NHL Metropolitan

The Philadelphia Flyers may have lost their playoff spot, but they aren't going to lose head coach John Tortorella, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

Tortorella "is not leaving the bench," according to Dreger.

"He still has the fire...no question about that," Dreger wrote.

We can all appreciate the speculation. And when it comes to John Tortorella and the stories that follow, there’s always speculation. As for his future as head coach…a Flyers management source says “Torts is not leaving the bench”. He still has the fire…no question about that.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) April 10, 2024

The Flyers have lost eight consecutive games, most recently a 9-3 Tuesday blowout by the Montreal Canadiens that Tortorella described as the team's "rock bottom."

Philadelphia is now 0-6-2 and has been outscored 42-18 since March 24 in a skid that has left them out of a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Tortorella signed a four-year contract with the team in 2022, per ESPN. The Flyers have a 67-70-24 record in two seasons during his tenure.

The Flyers aren't out of the playoff race yet. The team heads into Wednesday's slate two points back of the Washington Capitals for the second wild card in the East.

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings are also vying for that spot, however. And after missing a chance to win those two points against the lottery-bound Canadiens, the Flyers are faced with a daunting must-win Thursday matchup against the league-leading New York Rangers.

Tortorella took some responsibility for the Flyers' declining playoff chances when speaking with reporters after Tuesday's loss to the Canadiens.

"We're not as gifted as some teams," Tortorella said (h/t Sportsnet.) "We have a process that we're going through, we can't forget that, we're still building here. I appreciate all the work they've put in to put us in this spot to play these kinds of games, but we just have not been able to elevate our game.

"It's my responsibility to put them in that spot and try to get them to elevate the game. Have not done it."

Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella meets with the media following #PHIvsMTL. pic.twitter.com/KOGf0Lt8BK

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 10, 2024

Although the young and rebuilding Flyers exceeded expectations by occupying a playoff spot as recently as two weeks ago, this isn't the first time Tortorella has faced controversy during his second season with the team.

Tortorella was ejected from a March 9 blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, then fined and suspended two games for his reaction to the ejection.

He then made Sean Couturier a healthy scratch before a March 19 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, just over four weeks after the Flyers named him team captain.

Now scrutiny will fall on the Philadelphia coach once again as the Flyers fight against the odds to recover from the ongoing skid and make their first postseason bid since 2020.

New York Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick has made U.S. hockey history.

Quick became the winningest American-born goaltender in NHL history on Saturday night while backstopping the New York Rangers to an 8-5 victory over the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena.

The 38-year-old passed Ryan Miller for the record with his 392nd NHL victory.

Jonathan Quick, the winningest American-born goaltender in NHL history.
⁰Congrats, Quickie! pic.twitter.com/TdepbM6RIf

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 31, 2024

THINK QUICK.

Congrats to our very own on a truly incredible accomplishment. 👏 pic.twitter.com/kmefiMo9kO

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 31, 2024

"You do everything you can to not think about it, but it's there. It's a good feeling to get it done and over with," Quick said after the win, per ESPN. "Focus on what's really important, and trying to win the division here, and win the conference."

Quick, in his first season with the Rangers as a backup to Igor Shesterkin, spent the majority of his career with the Los Angeles Kings. He played for the franchise from 2007-2023, winning two Stanley Cups.

The Connecticut native was traded from the Kings last season, with the Columbus Blue Jackets ultimately sending him to the Vegas Golden Knights He won his third Stanley Cup as a member of the Golden Knights, though he didn't appear in a single playoff game for the franchise.

Quick is aiming to win his fourth championship this year as a member of the Rangers, which sit first in the Metropolitan Division with a 50-20-4 record. They have already locked up a playoff spot.

Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson has been suspended six games for high sticking forward Noah Gregor during a 7-3 Wednesday loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The NHL Department of Player Safety announced the suspension Friday following a hearing held with Wilson over Zoom.

He will forfeit $161,458.32 during the suspension, according to the NHL.

Wilson earned a four-minute double minor for the high-sticking penalty, which he took with just under eight minutes remaining in the third period.

Tom Wilson has been suspended 6 games for this high stick against Noah Gregor pic.twitter.com/k5M8G4TsVT

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 22, 2024

Wilson drew his stick back in "an extremely reckless fashion, making direct and forceful contact with Gregor's face," the DoPS said in an explanation video.

