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NHL Rumors: Patrik Laine, Blue Jackets to Work Together to Find Trade

Jun 12, 2024
COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 27: Patrik Laine #29 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates with the puck during the second period of a game against the Boston Bruins at Nationwide Arena on November 27, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 27: Patrik Laine #29 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates with the puck during the second period of a game against the Boston Bruins at Nationwide Arena on November 27, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images)

It seems like forward Patrik Laine's time with the Columbus Blue Jackets could be coming to an end.

"He would like to move on," Pierre LeBrun of TSN reported Wednesday (2:40 mark). "His agent has had conversations with the Blue Jackets about it. Both sides are going to work together to try to get that done. He wants a fresh start, hasn't been a good time in Columbus."

Columbus first acquired Laine via trade from the Winnipeg Jets during the 2020-21 season and then signed him to a four-year contract extension in July 2022. While that extension runs through the 2025-26 season, it doesn't seem like he will finish it with the Blue Jackets.

There was a time when the 26-year-old looked like one of the most promising young players in the NHL.

He was named to the NHL All-Rookie First Team in 2016-17 and then led the league with 20 power-play goals in just his second season. Laine notched a career-high 70 points on 44 goals and 26 assists in that second campaign.

It was one of four straight seasons with 50 or more points to start his career, but he hasn't played more than 56 games in a season since that stretch. While he reached the 50-point mark in each of his first two full seasons with the Blue Jackets, he also posted a combined plus-minus total of minus-19.

That was after he finished with a minus-29 in 45 games with Columbus in 2020-21.

Laine played just 18 games this past season in part because of a fractured left clavicle. He also entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in January.

"After careful consideration and discussion with my support network and the team, I have recognized the importance of prioritizing my mental health and well-being," Laine said on Instagram at the time (h/t Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press). "Hockey has been my passion and my life, but I have come to realize that in order to perform at my best, I need to take this time to focus on myself."

It seems like he is ready for a change of scenery at this point, and the Blue Jackets are reportedly willing to work with him to find just that.

Rangers Roasted By Fans After Elimination from NHL Playoffs with ECF Loss to Panthers

Jun 2, 2024
SUNRISE, FL - JUNE 01: New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) gets beat for a goal in the first period during game six of the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Ranges and the Florida Panthers on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FL - JUNE 01: New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) gets beat for a goal in the first period during game six of the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Ranges and the Florida Panthers on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The New York Rangers' three-decade long Stanley Cup drought will last another year.

The Rangers were shut out 2-0 Saturday night in a Game 6 Eastern Conference Finals elimination loss to the Florida Panthers.

The Panthers will advance to face either the Dallas Stars or Edmonton Oilers as they earn a ticket to the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight season.

The Rangers' inability to push the ECF to seven games and force a deciding winner-takes-all contest at Madison Square Game frustrated fans, especially after New York opened the playoffs with a dominant seven-game win streak.

https://twitter.com/Storakatten/status/1797096306420191495

The Panthers' opened the scoring with less than one minute remaining in the first period, when Evan Rodrigues' back pass to Sam Bennett put Florida on the board:

Former Ranger Vladimir Tarasenko added to the deficit with another strike midway through the second period:

The Rangers made a final push by pulling Igor Shesterkin, which sparked a late goal from Artemi Panarin:

The push was too little, too late as the Rangers were unable to find the tying goal in the final minute.

The Panthers defense blocked 23 shots, while Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves to backstop Florida to the win.

Shesterkin made 32 stops in the loss, bringing back memories of the years New York was unable to win a Cup with Henrik Lundqvist in net:

The loss led disappointed Rangers fans to call for major changes this offseason.

https://twitter.com/blueJACKc1ty/status/1797096303953846426

Others gave credit to the Panthers for their ability to take control of Game 6 and repeat as Eastern Conference champions:

The Rangers were fighting to return to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2014, and to win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1994.

Now the fans will have to wait at least another year to see the trophy return to New York.

The Panthers, seeking redemption after losing in five games to the Vegas Golden Knights in last year's Stanley Cup Final, will meanwhile wait for their opponent. The Oilers currently hold a 3-2 Western Conference Finals series lead over the Stars and could earn their Final ticket with a win when the puck drops for Game 6 Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET.

Rangers Exhilarate NHL Fans as Barclay Goodrow's OT Goal in G2 Evens ECF vs. Panthers

May 25, 2024
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 24: Barclay Goodrow #21 and Alexis Lafreniere #13 of the New York Rangers celebrate a goal to win during overtime against the Florida Panthers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 24, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 24: Barclay Goodrow #21 and Alexis Lafreniere #13 of the New York Rangers celebrate a goal to win during overtime against the Florida Panthers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 24, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The New York Rangers defeated the Florida Panthers in overtime by the final score of 2-1 on Friday night, tying the Eastern Conference Final at one game apiece.

