It’s time for another round of NHL trade buzz as the Stanley Cup Playoffs draw near. While attention is naturally on the postseason contenders, non-playoff teams are also starting to make headlines. Some squads will be trading in their skates for golf clubs after this weekend.
A lackluster season often signals upcoming changes both on the roster and behind the bench. One team potentially facing a major overhaul is the New York Rangers. This edition of NHL rumors explores some of the possible moves they might make.
As always, all NHL rumors originate from their respective sources and may evolve over time.
NHL Rumours
Changes Looming for the New York Rangers This Off-Season
Rumor: A recent segment of TSN’s Early Trading discussed the uncertain futures of New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette and general manager Chris Drury.
Analysis: Hopes for a deep playoff run on Broadway were dashed last weekend. While the Rangers occasionally showed glimpses of the form that took them to the Eastern Conference Final, a combination of injuries and inconsistent play at both ends of the ice ultimately kept them out of the postseason.
Key players like Mika Zibanejad underperformed compared to last season, and the defense struggled to contain opposing offenses. As a result, questions are swirling around both Laviolette and Drury regarding their future roles with the organization.
TSN insider Pierre LeBrun offered insight into what owner James Dolan might be planning. According to LeBrun, there’s been a notable lack of information coming out of Madison Square Garden. While Laviolette is reportedly respected by his players, some missteps during the season have cast doubt on his return.
Expectations were sky-high for the Rangers this year, with many projecting them as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. Now, analysts are left to dissect where things went wrong.
What It Means
The Rangers had high hopes that young talents like Alexis Lafrenière would elevate their game this season. However, despite a promising start, the former first overall pick faded as the year went on. Meanwhile, Kaapo Kakko found new life with the Seattle Kraken after being traded, and the decision to scratch newly-signed Gabriel Perreault left many scratching their heads.
Veteran defenseman Calvin de Haan, acquired at the trade deadline, also saw questionable usage, further highlighting the apparent disconnect within the organization. Given the turmoil, parting ways with head coach Peter Laviolette could be the most straightforward solution.
On the other hand, GM Chris Drury appears to be on steadier ground. While there was some discontent over the trade of Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks and the waiving of Barclay Goodrow, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun noted that Drury is expected to remain in his role—though the pressure is mounting.
LeBrun added that team owner James Dolan appreciated Drury’s aggressiveness at the trade deadline. Drury reportedly plans to stay active this offseason in hopes of addressing the team’s problems. Some tough decisions could be ahead, and the Rangers might look very different by the time the puck drops in October.
