The Hockey Writers Daily - October 3, 2023
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Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily
In today’s edition, we have three Red Wings with something to prove in 2023-24, Jets’ lineup battles, the Oilers’ best-case scenarios for this season, and much more.
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Here’s the good stuff…
Senators’ Latest Offer Is Pinto’s Best Option
October 2, 2023 by Paul Quinney
Ottawa Senators general manager (GM) Pierre Dorion recently offered presumed star centreman Shane Pinto a one-year, $1 million contract according to Hockey Night in Canada’s (HNIC) Elliotte Friedman. The Pinto camp should take that offer and get the 22-year-old back to training camp. Pronto. Before Pinto fans start to light their hair on fire and Dorion haters start burning him in effigy because of this, hear me out. I do not expect Pinto to be pleased with the offer. Nor do I expect the good burghers of Bytown to think it’s fair.
Even so, this isn’t about what’s fair. It’s about what’s possible and neither do the Senators have the cap space now to pay Pinto the salt he’s worth nor Pinto any other option that’s better than accepting the team’s latest offer. Why you ask? Let’s take a look!
3 Red Wings With Something to Prove In 2023-24
October 2, 2023 by Tony Wolak
For the first time in nearly a decade, the Detroit Red Wings will enter a season with a realistic shot at the playoffs. They need to prove they belong first. On an individual level, a few Red Wings have something to prove as well. These players have a chip on their shoulder for a variety of reasons, and have extra motivation entering the new season.
Jets’ Lineup Battles Gaining Intrigue in Preseason Games
October 2, 2023 by Connor Hrabchak
The Winnipeg Jets are past the halfway point of training camp and preseason and have made a few rounds of roster cuts. With these cuts, we gain more clarity on the lineup battles that are occurring, and which players are still in the hunt for a depth position. For both the offensive and defensive sides, jobs will be won over the next week of practice and two preseason games. Here is where those battles currently stand, and who is in the “lead” heading into the final stretch.
Edmonton Oilers’ Best-Case Scenarios in 2023-24
October 2, 2023 by Rob Couch
The excitement is real for the most entertaining team in the league, as there are lots of expectations for the Edmonton Oilers this season. They have the best and arguably the second-best player in the league on their team and finished with the most goals and best power play in the league last season. This team went to the second round and are looking for more after upgrading in the offseason and growing as a group. Let’s dive into the best-case scenarios in 2023-24 for the Oilers.
4 Bold Colorado Avalanche Predictions for the 2023-24 Season
October 2, 2023 by Marko Zlomislic
With the NHL preseason in full swing and the Colorado Avalanche‘s first game of the regular season coming into view (Oct. 11 against the Los Angeles Kings), what better time than the present to throw out several predictions about the upcoming campaign?
The Avalanche are coming off an injury-filled season in which they still managed to win the Central Division by a single point, but were upset by the surprising Seattle Kraken in the first round of the 2023 Playoffs. Yet, several notable offseason additions have rightfully heightened expectations around the league and within the fanbase, and all eyes are on the Avalanche to see how they rebound from a disappointing Stanley Cup defense. With that context in mind, let’s dive into four bold predictions about how the Avalanche will fare in their pursuit of statistical milestones, awards races, and redemption arcs during the 2023-24 season.
3 Maple Leafs With the Biggest Expectations in 2023-24
October 2, 2023 by Michael DeRosa
It is not a secret that the Toronto Maple Leafs have big goals for the 2023-24 season. It is entirely understandable, as they have one of the top rosters, at least on paper, in the entire league. However, their regular-season success has not amounted to much during the playoffs, and they are hoping to change that this campaign.
Although the team as a unit will be under the microscope, they also have three players with the biggest expectations in 2023-24. Let’s go over each of them now.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Boston Bruins - 3 Bruins Facing a Prove-It 2023-24
Calgary Flames - Flames Wise to Send Wolf to AHL Instead of Rushing Trade
NHL News & Rumors - Maple Leafs, Oilers, Canadiens, Lightning
From TSN - Blackhawks rookie Bedard debuts on TSN's top 50 players
From Sportsnet - Ranking each Canadian team’s forward corps ahead of the 2023-24 NHL season
From the NHL - Training Camp Buzz: Krug makes preseason debut for Blues
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!