Gregor said that Wilson apologized immediately after the hit, which caused damage to his teeth, according to TSN and the Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan.

"While we acknowledge Wilson's assertion that he did not mean to strike Gregor in the face, the fact remains that Wilson's stick is drawn back behind him, then swung forcefully and recklessly into his opponent," the DoPS said.

The DoPs also cited Wilson's "substantial track record of supplemental discipline" in their decision.

The suspension marks the sixth of Wilson's career and raises his career fines total to $1.4 million, according to The Athletic's Chris Johnston.

Wilson's longest suspension came in 2018, when he was suspended for 20 games (reduced to 14 on appeal) for a preseason hit to the head of St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist. He was last suspended in 2021.

The NHL's announcement came hours before the Capitals' Friday night home game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Wilson is ranked fourth on the team with 17 goals in 66 games this season. His absence could hurt the Capitals' chances in the race for the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, especially because he will be sidelined for a Tuesday contest with a Detroit Red Wings team seeking the same spot.

The Capitals forward will also miss a Thursday rematch against the Maple Leafs in Toronto. He will next be eligible to play on April 2 in a home rivalry matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

New York Rangers rookie enforcer Matt Rempe is set to face his first suspension since being called up to the NHL.

After a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety, Rempe was suspended for four games as a result of his hit on New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler Monday. He was assessed a major penalty for elbowing and given a game misconduct for the hit, which occurred during the second period.

Matt Rempe has been suspended 4 games for elbowing Jonas Siegenthaler pic.twitter.com/rJUn1bXzOx

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 12, 2024

The Department of Player Safety provided an explanation for the suspension, stating that Rempe's hit was not "accidental contact" and that Siegenthaler's movements "did not turn a legal check into an illegal one."

"Rempe chooses to flare his elbow both up and away from his body in dangerous action, driving it directly into the head of Siegenthaler with substantial force," The Department of Player Safety concluded.

The department took into consideration that the play was called a penalty, the play resulted in an injury and that Rempe had no prior suspension history in making its decision.

The incident occurred in Rempe's 10th career game, one which the Rangers won 3-1. Rempe has recorded one goal and one assist since being called up from the AHL Hartford Wolfpack, and has an average time-on-ice of 5:39.

Rempe's large frame at 6'7", 241 pounds, and physical play style was what caused the Rangers to call him up, and he has brought a toughness to the team after Blake Wheeler went down for the season with a lower-body injury.

Since getting the call-up, Rempe has scrapped with notable fighters like Matt Martin, Nicolas Deslauriers, Mathieu Olivier and Ryan Reaves. He also notably caused controversy for a hit on Devils forward Nathan Bastian, which resulted in a roughing and match penalty that ended his night.

He escaped suspension for that hit but was assessed one for the one on Siegenthaler, who exited the game with an upper-body injury.

Rempe will miss the Rangers games against the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders. He will return for the Rangers game against the Winnipeg Jets on March 19.

New York is 42-18-4 and sits in first place in the Metropolitan Division.

Evgeny Kuznetsov's run with the Washington Capitals has come to an end after 11 seasons.

Per TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the Capitals are trading Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes for a 2025 third-round draft pick.

Washington is picking up 50 percent of the remaining money left on Kuznetsov's contract, which includes a $7.8 million cap hit in 2024-25.

Kuznetsov hasn't appeared in a game since Jan. 27 due to personal reasons. He entered the NHL/NHLPA personal assistance program in February, but Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said at the time he didn't have specific information to share about the situation:

"There's not a lot of background of what we know. There's not a lot of background information that they share with us, other than just the fact that he's in the program. So, for us, as organization, staff, players, it's just supporting him and his family as he gets the help that he needs."

The 31-year-old was cleared by the program to return to practice on March 2. The Capitals announced that same day they waived Kuznetsov.

After going unclaimed on waivers, Washington loaned him to the team's AHL affiliate in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He has practiced with the Hershey Bears twice this week, most recently on Thursday.

Kuznetsov had not yet been cleared to play in a game by the NHL/NHLPA personal assistance program. It's unclear when he might make his debut for the Hurricanes.

