NHL Rumours: Los Angeles Kings and New York Islanders

Analysis: LeBrun said the Kings and general manager Rob Blake have yet to decide on the future of the head coaching position. Hiller filled in after Todd McLellan was fired mid-season and the Kings did make the playoffs. However, the Edmonton Oilers eliminated Los Angeles for the third straight season.

Los Angeles was teetering on the playoff line, but it did make the post-season despite some ups and downs. LeBrun did say the Kings liked the way Hiller handled himself. However, it’s yet to be determined if Hiller has done enough to earn the job. Hiller is a long-time assistant that has earned a ton of respect around the league. Many feel that he’s done enough to earn the job.

However, there are a number of candidates that could fill the void. LeBrun added that the Kings and Hiller will talk next week about the job. It’s not unheard of to take the interim tag off of a head coach from this season. The St Louis Blues did that recently in giving Drew Bannister the head coaching gig.

The Kings and Blake might be feeling pressure after getting dropped by the Oilers once again. However, keeping Hiller could allow some form of continuity.

New York Islanders

Rumour: We go back to a recent edition of 32 Thoughts where Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek discuss the next contract for standout defenceman Noah Dobson.

Analysis: Dobson really broke out this season for the Islanders with 60 assists and 70 points. The 24-year-old blueliner has another year at $4 million before he becomes a restricted free agent on July 1, 2025. Dobson is an arbitration-eligible RFA when his deal comes up. However, he can sign a contract extension on July 1 of this year.

The Summerside, Prince Edward Island native likely just missed out on being nominated for the Norris Trophy. Marek speculated that Dobson could fetch a deal around eight years and $8 million per season. One of the main things that general manager Lou Lamoriello does is identify talent and lock them for as long as they can. Friedman added that Islanders management will probably work hard to get a deal done for their young blueliner sooner rather than later.

Dobson does help bring something that the Islanders don’t normally have. The Islanders are usually one of the more structurally sound teams on defence. However, Dobson is an excellent puck mover and can really make some solid passes. There may be some changes to add some more offensive pop in the lineup. However, Dobson is probably going to be locked up sometime in the summer. He’s one of the team’s better offensive players.

New York was almost left for dead around the All-Star Break, but Patrick Roy took over behind the bench and got them into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Keeping Dobson around would be key to the Islanders taking the next step and contending in the division.