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Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

NHL Rumors: Letang, Penguins, Bruins, Oilers

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Jim Parsons | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 2:20 PM ET

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Boston Bruins sent a message to their fans after a disappointing season. There is talk of a possible change, but there is also speculation that key names who could be on the hot seat will not be fired. Meanwhile, Kris Letang underwent successful surgery to close a small hole in his heart. How long will he be out? Darnell Nurse was suspended for one game, and Connor McDavid addressed the talk of the team being injured.

Bruins Send Message to Fans, Sweeney Likely Safe

Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs addressed fans on Wednesday, noting how disappointing the season was and how the organization is already working to improve for next season. He said accountability is higher than ever, which will lead to questions about the job security of people like GM Don Sweeney or President Cam Neely.

It sounds like a statement to ease fans’ reactions that everyone is keeping their jobs. NHL insider Frank Seravalli posted on social media, “Sources say no changes are expected in the Bruins front office. Both Don Sweeney and Cam Neely have been in lockstep, hard at work on the next iteration of the club.”

Joe Haggerty added: “This tracks with everything I have heard. Don Sweeney is entering the last year of his current contract next season. Personally, I think he deserves a crack at righting the Bruins’ ship after making some very shrewd deals to amass assets at the NHL trade deadline.”

Letang Underwent Successful Surgery

The Pittsburgh Penguins organization revealed on Wednesday that defenseman Kris Letang underwent successful surgery to close a small hole in his heart. President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas announced that Letang had successfully closed a patent foramen ovale, which, according to UPMC, everyone has before birth, but for most people, the hole closes at birth or shortly after.

The expected recovery time is four to six weeks. He will be back for next season and is likely to remain a big part of what the Penguins do this summer and into the 2025-26 campaign

McDavid Not Happy with “Walking Wounded” Narrative

Connor McDavid spoke with the media on Tuesday about the injuries that have been piling up for the Edmonton Oilers. Understanding that it’s not ideal timing and somewhat odd for a team that has stayed relatively healthy for most of the season, McDavid said things aren’t as they seem.

He didn’t love the narrative that the Oilers are being counted out because of their injury situation. McDavid noted:

“We have this like aura about us that we’re the walking wounded, but we’re just fine. Everybody’s going to be ready to roll. Everybody is doing whatever they can. I don’t like this whole notion that we’re the walking wounded here. We’re ready to roll.”

McDavid acknowledged that he couldn’t really spin the Mattias Ekholm injury and that it’s a big loss the team will feel. Other than that, he suggested everyone was good to go. The Oilers play the San Jose Sharks in their final game of the regular season and speculation is that a good chunk of the players who were out will return to the lineup.

Darnell Nurse will also be ready for the playoffs, but will miss the final game of the regular season after being suspended for his cross-check on Quinton Byfield.