It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re closing in on the start of round two of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, we have several things to discuss. Any time the Toronto Maple Leafs face elimination means rampant speculation as they find themselves down 3-1 to the Boston Bruins with game five tonight. Regardless of tonight’s outcome, does General Manager Brad Treliving stay the course or does he start a major tear down of the team? Today’s NHL rumours is an Original Six edition with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings as the focus.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek on the latest edition of 32 Thoughts speculated on the future of the Maple Leafs if they lose to the Boston Bruins in the first round.
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— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 29, 2024
Analysis: Things look like they’re coming to a head for the team. Toronto is down 3-1 to Boston and Friedman didn’t want to do a postmortem. However, he said this is the end for the group if the Leafs don’t rally. Both the Mitch Marner and John Tavares contracts come up after next season. This will likely force management to make some sort of decision about the team’s course of action.
Both William Nylander and Auston Matthews will have their contract extensions kick in next season. This likely means that both players will probably be staying put for the long run. Friedman mentioned that there can only be so many votes of confidence that the group can get before changes need to be made. Team President Brendan Shanahan gave the team his endorsement prior to the season, but that doesn’t seem to be enough.
Toronto seems to be at the end of an era if cannot beat Boston in the first round. Marek said that much of this falls on Treliving and he has to make a tough decision. Does this group have a higher ceiling or is it the best the team can do? It could be a turbulent summer in Toronto if the Leafs don’t save their season.
Detroit Red Wings
Rumour: Eric Duhatschek of The Athletic took a look at what the Red Wings that might do to address their goaltending situation in the offseason.
Analysis: Detroit made strides as a playoff contender and were eliminated on a tiebreaker by the Washington Capitals for the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. James Reimer is an unrestricted free agent and will likely not be back. This leads to Ville Husso and Alex Lyon as their tandem, which could be an iffy proposition.
Could this mean that General Manager Steve Yzerman dips into the goalie market to bolster that position? Jacob Markstrom was a name that was tossed around at the trade deadline. Conversely, the Calgary Flames decided not to make a deal despite teams like the New Jersey Devils having interest in the Swedish goalie.
Duhatschek mentioned that the Flames would ideally like a centre in return to boost the middle of the lineup. However, could they be tempted to take a first-round pick if Yzerman adds that as a sweetener along with Husso?
There was some concern that Derek LaLonde could have been axed. Fortunately, the team’s effort in the desperate home-and-home sweep of the Montreal Canadiens showed the Wings still want to play for him. Duhatschek thinks some upgrades in goal and other spots could mean the Red Wings finally get over the hump and make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Injuries to players like team captain Dylan Larkin did hurt Detroit’s push. However, this team let a golden opportunity slip through its fingers to get back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign.
Main photo by: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
