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.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 12, 2025

by | Apr 12, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 12, 2025

With their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, here’s the latest on the Rangers and Islanders in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun recently looked at what could be in store for the New York Rangers if they miss the playoffs.

The club is staying tight-lipped about its offseason plans. However, there is speculation around the league that head coach Peter Laviolette could get fired. He has a year left on his contract, but the body language and performance of the players over the past month suggest a change could be required.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larry Brooks of the New York Post shares that opinion. He believes Laviolette didn’t do enough to keep his players focused and motivated, which could cost him his job.

LeBrun and Brooks don’t solely blame Laviolette for the Rangers’ collapse this season, pointing out that management deserves its fair share. They also believe several core players bear some responsibility. Nevertheless, a coaching change seems more likely than a shakeup in the front office.

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker believes distinct changes are necessary as the Rangers bury this lost season. She believes everything about the club’s “epic implosion” must be analyzed and action taken to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

New York Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere (NHL Images).

Some of this falls on management and the coaching staff for doing a poor job navigating through the issues that derailed this season. Nevertheless, there could be roster decisions that otherwise wouldn’t have been made if the season had gone the other way.

Walker believes that means determining if restricted free-agent defenseman K’Andre Miller has a future with the Rangers. They could have a conversation with center Mika Zibanejad about waiving his no-movement clause. It could also mean attempting to move Chris Kreider or Alexis Lafreniere.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Miller, Zibanejad and Kreider frequently surfaced in the rumor mill as general manager Chris Drury attempted to remake his roster in this season’s trade market. Lafreniere didn’t pop up as much in the media trade chatter but his disappointing play could have Drury rethinking his long-term commitment to the 23-year-old winger.

At least one of those players mentioned by Walker probably won’t be in the Rangers starting lineup for next season. Kreider and Miller seem the more likely to be moved.

Kreider has two years left on his contract with a 15-team no-trade list and could still be enticing for clubs seeking an experienced scoring winger. Miller struggled this season but he’s still young and his potential upside will draw interest in the trade market.

Zibanejad reportedly declined to waive his NMC to go to the Vancouver Canucks as part of the return in the J.T. Miller trade in January. He could agree to accept a trade elsewhere this summer but he’ll likely have a short list of destinations. His age (31), cap hit ($8.5 million through 2029-30) and declining production could also hurt his value in the trade market.

Lafreniere would also draw lots of attention if he hit the trade block. However, Drury could keep him in the hope he’d regain his form and meet his full potential on a retooled roster.

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears examined the plethora of options facing the Islanders and Noah Dobson during their contract negotiations after this season.

The 25-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. He’s completing a three-year deal with an average annual value of $4 million.

He could go for long-term stability or pursue a shorter deal bringing him up to unrestricted free-agent eligibility and the opportunity for a more lucrative contract as the salary cap keeps rising. Meanwhile, the Islanders could try to lock him up long-term as a core piece of their roster or prefer a shorter term after his production dropped this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sears also pointed out that the threat of a possible offer sheet for Dobson hangs over his negotiations. The blueliner hasn’t revealed if he’s willing to entertain that option but it should be kept in mind if his negotiations stall should he forego arbitration.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 8, 2025

by | Apr 8, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 8, 2025

Is this Chris Kreider’s final season with the Rangers? Will the Blue Jackets attempt to improve their goaltending in the offseason? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

IS THIS CHRIS KREIDER’S LAST SEASON WITH THE RANGERS?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks thinks this brutal season could bring a sad end to Chris Kreider’s 13 NHL seasons with the Rangers.

Kreider’s had a difficult campaign. The 33-year-old winger’s production has suffered (20 goals and five assists in 63 games), he’s missed time with a nagging lower-back injury, and he was among the trade candidates on general manager Chris Drury’s infamous memo leaked to the media last November.

New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Brooks believes Kreider’s production and publicly stated lower-back issues likely hurt his trade value among the general managers interested in him. However, he thinks this summer will be different, citing Kreider’s production over the previous three seasons.