New York opened up the scoring in the first period with a goal from Vincent Trochek off a slick feed from Adam Fox. Artemi Panarin was also credited with an assist.

The Rangers' celebration was short-lived, as a scuffle between the two teams commenced shortly after the goal and resulted in multiple roughing penalties.

The Panthers answered just before the end of the first period, as Carter Verhaeghe notched his eighth goal of the playoffs during a power play after an interference penalty was called on Barclay Goodrow.

Following a frenetic first period, the action cooled down for the rest of regulation. Both teams went scoreless in the second and third periods, with just one penalty occurring in the third frame.

Both teams had chances to score at the start of overtime. Rangers center Filip Chytil had a shot on an open net after a rebound came to him off the pad of Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, but Oliver Ekman-Larsson was able to block the shot with his body and keep Florida alive.

The Panthers weren't able to keep the Rangers at bay for much longer, as Goodrow made up for his earlier penalty by recording the game-winner. After racking up a mere four goals in 80 games during the regular season, the 31-year-old now has four goals in 12 playoff games.

Fans were amazed by the thrilling finish:

https://twitter.com/TomUrtzJr/status/1794209728610066644

After the Blueshirts were initially in danger of falling into a 2-0 series deficit, they'll head on the road and attempt to take a 2-1 lead during Game 3 on Sunday.

Rangers' Blake Wheeler Available to Play vs. Panthers After Serious Leg Injury

May 19, 2024
CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 09: Blake Wheeler #17 of the New York Rangers skates with the puck during overtime against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on February 9, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 09: Blake Wheeler #17 of the New York Rangers skates with the puck during overtime against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on February 9, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

New York Rangers veteran forward Blake Wheeler, who has been sidelined since February with a serious leg injury, says he will be "available" for the Eastern Conference Finals, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reported.

"It's going to be in the coach's hands from there, but I'm ready in any capacity I can to help out," Wheeler said after an optional skate Sunday, per Wyshynski.

Wheeler's right leg bent back at an extreme angle during Feb. 15 game against the Montreal Canadiens. The injury led Rangers captain Jacob Trouba to say Wheeler had "maybe played his last hockey game."

The 37-year-old rejoined Rangers practice in full capacity Monday and was activated from long-term injured reserve Thursday.

The Florida Panthers will take on the Rangers at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday during Game 1 at Madison Square Garden.

Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette said that Wheeler "is going to do everything he can to make himself a possibility" for Game 1, per Wyshynski.

Wheeler was skating on the Rangers' top line alongside Mika Zibanejad prior to the injury. The veteran right wing had recorded nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 54 games.

It is not yet clear where Wheeler would slot in if he returns to the lineup.

Alexis Lafrenière and Kappo Kakko are clicking on the second and third lines, respectively, and the Rangers could be reluctant to expect Wheeler to lay heavy hits by assigning him a fourth-line role in his return from injury.

Speedy Jack Roslovic has established himself as the Rangers' top right-winger in Wheeler's absence, however, and has two goals and five assists for seven points so far this postseason.

Forward Filip Chytil, who has missed most of the postseason due to a concussion and illness, is also hoping to return for Game 1 of the ECF, according to Vincent Z. Mercogliano of the Rockland/Westchester Journal News.

Mercogliano classified Chytil, previously a third-line left winger, as "more likely to slot in than Wheeler."

The additional depth is still good news for the Rangers, who have largely been leaning on 11 forwards with Matt Rempe and Jonny Brodzinski playing limited minutes in the 12th spot.

Wheeler was originally drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes as the No. 5 pick of the 2004 draft. He joined the Rangers on a one-year contract as a free agent last July after 12 seasons with the Winnipeg Jets.

His return to Rangers practice comes as good news to a team that Wyshynski originally reported was shaken by the gruesome injury that sidelined the veteran in February.

The Rangers will now hope to ride the momentum of Wheeler's return into a trip to the Stanley Cup Final.

Rod Brind'Amour, Hurricanes Agree to Multi-Year Contract Extension After Rangers Loss

May 19, 2024
ELMONT, NEW YORK - APRIL 25: Head coach Rod Brind'Amour of the Carolina Hurricanes speaks with media after a 3-2 victory against the New York Islanders in Game Three of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at UBS Arena on April 25, 2024 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)
ELMONT, NEW YORK - APRIL 25: Head coach Rod Brind'Amour of the Carolina Hurricanes speaks with media after a 3-2 victory against the New York Islanders in Game Three of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at UBS Arena on April 25, 2024 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to a multi-year extension with head coach Rod Brind'Amour, the team announced Sunday.

