The Hockey Writers Daily - September 6, 2023
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Welcome to The Hockey Writers Daily
In today’s edition, we have a lineup projection for the Red Wings, a potential suitor for Evgeny Kuznetsov, Connor McDavid’s potential point total in 2023-24, an inside look at the Devils goaltending duo, and much more.
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Here’s the good stuff…
Red Wings Lineup Projection for 2023-24
September 5, 2023 by Tony Wolak
It’s September, which means the Detroit Red Wings return to action this month. For the second summer in a row, general manager Steve Yzerman aggressively reshaped his roster. The Red Wings now have the depth and talent to make a serious bid for the playoffs. Overall, this is a deeper team than what we’ve seen in years past. And Detroit’s offense stands to benefit from the added depth.
Capitals & Stars Could Be Perfect Trade Partners For Kuznetsov
September 5, 2023 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
The Washington Capitals will be looking to make it back into the playoff picture after a disastrous 2022-23 season. They have made a few additions, including forwards Max Pacioretty and Matthew Phillips, and re-signed long-time Capital Tom Wilson. They also attempted to bolster their back end with the acquisition of Joel Edmundson from the Montreal Canadiens to complete a roster that could be a fringe playoff team this season. The Capitals are tight for money and could look to maximize Evgeny Kuznetsov‘s value close to the trade deadline.
Senators Need to Have a #1 Goalie Despite Coach’s Comments
September 5, 2023 by Paul Quinney
Many hockey analysts casually refer to Joonas Korpisalo as the Ottawa Senators’ “presumptive starting goalie”. Not only is that a snub of Anton Forsberg, now widely considered the likely number two crease keeper in Ottawa, but according to some, it misunderstands the way goaltending works in the NHL these days.
Take for example the Senators’ head coach D.J. Smith. He pointed out in a press conference last weekend that the era when one star goalie carried the load is finished. Said Smith, “You don’t see the days where a guy like Grant Fuhr or Martin Brodeur played 70 games. That just doesn’t happen anymore” (from, Bruce Garrioch, “GARRIOCH: Senators head coach D.J. Smith has a ‘good feeling’ about the coming season”, The Ottawa Sun, 1/9/23).
5 Maple Leaf Player Predictions for 2023-24
September 5, 2023 by The Old Prof
The Toronto Maple Leafs are gearing up for the 2023-24 season after several roster changes, including newcomers, some players who came to the team at last season’s trade deadline, and players who have been with the organization for a few seasons.
In this preview, I’ll take a closer look at what fans might expect from five Maple Leafs this season. Among those players, I’ll cover some who might be looking for redemption stories and those who have breakout potential. The Maple Leafs’ roster is a group of diverse players, each with personal aims and goals.
Oilers’ Connor McDavid Will Surpass 160 Points This Season
September 5, 2023 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
Connor McDavid is and will continue to prove that he is the best hockey player on the planet. Whatever bar is set for McDavid at the beginning of any season, he has surpassed it and then some. He has some high expectations coming off of yet another impressive regular season and a solid playoff showing. He is the fastest player in the league and continues to use his speed to dominate his opposition.
Playing alongside a few of the league’s most elite players, McDavid has the potential to blow the minds of even more fans this season. He only needs 150 points to surpass 1,000 career points, and he is only 53 assists away from 600 in his career. Barring any unforeseen events, McDavid not hitting that mark seems impossible. Heading into the 2023-24 season, McDavid will surpass 160 points, with at least 100 assists, and break the 50-goal mark for the second time in his career.
Devils Goaltending vs. Rest of Metropolitan Division
September 5, 2023 by Alex Chauvancy
The New Jersey Devils took a step forward a season ago because they got well above league-average goaltending from Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid. Despite trade rumors surrounding the Devils and Connor Hellebuyck earlier this offseason, it appears they’ll enter the season with Vanecek and Schmid as their tandem. How do they stack up against the rest of the Metropolitan Division? Let’s take a look.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Boston Bruins - 2023-24 Opening Night Lineup Predictions
Columbus Blue Jackets - Blue Jackets’ National Game Allocation: A Justified Outcome
NHL News & Rumors - Red Wings, Bruins, Islanders, Flames
From TSN - An NHL rule tweak that could be worth hundreds of goals
From Sportsnet - Scout's Analysis: On Matvei Michkov and developing a prospect in Russia
From the NHL - Necas focused on taking next step with Hurricanes, not contract status
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!
All articles and almost Eastern teams except for your Darling boy Connor McDavid. All West coast teams articles are always 2-3 days late or more. I am not impressed.