The Hockey Writers Daily - September 8, 2023
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In today’s edition, we have the latest news and rumors from Vancouver, how Rangers defenseman Adam Fox can benefit from Phil Housley, burning questions for the Penguins, and much more.
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Here’s the good stuff…
Canucks News & Rumors: Boeser, Mikheyev, Pettersson & More
September 7, 2023 by Sartaaj Bhullar
In this edition of the Vancouver Canucks News & Rumors, Brock Boeser talks about the changes he made in his off-season training. Additionally, an update on Tanner Pearson, Tucker Poolman and Ilya Mikheyev. Also, ESPN released their season projections for multiple NHL players, including Elias Pettersson.
Rangers’ Adam Fox Will Benefit From Phil Housley
September 7, 2023 by Brendan Azoff
Replacing a coaching staff is always a unique challenge. You want to ensure the next coach and his staff will bring a culture and system that propels your team to the next level. The New York Rangers’ situation proves an even more significant hurdle, as the expectations on this club are Stanley Cup or bust.
Peter Laviolette was hired as the head coach by general manager Chris Drury. They worked together on piecing together a staff that fit the two hockey ages: the old-school gritty approach and the new-school analytic mindset. Former NHL defenseman and Buffalo Sabres head coach Phil Housley was brought in as Laviolette’s associate head coach.
3 Burning Questions for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2023-24
September 7, 2023 by George Majchrzak
As the summer of 2023 winds down, NHL training camps will start soon, which means the 2023-24 regular season will soon be upon us. For the Pittsburgh Penguins, it has been an eventful offseason, following the team’s first absence from the playoffs in 17 years.
New general manager (GM) Kyle Dubas came aboard in June, he hired Jason Spezza soon thereafter, and the two of them set about reshaping the team. Their biggest get, of course, was defenseman Erik Karlsson, but other moves, like acquiring right wing Reilly Smith fresh off a Stanley Cup win with the Vegas Golden Knights, give the sense that the Penguins are headed in the right direction. Still, there are no guarantees, and ice is slippery and unforgiving. Going into this season, I have many questions regarding things that could make or break any success for this team. Here are three of my biggest burning questions.
Sharks Have Reason for Optimism in the 2023-24 Season
September 7, 2023 by Andrew Stille
The San Jose Sharks are setting themselves up to be one of the worst teams in the 2023-24 season. After sending away the majority of their core, there is not a lot that remains of the team that made a trip to the Western Conference Final only a few seasons ago. By all accounts, there is little to be excited about other than a chance at the 2024 Draft Lottery. However, this season may not prove to be all bad for the Sharks. In fact, there may be some reason for optimism.
Despite the rather bleak chapter that the Sharks seem to be in right now, every once in a while there is a shimmer of potential for something that could turn the season around. While it is incredibly unlikely that they manage to completely reinvent themselves and make the playoffs, there could be at least one or two things that happen throughout the course of this season to cheer fans up. Additionally, if these successes snowball, it could create a very bright future for the Sharks.
Anaheim Ducks 2023-24 Projected Lineup
September 7, 2023 by Corey Abbott
The Anaheim Ducks will have plenty of new faces competing for roster spots when training camp opens in a couple of weeks. The team will also have new head coach Greg Cronin at the helm after Dallas Eakins was fired. Anaheim has not qualified for the playoffs in five straight seasons as the organization enters the development stage of its rebuild.
Barring injuries or a particular prospect standing head and shoulders above the rest, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Anaheim leaned toward icing a more veteran-laden lineup going into the regular season. More seasoning for the club’s prospects in the American Hockey League (AHL) could prove to be much more beneficial for the future of the franchise. With that in mind, here is a look at what the Ducks could look like entering the 2023-24 campaign…
ESPN’s 2023-24 Canadiens Projections: The Good & the Bad
September 7, 2023 by Shawn Wilken
With hockey season quickly approaching, those participating in fantasy hockey got an early look into the ESPN 2023-24 point projection. In total, 318 players received projected point totals for this season, including 12 members of the Montreal Canadiens. A total of 11 players in the NHL may reach the 100-point plateau, with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews sitting on the outside looking in with 99 points.
Some of the Canadiens listed are a part of the predicted top-100 point producers this season, with a surprising amount of offensive improvements across the board. Health will play a role in those players achieving these totals, as the Canadiens were pummelled with injuries last season, finishing the year with 751 man-games lost. Of course, some may regress on Montreal’s roster, including some leaving fans scratching their head.
More stuff from THW and around the NHL:
Toronto Maple Leafs - Maple Leafs Have 3 More Good PTO Targets After Signing Gregor
Winnipeg Jets - Roster Rebuild: Winnipeg Jets Retool on the Fly
NHL News & Rumors - Senators, Sabres, Penguins, Bruins
From TSN - Flyers officially sign Frost to two-year, $4.2M deal
From Sportsnet - Stud D-man Jake Sanderson's contract extension latest sign Senators mean business
From the NHL - McDavid excited for Oilers to host 2023 NHL Heritage Classic
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!