ESPN's Emily Kaplan noted Carolina only recently entered into talks with the Capitals for Kuznetsov, and the Hurricanes view him as a "high end" top-six player if the trade works out as they hope.

Kuznetsov only had 17 points in 43 games this season before stepping away from the Capitals. He has 568 points in 723 career games since making his debut during the 2013-14 season.

The Hurricanes are pushing all of their chips into the table for a chance to win a Stanley Cup. Their 80 points are tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the fourth-most in the Eastern Conference.

Carolina was swept by the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. The Panthers (43-17-4) and New York Rangers (40-18-4) are the only teams in the conference with more wins than the Hurricanes' 37.

Jake Guentzel's time with the Pittsburgh Penguins appears to be over.

The team is reportedly finalizing a trade that would send him to the Carolina Hurricanes for Michael Bunting and other assets, Greg Wyshynski of ESPN reported:

Breaking: The Carolina Hurricanes are expected to complete a trade for Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel on Thursday night, a source told @wyshynski.

Carolina forward Michael Bunting is expected to be part of the package going back to Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/mIzoZgL97H

— ESPN (@espn) March 8, 2024

There had been multiple reports that a deal was close.

Jake Guentzel has been traded to Carolina, per source.

— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) March 7, 2024

Hearing that the Hurricanes and Penguins are very close to a Guentzel trade. But still some details to work through. Bunting is part of the package. Both teams are playing tonight which also may complicate timing to some degree. But all signs point to Guentzel going to Carolina. https://t.co/RipdQAk4Js

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 7, 2024

Sense I get is that the Jake Guentzel trade to @Canes will happen, but we might not get finality on it until after Carolina and @penguins are done with their games tonight.

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) March 7, 2024

Michael Bunting is scratched tonight for Carolina. There is word he will be traded to Pittsburgh as part of a deal for Jake Guentzel

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 7, 2024

ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported on Feb. 23 that Pittsburgh's asking price for Guentzel was "multiple first-round picks (or a first-round pick and equivalent in top prospects or roster players)."

Guentzel had been included in numerous trade rumors leading up to NHL's March 8 trade deadline with the Penguins struggling to contend for a playoff spot. They sit sixth in the Metropolitan Division with a 24-28-8 record.

Guentzel is also on an expiring contract and will become a free agent after the 2023-24 campaign, making him expendable.

The 29-year-old had spent the first seven-and-a-half seasons of his career with the Penguins, which selected him in the third round of the 2013 draft, and he helped the franchise capture a Stanley Cup in 2017.

Guentzel had been one of the team's most impactful players, notching 219 goals and 247 assists for 466 points in 503 games, and the Penguins will greatly miss his production moving forward despite a lineup that includes Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

The American has notched 22 goals and 30 assists for 52 points in 50 games this season. However, he is on injured reserve and it's unclear when he'll suit up for his new team.

The Hurricanes have been linked to Guentzel since Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman listed the franchise as a potential suitor on Feb. 24.

Carolina has seemingly always been a step behind in the playoff race, but adding Guentzel to the lineup could help the franchise better contend for a title and make a run to the Stanley Cup Final.

Guentzel joins a talented lineup highlighted by Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, Brent Burns and Martin Necas.

The Hurricanes sit second in the Metropolitan Division with a 36-19-6 record and are still in contention for the top spot in the division alongside the New York Rangers.

Jake Guentzel could be staying in the Metropolitan Division even if the Pittsburgh Penguins trade him.

Carolina Hurricanes winger Michael Bunting was scratched Thursday night for "trade-related reasons," according to the team.

Bunting's scratch could be related to a Hurricanes trade for Guentzel, according to Sportnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Michael Bunting is scratched tonight for Carolina. There is word he will be traded to Pittsburgh as part of a deal for Jake Guentzel

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 7, 2024

Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas previously signed Bunting as a free agent with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Hurricanes aren't the only ones looking to trade for the Penguins winger. The New York Rangers are also "very in on Guentzel talks," according to USA Today's Vince Z. Mercogliano.

The Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights, Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers are also reportedly interested in Guentzel, per Mercogliano and David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.

Pagnotta added that the Guentzel trade is "getting close."

In other trade buzz, I'm still hearing #NYR are very in on Guentzel talks. Sounds like CAR and VGK could be top competition.

