The Hockey Writers Daily - October 2, 2023
A daily Substack newsletter with all the best content from The Hockey Writers
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily
In today’s edition, we have the best-case scenarios for the Canadiens in 2023-24, the NHL’s top 10 defencemen this season, a tough roster decision for the Blackhawks, and much more.
It would be great if you’d share the THW Daily with your friends and family so that they can subscribe and enjoy every day.
Also, don’t forget to check out all of our FREE team Substacks, and sign up for your favorite…or all of them if you want.
Here’s the good stuff…
Montreal Canadiens’ Best-Case Scenarios in 2023-24
October 1, 2023 by Rob Couch
The Montreal Canadiens are headed into the 2023-24 season with some expectations for the team and their players. While some are held to a higher standard and the team isn’t expected to make the postseason this season, there are those who need to also take steps forward so the team can compete in the near future. In regards to the Canadiens and the players, these are some of the best-case scenarios in 2023-24.
NHL’s Top 10 Defencemen for 2023-24
October 1, 2023 by Rupert McDonald
Prior to the 2022-23 season, we put lists together on the top 10 players for each position, as well as coaches. It goes without saying that it is a very tough list to do given how subjective it is, but nevertheless we are here to do it once again.
As you will see, there are names on this list that have changed due to some defencemen playing exceptional this past season, while others struggled. With that said, here are the top 10 defensemen in the NHL as we get set to enter the 2023-24 season.
Korchinski’s Speed & Skill Making Blackhawks’ Decision Tough
October 1, 2023 by Brooke LoFurno
The one Chicago Blackhawks prospect that everyone is intrigued by, besides Connor Bedard, is Kevin Korchinski, and for good reason. He was their 2022 seventh-overall draft pick and has the skill set to be one of the team’s most dynamic defensemen they have seen in years. He had an impressive training camp last season, followed by a career year with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL (Western Hockey League), winning the WHL U.S. Division Defenseman of the Year, and was a finalist for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy (WHL Defenseman of the Year).
While speaking with Thunderbirds’ general manager Bil La Forge about Nolan Allan for part one of this series, I got some extra insight into how Korchinski’s game has evolved into the player once again turning heads at this year’s Blackhawks’ training camp.
Canucks’ Hughes Looks Improved After Being Named Captain
October 1, 2023 by Scott Clarke
Vancouver Canucks fans are no stranger to who Quinn Hughes is. Now entering his sixth year in a Vancouver jersey, the American-born defenseman has been one of the faces of the franchise for quite some time.
With his slick passing, improved defensive play, and his ability to quarterback a power play, he has entered the conversation when it comes to the best defensemen in the league. However, after being named captain of the Canucks just three weeks ago, Hughes looks even more improved so far during preseason play.
Projecting Blue Jackets Roster 2.0: Nothing’s Settled Yet
October 1, 2023 by Mark Scheig
The Columbus Blue Jackets have played half of their preseason games after a 4-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres Saturday afternoon at KeyBank Center. Now seems like a good time to do a roster check-in to see how close the team is to knowing what their final roster will look like.
There might still be four games to play. However that doesn’t mean there are four more chances to make an impression. Earlier in camp, coach Pascal Vincent said they’d use two of the final games as a dress rehearsal. This means guys on the bubble are running out of chances to make their case. Welcome to Projecting the 2023-24 Blue Jackets version 2.0. In case you missed version 1.0, we wrote that in the summer as a baseline to set expectations.
Ex-Oiler Feels Vincent Desharnais Could Reach Ekholm’s Level
October 1, 2023 by Sean Panganiban
Edmonton Oilers defenceman Vincent Desharnais revealed his mental preparation for before and after games on the “The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro” recently and noted that he writes daily affirmations as part of his daily journaling routine, jotting down regularly, “I am an NHL player, and I will win the Stanley Cup.”
The towering blueliner has overcome many challenges in his quest to become an everyday NHLer and his teammates and Oilers’ fans do hope his daily affirmations of becoming a Stanley Cup champion come true this season.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Toronto Maple Leafs - Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Jones, Knies, Minten & Timmins
Ottawa Senators - Senators Need to Win Early to Have Postseason Chance
NHL News & Rumors - Maple Leafs, Flames, Red Wings, Senators
From TSN - 'He had such a presence': Snow remembered by Flames as an inspiration
From Sportsnet - 20 Fantasy Thoughts: Can Huberdeau bounce back with Flames?
From the NHL - Blackhawks' Savoie has surgery on right femur
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!