Brooks feels the remaining two years of his contract (with an average annual value of $6.5 million) shouldn’t be a hindrance to receiving fair value back in a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The issues that hurt Kreider’s trade value this season could carry over into the offseason. There could be GMs willing to gamble on him regaining his scoring touch but they could squeeze the Rangers to accept a lesser return, retain salary in the deal, or both.

The Rangers have a projected cap space of $9.6 million next season with 18 active roster players under contract and restricted free agents K’Andre Miller and Will Cuylle to re-sign.

Drury must free up some cap space to sign Miller and Cuylle. He also needs room to bolster his roster through trades and free agency. Rivals general managers know this, and they will try to take advantage.

Buying out the remainder of Kreider’s contract is another option but it won’t provide as much cap relief as a trade. The Rangers would face a cap hit of $3 million next season and $4 million in 2026-27, dropping to $1.5 million for each of the remaining two years.

BLUE JACKETS MUST ADDRESS THEIR GOALTENDING THIS SUMMER

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline believes the Columbus Blue Jackets’ priority this summer should be addressing their goaltending.

Starter Elvis Merzlikins is playing better than last season but his performance still hasn’t been good enough. As of Apr. 6, he was ranked 42nd with a save percentage of .890 and 44th with a 3.24 goals-against average. Meanwhile, Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason has shown little faith in backups Daniil Tarasov and Jet Greaves.

Portzline believes it’s still highly doubtful that Merzlikins is tradeable. He’s signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $5.4 million. However, a contract buyout would cost the Blue Jackets $1.5 million for next season, $2.8 million in 2026-27, dropping to $1.63 million for each of the remaining two seasons of the buyout.

Finding a new starter this summer will be challenging in a thin free-agent goalie market. The notables could include Jake Allen of the New Jersey Devils, Dan Vladar of the Calgary Flames, Ilya Samsonov of the Vegas Golden Knights, and Frederik Andersen of the Carolina Hurricanes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Allen, Vladar and Andersen would be short-term upgrades over Merzlikins, assuming they haven’t re-signed with their current clubs before July 1.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 15, 2025

by | Mar 15, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – March 15, 2025

Updates on the Rangers and Jets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh recently looked ahead at possible offseason moves by the New York Rangers.

The Rangers have a projected $84 million invested in 17 active roster players for 2025-26, leaving them with less than $11 million in cap space. With restricted free agents K’Andre Miller and Will Cuylle due for new contracts, it won’t leave much room to take a big swing in the free-agent market this summer.

New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Baugh believes the Rangers must move players out if they’re going to make substantial roster changes this summer. Chris Kreider is the obvious trade candidate, though moving his $6.5 million cap hit won’t be easy given his 15-team no-trade list and disappointing performance this season.

The Rangers could trade Miller if he proves too expensive to re-sign, but that would risk letting a high-upside player get away. Trading Mika Zibanejad or Artemi Panarin would free up even more cap space, but they have full no-movement clauses.

Baugh also wondered if a rival club with plentiful cap space, like the Chicago Blackhawks, might attempt to sign away someone like Cuylle with an offer sheet.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panarin might draw more interest than Kreider or Zibanejad because he has a year left on his contract. He has a hefty $11.6 million AAV but will earn $8 million in actual salary next season, with $7 million of that a signing bonus.

Panarin’s production is down compared to the last three seasons but he has 69 points in 64 games. He could be of interest to a Cup contender seeking additional scoring punch. Still, he’d have to agree to a trade and the Rangers would probably have to retain part of his cap hit.

So, what say you, Rangers fans? What moves should your team make to free up cap space for meaningful change? Let us know in the comments section below.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Athletic’s Murat Ates discussed Neal Pionk’s future with the Winnipeg Jets. The 29-year-old defenseman is UFA-eligible this summer with 37 points in 65 games this season. His production cooled off lately before he was sidelined by a lower-body injury.

