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. As well as how can teams make themselves better for the 2022-23 season. Today we will be looking at NHL rumours surrounding the New York Rangers, Anaheim Ducks, and Boston Bruins.
NHL Rumours
New York Rangers
Rumour: Frank Vatrano claimed that he has unfinished business in New York and wants to help the team win the Stanley Cup.
"I have some unfinished business here. I want to help this team win a Stanley Cup."
– Frank Vatrano pic.twitter.com/Bkybjqp4ai
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) June 13, 2022
Analysis: Frank Vatrano is a pending UFA, coming off a three-year deal that earned him $2,533,333 per season. Vatrano was a scoring depth winger until he was traded to New York, where he had a bit of a resurgence. Scoring five goals and eight assists in 20 playoff games, he was a strong piece in the Rangers’ deep playoff run. If he is wanting to return, the Rangers should try and secure him for another season or two. At 28, with his best seasons likely behind him, Vatrano isn’t a player a lot of teams would want to give term to. But he is able to contribute in the short term.
The Rangers should try to leverage him wanting to be there to get a good contract signed for future playoff runs. With Gerard Gallant expecting Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere top-six quality players next season, the Rangers could secure Vatrano to play in a depth role once again.
Anaheim Ducks
Rumour: John Gibson has informed the Anaheim Ducks that he is open to being dealt.
Hearing Ducks G John Gibson is open to being dealt and belief out of Anaheim is he’s informed the club of that. #FlyTogether
— Nick Alberga (@thegoldenmuzzy) June 13, 2022
Analysis: While Gibson’s agent has denied this, agents have historically denied these rumours to protect their clients. It is entirely possible that Gibson is open to a trade. Anaheim hasn’t been competitive since early on in Gibson’s career. He likely wants to compete for a Stanley Cup, and Anaheim is still a little bit out from doing that again. At age 28, Gibson will be looking for his chance to lift the trophy.
The team trading for Gibson will need to do their due diligence, though. Gibson has not had a season over 0.904 since 2018-19. He’s not the same John Gibson of four seasons ago. However, he can still help a team desperate for a goalie. The Edmonton Oilers are a team that comes to mind as a possible destination. They have been rumoured to be in on a number of different goalies over the last year, and Gibson could be no different. It will be interesting to see the return Gibson nets. See if his reputation draws in a number of suitors, or his contract and declining play scare teams off.
Boston Bruins
Rumour: According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Jay Leach, Nate Leaman, and Jim Montgomery are candidates for the Bruins coaching job.
Analysis: The Boston Bruins are at a weird crossroads. The direction they take their team in is solely dependent on Patrice Bergeron‘s decision to retire or continue playing. Should Bergeron choose retirement, the Bruins will need a good coach to guide them through unsure times. Two of the three coaches here have no prior head coaching experience at the NHL level. That could be a good thing, however. To get a fresh mind into the NHL to lead the Bruins either onto their last hurrah or into their next phase as a team.
Leaman has seen ample success as head coach of providence college in recent years, however, he just signed an extension with his current team. Leach has been with the Bruins organization before, coaching the Providence Bruins as recently as the 2020-21 season. He has since left to become an assistant coach in Seattle, but coming back doesn’t seem out of the cards. Montgomery, on the other hand, does have coaching experience with the Dallas Stars. Recently, he has been an assistant coach for the St. Louis Blues, and is the only coach listed with NHL experience. It could be beneficial for the Bruins to bring in someone new, however, to help them take on this rocky situation with a new approach.
That concludes today’s NHL rumours!
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