The news comes three days after the Hurricanes were eliminated from the second round in six games by the New York Rangers.

Brind'Amour, who won the 2006 Stanley Cup as a player with the Hurricanes, has spent six seasons as Carolina's head coach.

Under his tenure the Hurricanes have earned a 278-130-44 regular-season record and qualified for six straight postseasons.

The Hurricanes have finished first in the Metropolitan Division three times during that span and have topped 110 standing points in each of the past three regular seasons.

The Canes also advanced to two Eastern Conference Finals, most recently in 2023.

Brind'Amour last signed a three-year extension with the Hurricanes in June 2021, just before he was named the Jack Adams Award as the top coach in the NHL.

Assistant coaches Jeff Daniels and Tim Gleason have also been extended for multiple years.

Gleason directs the Hurricanes' penalty kill, the most efficient shorthanded unit in the NHL during the 2023-24 regular season.

Video coach Chris Huffine and goaltending coach Coach Paul Schonfelder also agreed to multi-year extensions.

The men behind the bench aren't the only members of the current Hurricanes core currently set to return to Carolina for the next few years.

Although the Hurricanes have a series of restricted free agent decisions to make this offseason, the team already has core players Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Jesperi Kotkaniemi each locked in for at least the next five seasons.

Aho, Svechnikov and Kotkaniemi's climb back to the third round this postseason was cut short by the President's Trophy-winning Rangers as the team's overall playoff record under Brind'Amour fell to 38-36.

Despite years of regular-season success, the Canes have not returned to the Stanley Cup Final since Brind'Amour led them there in 2006.

Despite another disappointing playoff result for this perennial contender, the extension signals a vote of confidence in Brind'Amour and indicates that Carolina may be planning to run things back with this core for what they hope will be a deeper playoff run in 2025.

Brind'Amour and general manager Don Waddell will address the extensions during Monday's end-of-season press conference at 10 a.m. ET.

Rangers Eliminate Hurricanes as Chris Kreider's 3rd-Period Hat Trick Stuns NHL Fans

May 17, 2024
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 16: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers celebrates a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 16, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 16: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers celebrates a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 16, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Chris Kreider sent the New York Rangers to the Eastern Conference Final with a third-period natural hat trick Thursday night.

Kreider scored three times in nine minutes to erase the Carolina Hurricanes' third-period Game 6 lead and push the Rangers to a 5-3 elimination victory.

New York won the second-round series 4-2.

Kreider joins Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier as the third player in Rangers franchise history to score a third-period postseason hat trick.

The Hurricanes threatened to send the series to Game 7 as Carolina headed into the third period with a two-goal lead.

Kreider launched the Rangers' comeback by beating Canes goaltender Frederik Andersen on a backhander to slice the home team's lead in half with 13 minutes remaining.

He tied the game on a power-play goal five minutes later.

After Kreider put the Blueshirts in front with his hat-trick goal, Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin stood tall to preserve the lead.

The Rangers advance to face the winner of the ongoing conference semifinals series between the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins.

The Panthers lead the series 3-2 and could win a ticket to the conference final with a Game 6 win Thursday at TD Garden. Fans across New York will be watching when the puck drops in Boston at 7 p.m.

Rangers' 'Meltdown' Stuns NHL Fans as Hurricanes Extend Series with Game 5 Win

May 14, 2024
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 13: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes and teammates celebrate his third period goal against the New York Rangers in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 13: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes and teammates celebrate his third period goal against the New York Rangers in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

The New York Rangers looked to be on their way to a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals through two periods in Monday's Game 5 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Unfortunately, a massive collapse in the third period extended the second-round series.

The Rangers allowed four goals in the third period on their way to a 4-1 loss in front of a disappointed home crowd at Madison Square Garden. New York held a 1-0 lead through two periods on a goal by Jacob Trouba and appeared to be in control until things fell apart in the final frame, allowing Carolina to cut the series lead to 3-2 and force a Game 6.

Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin had 18 saves through the first two periods before the Hurricanes started wreaking havoc on him. Jordan Staal tied the game less than four minutes into the third period with a nifty move to beat the two-time All-Star. Evgeny Kuznetsov followed three minutes later by putting the puck in the back of the net off a rebound to give Carolina the lead.

Jordan Martinook extended the lead by converting in front of the net. Shesterkin was put on the bench with 3:44 left in the period, and Martin Necas scored an empty-netter to send fans to the exits.

Fans on social media weren't happy either, as the Rangers were called out for their disappointing collapse on Monday:

After narrowly losing Game 4 on Saturday, everything was set up for the Rangers to close things out on Monday. The home crowd was juiced up, and Shesterkin played brilliantly through two periods. However, New York's offense failed to show up, whereas Carolina's exploded in the third period.

