December 30, 2024 | 6:50pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

MORE MAJOR MOVES COMING IN NEW YORK?

Mika Zibanejad, forward

The New York Rangers are contemplating more changes at various levels and multiple reports suggest moves could come both on and off the ice.

The New York Post reported late Sunday that the team has “quit on their coach” and Head Coach Peter Laviolette’s job may be in jeopardy after the team has fallen to last in the Metropolitan Division.

Though the majority of the Rangers’ troubles are on the ice, as several players continue to struggle and frustration is beyond evident at this point, a change behind the bench may be inevitable if the team does not start to gain traction up the standings.

On Monday, during the latest “32 Thoughts” segment on Sportsnet, Elliotte Friedman noted the report by the Post and added that Laviolette’s “kind of caught in the middle of all this. He knows this is a results-oriented business.”

Outside of a coaching change, however, Friedman reported the Rangers and GM Chris Drury are looking to make more moves.

“We are far from finished with major change for the Rangers,” Friedman said.

Last week, TFP’s David Pagnotta reported teams have asked the Rangers about defenceman K’Andre Miller, while the likes of forwards Chris Kreider, Reilly Smith and Sam Carrick are among those available in the trade market.

One player who may also be available is veteran forward Mika Zibanejad, who owns a full no-movement clause.

Citing a source close to the Rangers, Pagnotta reported on Monday that Zibanejad would be open to waiving his NMC for the right environment. It is unclear, however, if the Rangers and Zibanejad have discussed which teams he would accept a move to, but that conversation could come if Drury finds the right fit.

Friedman also suggested on Monday that Zibanejad could be up for grabs and he could be the next big shoe to drop in Manhattan, but noted the team is wide open for business.

“Maybe I’m wrong, maybe it’s not Zibanejad. Maybe they start looking somewhere else,” Friedman said.

In 35 games with the Rangers so far this season, Zibanejad has tallied six goals and 15 assists for 21 points.