Multiple sources wondered if Drury can get it done without using a top prospect. Perreault still sounds like a hard no, but could he soften on Othmann?

— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) March 7, 2024

Jake Guentzel trade discussions are intensifying. While the #LetsGoPens keep working at it, I'm told it's "getting close." At this hour, the Rangers, Golden Knights, Canucks, Panthers & Hurricanes are still in the mix, per source.

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) March 7, 2024

Before missing the Penguins' last 10 games with an upper body injury, Guentzel was playing at a point-per-game pace with 22 goals and 30 assists in 50 contests.

Guentzel is in the final year of an expiring $6 million AAV contract, and is likely to get a raise on his next deal. Any trade for him must be completed before 3 p.m. ET Friday.

Guentzel returned to Penguins practice in a full-contact jersey Thursday for the first time since suffering an injury during a Valentine's Day loss to the Florida Panthers.

That means whoever keeps him is likely to have him available for a late-season push to the playoffs. That could be a crucial boost for teams like the Rangers, Hurricanes and Golden Knights, which each sit in a playoff spot heading into the trade deadline.

The Penguins, meanwhile, head into Thursday eight points and two teams back of the last Wild Card spot in the East.

Jake Guentzel has rejoined Penguins morning skate in a ‘regular’ contact jersey 👀

(via @DanPotashTV, h/t @PensInsideScoop) pic.twitter.com/BOgXXExqWY

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 7, 2024

The Penguins are hoping for a quick turnaround to take advantage of the last season of Sidney Crosby's current contract in 2024-25, so they're seeking prospects over draft picks in the trade, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

That could be a problem for the Rangers' likelihood of working out a deal with Dubas.

The Rangers are wiling to give up a first-round pick for 2025 in a trade, but are hesitant to offer top forward prospects Gabe Perreault and Brennan Othmann, according to ESPN's Emily Kaplan (h/t Yahoo Sports.)

Perreault, a 2023 first-round pick, likely remains a "hard no," according to Mercogliano.

Mercogliano speculated, however, that Rangers general manager Chris Drury might be willing to consider a deal involving Othmann, who has 36 points in 48 games with the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack this season.

Guentzel, who has spent the majority of his eight-season NHL career on the Penguins' top line alongside Crosby, has 219 goals and 466 points in 503 career games.

The New York Rangers are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender this season and currently sit third in the Eastern Conference, behind only the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins.

They are also in need of right-wing help, a position the team must upgrade to see their dreams and aspirations become a reality.

The team knows this and has expressed "serious interest" in trading for Pittsburgh's Jake Guentzel, Vincent Mercogliano of the Westchester Journal News reported.

The only problem? An astronomical asking price from the Penguins, who are seeking "a first-round pick and multiple young assets." The Pens are seeking quality over quantity, but have made it clear in their dealings that they are looking to get younger amid ranking as the oldest team in the NHL this season with an average age of 30.8.

The Rangers should help them do so, especially considering what Guentzel brings to the table.

The winger can play on the right side and before an injury that landed him on the long-term injured reserve, had tallied 52 (22 goals, 30 assists) points in 50 games. Guentzel reportedly suffered a fractured finger, per Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, and is eligible to return two days after the March 8 trade deadline.

Assuming he is healthy and there are no long-term effects of the injury, Guentzel would likely pay immediate dividends for a team that currently ranks 10th in scoring with 3.31 goals per game.

The haul to get Guentzel will not be easy to stomach, with the Rangers likely having to give up a rostered player or prospect, and a first-round draft pick. On the heels of a trade for Seattle defenseman Alex Wennberg, the team still has "first-round picks this year and next, plus a decent crop of mid-level prospects," according to Arthur Staple of The Athletic.

The question will be whether the team can make the deal from a financial standpoint.

Staple wrote that the team benefited from Seattle retaining some of Wennberg's salary, and conceivably has north of $3 million in space. Guentzel's current cap hit is for double that, meaning the team would likely have to include players in the deal to free up space or find a third partner to help facilitate the deal.

Is it a headache from that standpoint? Absolutely, but the Rangers have an opportunity to compete for a championship that they have not hoisted in 30 years.

Not making every move they possibly can to capitalize on momentum and their place near the top of the conference by bringing in a player that will not only enhance their offensive output but can force turnovers and hunt down pucks.

