On April 15, 2024, the New York Rangers clinched the 2023-24 Presidents' Trophy with a 4-0 shutout of the Ottawa Senators. They entered this season considered among the Stanley Cup favorites.
However, the Rangers endured a tumultuous 2024-25 campaign and find themselves eight points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. The Hockey News’ Adam Proteau believes Rangers GM Chris Drury should be held accountable for the roster that led to this drop in the standings.
Drury was very busy in this season's trade market, attempting to remake his roster. He could have more changes in store during the off-season, even if his club manages to rally and push the Canadiens out of that wild-card berth.
Chris Kreider was frequently mentioned as a trade candidate this season. Larry Brooks of the New York Post believes the 33-year-old left winger is playing his final games with the Rangers.
This was a difficult season for Kreider. Plagued by a nagging lower-back issue, his production dropped to 20 goals and five assists. His name was on Drury's memo of trade candidates leaked to the media last November.
With a projected cap space of $9.6 million for next season, Drury must shed some salary if he intends to be active in this summer's trade and free-agent markets. Kreider has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million.
Kreider's struggles hurt his value in this season's trade market. However, Brooks believes his previous production could make interested GMs willing to pay fair market value in the off-season.
That could be wishful thinking. Interested clubs could attempt to squeeze Drury to retain some salary or accept a lesser return if he wants to clear the entirety of Kreider's contract from his books.
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Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers' firing of coach John Tortorella two weeks ago generated ongoing speculation about his potential replacement.
They could stick with interim bench boss Brad Shaw, given the club's 3-1-0 record since he took over on March 27. The Hockey News’ Siobhan Nolan reports Shaw hasn't had any formal conversations yet with GM Daniel Briere, but he'd like to have the opportunity to remain in the job full-time.
Some observers are musing about outside options. Philly Hockey Now's William James listed David Carle of the University of Denver and current Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet among his potential candidates.
Meanwhile, Briere is planning his off-season moves to bolster his roster. On April 4, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported the Flyers GM is open to using some of his draft capital as trade bait to acquire young NHL-ready talent.
LeBrun pointed out the Flyers have three first-round picks and four second-rounders in this year's draft. Briere indicated he's open to moving one of those first-round picks.
In addition to their pick, the Flyers have the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche's first-rounders, which will be lower in the draft order. They're the ones more likely to be moved, though Briere could part with the Flyers' first-round pick for a substantial offer.
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