The playoffs are in full swing, with some teams already being eliminated. Still, there are NHL rumours to be discussed. On how the eliminated teams can improve for next season. How can teams make themselves better for the 2022-23 season. Today we will be looking at NHL rumours surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Boston Bruins, and the Anaheim Ducks.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: Darren Dreger doesn’t foresee any significant changes to the Toronto Maple Leafs this off-season after their Game 7 loss. This includes a lack of major changes to both core players and management.
There will changes to the Maple Leafs roster based on salary cap and free agency, but, I don’t foresee drastic changes or sense that the coach or GM are in trouble. Toronto made strides this season and faced a great opponent in a entertaining 7 game series.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 15, 2022
Analysis: While Leafs fans are most certainly tired of first-round, the final game exits in the playoffs, this team set franchise records. The team was one bounce away from defeating the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions. They finished fourth in the NHL standings. With neither the GM nor coach being in trouble, they have the ability to retool. They can continue to build around the same group that performed so well all season long.
General Manager Kyle Dubas will be heading into the off-season with a couple of key RFAs. This includes Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren, and Ondrej Kase. The Leafs will need to fill the holes that are left by likely departing players like Ilya Mikheyev. This could potentially come from one of their prospects that Dubas has drafted, like Nick Robertson or Roni Hirvonen, or a brand new UFA signing altogether.
While it can be tough to not make any significant changes after yet another first-round exit, the Leafs can’t panic with a group like this.
Boston Bruins
Rumour: According to Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic, Patrice Bergeron is unsure if he’ll continue to play next season or not.
Analysis: Patrice Bergeron is like a fine wine. He just keeps getting better with age. However, Bergeron could possibly have just played his last NHL game. With his future being unsure, the ball is entirely in the Bruins captain’s court. He is still arguably the most important player on the Bruins roster at age 36, and with his contract status in the air, Bergeron deciding to retire could significantly hurt the Bruins.
The Bruins would, of course, be happy to have Bergeron back. Shinzawa suggests perhaps on a year-by-year basis. This would allow Bergeron to be able to have the most control over his future without committing too many years more upfront. But it would also give the Bruins flexibility if his play took a sharp downturn. In the end, Bergeron decides if he plays or not, and the Bruins should be hoping he decides to continue playing.
Anaheim Ducks
Rumour: According to Eric Stephens of The Athletic, there has been speculation about whether goaltender John Gibson will remain with Anaheim for the remainder of his contract.
Analysis: John Gibson is an interesting case, as his play, in recent years, has dictated the success of the Ducks season. Often starting out strong, the Ducks are in talks of the 3rd place spot or wildcard, but when his numbers decline, so do the Ducks. It’s difficult to say who drives whom, but when looking at Gibson’s recent seasons as wholes, they haven’t been what they used to be.
John Gibson is signed until 2027, and a long-term deal like that could scare off a lot of potential suitors. This is because Gibson hasn’t been the pinnacle of consistency in recent years. Sporting a 0.904, 0.903, and 0.904 save percentage in his last three seasons, a team would need to bank on Gibson bouncing back with a better roster in front of him. He could fetch some value still if a team is desperate enough for a goaltender. However, the length of the contract will be sure to make Gibson one of the more difficult pieces to move for the Ducks should they decide to do so.
This concludes today’s NHL rumours!
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