The Hockey Writers Daily - July 26, 2023
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In today’s edition we have five things that Leafs fans should be excited about this season, roster predictions for the Rangers, how the Bruins and Flames could help each other, the Jets best contracts for the 2023-24 season, and much more.
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Here’s the good stuff:.
Maple Leafs: 5 Things to Be Excited About for 2023-24 Season
We are less than three months away from the start of the 2023-24 regular season. The Toronto Maple Leafs are entering the year with very high expectations, and there are plenty of things to look forward to when looking at their current group. As a result, let’s discuss five things that Maple Leafs fans should be excited about for the upcoming campaign.
New York Rangers 2023-24 Roster Predictions: Post-Free Agency
The New York Rangers were not expected to be major players during free agency and mostly signed players to one-year contracts because of their cap situation. The new additions are anticipated to play a supporting role in 2023-24 to round out a solid roster.
Here’s a look at some predictions for the opening-night lineup.
Canadiens Should Bury Hoffman in AHL in 2023-24
The chance of a future between the Montreal Canadiens and forward Mike Hoffman beyond the 2023-24 season is infinitesimally small at best. So, why wait to cut the cord… or, more accurately, cut him, demoting him to the American Hockey League?
Really, the only thing preventing general manager Kent Hughes from trading Hoffman is his less-than-ideal $4.5 million cap hit (for the production he brings). However, the closer the 2024 trade deadline gets, the likelier it is Hughes finds a partner of some sort, especially with Hoffman heading toward unrestricted free agency next summer.
Flames & Bruins Can Make Deal as Lindholm Decision is in Limbo
Teams have definitely shown interest in Lindholm, as one would when a top player making $4.85 million average annual value (AAV) on the final year of his contract isn’t sure about re-signing, but clearly, nothing has come of it yet. The Boston Bruins are now a team to watch very closely, who will show more interest in Lindholm as they lost their captain, Patrice Bergeron, after he announced his retirement. For many years Bergeron has been a staple on the top line, playing incredible two-way hockey. Not only does his retirement open up cap space to work with and address the hole, but Lindholm’s cheap contract also holds the best value the Bruins will get at this point in the offseason.
Winnipeg Jets 3 Best Contracts for 2023-24
Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has inked many players to team-friendly contracts over the years. This includes much of the current core in addition to a few players likely on their way out.
The Jets have not garnered much in the way of results in Cheveldayoff’s 12 years at the helm, with just three playoff series victories. Nonetheless, the team is still near the cap ceiling and will benefit from some excellent contracts as they attempt to simultaneously retool and stay competitive this season.
Here, we’ll dive into their three best contracts going into the 2023-24 season.
3 Senators Prospects That Deserve Call-Ups in 2023-24
After signing Joonas Korpisalo and trading away Alex DeBrincat, the Ottawa Senators have essentially completed their roster for the 2023-24 season. Eleven of the 12 forwards currently listed on the active roster have one-way contracts, as do six of the seven defensemen. That doesn’t leave much room for any training camp battles; newcomer Zach MacEwen has the least secure hold on a roster spot, but with Austin Watson’s departure leaving the team without an enforcer, it seems likely he starts the season in Ottawa.
That means that fans will likely have to wait a couple of months before they can see some of the young prospects get a chance to play in the NHL.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Edmonton Oilers - Top-10 Prospects of 2023-24
NHL News & Rumors - Bruins, Wild & Oilers
Buffalo Sabres - Sabres Can End Their Playoff Drought in 2023-24
From TSN - Blackhawks' chairman, principal owner Wirtz dies at 70
From Sportsnet - Most memorable moments of Patrice Bergeron’s Hall of Fame career
From the NHL - Penguins add Cup winner Smith in bid to return to playoffs
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