Guentzel is a potential difference-maker, the sort of player the most serious teams bring in to help increase the odds of a championship push.

And he should absolutely be a Ranger by the deadline Friday or the team will have missed out on an opportunity to make a statement to the rest of the NHL.

Sitting atop the Metropolitan Division standings, the New York Rangers are exploring potentially significant additions before Friday's trade deadline.

Per Vincent Z. Mercogliano of the Westchester Journal News, the Rangers have expressed "serious interest" in Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel.

Frank Vatrano of the Anaheim Ducks is also a player the Rangers have high on their wish list, but Mercogliano noted the price for him and Guentzel is extremely lofty.

The Penguins are believed to be seeking a first-round draft pick and "multiple young assets" for Guentzel as general manager Kyle Dubas attempts the difficult task of helping the team stay relevant during Sidney Crosby's twilight while also keeping an eye toward the future.

That price could be an issue for Rangers general manager Chris Drury, who "strongly prefers" not to give up any players currently on the NHL team or top prospects Brennan Othmann and Gabe Perreault.

There is an expectation that Guentzel is going to be traded, with an agreement possibly in place by Wednesday night.

Per TSN's Darren Dreger, the Penguins hope to have a deal for the 29-year-old in place and are open to a quantity-over-quality return.

Sources say the Penguins are hoping to have a trade in place for Jake Guentzel by tomorrow evening. Pittsburgh is open to quality over quantity in return, but would like a 1st, young NHL player, plus prospects. Flexibility comes in the calibre of prospect or roster player.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 5, 2024

Guentzel is in the final season of a five-year, $30 million contract and carries an average annual value of $6 million and a 12-team no-trade clause, per CapFriendly. He remains out with what is speculated to be a fractured finger, per Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli, but is expected to return soon after the trade deadline.

In 50 games this season, the left winger has posted 22 goals and 30 assists, giving him an average of just over a point per game.

The New Jersey Devils announced Monday that head coach Lindy Ruff has been fired and replaced on an interim basis by associate coach Travis Green.

"I hold our entire organization to the highest levels of accountability to focus on being a competitive team that expects to be a perennial playoff contender," team president and general manager Tom Fitzgerald said in the statement. "Unfortunately, we are not currently at that level, and I needed to make this decision."

The Devils sit on 64 points, putting them seven points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for the final bid out of the Metropolitan Division and eight points behind the Tampa Bay Lighting for the final wild-card berth.

"I take full responsibility; you want to win," Ruff told reporters on Feb. 26 following a 4-1 loss to the Lightning. "We've dealt with a lot. Players want to win. I'm responsible for the wins and losses, who gets on the ice and who doesn't get on the ice."

In total, the 64-year-old Ruff went 128-125-28 in parts of four seasons with the Devils, leading them to the Stanley Cup playoffs and a first-round victory over the New York Rangers last season before being eliminated by the Carolina Panthers. The team did not reach the postseason in either of his first two seasons on the job.

Lindy Ruff led the #NJDevils franchise to one of the most memorable regular seasons on record in 2022-23. He was a Jack Adams Award finalist; helped the club overcome an 0-2 deficit vs the Rangers in the EC 1st Rd. Gave Devils' fans reason to believe. (1/2)

— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) March 4, 2024

It was a struggle this season. Injuries played a part; lack of quality goaltending; & support in front of those goalies was troublesome. The PP suffered after the loss of Dougie Hamilton. Ruff deserves blame, but certainly not all of it. Players need to look in the mirror (2/2).

— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) March 4, 2024

"This was an extremely difficult conversation to have with Lindy based on the relationship that he and I have," Fitzgerald noted Monday. "He was the right coach to develop our young players on the ice, and above all else, he is a tremendous person."

Green, 53, went 133-147-34 as the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks between the 2017-18 and 2021-22 seasons. He then was brought aboard Ruff's staff in New Jersey. Other coaching stops included gigs in the AHL and WHL.

"Travis has key experience running benches at the junior, AHL and NHL levels and knows that there are no shortcuts to success," Fitzgerald said. "He is a high-demanding individual who is familiar with the group and excited about working to get us back on track."

The hope will be that a coaching change can inject some life into the Devils for a late-season playoff push. They have their work cut out for them in that regard.