Ates said Pionk is comfortable with the state of negotiations between his agent and Jets management. He expects the Jets want to retain him to keep their second-pairing defense core intact. Pionk skates alongside Dylan Samberg, who’s a restricted free agent this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pionk is completing a four-year contract with an AAV of $5.875 million. It could cost around $7.5 million annually to keep him in Winnipeg. As a right-shot, puck-moving defenseman, he could draw lots of interest if he tests the free-agent market on July 1.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 10, 2025

by | Mar 10, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – March 10, 2025

The latest on Mitch Marner plus updates on the Rangers and Sabres in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LEAFS GM HOPES MARNER REMAINS WITH THE LEAFS

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan reports Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving addressed reports claiming the club spoke to Mitch Marner about a possible trade to the Carolina Hurricanes for Mikko Rantanen, who was later dealt to the Dallas Stars.

The reports stated the Leafs offered prospects Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten, plus two first-round picks to the Hurricanes for Rantanen. The Hurricanes countered by pitching a swap of Rantanen for Marner. Treliving is believed to have told the winger that their priority was to re-sign him, but there was an opportunity to be traded to Carolina if he preferred. Marner is said to have stated he wanted to stay in Toronto.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Treliving said he wouldn’t get into questions about contract talks with the Marner camp. However, he claimed they wanted to keep the winger in Toronto for a long time, dismissing the possibility of the trade request becoming a distraction. He also praised Marner for how well he handled this situation.

Marner said he was focused on this season, adding he wants to play for the Leafs. Nevertheless, Koshan believes plenty of teams will line up to sign the 27-year-old winger if he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner will seek a substantial raise over his current $10.3 million annual cap hit. He might accept slightly less than Leafs captain Auston Matthews’ team-leading $13.25 million AAV to stay in Toronto, but he could get more than that on the open market.

The reports indicated that Leafs management stressed to Marner that they wanted to re-sign him when they informed him of the trade offer from the Hurricanes. They didn’t ask him to waive his no-movement clause but left it up to him to decide what he wanted to do.

Taken at face value, it doesn’t seem like this situation will adversely affect their contract negotiations. Nevertheless, with the trade deadline having passed, we’ve reached the point where speculation over the future of pending UFA stars like Marner will begin to dominate the rumor mill.

WHAT WILL THE RANGERS DO WITH ZIBANEJAD, PANARIN & KREIDER?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks briefly looked ahead at what could be in store in the offseason for forwards Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. Both players surfaced in trade rumors this season.

Zibanejad has a full no-movement clause throughout his contract, which expires in 2029-30. Brooks believes any discussions with the 31-year-old forward will be held this summer and won’t be allowed to carry over into training camp in September. The same goes for any possibility of a trade for Kreider.

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple also believes any discussions regarding the futures of Zibanejad and Kreider will be relegated to the offseason. He speculated that Kreider could become a buyout candidate if no one wants to take on his $6.5 million AAV for the next two seasons.

Staple suggested looking into whether Artemi Panarin will waive his NMC. The 33-year-old winger has a year remaining on his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panarin carries an AAV of $11.6 million for next season, but he’s due to earn $8 million in actual salary, of which $7 million will be paid out on July 1 as a signing bonus. That could make him enticing for cost-conscious clubs, assuming he’s willing to accept a trade to one of them.

Zibanejad has an AAV of $8.5 million but has five more years left on this deal. Factor in his age (he turns 32 in April) and declining production, and he won’t be an easy sell in the trade market. The 33-year-old Kreider and his recent injury history could also affect his trade value. Buying out his contract will count as $3 million against the Rangers’ salary cap for 2025-26, $4 million for 2026-27, and $1.5 million annually for the following two seasons. 

LATEST ON THE SABRES

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Mike Harrington reports the trade of Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators for Josh Norris on Friday wouldn’t have happened if Sabres owner Terry Pegula was planning to fire general manager Kevyn Adams. However, Harrington believes Adams is getting one last chance from Pegula.