The Rangers will try to regroup and close out the series when they face the Hurricanes in Game 6 in Raleigh on Thursday.

Hurricanes Avoid Sweep, Beat Rangers in G3 as NHL Fans Champion Skjei's Late GW Goal

May 12, 2024
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 11: Brady Skjei #76 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the third period in Game Four of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 11, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 11: Brady Skjei #76 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the third period in Game Four of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 11, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Carolina Hurricanes' first power-play goal of the second round couldn't have come at a better time.

The New York Rangers were one goal away from sweeping their second straight playoff series Saturday when Brady Skjei rescued the Hurricanes' season by scoring on the man advantage with just over three minutes remaining in regulation.

The Hurricanes won 4-3 at home. New York still leads the series, 3-1.

The loss marked the Rangers' first of the 2024 postseason after they eliminated the Washington Capitals from the opening round in four games.

The deciding goal also marked the first of the playoffs for Skjei, who skated parts of five seasons for the Rangers before he was traded to the Hurricanes in February 2020.

https://twitter.com/skjeisbabes/status/1789470665722208504

Skjei's late game-winner came after Carolina already lost an early two-goal lead.

The Canes headed into the second period with 3-1 advantage thanks to early goals from Evgeny Kuznetsov, Stefan Noesen and Sebastian Aho.

Then Rangers winger Barclay Goodrow tipped in a Braden Schneider shot to slice the Hurricanes' lead in half in the second period.

Alexis Lafrenière completed the Rangers' comeback by scoring from behind the net two minutes into the third period.

Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin kicked aside a 95 mile-per-hour one-timer from Carolina defenseman Dmitry Orlov to keep the score tied late in the third.

Then the Rangers' Ryan Lindgren was called for a tripping penalty with just under four minutes remaining.

After Skjei extended the Hurricanes' season on the ensuing power play, Carolina fans started projecting how the team could come back to win the series:

Rangers supporters meanwhile weren't overly concerned about their team suffering a loss for the first time this postseason:

https://twitter.com/TylerRichard93/status/1789469767415292247

The Hurricanes will need another win at Madison Square Garden on Monday in order to further extend their playoff run. The puck is set to drop for Game 5 at 7 p.m. ET.

Rangers Take 3-0 Series Lead vs. Hurricanes as Panarin Thrills NHL Fans with OT Goal

May 10, 2024
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 07: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers blocks a shot by Seth Jarvis #24 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 7, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 07: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers blocks a shot by Seth Jarvis #24 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 7, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin scored one minute and 43 seconds into Game 3 overtime Thursday night to put the Carolina Hurricanes on the brink of elimination.

The goal sealed a 3-2 road victory and earned the Rangers a 3-0 Eastern Conference semifinals series lead.

https://twitter.com/Johnny_K12/status/1788753125781680298

After sweeping the Washington Capitals in the first round, this is the first Rangers team to start out the playoffs with a 7-0 record since 1994.

That was also the last year the Rangers won the Stanley Cup.

The Hurricanes, who finished the regular season with the third-best record in the NHL, struggled to beat Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin Thursday night.

Shesterkin made 45 saves Thursday night to backstop the Rangers to victory, two nights after making 54 stops during the Rangers' double overtime victory in Game 2.

Hurricanes winger Jake Guentzel got the Hurricanes on the board first midway through the first period.

Carolina held onto the lead for the rest of the frame by killing off three straight Rangers power plays, while goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov turned aside breakaways from Panarin and Vincent Trocheck.

Chris Kreider stifled the Hurricanes' momentum with a shorthanded goal halfway through the second period.

The tally marked Kreider's second shorthanded goal of the playoffs, as well as Mika Zibanejad's fifth shorthanded assist of the postseason.

Zibanejad also tied a franchise record with 12 points in the first seven games of the Rangers' postseason.

Kreider's goal continued the special-team dominance that has allowed the Rangers to put the Canes on the brink of elimination.

The Hurricanes finished the game having gone 0-for-5 on the power play. They are now 0-for-15 in the series.

Seven minutes into the third period, Alexis Lafrenière scored on a set face-off play to put the Rangers ahead for the first time.

https://twitter.com/BigHeadHcky/status/1788755653177077782

Andrei Svechnikov even the score with the Hurricanes' net empty to tie the game in the final two minutes of regulation.

It then took less than two minutes of overtime for Panarin to put the Rangers ahead for good.

The Rangers could earn a ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second time in three seasons with a win in Game 4. The Hurricanes will meanwhile fight to extend their postseason when the puck drops at PNC Arena Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.

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