In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Buffalo Sabres could be willing to move goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen this offseason, and would certainly have plenty of callers if he is available. Elsewhere, Miro Heiskanen wasn’t ready for Game 1, but he has practiced with the team and is listed as day-to-day. Finally, the New York Rangers have joined the list of teams looking for a new head coach after firing Peter Laviolette.
Teams Believe Luukkonen May Be Available
For a team looking to break a 14-year playoff drought, trading their established starting goaltender shouldn’t be at the top of the offseason to-do list. Still, Elliotte Friedman reported on 32 Thoughts that teams who have been looking around the league for a new goaltender believe that Luukkonen could be available this summer.
After a huge breakout year with a .910 save percentage (SV%) in 54 appearances, Luukkonen ended any goaltending concerns last summer. This season, he posted a disappointing .887 SV%, but there has to be a question about how much of that is truly his fault.
General manager Kevyn Adams stated “I have a huge amount of faith in UPL…we need to play better in front of him.” just hours after Friedman’s podcast was published.
Luukkonen is likely closer to the goaltender we saw almost save the Sabres’ season in 2023-24 than the performance we saw this season, but consistency is key with goalies. Even with a poor-performing team in front of him, his stats need to be better. In the pipeline, the Sabres have Devon Levi. He was dominant in the American Hockey League this season, but struggled a lot in the NHL. Could they look to give him a bigger workload and hope for the best? Maybe.
Heiskanen Likely to Play in Round 1
When looking at predictions across the hockey world, the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche have been one of the closest matchups, and most difficult to predict for many. It seems that many are giving the Avalanche the edge simply because of the question marks surrounding Jason Robertson and Heiskanen.
Well, after missing most of the second half of the season and being listed as questionable for the start of the playoffs, Heiskanen took part in practice with the Stars. He is a crucial part of that team and one of the best defensemen in the game. After practice, head coach Peter DeBoer told reporters that Heiskanen is close to returning and is listed as day-to-day.
Heiskanen isn’t the only high-end defenseman the Stars have. Thomas Harley has had a phenomenal season, and Esa Lindell continues to be one of the more underrated players in the league, but there is no doubt that inserting Heiskanen back into the lineup will greatly improve the team.
Rangers Fire Laviolette, Join List of Teams Searching for Coach
As was expected after a disappointing season from the Rangers, they announced on April 19 that they have fired Laviolette as their head coach. This announcement came shortly after the Anaheim Ducks announced the firing of Greg Cronin.
Laviolette spent two seasons with the Rangers, leading his team to the Presidents’ Trophy and a decent playoff run, and then missing the playoffs this season. Players like Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere, Chris Kreider, and others struggled. The Rangers have a plethora of talent, but they were unable to put everything together. They traded their captain, they were sellers at the trade deadline, and despite acquiring J.T. Miller, they couldn’t turn things around.
Phil Housley was also let go from the Rangers coaching staff, but Michael Peca and Dan Muse are both staying, and will have an opportunity to interview for the head coaching position.
The Rangers and Ducks are now in the market for a head coach, and they are joined by the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, and Chicago Blackhawks.
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