Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours! The New York Rangers have revealed the new alternate jerseys for the world to see. Also, players have been fined and suspended as of late and Patrick Kane chose his new team! There is lots to love but the buzz keeps churning and changes could loom. Today we focus on the Vancouver Canucks and New York Islanders.
NHL Rumours
Vancouver Canucks
Rumour: Elliote Friedman on 32 Thoughts discusses the Canucks adding defencemen
The first domino fell in Calgary, as they dealt defencemen Nikita Zadorov to the Canucks. Things a great move for Vancouver, who is sitting in great position in the Pacific Division. Adding Zadorov to a group that includes Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek is great but Friedman says that they aren’t done.
Vancouver has been great up front and is getting scoring from its top guys. Also, they are second in goals at 5v5 (53), and have scored the most goals in the league in all situations. Offensively, the Canucks are fine and they are getting steady goaltending from Thatcher Demko.
One player Friedman says they are looking at is Ethan Bear. Bear is a player that the organization is familiar with and would fit right in. Bear is a free agent and is currently skating and working on training. However, Vancouver is not the only team that is eyeing his services. Friedman does believe that they can come up with a financial number that suits what Bear is looking for.
As it stands, Vancouver is right up against the salary cap but can make it work. Rich Tocchet has this team playing well and going for it is a great sign.
New York Islanders
Rumour: Frank Seravelli discusses the New York Islanders coaching situation
The next set of NHL Rumours stays behind the benches. Numerous teams to start the 2023-24 season have parted ways with their coach in order to generate a spark. The Edmonton Oilers fired Jay Woodcroft and the change has sparked something for the team. Connor McDavid looks like his normal self and is producing at a high rate. Bill Guerin and the Minnesota Wild parted ways with Dean Evason and brought John Hynes in to help right the ship. The move has paid dividends so far, as the Wild are on a two game winning streak and outscoring opponents 9-2. Seravelli thinks the Islanders could take the same approach.
The Islanders are in a weird position. They currently sit fourth in the tightly contested Metropolitan Division but have yet to find a rhythm or consistency. At the start of November, the team lost seven straight games and went on to win the next three. Then they went on to lose two more and win one.
New York has also had trouble scoring goals and ranks 28th in goals scored. Anders Lee is off to a slow start and the team has no offensive momentum. Like the two teams above, a change from behind the bench could help spark the club. It has worked for the other two teams and Lou Lamoriello is not afraid to make a move.
Main Photo: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