Meanwhile, Adams denied there was any truth to a rumored move of pending restricted free agent JJ Peterka to the New York Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres are about to extend their league-record playoff drought to 14 seasons. Adams will have a projected $22.4 million in offseason cap space to make additions to his roster.

Adams complained last December of the difficulty he faced last summer trying to attract quality players via free agency or the trade market. If his offseason moves fail to improve the Sabres, he won’t be in his current job by this time next season.










NHL Rumor Mill (Trade Deadline Edition) – March 7, 2025

by | Mar 7, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill (Trade Deadline Edition) – March 7, 2025

The trade deadline is 3 pm ET today. Check out the latest on Mikko Rantanen, Brad Marchand, JJ Peterka, Brock Boeser, Kyle Palmieri and more in the NHL Rumor Mill.

MIKKO RANTANEN

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reported overnight that the Dalla Stars were actively negotiating a contract extension with Mikko Rantanen’s camp with the Carolina Hurricanes’ permission, “and a trade is conditioned on an extension.”

Carolina Hurricanes winger Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).

Seravalli reported sources claiming the Stars and Hurricanes had agreed to a trade in principle on the condition that an agreement on a contract extension was reached before Friday’s 3 PM ET trade deadline.

However, TSN’s Darren Dreger reports there is no deal between the two clubs, suggesting the Hurricanes might have to go back to the drawing board. “Doesn’t mean a deal/extension with Dallas can’t materialize, but it’s not there as of now.”

BRAD MARCHAND

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa reports that a league executive claims the Boston Bruins are serious about trading Brad Marchand. They have set a high asking price of a first-round pick, a roster player, and an A-level prospect.

The two sides have been talking contract extension throughout this season. However, the differences may be too great to overcome.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

SPORTSNET: Ian MacIntyre reports the Vancouver Canucks are taking offers on winger Brock Boeser, center Pius Suter, and defenseman Derek Forbort.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports there are rumors that the Carolina Hurricanes could trade Mikko Rantanen. He indicates the Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars are believed to be among the suitors, but they could also have an interest in Boeser if they miss out on Rantanen.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports of a rumor that connected Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson, Hurricanes winger Mikko Rantanen, and Devils forward Dawson Mercer and defenseman Simon Nemec in a potential three-team deal.

Murphy cited a Devils source say the club was in talks with the Carolina Hurricanes and Vancouver Canucks but didn’t specify which players, picks or prospects might’ve been involved.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols reports the Devils have expressed interest in Rantanen, Ryan O’Reilly and Brock Boeser. They also had an interest in Brock Nelson before he was traded to the Avalanche.

JJ PETERKA

THE BUFFALO NEWS’ Lance Lysowski reports the New York Rangers are among the teams trying to acquire JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres. However, a deal like this is unlikely at the deadline. The Sabres seek NHL players, not draft picks and prospects.

KYLE PALMIERI

NEW YORK POST: With Brock Nelson traded by the Islanders to the Avalanche, Ethan Sears reports the focus shifts to Isles winger Kyle Palmieri. The lack of a contract extension for the pending free agent suggests he could be moved by the deadline.

CHRIS KREIDER

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports the Rangers aren’t shopping Chris Kreider, who has a 15-team no-trade list. They are listening to offers, but there are concerns over his physical condition after missing 13 games with three separate issues.

PENGUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports that multiple teams are interested in Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell, especially Western clubs. A Penguins source said the asking price is “immense.”

It’s not impossible that Erik Karlsson could be moved by the trade deadline. However, it’s unlikely to happen until the summer.

RYAN DONATO

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus report the Chicago Blackhawks are getting plenty of calls about Ryan Donato, but they’re mostly checking in to see what their asking price will be for the 28-year-old forward. The Blackhawks are open to keeping him past the deadline and attempting to sign him to a contract extension.