The Hockey Writers Daily - June 27, 2023
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Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily.
In today’s edition we have a 1st Round Mock Draft from our team of writers, the Maple Leafs top-3 worst free agent signings of all time, grades for the Taylor Hall trade, the latest NHL News & Rumors and more.
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Here’s the good stuff:.
THW 2023 Mock NHL Draft Round 1: Our Writers Make Their Picks
With the 2023 NHL Draft just a few days away, it’s time for one of our annual tradition here at The Hockey Writers where we get our writing team involved and take part in the writers’ mock draft. Similar to last year, we got together with our team and they made their selections through the first 32 picks. This post will cover the entire first-round and each selection will be followed by an explanation of the pick by the writer who made the pick.
Top 3 Worst Free Agent Signings in Maple Leafs History
With free agency less than 10 days away, all 32 teams are preparing for who they want to talk to on the open market. Before that, the 2023 NHL Draft will take place on June 28 and 29, where the general managers (GM) of each organization will try and find future centrepieces to help their clubs. The teams that are classified as contenders typically try and add more through free agency to help their teams immediately. However, it doesn’t always work out.
Some clubs take a big swing at a player on the open market and after the first year, it looks to be a waste of money. This has happened a fair amount to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Before the Auston Matthews era, they took chances on players to try and end the suffering. Unfortunately, it led to more of it.
Grading Blackhawks’ Trade for Taylor Hall From Bruins
The Boston Bruins are looking to dump some salary ahead of the start of free agency on July 1 and they found the perfect trade partner on Monday afternoon. In a four-player trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, the Bruins sent Taylor Hall and the pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) rights of Nick Foligno in exchange for defensemen Alec Regula and Ian Mitchell.
This is a good deal for the Blackhawks who are expected to take Connor Bedard No. 1 overall on Wednesday night (June 28) in NHL Entry Draft in Nashville.
NHL Rumors: Kings, Canadiens, Sharks, Blues, Flyers
In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Los Angeles Kings have apparently been given permission to speak with Pierre-Luc Dubois about a contract extension in the event that the Kings and Winnipeg Jets can finalize a trade. Does this rule the Montreal Canadiens out when it comes to the forward? Meanwhile, Erik Karlsson was fairly straightforward about how he feels having not yet been traded to a Stanley Cup contender. What is holding up a Tony DeAngelo trade back to Carolina? Finally, will Torey Krug want out of St. Louis now that he knows the Blues are trying to trade him?
Red Wings Mock Draft 3.0: All 7 Rounds & Trades
It’s crunch time for the Detroit Red Wings. And with the 2023 NHL Draft around the corner, there’s time for one last mock draft before the real deal.
This time, we’re covering all seven rounds and considering trade opportunities. To do this, we’ll use Draft Prospects Hockey’s mock draft simulator. Let’s get started!
Maple Leafs Treliving Poised to Do Something Bold Soon
In a recent post, I discussed the possibility of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ new general manager (GM), Brad Treliving, trading William Nylander to the Calgary Flames for Tyler Toffoli. This trade proposal stems from my belief that Treliving, in his new position, feels the need to make his own mark on the team.
More THW stuff from around the NHL:
Calgary Flames - 3 Trade Destinations for Tyler Toffoli
From ESPN - What's next for the Senators after sale to Michael Andlauer?
Montreal Canadiens - 2023 NHL Mock Draft
From TSN - Trotz: Predators trying to move into top four in NHL Draft
New Jersey Devils - Devils News & Rumors: Green, Hellebuyck & More
From Sportsnet - 2023 NHL Awards: Full list of winners
We hope you enjoyed today’s THW Daily, and we hope to expand our daily offerings as we develop and experiment with this new platform. Cheers!