Brock Boeser’s contract talks. Last week, the 28-year-old winger said it seemed unlikely that he’ll sign a contract extension. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Luke Fox doesn’t see the Canucks offering Boeser more than their earlier proposal of a five-year contract with an average annual value of $8 million.

Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser (NHL Images).

Fox suggested Boeser might fare better on the open market given the rising salary cap and lack of UFA scorers in their twenties. Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner is the biggest name, but once he’s gone, players like Boeser and Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets will be courted.

The Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames want to rebuild on the fly. The Anaheim Ducks, Utah Hockey Club, Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers and Buffalo Sabres are under pressure to improve and they have the cap space this summer to do so. The New York Islanders could shake things up this summer to add more scoring punch.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tocchet seems more likely to get an extension than Boeser, but there are still over two months to go before the UFA market opens. A lot can happen between now and then.

The current Canucks management returned to the bargaining table with J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson when it seemed unlikely but neither player was weeks away from UFA eligibility like Boeser. Still, we can’t dismiss that possibility. We should have get a better idea of where things stand near the start of free agency on July 1.

As Fox pointed out, Boeser won’t lack for suitors if he hits the open market this summer. One of those teams he listed will sign him if the Canucks don’t.

ISLANDERS

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears believes the Islanders face crucial offseason decisions after missing the playoffs this season.

The biggest is determining the future of head coach Patrick Roy and general manager Lou Lamoriello. Questions surrounded Lamoriello for most of this season but the spotlight shifted to Roy as the Islanders imploded down the stretch. His handling of several players (Pierre Engvall, Samuel Bolduc, Tristan Lennox) prompted speculation of a rift between him and Lamoriello.

Meanwhile, Lamoriello faces criticism for running it back with his aging core once too often. It’s reasonable to ask if he’s the right person to overhaul the roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders fans have been calling for new management but Lamoriello is so entrenched that convincing him to give up the reins won’t be easy.

If Lamoriello gives up the management role he’ll still have considerable influence as president of hockey operations, especially with his son Chris being an assistant GM and a possible candidate to replace him.

LIGHTNING

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Eduardo A. Encina wonders if the Lightning might end up trading top prospect Isaac Howard.

The 21-year-old left wing is the 2025 winner of the Hobey Baker Award as the top US college player, but he’s indicated he’s returning to Michigan State University next season as contract talks with the Lightning remain stalled.

Howard becomes eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on Aug. 15, 2026.

The Lightning have a tried-and-true development process involving some service with their AHL affiliate. Current Lightning stars Nikita Kucherov, Andrei Vasilevskiy and Brayden Point were products of that process.

Encina believes it’s clear to Howard that he sees no direct path to the NHL with the Lightning, who aren’t interested in bringing him in at this stage of the season to burn a year of his entry-level contract. If the Lightning think he’s unsignable, they could use him as a trade chip this summer or next season to bring more immediate help to their roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s still time for both sides to meet and try to sort this out. Nevertheless, this could end up like it did last summer with Rutger McGroarty and the Winnipeg Jets.

McGroarty wanted to join the Jets right away but they wanted him to get some AHL seasoning first with their farm team. He was concerned about what his future in Winnipeg would look like, resulting in his trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins last August.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 11, 2025

by | Apr 11, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 11, 2025

Check out the latest on the Canucks, Leafs, and Bruins in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CANUCKS

SPORTSNET: Iain MacIntyre reports Brock Boeser considers it unlikely that he’ll be signing a contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks.

The 28-year-old right winger is UFA-eligible on July 1. There’s been little traction in negotiations between Canucks management and Boeser’s agent.

“It sucks, it’s unfortunate,” said Boeser. “I’m just trying to play good hockey, and then worry about everything after that. We all know it’s been a roller coaster of a year. There’s been a lot of different things.”

Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser (NHL Images).

Boeser indicated he’s not talking to his agent about his contract until after the season has ended.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston also weighed in on Boeser’s comments, pointing out that the winger loves Vancouver and prefers to stay.

Johnston suggests one of the “different things” Boeser referred to was management’s lack of endorsement of him during the season, culminating in the post-trade deadline comments by Canucks GM Patrik Allvin regarding the underwhelming offers he supposedly received for the winger.

Boeser’s claim that a new deal seems “unlikely” could leave the door open for a new contract. Johnston wouldn’t be surprised if the Canucks made another push to re-sign him before July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks’ management had seemingly difficult contract extension talks with J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson before re-signing them. Still, those players weren’t less than three months away from UFA eligibility.

THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance looked at the Canucks offseason “to-do” list. Among them was what to do with Elias Pettersson.

The 27-year-old center is coming off a disappointing performance in the first season of his eight-year contract with an AAV of $11.6 million. His no-movement clause goes into effect on July 1.

Pettersson was taken off the trade block after J.T. Miller was traded in January. However, Drance indicates there’s plenty of skepticism in the market toward the Canucks center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks know what Pettersson is capable of when he’s on top of his game. They reportedly weren’t happy with his conditioning and preparation for this season.

They could make inquiries to gauge Pettersson’s trade value. However, his poor play and hefty contract will make it tough to move him before his NMC kicks in this summer.

A trade is possible but the Canucks are more likely to retain Pettersson in the hope that he’ll be better-prepared and determined to prove himself next season.

LEAFS

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons believes Mitch Marner faces a basic choice this offseason: spend the rest of his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs on a line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, or depart as a free agent on July 1 and take his chances elsewhere.

Marner is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 while Knies becomes a restricted free agent. Simmons believes the latter will be re-signed first to avoid the threat of an offer sheet. He also thinks the better Knies plays, the easier for the Leafs to bid farewell to Marner if he intends to go to market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Chris Johnston considers a new contract for Knies to be a priority for the Leafs. However, he doesn’t think there’s much chance the young winger will sign an offer sheet, citing the Leafs’ plentiful cap space and Knies’ disinterest in signing an offer from a rival club.

As for Marner, it could also come down to how the Leafs fare in the playoffs. Another early exit could lead to changes in the front office (no new contract for team president Brendan Shanahan) and on the roster, especially if the 27-year-old winger doesn’t perform well in this postseason. They could decide the $13 or $14 million per season investment in Marner could be better spent elsewhere.

BRUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa recently looked at what changes might be in store for the Boston Bruins roster this summer.

Shinzawa doesn’t see the Bruins including their draft picks in any trade proposals because of their shallow prospect pool. He believes free agency is the route to restock their roster although he acknowledged it didn’t work out well last summer when they invested in Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov. Shinzawa also suggested targeting a cap-strapped team with an offer sheet.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins have a projected cap space of $26.2 million with 14 active roster players under contract.

They should have enough to sign a notable player or two in the unrestricted free-agent market. If they won’t include draft picks in trade offers, they’re unlikely to go the offer-sheet route as a successful signing costs them draft picks as compensation.